Nitecore P10i vs Fenix PD35 V3.0
Quick take: The Nitecore P10i is brighter (1,800 vs 1,700 lm); the Fenix PD35 V3.0 throws farther (357m vs 297m); the Fenix PD35 V3.0 runs longer on high (2.4 vs 1.5 hrs).
| Spec | Nitecore P10i | Fenix PD35 V3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $80 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Tactical | Tactical |
| Lumens | 1,800 lm | 1,700 lm |
| Candela | 22,000 cd | 31,900 cd |
| Beam distance | 297m | 357m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hrs (high) | 2.4 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 21700 | 18650 |
| LED | Luminus SST-40 | Luminus SFT-40 |
| Beam type | Balanced | Throw |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 5 Stepped |
| UI | Dual Switch | Dual Switch |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| CRI | 70 | 70 |
| Weight | 3.2 oz | 3.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.0 in | 5.4 x 1.0 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What owners report
Nitecore P10i
- ✓1,800 lumens and 290 m of reach with over 21,100 candela
- ✓Two rear switches with instant strobe access
- ✓Less bulky than the P20i while keeping the 21700 cell
- ✓Complete package: battery, cable, lanyard, holster and adapter
- ✓USB-C charging at the head under a sealing cover
- ✗The supplied holster is flimsy
- ✗Blue LED battery indicator is less intuitive than green/red would be
- ✗The tactical interface makes it poorly suited to household use
- ✗Only three levels plus strobe
- ✗Cool SST-40-W with low colour rendering
Fenix PD35 V3.0
- ✓SFT40 upgrade takes maximum output from 1,000 to 1,700 lumens
- ✓Excellent regulation, plus thermal and reverse-polarity protection
- ✓Well-balanced 18650 tube sized for one-handed two-switch operation
- ✓High-quality accessories included: lanyard, USB cable and holster
- ✓Beam and tint both draw consistent praise
- ✗Cool white only — no neutral or high-CRI option
- ✗The 5-lumen eco level is too bright for genuine darkness
- ✗The side switch changes modes but can't switch the light on
- ✗Ships with a lower-capacity cell than Fenix's own 3,500mAh option
- ✗Highly focused beam — some prefer more spill for EDC