Comparison Fenix E28R V2.0 vs Fenix E28R

Color temperature determines the overall color of the glow—how “warm” or “cool” is the hue of the light beam emitted by the flashlight. Note that the relationship between “warmth” and color temperature is inverse: higher numbers mean “cooler” colors.

The indicator is expressed in Kelvin (K). Values up to approximately 2800 K correspond to warm light, around 4000 K is daylight white light, above 5000 K is cold light (which, as the color temperature rises, becomes more and more blue). In the context of flashlights, the parameter can remain constant or be flexibly changed to suit the user’s needs (in models with a color temperature adjustment function).

Luminous flux (measured in lumens) can be described as the total amount of light produced by an LED or other light source and emitted in all directions the source shines by itself. In practice, this means a flashlight’s capability depends not only on luminous flux but also on beam angle. For example, a relatively weak flux can be concentrated into a narrow beam to achieve good throw; while effectively covering a wide area will inevitably require a large number of lumens.

Peak luminous flux is the short-term maximum brightness a light source can deliver with a fresh battery and low temperature, usually in Turbo mode. It’s used to gauge instantaneous burst output. Unlike sustained (long-term) luminous flux, the peak lasts seconds or minutes and then drops due to heating down to High mode, so for real-world use it’s more important to understand how many lumens a flashlight can maintain steadily. You can see this with EDC models: a stated 2000 lm is impressive for a quick outdoor search, but for a long walk the device will switch, say, to 1000 lm, keeping a comfortable body temperature and solid runtime.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that high flashlight brightness is far from always justified, and you should choose this parameter based on real conditions of use. At short distances, very bright light can be a hindrance: it tires the eyes and can dazzle people nearby. In addition, increasing brightness usually requires more powerful sources of both light an...d power, so the flashlight’s weight and overall dimensions go up.

The maximum range at which the flashlight provides any effective illumination of objects. Different manufacturers have different criteria for this efficiency when measuring ranges, and therefore it is only possible to unequivocally compare among themselves in range only models of one manufacturer. At the same time, this parameter allows us to compare models from different manufacturers with some certainty: for example, flashlights with a lighting range of 15 m and 100 m will clearly belong to different range classes, regardless of manufacturers.

Note that the range of illumination depends not only on the maximum luminous flux provided by the lantern (see above), but also on the features of its design: the narrower the beam is provided by the reflector of the lantern, the greater the range will be, and vice versa — scattered light does not spread far. Some models allow you to adjust the beam width depending on the requirements of the situation (for more details, see "Adjusting the focus").

It is also worth bearing in mind that models with the same claimed lighting range can cover different spaces. For example, a hand lamp (see Type) with a reflector diameter of 20 cm will be able to provide a wider beam than a conventional hand lamp with a 5 cm reflector. And although in both cases the objects that fall into the light spot will be illuminated in the same way, however, in the first case, the size of the spot itself will be larger, and the actual efficien...cy of the flashlight will be correspondingly higher (in light of the fact that it is easier to "feel" individual objects with a wide beam, especially at a considerable distance).

The angle of light or illumination provided by a flashlight.

The meaning of these parameters is generally the same — we are talking about the angle that forms the edges of the light flux diverging from the lantern. The only difference is what is meant by edges. So, speaking about the angle of the glow, they usually mean the angle directly between the edges of the main stream; beyond these edges the light does not propagate. And the word "light" refers to a relatively narrow sector in the centre of the light flux; there is also light outside its edges, but its intensity is low, and effective illumination is provided only within the light zone. Thus, there is no fundamental difference between these terms — both of them characterize the width of the sector effectively covered by the lantern.

In addition to the coverage width itself, the luminous flux density and, as a result, the effective illumination range also depend on this indicator. With the same number of lumens (see “Maximum luminous flux”), a small coverage angle allows you to brighter illuminate objects that fall under the beam and provide greater “range”; and a large angle, respectively, will mean extensive coverage, but with a small effective range and less illumination of objects within the beam.

Also note that if the coverage area has the shape of a rectangle, then for different brands (and even in different models of the same brand) this parameter can be designated differently:...in some cases, the angle is measured along the larger side of the rectangle, in others — diagonally. Most often, this difference is not fundamental, but exceptions are possible; in such cases, you should refer to the official documentation of the manufacturer.

The capacity of the battery provided in the design or delivery of the flashlight.

Theoretically, a higher capacity allows to achieve greater battery life, but in fact, not everything is so simple. Firstly, the actual battery life will also depend on power consumption — and it can be different even in models with the same luminous flux (this is due to the difference in the characteristics of individual LEDs). Secondly, the physical features of the designation in milliamp-hours (mAh) are such that only batteries with the same nominal voltage can be directly compared by this indicator (in other cases, indicators must be recalculated using special formulas).

In light of all this, we can say that battery capacity is more of a reference than a practically significant parameter. So, in some cases, it allows you to compare different models of flashlights with each other, but only very approximately. For example, a device with a 1600 mAh battery will definitely have a longer battery life than a model with an 800 mAh battery that is similar in brightness, lamp type and “weight category”; but how much battery life will be higher is impossible to say for sure. So, in order to assess the practical capabilities of a flashlight, it is worth focus on more "close to life" characteristics — first of all, on the directly claimed maximum battery life (see above), as well as battery life indicators in different modes indicated in the manufacturer's documentation.

Runtime at high “working” brightness High. Duration depends on the battery, driver quality (current stability), the body’s thermal conductivity, and conditions: in cold it lasts longer, in heat — shorter. Brightness–time graphs are useful for evaluation: in quality models the curve is smooth, without sudden drops. This mode is chosen for tasks that need powerful, steady light — hour-long repair jobs, trekking on a trail, bike rides, searching the yard; to extend runtime, choose a flashlight with a large battery and a hefty body with good cooling.

The operating time in Low mode indicates how long the flashlight shines at low brightness before there’s a noticeable decrease in light level according to factory tests, usually at room temperature and with the battery provided. Low is chosen for long-duration tasks: set it as a tent light, attach it with a magnetic tail under the hood, or leave it as a nightlight or marker—situations where autonomy and moderate brightness are important. In this mode, the electronics heat up less and consume power more efficiently than in Medium/High, so the stated hours often reach the tens, especially in models with 18650/21700 batteries. It's important to consider that the actual "Low mode runtime" varies depending on the quality and capacity of the battery, outdoor temperature, and driver settings (such as whether there are steps and constant brightness maintenance). Compared to "Eco/Ultralow," Low provides a more practical level of light for household and service tasks, preserving the main advantage—long autonomy without overheating and unnecessary battery resource loss.

The ability to charge the flashlight from a standard USB port. Such connectors are mandatory for modern computers and laptops, they are found in other types of equipment (from tablets to audio systems); in addition, USB power adapters are produced for household sockets and car cigarette lighters. Thus, charging from USB significantly expands the capabilities of the flashlight: instead of a specialized charger (which, moreover, can be forgotten or lost), you can use any USB port for this.

Note that compact models (for example, keychains - see "Type") are often equipped with their own USB plugs, but a larger flashlight may require a cable.

The charging port itself can be microUSB or USB-C. In some cases, there are models with a proprietary cable, on one end of which there is a USB-A plug.

A permanent type magnet built right into the body of the flashlight.

The built-in magnet is selected so that it can hold the flashlight on a steel or other magnetic surface. At the same time, in many models, the magnet is placed at the end of the elongated body and allows you to “stick” the device to at least a horizontal surface, and often also to vertical walls. Anyway, this function allows you to at least fix the flashlight on magnetic materials, freeing your hands; this can be a great alternative to the hanging hook (see above), especially if there are no hooks nearby. And in some flashlights, a magnetic latch is also used to secure the plug from the charger; in models with such functionality, it may even be possible to mount the charger on the wall and simply hang a flashlight on it to replenish the energy supply.