Mar
1
Cheap and bombproof: More Fenix flashlight goodness
Filed Under Bombproof bargains | Leave a Comment
Another flashlight geek managed to inadvertently test the durability of a cheap Fenix flashlight…
Fenix and the Ultimate Drop Test
For those of you wondering just how tough the new Fenix L1P is, I found out today. I was working on top of an elevator in New York replacing some hatch wiring, when I dropped my very new L1P. Now in the elevator industry nothing dropped while on top of an elevator cab stays on top of an elevator cab. As I watched my new light roll off the top of the cab I thought thank God I bought two because this one is a goner. Now to make this story complete I must tell you that I was working between the 17th and 18th floors so I was pretty sure the little light was history.
My partner who saw me drop something asked “that wasn’t your light was it”. Well I told him that it was and since I had given him an L1P also, he knew how pissed I was at dropping it, and offered to take one of the other elevators down and look for it. When he came back up he showed me the light, which was dented and gouged and generally looked like it had fallen 17 stories, and without saying a word clicked the end of it. Well needless to say the light came right on, of course this would be a real crappy story if it didn’t. So if anyone is thinking about buying a Fenix but thinks it might not be well built or tough let me tell you this is one tough little light. I am not saying they all could take this kind of fall but if one can then certainly it falling out of your pocket or off a ladder should be no problem.
Feb
23
I’ve been thinking about and collecting material on this idea for years, and I’ll be posting more of these regularly here as I have time. Check back occasionally…
If you’re hungry for more now, check out this thread I started on ask.metafilter.
Feb
23
The Top Gear Toyota Hilux (image from carpages.co.uk)
The ethos of “cheap and bombproof” could be grocked almost completely by contemplating the humble Toyota pickup truck.
Across the world, for decades, the inexpensive Toyota truck has been the unofficial official vehicle of the rural Third-world, as well as second and first world inhabitants who require a tough, insanely reliable go-anywhere vehicle. The Land Rover may have originally conquered the Africa bush, but the Toyota pickup has now largely replaced it there. The old Rovers may be easy to repair, but the Toyotas have the advantage of not breaking down in the first place.
If you have a pulse, a vat of vaguely combustible liquid and a Toyota pickup, you can reasonably expect to be able to get around indefinitely.
Feb
23
It may be pushing the bounds of incredulity to call the Fenix P3D flashlight ”cheap” at $65, but if you compare it to the gold-standard light of similar size and function, the Surefire U2 at $275, it’s a positive steal.
Another point of ‘cheapness’ (as if I had to justify this to you): Fenix lights are mass-produced in China. Here’s a cute picture of the people who make them, posing with dear Chairman Mao:
(more images and engrossing information at fenixlight.com)
“Thanks for the fascinating lesson in the global manufacturing economy and all,” I can hear you saying, “but where’s the bombproof come in?”
Jan
13
Nothing like the right light
Filed Under Forest Sanctuary, via mobile | Leave a Comment
Nothing like the right light
Originally uploaded by tumbleweed.
