Greeting BLF’ers. I haven’t been here in years but just posted the question below on the CPF Facebook in error. Yeah I am two hours into waiting on my post to be approved. Seems like they are still ran by the same folks from back in the day. Perhaps I’ll start a thread over there saying I am upgrading my car headlights to LED in hopes that the old mod would loose his mind.
please
Anyway, back to my question. My LEO son carries a Fenix PD35 Version 2. Currently powered by Titanium Innovations CR123’s. He complains about the runtime so I am curious if I were to switch it over to a 18650 would he get more runtime in that light? Feel free to recommend an updated light
Welcome back, SecaRob!
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By using a 3500mAh 18650 cell you should net an extra 40% runtime, and reduce a lot of e-waste as well.
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The PD35 V2 was updated PD35 V3, but for more runtime he can go from 18650 to 21700, and so that might be a Fenix PD36R PRO. Last I checked Fenix lights come with batteries, but it might be better to have a pair charged and ready to go before each shift - in that case, I would just get some good spare button top unprotected 18650 / 21700 batteries.
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after reading I see no benefit with the PD35 V3. I like the idea of the PD36 PRO especially having the onboard USB-C charging. Would he actually gain any runtime over the PD35 and an 18650?
Thanks for responding. Like I said I haven’t been around in a while but back in the day the best 18650 batteries were the LG, Samsung and NCR batteries. Is that still the case?
While I have the attention of the group I have another question. Is there any benefit going with a labeled battery versus the generic ones shown below?
Welcome! Head over to 1Lumen.com. We (me included) have reviewed tons of Fenix lights, also Nitecore and Olight. I also reviewed the updated Streamlight Stinger 2020. You will gain a lot of runtime and even an output boost on a good 18650 (Sanyo 18650GA, Samsung 35E are my recommendations). The Fenix PD35 V3 is out and i tested it to be a good 18650 light. However 21700 lights are way better. More output, more runtime, easier handling.
My picks for an LEO: Olight Warrior X3 or 3S (stay tuned since Olight will probably release new lights for Black friday, maybe an updated Warrior ?), Fenix PD36 TAC, Fenix TK20R V2, Nitecore MH12S, Acebeam P17 Defender. I tested all of these except the X3 and Nitecore and they’re about as good as it gets. For 18650, I recommend the Klarus XT11GT Pro V2 or the Streamlight Stinger 22020 (although its big).
The labels are a US requirement for li-ion batteries being sent from overseas I think. They’re the same otherwise. I recommend 18650batterystore for batteries in the US. I’ve bought from them a lot. Or lithium ion wholesale.
Its hard to say definitively, the levels are different between lights so its hard to compare. Seems @Sirstinky has some good resources.
Another light in this class you may want to check out is the new Armtek Partner, which has magnetic charging.
Armytek typically has good efficiency, runtimes, durability - and come with good flat top batteries that makes it easier to replace (for example, Molicel P45B etc).
Hi, to better help is with suggestions, what are his requirements? Does he need momentary turbo, or momentary strobe? What brightness level (cd/throw is probably more critical here than lumens) does he usually require? CR123s were largely superseded by 18650s a decade ago, and now many new LEO lights are using 21700s.
He liked the idea of the USB-C port so I got him the PD36 Pro, a backup battery and 4 LG 18650’s and since I was feeling generous got him a Fenix E03R-V2 USB-C Rechargeable LED Keychain Flashlight. Why not it’s his birthday after all.
Thanks again for all the feedback
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Yeah he’s hard to buy for. Hates lights with multiple settings at the tailcap, prefers a tight beam over flood and says that anything over 1,000 lumens is too bright for close up and inside of buildings. I did get him a decent thrower a couple of years ago but forgot what I got him.
What is CPF.
Candle Power Forum
Depending on the form factor / size, You can also look at the JetBeam RRT2. It has the best UI evar : just a rotating ring to select brightness, and tailcap switch for on. He can set it at the high level (800 lumens) and forget about it.
I think this is the only SST-70 light I have, because its so awesome. The best UI is (almost) no UI.
We use a bunch of the pd35s at my work. I order 18650s for the lights. We have the Sanyo/panasonic 3500mah cells, some Sony VTC6s, some Samsung 35E (In stock Samsung 30Q Button Top Battery - 18650 3000mAh 15A | INR18650-30Q). The light doesn’t use that many amps, any cell with at least 8A output will do. Then just get the highest capacity you can find. They need button-top (or you can solder blob a button on.). They will all have a lot more capacity than the cr123s. I second 18650batterystore and liionwholesale, both are well priced and quick.
I see you got the pd36 after scrolling down. Nice
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