Fenix PD36R Pro Flashlight Review

Fenix has released a Pro version of the rechargeable PD36R flashlight. It uses USB-C for charging, and has fantastic output, too! Read on!

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Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight product page.

Versions

Only one version of specifically the Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight is available, but of course, there are previous iterations of this light. There’s the PD36R as well as the PD36 TAC.

Price

The Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight is available at flashlightgo.com, and 

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Short Review

I think every iteration of the PD36R I’ve handled has been individually impressive, and this Pro version is certainly no different. The output is really fantastic (>2800 lumens from one cell and one emitter) as well as a rounded-out package offering USB-C charging and an included cell, and dual switches! There’s a lot to like here!

Long Review

The Big Table

Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight
Emitter:	Luminus SFT70
Price in USD at publication time:	$119.95 at flashlightgo.com
Cell:	1×21700
Runtime Graphs
LVP?	No
Switch Type:	Both
Quiescent Current (mA):	–
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	USB-C
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port	No
Claimed Lumens (lm)	2800
Measured Lumens (at 30s)	2142 (76.5% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen	14.9
Claimed Throw (m)	380
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	883lux @ 6.058m = 32406cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	360.0 (94.7% of claim)^
Claimed CCT	–
Measured CCT Range (K)	6100-6600 Kelvin
Item provided for review by:	flashlightgo.com
All my Fenix reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

• Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight
• Fenix 5000mAh 21700
• Charge cable (USB to USB-C)
• Spare o-ring
• Nylon pouch
• Lanyard
• Manual etc

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

Much like the Fenix PD36R which I already reviewed, (and in fact has been one of my most read reviews), the build quality of the Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight is very good.

The grip pattern hasn’t really changed from the previous iterations. In fact, a lot hasn’t changed. (That’s good.)

Only the tailcap is removable.  The threads here are square-cut, anodized, well-lubed, and quite long.

Unlike the previous tactical version, the positive connection is just a button (no spring.) 

Size and Comps

Size: Length: 5.74” (145.8mm) Head: 1.04” (26.5mm) Body: 1.01” (25.7mm)
Weight: 5.96 oz. (169g) including battery

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo).  If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+.  Mine’s a custom “baked” edition Nichia 219b triple.  A very nice 18650 light.

Also above is the light beside my custom engraved TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light.  I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats.

Retention and Carry

The Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight has a few carry options.  First I’ll mention the pocket clip, which comes attached from the factory.

This is a friction-fit pocket clip and has nice spring.  It only connects on the tail end, so no bezel-up carry at all.

Clip hug!

Next is the lanyard hole, which allows lanyard attachment on the pocket clip and also the through the tailcap.

Finally, there’s this nylon pouch.  The pouch is sufficient.  If you really need that bezel-up carry the pocket clip doesn’t provide, then throw this pouch on your belt – the Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight will go into the pouch in either orientation.

You won’t be able to use the light while it’s in the pouch, though.

Power and Runtime

Power for the Fenix PD36R Pro rechargeable flashlight comes from a single lithium-ion cell.  Included with your purchase is the appropriately sized cell – a 21700. This is no change from the previous versions.

The cell is installed in the normal direction – positive terminal toward the head.

Here are a number of runtime graphs.  There are big step-downs on Turbo, but the light does practically hit the specification (over 2800 lumens at startup, specifically). For a few seconds after activation, the indicating LED just below the charging port indicates an approximation of the current cell capacity, as follows:

Green: 100-85% charge
Green flashing: 85-50% charge
Red: 50-25% charge
Red flashing: 25-1% charge

This only works with the included Fenix ARB-L21 21700.

I believe the cell has protection, because after a number of these tests, the voltage read at 0V. I’m not sure if this is a “protection tripped” 0V or an actual discharge to 0V. I think it’s likely cell protection.

Charging

The PD36R Pro includes onboard charging, and impressively it’s via USB-C. The charge port cover works fairly well and stays put when it’s pressed down.

A USB to USB-C cable is included.

Charging from USB (A) to USB-C works just fine, and is quite fast, at well over 2.5A. This takes around 2h 15m. Quick!

C to C charging does work, but as you can see, the charging profile is a bit strange, and not at all ideal. It also takes much longer than A to C!

When charging, the indicating emitter (which is just body-side to the charging port) blinks red. When charging is complete, this LED turns green.

Note that in every test the cell was charged to exactly 4.23V. That’s a bit higher than usual, but shouldn’t be dangerous. The cell might not last quite as long, though.

Modes and Currents

Mode	Mode Claimed Output (lm)	Claimed Runtime	Measured Lumens
Turbo	2800	3h30m	2879 (0s) 2142 (30s)
High	1000	3h55m	962
Medium	350	8h15m	336
Low	150	19h	151
Eco	30	42h	28

Pulse Width Modulation

This isn’t actually PWM, it’s … that other thing I can never think what it’s called.

Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor. Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.

User Interface and Operation

There are two switches on the PD36R Pro. The first is a mechanical tail clicky (or seems to be mechanical…) and is the bigger switch seen below. Next up is that smaller switch, which seems to be an e-switch.

The main switch (Fenix calls this the “tactical switch”) is very proud.

It also has a very deep actuation.

The other switch (Fenix calls this the “functional switch”) is smaller, oval, and has a much lower actuation point.

This is a good dual-switch interface.

Here’s a UI table!

State	Action	Result
Off	Click Tactical Switch	On (Mode Memory)
Off	Half-press Tactical Switch	Momentary memorized mode^
On	Click Tactical Switch	Off
On	Hold Functional Switch	Strobe
Strobe	Click Functional Switch	Previous mode
On	Click Functional Switch	Mode advance (L>H direction)

^ Modes may be changed with SS while half-pressing TS.

LED and Beam

The emitter Fenix chose for this light is a Luminus SFT70.  The reflector is smooth and deep.

What looks like a brown spot in the emitter above is actually just reflection from the reflector sort of shining back onto the emitter. (Or however it’s getting there… doesn’t matter – there’s not any issue with the emitter.)

The reflector is smooth.  This is a tube light (essentially) so the reflector isn’t too broad.  But it’s consistent with the PD36 style.

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

CCT ranges from around 6100K to around 6400K and the CRI is low at around 70.

Beamshots

These beamshots are always with the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Conclusion

What I like

• Great user interface
• Meets and exceeds specification (at least at startup)
• Good complete package light
• Utilizes USB-C for charging
• Fast charges the 5000mAh 21700
• Indicating LED for battery notifications near charging port

What I don’t like

• Cell gets charged to 4.23V by A to C or C to C
• No direct access to low
• Can’t tailstand

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Notes

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