Best EDC between Fenix PD36R or Sofirn SC31 Pro 5000K

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72891

I don't own any Sofirn or Fenix models, so my opinion is worth exactly what you paid... Nothing! That said, I think it's difficult to compare the two brands. The Fenix PD36R is marketed as a premium tactical flashlight, while the Sofirn SC31 Pro 5000K as more of a budget model.

I generally avoid Fenix products, but not because they are not well made. Most Fenix models are wonderfully sturdy and dependable, with quality electronics. I have long been a fan of the top-notch regulation provided by Fenix drivers. They produce near-perfect runtime charts with flat, constant output.

What puts me off Fenix are the design decisions it makes. All too often you get:

  • No neutral white
  • No high CRI
  • No moonlight (and no low 1 or 2 lumen mode)
  • No tail-standing
  • High price

For me, the high price, coupled with so many "no" answers, leads to "no sale."

In the case of the PD36R, it was impossible to support both tail-standing and tactical access to the rear switch, so Fenix chose to forego tail-standing. For the target market, that makes sense. Unfortunately, "tactical" is not the market where I shop.

Between the PD36R and SC31 Pro, I would go with the Sofirn, but I am not sure I would buy either. Good drivers, preferably of the buck/boost variety, are a high priority for me, and I just don't know whether Sofirn has those. On the other hand, Fenix does have excellent drivers, but falls down in many other areas.

im biased cuz i only have sc31 pro…

+1 for SC31 Pro :stuck_out_tongue:

Fenix drivers are on another level compared with Sofirn. Way better efficiency and regulation. But Fenix cost 4x the price so it depends on your needs and budget.

ya, im starting to see/realize why sofirn is budget, and why some lights are just expensive for seemingly no reason, im assuming a good driver costs a lot more.

My most expensive flashlight is an EagTac T25C2 from 2014. It now has a purple tint… :-/

so pretend its aux

Perhaps it’s a known issue for Cree XM-L2 U4 to have a purple spill… :person_facepalming:

I only noticed it when I got some more flashlights. Blissfully happy with 6500K. :stuck_out_tongue:

While Fenix makes efficient and reliable lights, to me their downfall is their UI. Many without dual switches use the hold for on/off, and have no shortcut to either the lowest or the highest setting. All you get is memory and click to advance to the next higher setting until turbo loops back to low. Comparing that to Anduril is like comparing the options on a Toyota Corolla to an Audi.

Any suggestions for a really bright EDC then?

Emisar D4V2 XP-L HI V2 5D 4000K :stuck_out_tongue:

Press-and-hold for on/off.

Yeah, that's a problem.

Ain’t got any Fenices, so can’t quite compare, but the SC31pro is quite nice, and can be made even more pocket-friendly with the shorty tube.

My still-undefeated EDC is my MH20, though, which just ticks all the boxes.

Press and hold for off is the biggest problem with most Fenix lights. But the PD36R is a two button light with an exceptionally user-friendly UI and the quality is absolutely top notch. The PD40R is even simpler to use with its mechanical rotating switch. Too bad I’m not a fan of CW lights and all of Fenix lights use CW emitters.

If the OP want a high power EDC with usb-c recharge, Fireflies has a bunch of new lights scheduled to be released this month. They will blow everything out of the water in terms of output for single cell lights. They will also have HI CRI, WW, and NW options. Best of all, they will use an efficient buck driver with >93% efficiency and regulated up to 6A. For me, regulation and efficiency is very important for a practical EDC meant as a tool.

Sofirn lights are excellent for the bargain price but the driver along with other features are in a different class. The E07v2 is going to be ass kickingly good for an EDC.

I really wonder how the E07V2 will compare to the Sofirn at like 3 times the cost. I also prefer the form factor of the Sofirn and Fenix, but the specs on the original E07 are impressive.

The original E07 was one of my all-time favorite 21700. It has insane output for the size, nice looks, and high CRI with good tint options. It also had a very thick shelf and hefty copper mcpcb that gave it better heat sinking than all other lights of its class. The V2 should double the throw distance, have new high efficiency buck driver with regulated output, and 2A usb-c for fast charging. It’s going to be the best 21700 EDC on the market. I am super excited for the upcoming FF lights and I already own over 300 flashlights.

Sofirn makes great lights in its price range though. They are competing in a completely different league.

Perhaps, but comparisons between Sofirn SC31 pro to Olight warrior mini and baton pro make the Sofirn look much nicer for less money… They seem to have sort of found a sweetspot where they offer fairly crazy performance for the cash.

This seems to be my assessment and experience as well.

I have the SP40 and the SP70 and am awaiting the SF11.

That new e07 sounds awesome, I’m just not sure it’s worth like 3 times the SC31 (to me anyway). Now, if there were a groupbuy promo with battery included for the right price? I’m probably in!

The only thing pro-Sofirn is better tint. Other than that it’s just worse and the single switch operation is something I personally truly detest, one milion clicks in either direction, press and hold to change modes is extremely annoying because you have to focus a lot and if you miss - you have to start again. Fenix has much simplier and much much better UI.