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 Topic: Lantern... Too good to be true?...
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22/8/2018 at 2:10pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
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I was just about to come back and update, and read the previous two posts on here first...
Lidds is bang on... the advert I bought from (£13.50) does not mention Fenix at all, and having now received my lanterns, it's clear they are not Fenix...
I only know the advert does not state Fenix, as I have just this minute checked, before coming on here to update, due to obvious differences now I've received mine an hour or so ago!
Any mention of these being Fenix in my original opening post is 100% down to my lack of concentration, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who has followed this through and followed my lead. I was mistaken in my belief that these were Fenix... and I'm just glad I didn't offer a direct link to the article in question.
I just saw the pics, and the brief description, and jumped long and high to a mistaken assumption! 
So No rip-off/copycat claims, on the part of the seller, as far as the brand goes.
Obviously, I can't comment on the "Fenix" lights offered by the same seller (as per Lidds' first link above) at £37, suffice to say that, had I spotted the omission of the "Fenix" from my £13.50 lamps, (or not spotted the £13.50 advert at all!) I almost certainly would have taken a similar punt, but probably on two of those £37 Fenix ones (as opposed to 4 x £13.50's), as they seem to be £50 anywhere else. Someone else will now have to take that punt, if we are to find out whether they are genuine Fenix or not! 
Some differences obvious at first look-see, but only from memory, as I don't have the real McCoy with me for a direct comparison...
There is no mention of Fenix anywhere on the item or packaging.
The packaging is similar in design/size/shape, but totally different colour scheme.
There is no detailed manual/instructions/spec etc with these, as there was with my Fenix. These have no paperwork at all!
The charging lead is white, compared to my Fenix being black.
These have a charging-out usb port. The Fenix does not. I presume I can get an emergency charge from this to my mobile, but obviously haven't tried it yet (and there's no paperwork!)
You can see the individual LED centres through the semi-transparent lens thingy. I don't recall noticing that on the genuine Fenix. The fenix seems to be a more evenly spread light behind the lens.
These are push and hold to change to red. I'm pretty certain the Fenix was a double click?
These appear to only have three levels of the white light, whereas the Fenix has four. At this early stage, I'm not sure whether any charging requirements are affecting this finding?
They both have magnetic and hanger options. I'm pretty certain the Fenix also has a tri-pod screw thing (although I've never used it). These don't have the screw thread.
Whilst I can't remember the labelling/brand of the battery in the Fenix, I do recall them being labelled. The batteries in these cheapo's are unmarked/un labelled/unbranded.
The one I have tried so far, is currently working, but I've obviously no idea how long they will last, how well they will perform, or indeed whether they will explode at any given moment!
In summary, and remember I haven't had chance to compare them side by side, or even in use "in the field", these are very similar, but clearly not the real deal (nor does the seller claim them to be!).
Only time will tell how well they perform compared to the real Fenix, and only time will tell whether I consider them to be worth the £13.50 each.
From first impressions, I strongly suspect I will end up being happy with them, and consider them worth the £13.50 (Like I said originally, I did baulk at paying the £50 for the original "Just for a camping lantern"!).
Most of my initial findings are "differences", rather than "negatives", albeit early stages!
We're off to France in a weeks time, for a fortnight (and a bit!). I'll have a good play with them then, and work them side by side with the genuine Fenix, and come back with an update, and no doubt some side by side pics aswell, but that'll all have to wait for now.
Apologies again for my mistaken assumptions/hopes in the opening post, but for anyone who has followed my lead, don't be too downhearted at this stage...afterall, had I just posted that I'd found these lanterns at £13.50 on the shelf at Go Outdoors, and that first impressions were good (which they are, to be fair), and of course made no mention of the Fenix brand, I suspect we'd have all been happy! 
Boy... Do I need a holiday! 
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2024: 38 nights thus far...
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2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
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23/8/2018 at 9:12am
Location: stoke-on-trent duck
Outfit: swift coastline clas
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Hi mucker I've never heard of a fenix lantern until I read your post,so I clicked on the link after reading and looking at the fenix lantern on YouTube thought what a great compact light it is,ive got to have one of theses,so I ordered two of the £13.50 ones,they came yesterday and all I can say is wow very impressed with them,love the compact size,mine as 4 different light functions,and 2 red functions flashing and still,usb charging,my first impressions of them are great we will be going Cornwall for a month next Friday and we see how they perform while there,I'm so glad I clicked on your post so thanks for putting it on,whether they are the real thing or fake for £13.50 they do seem to be a great little lantern
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23/8/2018 at 1:12pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
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Joined: 01/7/2012 Diamond Member
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Quote: Originally posted by lynn and ray on 23/8/2018
Hi mucker I've never heard of a fenix lantern until I read your post,so I clicked on the link after reading and looking at the fenix lantern on YouTube thought what a great compact light it is,ive got to have one of theses,so I ordered two of the £13.50 ones,they came yesterday and all I can say is wow very impressed with them,love the compact size,mine as 4 different light functions,and 2 red functions flashing and still,usb charging,my first impressions of them are great we will be going Cornwall for a month next Friday and we see how they perform while there,I'm so glad I clicked on your post so thanks for putting it on,whether they are the real thing or fake for £13.50 they do seem to be a great little lantern
Yes, I do have the 4 white levels and two red. It seems to be 1-off-2, 3,4, which must have confused me into thinking there were only 3 levels on white.
Anyway, I'd hate to think I'd led anyone down a risky path, but I'm sure none of us could have realistically expected the real McCoy for such a low price! But nonetheless, from first impressions, I'm as confident as you that they're going to prove to be a decent buy "for the money" at the very least!
Glad you're happy with them, Fenix or not! 
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2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
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27/8/2018 at 6:48am
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
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Good find John.
First off, I would hate to point anyone in the direction of counterfeit goods, shabby or otherwise! It's certainly not something I'd do knowingly!
As "Lightmalls" are in that list, and that's the seller involved here, I'm now tempted to assume the ones that are for sale at £37 and described as "Fenix" are almost certainly counterfeit.
However, the ones bought for £13.50, with no mention of "Fenix" are surely just copies, which again I assume is not the same thing as counterfeit?
I know not whether my assumptions are correct or not.
Since I started on here in 2012, there has been an abundance of recommendations, seemingly on an annual and repeated basis, for a particular battery lantern, all nigh on identical in practical design, but in various colours, and with various brand names/badges, and all at varying prices. All seem legitimate, with many being sold by reputable and recognised retailers, and looking at the many posts on here, everyone seems to be happy with whichever version they have.
I know we are all free to purchase what we want, and make our own decisions, but I would still like to apologise if my ramblings on here have led to anyone purchasing any counterfeit goods against their better judgement, whether they ultimately prove to be a good buy, a poor buy, or of course a dangerous buy!
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2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
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27/8/2018 at 8:45am
Location: Staines-upon-Thames
Outfit: Vango Cayman 500
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Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 27/8/2018
Since I started on here in 2012, there has been an abundance of recommendations, seemingly on an annual and repeated basis, for a particular battery lantern, all nigh on identical in practical design, but in various colours, and with various brand names/badges, and all at varying prices. All seem legitimate, with many being sold by reputable and recognised retailers, and looking at the many posts on here, everyone seems to be happy with whichever version they have.
Gone are the days (if they ever existed) when companies made everything they put their name to.
For example, iPhones aren’t made by Apple. Apple design the iPhones which are then manufactured/assembled by a Taiwanese company (Foxconn). As a high value tech product, Apple keep an iron grip on the sale of iPhones. If Foxconn were to keep a few thousand iPhones and sell them on the side, they would soon lose their most valuable client.
Smaller companies like Fenix won’t have such tight control on any outsourced products. While Fenix own their own factory in China, it’s possible they use other companies to produce some of their lower value products. These OEM’s might manufacture a few thousand products for Fenix and then (illegally) a few thousand to sell for themselves on the side (via Lightmalls.com?)
These OEM products are very different from the people making fake Rolex’s. A fake Rolex might bear a cosmetic resemblance to a Rolex, but beneath the dial it’s a completely different watch.
Those other lanterns you referred to were probably made by a different kind of OEM. These OEM’s manufacture and design the lanterns which they then, entirely legally, manufacture for other companies who sell them under their own brand names.
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