The Fenix E05 is one of many of our recommended portable and compact every-day-carry (EDC) lights. The E05 is small, yet durable while providing an effective lighting solution in harsh conditions.
Like the other EDC lights on our website, the Fenix E05 is perfect for camping, hiking and dark areas indoors.
It is a small upgrade from the previous R2 version that features a lower lumen output, throw and one mode. The Fenix E05 2014 version offers a significant upgrade to its predecessor - as you’ll see below.
Specifications
Maximum Output and Runtime
The Fenix E05 flashlight features three different output modes:
- Low:
- Output: 8 lumens
- Runtime: 15 hours
- Medium:
- Output: 25 lumens
- Runtime: 4 hours and 15 minutes
- High:
- Output: 85 lumens
- Runtime: 45 minutes
Maximum Throw Distance
The E05 Fenix has a maximum throw distance of 148 feet or 45 meters - a significant improvement compared to its previous version of 26 meters.
Maximum Intensity
The E05 has a maximum intensity of 505 candela per lumen (cd/lm), making for a great pocket-sized flood light.
This flashlight features a high-quality Cree XP-E2 LED bulb with a total lifespan of 50,000 hours. The XP-E2 LED offers 20% more lumens per watt than the previous XP-E LED bulb - making for a perfect fit in this compact EDC flashlight. The brightness is consistent with its digitally regulated output
Functionality
The Fenix E05 is very user-friendly and intuitive to use. Rather than using a tail or side switch, the E05 uses a twist to turn on/off and cycle through the modes. The first twist turns on the flashlight in low mode, another twist for medium and a final for the highest mode at 85 lumens.
It also features a flat tail bottom for illuminating a room off-hand as a candle light.
Battery
Being compatible with only a single triple AAA battery, you aren’t going to be seing ridiculously long runtimes with this light. That being said, the flashlight can run extra long at the low mode for 15 hours.
If you’re using the E05 as your main EDC, we highly recommend carrying some spare triple AAA batteries.
Accessories
Material and Durability
This EDC light is extremely light and compact with a length of 2.6 inches (64.5 mm) and a diameter of 0.6 inches (14.4mm). It weighs at 0.4 oz or 11.3 grams without batteries. The body is made of aircraft-grade aluminum with rhombic knurling that gives it a really nice grip.
Impact Resistance
The E05 flashlight is very durable and sturdy with an impact resistance of 1 meter.
Water Resistance / Water Proof
We were really surprised to see that the Fenix E05 is waterproof with an IPX-8 rating. That type of rating is very rare to find on a light of this size and weight. It is waterproof for up to 2 meters.
Conclusion: Our Fenix E05 Review
The Fenix E05 is a great EDC pocket flashlight that is definitely on the more durable side. It is great to have on for general outdoors and easy to attach to your keychain, backpack, jacket zipper, etc. With three modes, it is incredibly versatile for the size and the triple AAA battery compatibility makes it easy to bring spares.