Hundreds of EDC products have come and gone, and hundreds more are being made every day. And yet in that sea of choice some products manage to not only stand out, but also stand the test of time. Some have an iconic look, some have exceptional build quality, and sometimes the tool is just so reliable that makes a name for itself without needing any bells and whistles. In its day the Fenix PD35 changed the game for both EDC and tactical flashlights, offering tremendous value in an affordable, yet powerful package. Now in 2019, the Fenix PD36R continues to set the standard for a modern, high-performance light with the output, features, and forward-thinking design its predecessors blazed trails with.
If you’ve ever owned an 18650 flashlight, then it might have looked something like what the PD35 did: a compact, 5.5“ package offering some of the highest output and runtime of its time. Through the years technology progressed to give future revisions a more powerful LED and better battery life, and even spinning off a model able to recharge via micro USB. All those features and more come together in the PD36R. While on the outside it looks like the PD35 of old (albeit slightly smaller), every component from its LED to its clip have been upgraded to modern specs.
At the top is a Luminus SST40 LED pushing out Turbo at 1,600 (dipping down to 900-550 lumens after 15 minutes) and joined by a few other standard modes. A two switch system—a rubber tail switch for momentary/full activation and a metal mode selector switch on the side—manages mode operation, with the side button doubling as a battery indicator. While it’s lowest mode of 30 lumens is a bit bright for low-light environments, it’s able to stay on for 115 hours (almost 5 days). The generous runtime is also thanks to a beefier battery: the light comes with a 5,000 mAh 21700 battery, which is slightly larger than an 18650 while holding a significantly larger capacity. But in spite of its battery size the PD36R stays compact, smaller and lighter even than the original, at only 5.4“ and 3 ounces without its battery.
Size isn’t the only thing upgraded from its exterior. The anodized aluminum shell boasts more detailed knurling in the midsection, premium square threads, and IP68-rated resistance even with a rubber cover to protect its USB Type-C port. That’s right, it’s one of the few modern lights carrying the new standard, which gives it futureproofing as well as one of the fastest on-board charging mechanisms available. There’s a reason only the highest end laptops and smartphones have it, after all. And when you’re ready to move out, a two-way clip, or included sheath and lanyard take care of EDC duties.
The Fenix PD36R, like the original PD35, is the total EDC flashlight package, learning the best tricks of the past while heading straight for a bright future. Pick one up from Amazon at the link below.
