Hi my friends!
today i had the new Fenix PD35 TAC on my bench for a quick review...
the PD35 is well known and one of the best selling Fenix lights, which got an upgrade 2014 (from 850 to 960 Lm using a Cree XM-L2)
2015 Fenix uses the newCree XP-L (V5) LED to achieve 1000 Lumens and also put in a new firmware with 2 faces;
one for "outdoor use" with 5 brightness modes plus strobe and
one for "tactical purpose" with ony 2 brightness levels and strobe (which is located between turbo and low)
but at first - the provided data taken from banggoods webshop (nonnaff link)
Features:
1.Tactical tail switch with momentary-on function
2.Stainless steel side switch to select output mode under Outdoor Mode
3.Side switch only capable of mode changing under Tactical Mode
4.Digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
5.Low-voltage reminder indicates when battery replacement is needed
6.Intelligent memory circuit, automatically enters last-used output mode when turned on
7.Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
8.Anti-roll, slip-resistant body design
9.Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminium
10.Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
11.Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
12.Waterproof to IPX-8 standard, underwater up to 6 1/2 feet for 30 minutes
13.Modes of Operation
TACTICAL MODE
Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr., 10 min.)
Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr., 15 min.)
Strobe: 1000 Lumens
OUTDOOR MODE
Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr., 10 min.)
High: 500 Lumens (2 hrs., 55 min.)
Mid: 200 Lumens (8 hr. 30 min.)
Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr., 15 min.)
Eco: 8 Lumens (140 hr.)
Strobe: 1000 Lumens
some pictures:
nice package as known from Fenix
- catchy orange
- short summary of the features
- all the data on the back
inside the box:
- well organized
- flashlight, holster, lanyard, 2 O-rings , rubber boot and user manual en/cn
lets have a look on the light:
- perfect apperance
- the rubber boot is big and easy to find even with gloves
but the light can not tailstand due to this...
- big holes for the lanyard
- the head with the electronic side switch
- the PD35 TAC uses a smooth reflector
- and a anti reflective (AR) coated lens
- the LED is centered well enough
- well....
- opening the tailcap
- square cut threads, a thick O-ring and a bit grease as we like it
- the threads are anodized so lock out to break the circuit is possible
- knurling is good
- a look inside the tailcap
- what actually IS inside the tailcap
- removing the battery tube
- the driver looks press fit
- the electronic sideswitch is made from stainless steel
- quite flat with the surface and not easy to find when wearing gloves...
- very long cells fit
- as do very short ones
the User Interface:
in outdoor mode the rear switch acts as momentary ON when half pressed using the last memorized mode (memory works near instantly!)
a full click to turn ON and use the side switch to toggle levels from Eco to TURBO
hold the sideswitch for a sec and strobe is activated - single click goes back to the brightness level before
holding the sideswitch for 3 secs switches between outdoor and tactical mode ( the LED flashes twice at Low output)
now the light acts completely different...
the side switch has no funktion (beside switching back to outdoor mode)
a half press of the rear switch starts in TURBO - always!
if you repress within 1 second you get to STROBE, another fast press brings you to LOW (then back to TURBO)
if you want to stay in that level press full to click
but i am no tactical guy - so i do not have any use of that....
numb3rs:
my ligtbox is not calibrated!
| Battery | Eco | low | mid | high | turbo |
| Sony VT @ 4,08V | 0,019 A | 0,107 A | 0,333 A | 1,08 A | 2,80 A |
| 7 Lm | 74 Lm | 230 Lm | 630 Lm | 1200 Lm | |
| NCR18650b @ 4,08 V | 0,020 A | 0,106 A | 0,33 A | 1,086 A | 2,78 A |
| 7 Lm | 74 Lm | 230 Lm | 635 Lm | 1190 Lm | |
| INR 25 | 0,020 A | 0,105 A | 0,332 A | 1,079 A | 2,78 A |
| - | - | - | - | 1325 Lm | |
| HE2 | 0,019 A | 0,106 A | 0,332 A | 1,074 A | 3,065 A |
| - | - | - | - | 1325 Lm |
it seems that a high drain cell can squeeze 10% more Lumens out on Turbo...
conclusion:
+ well built as we expect from Fenix
+ good size
~ average Lumens / size ratio
~ holster is well made, but the belt loop has no velcro to quick mount on belt
~ turbo steps down to high after 5 minutes
- tactical mode is useless for me due to the strobe in the order
- side switch is hard to find using gloves
a code for a better price can be asked via PM ;)
i made some beamshots in the basement ...
ISO 200 / 1/10 sec
