I’ve been testing various flashlights over the years. Here’s what I’ve found after owning hundreds of lights. Flashlights are similar to gun holsters. Chances are, after a while, you’ll have a drawer full that sit unused. However, every once in a blue moon you’ll come across the perfect setup. The Fenix PD36R is exactly that setup.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of ordering a Fenix PD36R, along with a few other lights from Fenix. I dumped my favorite EDC light of all time into a drawer in the closet while I tested the PD36R. It has been a month now and my favorite EDC of all time is still sitting in the drawer in the closet. Fenix has managed to make the perfect flashlight, the PD36R. This new light has taken the top spot in my pocket and it’s not going anywhere. Let me explain why.

I’ve tested the quality on the Fenix by subjecting it to all of the elements that I could. My two-year-old daughter has even taken it into the bathtub a few times, (no worries, she is supervised). I’ve used the pocket-clip most of the time, but I also toss the entire light into the pocket along with keys and pens. So far, the light has held up 100% with zero scratches. The black anodizing finish is top-notch. Next, the battery life is completely out of this world for a light of this size. I’ve been a huge fan of the 18650 lights over the years because they seem to last a long time and it’s easy to have a handful of spares around when they do run out of juice. However, these 21700 batteries have everything beat. They aren’t much bigger in size than the 18650 but last a lot longer. I ordered (1) additional 21700 Fenix battery to have as a backup in case I can’t locate a power source to charge the main battery.

The entire light is lighter in weight compared to the light that now sits in my drawer. It’s even smaller in diameter and length too. Again, all the more reason to carry the PD36R. Lastly, the light output. In today’s market, it seems like manufactures are rushing to have the most lumens and candela. In some cases, that’s a good thing. However, in an EDC light, you don’t truly need 10,000 lumens and 1 million candelas. To be honest, anyone who uses a flashlight every day for EDC usually never uses more than 1,000 lumens. Most people, including myself, use the lower modes around the house. The sweet spot for the lowest setting is somewhere around .5-30 lumens give or take. The PD36R on turbo is 1600 lumens with a low setting of 30 lumens. There are plenty of specs on the Fenix website that explain the runtimes, so I won’t spend too much time on those. I will say the runtimes are better than any other EDC light I’ve used, and I believe this is due to the 21700 Fenix battery.

I also believe this is an excellent light to have in an emergency kit. It may be a bit spendy for a light that will be packed away in an emergency bag, but when lives are on the line having a reliable flashlight might be what saves lives, including your own family. It is waterproof and super tough so it’ll last through a storm. Anyone who is in an area that is hurricane-prone needs to have this light packed in their bag. You may not have power for days, or weeks, and the battery in this light will last a long time.

In conclusion, if you want a light that’s not going to spend its days sitting in a drawer collecting dust, then I highly recommend picking up a Fenix PD36R. With its exceptional battery, light output, and size, you’d be hard pressed to find anything on the market that can touch it. Owning a light made by Fenix is like having a good friend that never leaves your side. It’s there when you need it the most.

– Justin