Fenix/EDC

Fenix PD36R V2.0

Name: Fenix PD36R V2.0
Brand: Fenix
Price: 100 USD
Availability: InStock

Fenix's flagship EDC with a tactical tail switch. The PD36R V2.0 is the reliable choice for people who want a well-built light without diving into enthusiast firmware.

Beam profile

Thrower, about 13° wide. Reach first: a small hotspot that puts light a long way out.

Estimated from 1,700 lm ÷ 39,200 cd — how this works

$100

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Specifications

Output: 1700lm
Peak intensity: 39200cd
Beam distance: 396m
Emitter: Luminus SFT-40
Colour rendering: 70 CRI
Beam type: Balanced
Cell: 21700
Runtime: 2.5 hrs (high)
Modes: 5 Stepped
Interface: Simple
Water/dust: IP68
Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.0 in
Weight: 3.4 oz
Warranty: Lifetime

Manufacturer figures, measured to ANSI FL1 where the brand states it.

Features

USB-C Charging Pocket Clip Waterproof (IP67+)Tail Switch Momentary Mode

What owners report

Fenix PD36R V2.0/5 sources reviewed

A duty light that blends real reach with lower modes that run for many hours, on an SFT40 that reviewers describe as high-output and no-nonsense. Build quality, warranty, included holster and a simple interface all draw praise, and USB-C charging is a clear improvement on what came before. One owner reported nine years of daily use on the previous generation — including a twelve-foot drop onto concrete and a soaking — before the switch finally wore out.

The ergonomic complaints are consistent. The mode button is tiny and hard to find single-handed, and your finger covers the equally tiny battery indicator when you press it. Having the on/off on the tail and the mode switch near the head is awkward. It won't tail-stand, so you can't bounce it off a ceiling. And the lowest mode is 30 lumens — there's no moonlight — while turbo gets hot within a couple of minutes.

Consistently praised

Blends genuine reach with low modes that run for many hours
Build quality and warranty that owners report surviving years of daily abuse
USB-C charging and an included holster
Simple, no-nonsense interface with a high-output SFT40
Good balance in the hand for a 21700-class duty light

Common complaints

The mode button is tiny and hard to find single-handed
Pressing it covers the equally tiny battery indicator
Won't tail-stand
No moonlight mode — the lowest level is 30 lumens
Gets hot on turbo within a couple of minutes

Questions people ask

Why can't it tail-stand?: The tail switch protrudes, so it won't sit upright on a table. That rules out the common trick of bouncing light off a ceiling to light a room, which some owners consider a significant omission.
Is the lack of a moonlight mode a problem?: It depends how you use a light. At 30 lumens minimum it's too bright for reading in a tent or checking on someone asleep, and it will affect your dark adaptation. For duty use it doesn't matter.
How durable is it really?: One owner ran the previous generation daily for nine years, including a twelve-foot drop onto concrete and getting it wet, before the switch wore out. That's the reputation Fenix trades on.
Where are the switches?: On/off is on the tail and mode selection is near the head, which means moving your hand between them. Several reviewers find that split awkward in practice.

Sources (5)