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I have both, and prefer the E01 because its more durable, especially for keychain use.
i had an E05 on my keys for almost a year without problems, i used an energizer lithium AAA, and never changed the battery. it gets about 5 hours on that type battery.the beam and tint on the E05 is nice, smooth and white, using a difused plastic optic.
the beam on the E01 is purple and ringy, but i feel its durablility, and reliability along with its better runtime makes for a better keychain light than the E05.i also use my keychain lights very little, because i EDC a pocket light, and my keychain light is more of a backup.
for about a year now ive been using a streamlight nano on my keys, its similar to the E01, but smaller using button cell batteriesAfter all of these years (almost 5 now that I checked my CPF account) and I still use my E01 daily. I can’t say that about any other light. It’s output is the perfect level for most of my around the house tasks as is it’s beam profile (not tint though lol.) I don’t really even use my E05, never really found a “niche” for it like I have for my E01.
I wonder if Fenix is going to make a new generation 5mm 1aaa using the Nichia HS. That would be incredible, as long as they keep it uber reliable like the E01.
I only have experience with mine, but the beam color on my e01 isn’t too bad. I certainly wouldn’t use the LED for lighting the Mona Lisa and it probably isn’t the right choice for a light snob, but it’s not green or purple and I can see stairs and keyholes after dark.
The E01 is a tough performer – but the aesthetics aren’t exactly brag-worthy. The E05 has a cleaner tint, brighter output, better flood – for a much shorter runtime. You could stay up all night reading with an E01. The E05 would die in an hour and a half.
The E01’s major selling points are: 1) long, long output and 2) not *quite* bomb-proof, but pretty close.
I haven’t tried it to my E01, but I’ve heard steel wool on the LED and machined reflector can help make it floody, and improve the tint. Check out CPF and BLF for details.
Side-by-side the tint is terrible on mine with any other light. When you are just looking for the keys you dropped under your car though, I don’t think you’ll care if they look a little purple compared to another light.
Isn’t the E01 also potted?
The e01 is the more basic – cheaper LED with a pretty poor colour rendition and lower output, but a superb runtime (10hr, plus another 10hr on a lower output from 1xAAA)
The e05 comes with a better LED and optics setup, so gives more output and a much nicer beam. On the downside, it has less runtime (though still pretty decent for what it is). The e05 also has a wider beam.
and while I am at it:
The LD01 is the better light again, the better LED but with a more traditional reflector rather than the wide optic and with a multi mode control system – so you have a choice in output with a high setting of 80 lumens. So hugely increased output, but admittedly also a decreased battery life.Personally I have all three, and carry the e05. It gives the best balance of output and beam colour/profile while being simpler than the LD01 (I am not a fan of multi mode twisties). The e01 now lives as a backup, and the LD01 lives on my work keys so I can have the output if needed without the size of something bigger.
Off topic: So I thought for decades until re-examing the matter last year. That’s what I had been taught in mechanics school. Putting the question to a couple of mechanics I have known for a long time and respect greatly, one replied that in his 35 years behind the wrench he came upon 2 such cases, and the other, equally experienced, had never seen one. Maybe this heavy keychain advice has been exaggerated some, including by me.
Re: keychain advice
Even so, carrying around a handful of gadgets on a keychain turns very quickly into a heavy, uncomfortable blunt object in your pocket. Perhaps moreso than any other EDC, balancing your keychain between comfortable and practical is a fine art.
Even if I wouldn’t tear up my ignition switch, I’m still leery about a massive pile of “keys and stuff” dangling from my switch and bouncing around in my pocket.
I have both. The 05 has a better beam, more powerful and soft. The 01 has a more located beam, with a couple rings in it.
BTW I’m EDCing a E15 and I like it very much. Nicely spaced and useful modes… but not so common battery type.im hoping to have an E05 arrive to me soon from JSB…. so good to see all these positive comments about them.
i think I will….just hoping I GET it haha
I missed up my order when I put my email in, mixed up my work and school email and merged parts of them to form one new, fictional email…. so I dont know if it’ll be shipped to me or not.
PMd Jon,but I know he’s still recovering, hopefully hear something soon 🙂 and Hopefully it’ll be good new.its so small and bright for the money
barely bigger than a AAA battery and 27lm for less than 20 bucks shipped!JSBurleys and Jon has a new loyal customer, will be ordering again very soon.
Really quick shipping plus he was in the hospital the day i bought the dang thing and it still came in less than 48 hours!
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