[turboBB]

Since there are already pretty comprehensive reviews on each of these lights, the aim will just be to compare them head to head with the focus on how the new A3 does vs. the venerable L0D. (mods, although this isn't technically a review, please feel free to move to that section if you feel it warrants it).

A3 out of the box:


Side by side comparo:




Reflectors side-by-side: L0D (L) w/SM and A3 (R) w/OP:



L0D emitter:


A3 emitter:


A3 emitter zoomed in:


The heads are actually interchangeable on the two, however by putting the A3 on the L0D tail, it won't screw down completely but it will function this way:


The L0D head on the other hand, while being able to be screwed down completely on the A3 tail, will not operate this way:


The A3 has grooves in the head to for aesthetics and grip purposes:



However, I find that the knurled head on the L0D provides better grip:


Beamshots (high) - L0D (L), A3 (R)
(Data: Shot on Canon S3 IS, ISO80, F2.7, Auto WB. Recently charged Tenergy AAA 1000mAH battery reading 1.331v on DMM.)

1/50


1/100


1/250


1/500


1/1000


1/1600


In these shots, it looks like the A3 is brighter but subjectively the L0D looks brighter to my eyes. I was actually hoping/expecting the A3 to be brighter but upon asking three other people for their opinions, they all agreed that they thought the L0D looked brighter.

Sorry I don't have the equipment for runtimes or Lumens/Lux readings.

Hope this helps for those considering the latest AAA lights (Fenix's latest 1xAAA iteration is now called the LD01 R2 rated @ 85 lumens).

Cheers,
Tim