StriderSMF
Newly Enlightened
I love the Fenix PD series lights they are excellent i have owned two of them the P3D rebel and the PD30 and i will own this soon great job Fenix!
pd35
- Thread starter shelm
- Start date
ShaoloGear
Newly Enlightened
Technically no one is supposed to advertise the PD35 below ~$75. This doesn't count coupons, accounts, etc. What Amazon does is considered a MAP (minimum advertised price) violation. However, because they are so large, they get away with it. That's why you will see them occasionally discount something and then see the price pop back up (Fenix has been made aware and tells them to fix the price). If a normal dealer did this, they would lose their ability to resell Fenix.
Food for thought.
I think the circuitry is very flexible, and can take the energy even at lower 18650 voltage.
From Fenix, the manual says on 123 primaries, the first few minutes on fresh batteries will results in a turbo rating of 900lumens (versus the 850 recorded on 18650s). However, once the battery wears a bit, the circuitry will take over and the levels will perform the same in terms of brightness.
Turbo is so bright as many have stated anything over 450 to your eyes are just going to be super bright and your eyes will not really be able to tell the difference of the 50lumens (your eyes process brightness logarithmically). So it's mainly just for show/bragging rights.
In terms of overall runtime, the new higher capacity 18650s have more energy than 123As, so they are the preferred battery.
2xCR123 will have ~9watt hours
A 3400mAh 18650 will have 12.6 watt-hours, plus more guilt-free energy.
The pros/cons of using rechargeables versus primaries you can read up in the other threads.
idleprocess
Flashaholic
• More runtime:
2x 123A : 6V * ~1.4A-H = 8.4 W-H
18650 : 3.6V * ~2.6A-H = 9.36 W-H
• Greater instantaneous power output from 18650
• Lower operating expense for frequent users
Received my PD35 in the mail a couple hours ago. I ripped open the packaging cuz I was so excited that it was finally here. Bought it off amazon for $99 with the Nitecore i2 charger, pair of cr123s, nitecore 3400mah 18650, s&w carabiner with led, and the pd35. This is my first flashlight that uses non-conventional batteries (always used alkaline powered flashlights up until now).
Will be using the light on the 18650 3400mah battery it came with, and the cr123s in between charges.
First impressions of the light are good. Can't wait til it gets dark so I can really test out the light output, but from what I can tell, the output levels are well spaced. Decent sized hotspot and okay flood (again this is just in my bedroom with a ton of ambient light still present, so ill get a better idea of light output once its completely dark out)
Size of the light is perfect for me. Will be using this as my edc, and fits in my front pocket without being uncomfortable or obtrusive. Might try to get up a video tonight shining it in my backyard, although I dont know how well my Samsung galaxy will pick up the flood of the light.
I have a feeling this light will be starting a new trend for me to purchase lights with 18650s, next up, the TK75 XML-2. Probably going to have to purchase the i4 charger and pickup 4 other 3400mah 18650s, probably going to go with the protected panasonic ones for the tk75
Will be using the light on the 18650 3400mah battery it came with, and the cr123s in between charges.
First impressions of the light are good. Can't wait til it gets dark so I can really test out the light output, but from what I can tell, the output levels are well spaced. Decent sized hotspot and okay flood (again this is just in my bedroom with a ton of ambient light still present, so ill get a better idea of light output once its completely dark out)
Size of the light is perfect for me. Will be using this as my edc, and fits in my front pocket without being uncomfortable or obtrusive. Might try to get up a video tonight shining it in my backyard, although I dont know how well my Samsung galaxy will pick up the flood of the light.
I have a feeling this light will be starting a new trend for me to purchase lights with 18650s, next up, the TK75 XML-2. Probably going to have to purchase the i4 charger and pickup 4 other 3400mah 18650s, probably going to go with the protected panasonic ones for the tk75
Corrected for you. My strategy would be to get at most only 1 spare 18650 that you can swap it in and have 1 on standby. And of course, you don't have to wait until the battery is used up before charging again.
Don't get too crazy buying too many spare rechargeable batteries, the whole point for rechargeable is to put them to use. Unless you're outfitting multiple people, you'll never extract the 500 cycles out of spare batteries; if only 1 flashlight and battery are in use at a time, and the other flashlights sit on the shelf.
I got the same nitecore kit. Be sure you charge up the 18650 so you can be even more impressed the first 5minutes, when it's fresh out of the charger. Out of the box, it's only about 50% charged.
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Right now its sitting in the charger. When i put the 18650 in there fresh out of the packaging, the 1st of the 3 leds were solid and the middle was flashing. Now about 3-4 hours later, the first 2 leds are on and the 3rd led is flashing. Really takes a while to get this thing fully charged huh.
Playing around with the light with the edison bright cr123s it came with. Ive got 5 pairs of cr123 batteries, so that should be enough as emergency backup batteries for the light i'd say.
How long is the average charge time on these 3400mah 18650s on the nitecore charger from an almost complete discharge?
It took mine to charge the partial battery 4 hours out of the box.
By the time the 3rd light is blinking you are likely around 3000/3400 full, but the last bit will take longer as the charger slows things down.
In terms of rough math:
The charger puts out 500mA; the battery is 3400mAh.
if you fully discharge it, it's going to take 3400/500=7hours assuming perfect transfer of electrons. But in reality, there are losses in the charging, and the charging algorithm is not going to just be constant 500ma all the time but slow down nearer to the end. So really you should expect ~8 hours or so for completely empty->full charge.
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Blackbeard
Enlightened
Price is $55 again, bought a few days ago, came with 2 batteries, awesome light.
buds224
Enlightened
Did anyone see that last photo? What is that Grommet that allows it to tailstand???
Blackbeard
Enlightened
Not sure what that is, but if your familiar with the gauge/site glass of a steam boiler, on either end of the glass a rubber washer is installed which might fit nicely on the tailcap and is very inexpensive at plumbing supply house.
Here's the guy's review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R269U01CW6KLAP/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_1
He says it's a 1" grommet like you'd find for putting cables through a desk panel. I think you should be able to find one in your hardware store.
buds224
Enlightened
I may have found a product match. (Leviton 403-E Plastic Wallplate Adapter). I may have to try it.
Blackbeard
Enlightened
Have not seen one good fenix deal on amazon since you posted this
Lun@ticFringe
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2013
- Messages
- 29
Keep an eye out at Dvor.com...they have the PD35 for $52-56. Its not a constant sale but they come up every other week or so for two or three days at a time. I check every day just to see what they have up for sale, sometimes they have some really good tactical/hunting items for really good prices. I just checked before posting here and today they have a variety of Olights for sale.
techwg
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: fenix pd35
Take my advice and use a Maxpedition 5" holster. I had a 4 inch for years and decided to get the 5 inch so that it secures better. The 5 inch is perfect!
kj2
Flashaholic
Re: fenix pd35
But Fenix has their own filters and diffuser for the PD35.
I use the Nitecore 25,4mm filters/diffuser for my PD35. Works great :)
But Fenix has their own filters and diffuser for the PD35.
arcadesdude
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2012
- Messages
- 18
25¢ machine plastic top of the container the smaller one. Fits the pd35 perfectly. http://derbyimages.woot.com/jasonneumann25/25_Cent_Bubble_Ring-s7rsnc-d.jpg
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