After I got out of the Fenix E11 a faithful companion for every day very enthusiastic, of course I am also interested in their successors. The technical data is read only once very good: more light, more light levels, then even smaller and with protected switches. My thought was that I have to this little masterpiece set equal times. So the same order and wait for delivery. The first E12 unfortunately lack revealed straightaway a (factory?): Despite entirely undamaged packaging the lens had a good-sized scratches. Then I have the lamp not unpack or tested, but immediately returned. Today came the second. When I stayed still in unpacked condition for any visible defects, but was fortunately not see any. Then the deficiency in the first delivery was hopefully just a blip. The E12 is thanks to their small size (for a lamp with a AA battery and switch) very comfortable to hold and the housing is designed very handy. Unlike its predecessor falls in the E12 on positive that they place on the ground and can be used as "candle" because the switch is surrounded by a border. That can be for example also attach a loop. This is all the more astonishing as that because the E12 is the same diameter all 8 mm shorter than the E11. 8 mm per se are not much, but for a lamp that you wear every day in pocket or suit bags around with you, 8 mm are quite a lot and also noticeable. The three lighting levels of E12 can be conveniently selected by briefly and repeatedly pressing the button. Alternatively, you can briefly and repeatedly turning the lamp head. When you turn there is always the lowest setting. This Langt also for normal use. However, the three lighting modes are a matter of taste. Personally the 2 stages of the E11 had arrived (very weak and full power). With full power you really have a lot of light available and can provide in a dark room for so much light that it easily takes things can orient well and requires no additional light more. The built LED is beautifully positioned centrally in the reflector and the spot is very homogeneous.
Now to the points which led me to give only 4 stars. - First, it would be the scratched lens - can sometimes happen, but is not nice. Since such a lamp with just 27 is already very expensive, something should not be. My 3 year old and situated in daily use E11 has not a scratch on the lens. - The switch is just a switch and can not be used as a button. - The return displacement of the lens is smaller than in the case of E11. There, the lens was well protected by a slightly larger setback. How does this ultimately affects the everyday wear in your pocket, I'll try.
All in all, a good and functional small LED flashlight with a lot of luminosity or long endurance.
