Fenix has been active from the start of led flashlights and made many good lights, this one here is a single level AAA light with a build in diffuser. The use interface is very simple, just screw it together and it turns on. The light is made of aluminum with hard-anodized (Type 3) finish
The light is delivered in a small cardboard box with a window and selected specifications printed on the box.
The light is delivered in a small cardboard box with a window and selected specifications printed on the box.
The box contains the light, a split ring, a spare o-ring, the manual and a warrenty card.
The light uses a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic with a diffuser. There is no front glass, the plastic diffuser is the front and there is a hole in it, but not all the way down to the led.
The head has a band of knurling.
Moving to the backside of the head there is the battery connection, the ring around the center is used for connection to the battery tube. The light will only turn on when the tube is touching the ring.
The threads are on the battery tube are nicely done and an o-ring makes the light waterproof. Inside the battery tube is the usual spring.
The battery tube has lot of knurling.
The back end of the battery tube has a hole that can used to mount the split ring and because of the grove it can still tail stand.
The E05 is a very small AAA light with a very simple operation (It only has one level). It works well up to a few meters and is better for reading a book or a map, than most other AAA lights (Due to the build in diffuser). I am a bit worried that the hole in the lens will collect some dirt over time and will have to be cleaned.
Technical specification and measurements
This light is designed for 1.5 volt AAA batteries (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium).
Measured size and weight:
Length: 64.4 mm
Diameter: 14.4 mm
Weight: 23.1 gram with eneloop
The light uses a Cree XP-G R4 led.
In the above table I have used 800mAh eneloop batteries for measuring and estimating the runtime. This light does runs at a moderate current giving it a long runtime.
Note: The above table is based on values at 1.2 volt.
I have automated the method I uses for voltage sweep, this has made it possible to use much higher resolution and add a power curve. This light has a good stabilization down to 0.62 volt. The efficiency goes down with falling voltage (This is always the case with single cell alkaline lights).
Even at the lower current drain of E05 Alkaline batteries cannot match a NiMH battery
The light uses current control and has no flashing modes.
Comparison to other Flashlights
Whitewall Fenix E05 with different exposures
Whitewall Fenix LD01 on medium with different exposures
The E05 has a less bright hotspot with brighter spill, this is much more obvious in real life, than the pictures show.
Comparison to medium level of other AAA lights:
Fenix E05 XP-G R4, 4Sevens Preon ReVO SS XP-G R4 NW, 4Sevens Preon Ti XP-G R5
Fenix LD01 SS XP-G R5, Olight Xmas 2010 XP-G S2, Klarus Mi10 XP-E R2
For the full comparison to other lights with graphs and beamshots see here.
