(Review) Klarus G35

I received the Klarus G35 for evaluation purposes. I’d like to thank Flashlightz.com for their generosity and note the fact that the item arrived very quickly and was packaged very well. You owe it to yourself to check them out; I think you’ll be very pleased with their products and their service.

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Klarus G35 Owner’s Manual

There are a lot of features that really standout with the Klarus G35, but the one aspect that instantly garners both praise and amazement is the beam of light put out by the G35. Think of all the superlatives you can – awe-inspiring, fantastic, amazing, unbelievable, incredible, etc… and you’re describing the G35’s excellent beam.

With a rated maximum distance of 1,000 meters the throwing ability is expected, but still a very pleasant surprise every time you click the switch and the G35 fires up. Think of James Bond with incredible punching power; sophisticated, suave and well mannered, but capable of punching through a brick wall at a moment’s notice. That’s the G35: click the switch and darkness flees in terror as up to 2,000 Lumens pummels its way through the night.

That’s the brutish side of the G35 – a tight, narrow beam of pure power punching and stabbing its way through the night. On the cultured side of things is the broad spill light – something totally unexpected in a flashlight with such incredible throwing prowess. Surrounding the narrow hot-spot is an area of slightly less focused light (a bit less bright too) that slowly spreads out to a wide area of very usable spill light; giving the user a wide field of view and excellent peripheral vision.

Good things start with the low mode (10 Lumens). In that mode the maximum distance is rated at 114 meters. In reality low mode adequately illuminates objects out to roughly 70 meters or so; which I find to be absolutely mind-boggling. That’s well over 200 feet of illumination from a mere 10 Lumens, and it will run for 210 hours. From there, things get really interesting really quick. Unfortunately my photographs can’t quite capture the full capabilities of this amazing beam of light.

Specs

Length – 6.31 inches
Diameter (head) – 2.87 inches
Diameter (body) – 1.79 inches
Weight – 371 grams (without batteries)

The retail packaging is mostly red and black with nice graphics and all the pertinent information printed on the four sides of the box. Inside the box was the following:

Klarus G35 Flashlight
3 Klarus branded 18650 batteries (3100 mAh)
Lanyard
Spare O-ring
Owner’s manual

The main body tube features checkered grooves (3 such areas) that are intersected by smooth flat-spots (logo imprinted on on flat-spot). Just in front of that area is the side-switch (located on a flat spot that is slightly higher than the aforementioned flat-spots). Three deep cylindrical grooves are cut into the area opposite the side-switch and extend to the edge of the flattened area (where the side-switch is located). These grooves help to keep the flashlight from overheating, but also aid the gripping ability.

The head extends outwards (like an upside-down funnel) and has a series of deep grooves cut into the sides. The bezel is crenelated and is the same color (semi-gloss black) as the rest of the flashlight. The reflector is very deep and perfectly smooth. The lens is tempered and coated glass.

Just prior to the tail cap is the attachment point for the included lanyard. Looking down upon the switch, with the head facing away – the lanyard attachment is roughly 120 degrees clockwise from the location of the side-switch.

The second switch is found on the tail-cap. It extends above the cap to make it easy to locate in the darkness, but does not extend far enough to prevent the G35 from tail-standing – in fact that G35 tail-stands quite well, with just a bit of slight wobble. On the outside of the tail-cap are a series of indentations (like those found on oil filters). I’m assuming they’re for looks, but it is possible that they’re used with a tool to loosen an over-tightened tail-cap.

Only the tail-cap is removable; the rest of the flashlight is either securely glued or (possibly) made out of one piece of aluminum. (I can’t tell for sure). The threads are anodized, square-cut, and well lubricated (as received). There is no sign of interference with loosening or tightening the tail-cap.

Inside the tail-cap are two stout springs and two longer rods (used to properly align the tail-cap with the G35 body. The inner part (inside the tail-cap) rotates freely – allowing the cap to be tightened while maintaining the proper position for the battery contacts. Inside the body there is another stout spring – located toward the head.

The G35 takes three 18650 batteries – an unusual arrangement in my mind since I’ve never seen that previously. Inside the body tube are graphics showing the user how to install the battery (2 go in positive end down, and 1 goes in negative end down).

One of the more amazing features (of the G35) is the ability to run on 1 18650 battery or 2 CR123A batteries, in the event of an emergency. On the inside of the body tube, look for the red label: then load the single 18560 battery (or 2 CR123A batteries) in that marked tube to use the flashlight in a reduced capability emergency mode. (run times and output will be decreased)

Build quality is excellent, as is the fit and finish. The semi-gloss black anodizing is evenly applied, with no missed areas. With the exception of the stainless steel ring around the side-switch and the graphics on the body tube, the entire flashlight is done in the same semi-gloss black: giving the G35 a rather serious “I mean business” look that I’m quite fond of.

Features

LED – Cree XHP35 HI D4
2,000 Lumens – maximum output
1,000 Meters – maximum distance

Dual switches
Lockout Mode
Battery strength Indicator
Intelligent Temperature System (prevents damage from overheating)

1 touch Turbo
1 touch Low
Strobe
SOS

Mode Memory

IPX8 – waterproof to 2 meters (submerged)
Impact Resistant – 1 meter

5 year Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty (after 5 years, user pays for parts)

UI/Modes

The G35 features two switches; one on the tail and another on the side of the flashlight. The tail-switch is centered in the middle of the tail-cap and covered in a rubber cap. The side-switch is covered in a hard plastic and surrounded by a metal ring (I assume the ring is stainless steel, but do not know for sure). For the most part the two switches have the same functions, but there are a few exceptions.

The tail-switch can access low mode with 1 press/release. There is no memory function while using the tail-switch – it always turns on in low mode. It can access turbo (1 touch) as well – press/hold the tail-switch to enter turbo mode. The G35 will remain in turbo mode until the tail-switch is released. It is very easy to locate the tail-switch in the dark (simply by feel).

The side-switch can access turbo mode with 1 press – just press/hold the side-switch to enter into turbo mode. The G35 will remain in turbo mode until the switch is released. There is a small led in the middle of the side-switch: this is the battery indicator. Green means batteries are 70% or more. Orange means the batteries are between 30% and 70% of capacity. Red means the batteries are below 30% and flashing red means the batteries are below 10% (must be changed immediately). This switch led will remain lit for 5 seconds (upon turning the flashlight on). The four main modes (low, medium, high, turbo) are memorized when using the side-switch (turn the G35 off in a mode and that mode will be entered the next time you turn the G35 on – using the side-switch).

Press/release the switch (either switch) to turn the flashlight ON. Press/hold (either switch) to turn the flashlight OFF. The regular modes are: low, medium, high, turbo, low, etc… Press/release the switch (either switch) to change modes.

Strobe mode is entered by double-clicking the switch (either switch). From strobe mode double click the switch (either switch) again to enter the SOS mode. Press/release either switch to enter a regular mode. Press/hold either switch to turn the G35 OFF.

Lockout Mode – Press both switches at the same time (for two seconds). Flashlight will blink twice to acknowledge lockout mode. Pressing either switch, while in lockout mode, and the side-switch will blink red three times (letting you know you’re in lockout mode). Press/release either switch 3 times rapidly and flashlight will blink twice – letting you know lockout mode has been changed. Unscrewing the tail-cap (about ½ turn) will lock the flashlight out too.

There doesn’t appear to be a timed step-down for the G35. Since I’ve received it the temperatures have been cold and I’ve yet to witness the G35 stepping down from turbo mode. The manual states that any step-down is temperature controlled, but I haven’t noticed the G35 getting more than slightly warm to the touch.

Low Mode – 10 Lumens, will run up to 210 hours
Medium Mode – 100 Lumens, will run up to 44 hours
High Mode – 400 Lumens, will run up to 13 hours and 45 minutes
Turbo Mode – 2,000 Lumens, will run up to 3 hours.

The above is from Klarus, based on using three 18650 batteries. Using just 1 18650 battery will result in lower outputs and shorter run-times.

Conclusion

Were I to design the perfect search light/ spot light it would be the Klarus G35. It’s not too big that it’s unwieldy or cumbersome to carry. It fits my hand very well, is comfortable to use, and it has a ton of punching power. More importantly, it also has excellent (usable) spill light – enhancing peripheral vision. Anyone who has spent time hunting knows that movement is best detected with our peripheral vision. It’s also a known fact that animals are far more likely to be spooked when a direct beam of light is thrown their way – making the G35’s spill light an important aspect if night hunting is your thing.

My experience with the G35 has shown me that it is an excellent choice for hunting raccoon – using the spill light to get eye shine and then zoning in with the main beam. It’s also great for spotting deer (at night) and many other species too (including several Red Fox and Opossums).

While I’m convinced that the G35 would make an excellent hand-held hunting light, there are other purposes that I feel it is even better suited for. Night fishermen who need a light that can spot buoys bobbing in the water, ranchers searching for that dropped calf and potential predators, farmers checking out whatever it is that set the chickens in a uproar, and search and rescue operations. If you need to see it at night, the G35 is an excellent choice.

If they’d offer NW I’d be all in. As is, all out. No blue for me. Otherwise it’s almost exactly what I want in a thrower.