Fenix E28R V2 Rechargeable EDC Flashlight Review
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight builds on the success of the E28R by offering higher output and a deeper reflector. Still has USB-C charging! Read on!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight product page at flashlightgo.com.
Versions
There’s just one version of the Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight, but of course, there’s an original version. It used a shallower reflector and had a slightly lower output, too.
Price
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight sells at the MSRP of $64.95 and is available now.
What’s Included
- Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight
- Fenix 3400mAh 18650
- Charge cable (USB to USB-C)
- Spare o-ring
- Lanyard
- Manual etc
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
Much like the Fenix PD36R which I already reviewed, (one of my most read reviews), the build quality of the Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC 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.) The E28R V2 is “identifiably Fenix.”
Only the tailcap is removable. The threads here are square-cut, anodized, well-lubed, and quite long. The positive connection is just a button (no spring.)
Size and Comps
Size: Length: 4.76” (121mm) Head: 1.04” (26.5mm) Body: 0.89” (22.5mm)
Weight: 4.52 oz. (128g) 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+. The version you see below is a custom Convoy S2+ host that’s been laser engraved by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Retention and Carry
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC 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.
Next is the lanyard hole, which allows lanyard attachment on the pocket clip and also through the tailcap.
Unlike some other very similar Fenix lights (PD36R Pro, for example), the E28R V2 does not come with a pouch. There is a magnet, though!
Power and Runtime
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight is powered by a single 18650 cell, and one is included in the package. It’s a 3400mAh button top 18650.
The cell goes into the Fenix E28R V2 in the normal way – the positive end goes toward the head.
Below you can see a few runtime graphs. Output does hit the claim of 170 lumens and actually holds that remarkably well (with just a bit of reasonable fade). The lower modes are all very stable for quite some time.
The indicating e-switch does give power warnings, too, as follows:
Green: 85-100%
Green flashing: 50-85%
Red: 25-50%
Red flashing: 1-25%
This only works (officially) with the included 18650, though!
You can also use two CR123A cells in this light, but make sure they’re matched, and also never try to charge them via USB-C!!
Charging
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight 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.
When charging, the indicating emitter (which is just body-side to the charging port) blinks red. When charging is complete, this LED turns green.
C to C charging works just fine.
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!
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 1700 | 2h10m | 1807 (0s) 1678 (30s) |
5.74 |
| High | 600 | 2h50m | 623 (0s) 612 (30s) |
1.17 |
| Medium | 150 | 17h15m | 149 | 0.23 |
| Low | 50 | 36h50m | 53 | 0.08 |
| Eco | 5 | 260h | 5 | [low] |
Pulse Width Modulation
No PWM at all on any mode. Looks great!
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
The Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight gets a single switch. It’s an e-switch near the head and has a rose gold-colored (metal, probably) switch cover.
The switch has an indicator feature too, as you can see below. It indicates in red or green and from two places – around the edge and in the center. It’s a very nice switch!
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off (Unlocked) | Hold | On (Mode memory) (Fenix calls this “Mode A”) |
| On | Click | Mode advance (lowest to highest, all 5 steady modes) |
| On | Hold | Off |
| Off (Unlocked) | Longer hold (around 1.2s) | Strobe (Fenix calls this “Mode B”) |
| Mode B | Click | Return to Mode A (Mode memory) |
| Off (Unlocked) | Triple click | Enters Mode C – settings for switch indicator (basically a locator function) |
| Mode C | Click | Switch indicator advance (Red, Green, Red “Breathing”, Green “Breathing) |
| Mode C | Hold | Exit Mode C to an Off state. You can’t enter steady modes directly from mode C. |
| Mode C | Longer hold (around 1.2s) | Strobe |
| Off (Unlocked) | Double click | Lockout (Eco blinks 2x to indicate lockout) |
| Locked | Double click | Unlock to Mode Memory |
| Locked | Click | Eco blinks 2x to indicate lockout. Switch indicates battery level (described above) |
| Off (Unlocked) | Click | Switch indicates battery level (described above) |
LED and Beam
Fenix has used a cool white Luminus SST40 LED in the E28R V2. Unlike previous generations, this light uses a smooth reflector.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
Fenix claims 6500K and that’s really only met at the highest level. That’s good, of course, because a warmer (than 6500K) is usually preferred by most. CRI is low.
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!
Summary and Conclusion
I like most of what Fenix has going on here! The only thing that’s not my favorite is the 6500K cool white, low CRI emitter. Otherwise, this is a fantastic little package. The user interface has a bit of ruffle (like a prominent double click lockout) but I like that the indicating switch can do some cool things (“breathing”!). The cost is also reasonable, at around $65 with the cell included! If you want an EDC flashlight that has USB-C charging and a reflector, this is a great choice! The reflector seems to set this light apart since so many others use TIR optics.
The Big Table
| Fenix E28R V2 rechargeable EDC flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Luminus SST40 LED (Cool White) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $64.95 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| Quiescent Current (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | USB-C |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | With cell: lowest two modes without cell and/or body: lowest mode |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1700 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1678 (98.7% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 10.39 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 273 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 649lux @ 5.453m = 19298cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 277.8 (101.8% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6500 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 5800-6600 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 I like
- Great output
- Sustained high output
- Very nice e-switch cover
- Indicator on switch is neat (in and around the switch)
- USB-C charging works very well
What I don’t like
- Cool white emitter
- Low CRI
Notes
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Thanks for the great and informative review, as usual!
Having had the original E28R, and owning now the V2, let me add a few lines.
With the E28R V2, Fenix addressed all the shortcomings of the original E28R (BTW, the E28R had a smooth reflector, not OP or TIR lenses). One of the most infuriating quirks of the V1 was the switch: too high, one would inadvertently switch off the light at the most inopportune moment… This has been masterfully addressed in the V2, with a switch almost flush with the body, ensuring that you won’t press it by mistake, while easy to activate when you want to.
The protrusion where the switch is located is higher in the V2, making it easier to locate the switch by touch.
The reflector’s length has been increased in the V2, giving it a decent throw for the SST40. The V1 was not “throwy” enough for the given lumen, and had too much spill for my taste.
The V2’s body is about 1/2″ longer than the V1, and that’s all it needed to give you a full purchase on it. The V1 was just a wee bit short to hold.
The V2 has a 5 lumen eco mode, against the 30 lumen of the V1. The red or green “position light” feature could be useful, only that I’ve not found anything I could use it for…
Last, the magnetic tailcap: that’s a great feature, there are dozens of places you can stick your light on when working on something, nice touch.
That E28R V2? One of the best bang-for-the-buck for a quality EDC light, very well thought and very well built.
Thanks for these comments! I never had an original E28R and was just going by photos (which really didn’t show the front of the light clearly! Looked like an optic!) I will update that part.
And I agree on all your other points. Especially the lower lowest mode – 5 vs 30 lumens is a huge difference at that level! I also agree that I don’t necessarily have a use for the locator function of the switch, but it’s one of those things I often complain about when I say a switch with indicator features is “underutilized.” So this is good, even if it’s not useful (for us).
Agree on the value comment!!