- Joined
- Jul 4, 2013
- Messages
- 168
I just picked up a Fenix PD35 and I couldn't be more impressed. Its perfect for my needs. When looking for a light, I look for very specific features. It has to be powerful, relatively small, lightweight, the settings must be easy to use, and fairly priced. The PD35 is all of those things and Im very happy with it. Here is a quick break down of some of the the features that are important to me and my thoughts on them.
Size and weight:
- 87 g / 3.07 oz
- length: 13.9 cm / 5.47 in
- diameter: 2.54 cm / 1 in
I find the size and weight perfect for any situation. Whether for EDC, camping, law enforcement or military, it fits nicely into your pocket and barely weighs a thing. It fits great in your hand too. Not to long or short, and not too thick or skinny. It's just right. It comes with a landyard and sheath for extra convenience.
Build and quality:
- impact resistant and waterproof to IPX8 standards (2 meters for 30 mins)
- aircraft grade aluminum
- type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- toughened ultra clear lens with anti reflective finish
- anti roll design
- removable pocket clip
The build quality is truly outstanding. You can feel how durable it is and you feel confident it won't break on you. The grip is really nice too and would do just fine with wet or gloved hands. It's fully sealed and waterproof which, we would all come to expect out of a good quality torch. It's not perfect though.
There are a couple things I would change. While it won't roll around while placed on a flat surface, I don't like that it cant stand it up straight because of the tail button. It slightly protrudes out a tiny bit making it impossible for candle style use. The pocket clip while sufficient and removable, could be deeper carry. It leaves about an inch sticking out. While some people won't care, I would like it better if only half an inch was protruding from the pocket.
Power, settings, efficiency:
- 850 lumen turbo mode (1 hr 15 min)
- eco (10 lum / 140 hrs)
- low (45 lum / 29 hrs)
- med (170 lum / 7 hrs 45 min)
- high (450 lum / 2.5 hrs)
- strobe (850 lum)
- runs on 2 x CR123As or 1 x 18650
The turbo mode is amazingly bright and it's impressive to find a torch in this size and weight that produces such power. The other power modes are decently spaced apart brightness wise and are great for many types of scenarios. I generally have been using it on med. It provides adequate brightness for most of my needs while giving decent battery life. But it's nice to have 2 other super bright modes as well as lower brightness modes if needed.
UI
- tail button switch with momentary on
- easy to use side button switch to toggle through settings (1 click per mode, going from Eco, low, med, high, turbo, and hold for 1 sec for strobe)
- memory so it always turns on to the last mode you were using
The UI is excellent and easy to use. I hate lights that have complicated settings and require you to remember how many click does what, and turning this does that, and so on. I want it so that I can grab it and go without having to memorize the instruction book everytime I take it out. With the PD35, you have the on/off tail button, and a side button that you click once to cycle through the power modes, or hold down for 1 sec for strobe. Super simple. I suppose the only thing I would change is the side button. It is sometimes hard to find without looking. It doesn't protrude much so it's easy to miss. If it stuck out a bit more, it might be easier to find. So what I do to compensate is use the pocket clip as a reference point. When I grab it the light I prefer the clip to be downward and not inside my palm when holding the light. I turned the clip so that when I hold it in a comfortable position, the side button is where my thumb would be.
Price:
- $75
I'm sure it can be found cheaper online but I wanted to check it out in person first, and once I held it, I had to have it right then and there. I got it at a local outdoor store for what I think is a very fair price considering the quality and features. It has many of the same, if not more features than some more expensive lights. Surefire comes to mind. They are easily double the price and some models lack many features I myself find important. Everyone has their own needs and preferences though so I'm speaking based on my own preferences.
All in all, the PD35 was exactly what I was looking for. It's built well, small and light, it's easy to use, has more than enough power, and was well priced.
Size and weight:
- 87 g / 3.07 oz
- length: 13.9 cm / 5.47 in
- diameter: 2.54 cm / 1 in
I find the size and weight perfect for any situation. Whether for EDC, camping, law enforcement or military, it fits nicely into your pocket and barely weighs a thing. It fits great in your hand too. Not to long or short, and not too thick or skinny. It's just right. It comes with a landyard and sheath for extra convenience.
Build and quality:
- impact resistant and waterproof to IPX8 standards (2 meters for 30 mins)
- aircraft grade aluminum
- type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- toughened ultra clear lens with anti reflective finish
- anti roll design
- removable pocket clip
The build quality is truly outstanding. You can feel how durable it is and you feel confident it won't break on you. The grip is really nice too and would do just fine with wet or gloved hands. It's fully sealed and waterproof which, we would all come to expect out of a good quality torch. It's not perfect though.
There are a couple things I would change. While it won't roll around while placed on a flat surface, I don't like that it cant stand it up straight because of the tail button. It slightly protrudes out a tiny bit making it impossible for candle style use. The pocket clip while sufficient and removable, could be deeper carry. It leaves about an inch sticking out. While some people won't care, I would like it better if only half an inch was protruding from the pocket.
Power, settings, efficiency:
- 850 lumen turbo mode (1 hr 15 min)
- eco (10 lum / 140 hrs)
- low (45 lum / 29 hrs)
- med (170 lum / 7 hrs 45 min)
- high (450 lum / 2.5 hrs)
- strobe (850 lum)
- runs on 2 x CR123As or 1 x 18650
The turbo mode is amazingly bright and it's impressive to find a torch in this size and weight that produces such power. The other power modes are decently spaced apart brightness wise and are great for many types of scenarios. I generally have been using it on med. It provides adequate brightness for most of my needs while giving decent battery life. But it's nice to have 2 other super bright modes as well as lower brightness modes if needed.
UI
- tail button switch with momentary on
- easy to use side button switch to toggle through settings (1 click per mode, going from Eco, low, med, high, turbo, and hold for 1 sec for strobe)
- memory so it always turns on to the last mode you were using
The UI is excellent and easy to use. I hate lights that have complicated settings and require you to remember how many click does what, and turning this does that, and so on. I want it so that I can grab it and go without having to memorize the instruction book everytime I take it out. With the PD35, you have the on/off tail button, and a side button that you click once to cycle through the power modes, or hold down for 1 sec for strobe. Super simple. I suppose the only thing I would change is the side button. It is sometimes hard to find without looking. It doesn't protrude much so it's easy to miss. If it stuck out a bit more, it might be easier to find. So what I do to compensate is use the pocket clip as a reference point. When I grab it the light I prefer the clip to be downward and not inside my palm when holding the light. I turned the clip so that when I hold it in a comfortable position, the side button is where my thumb would be.
Price:
- $75
I'm sure it can be found cheaper online but I wanted to check it out in person first, and once I held it, I had to have it right then and there. I got it at a local outdoor store for what I think is a very fair price considering the quality and features. It has many of the same, if not more features than some more expensive lights. Surefire comes to mind. They are easily double the price and some models lack many features I myself find important. Everyone has their own needs and preferences though so I'm speaking based on my own preferences.
All in all, the PD35 was exactly what I was looking for. It's built well, small and light, it's easy to use, has more than enough power, and was well priced.
Last edited:
