Fenix PD36R Pro review

Who it is for

The PD36R Pro suits someone who wants one serious flashlight for searching a yard after a storm, checking a roof line, walking a dark road or working outside in an outage. Fenix lists it at 5.74 inches long and 5.96 oz with its battery, small enough for a jacket pocket. It comes with a 5,000 mAh 21700 battery, a USB-C cable, a holster, a lanyard and a spare O-ring.

For simply getting around the house in a power outage, it is more than you need; lanterns and headlamps on our flashlights and lanterns comparison are often more practical.

Modes and runtimes, read correctly

Fenix gives five brightness levels plus strobe: Eco 30 lumens for 42 hours, Low 150 for 19 hours, Medium 350 for 8 hours 15 minutes, High 1,000 for 3 hours 55 minutes, and Turbo 2,800 for a total of 3 hours 30 minutes. That Turbo figure includes time at reduced output, because the light steps down when it reaches 140°F (60°C) to protect itself. Fenix also says Turbo cannot be selected when the battery is at or below about 50%.

Beam distance on Turbo is quoted at 1,247 feet. Fenix says its figures come from lab tests at about 70°F under ANSI/PLATO FL1, the industry standard that measures runtime until output falls to 10% of the starting level. The 42-hour headline is the Eco mode, which is the setting that matters most when you are rationing a battery through a long outage.

Controls, charging and care

A round tail switch gives instant on, and a side switch steps through the levels; the light remembers the last level used, except strobe. A battery indicator shows charge for three seconds each time you switch on, and the light blinks three times every five minutes when it needs charging.

Charging takes about three hours from empty with the included battery, and the light cannot be used while charging. Fenix notes a phone charger that supplies under 2 amps will not fully charge a 21700 cell. For a kit, Fenix advises recharging a stored light every four months, or removing the battery for long storage. Lock the light or unscrew the tail in a bag to stop it switching on, since Turbo makes the body hot enough to scald.

Durability and warranty

Fenix says the PD36R Pro is waterproof underwater to 2 meters and dustproof, and the USB-C port is sealed internally so it stays waterproof even if the rubber flap wears out. Its own table gives 1 meter of impact resistance. The LED is not replaceable, so the whole light is replaced at the end of its life. Fenix Lighting USA backs it with a limited lifetime guarantee.

How it compares, and the verdict

On our comparison page it is the brightest flashlight. The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA runs on a common AA battery, which is easier to resupply, and the Black Diamond Spot 400-R keeps your hands free. The Fenix wins on reach and build.

Verdict: a superb, tough, rechargeable flashlight with honest published runtimes. Skip it if you want a light that runs on store-bought batteries, need it while it charges, or only need to find your way to the breaker box.

How long does the Fenix PD36R Pro run on Turbo?

Fenix quotes 3 hours 30 minutes in total on Turbo, but that includes time stepped down to lower output as the light heats up. Turbo is unavailable once the battery is at about 50% or below.

Can I use the PD36R Pro while it charges?

No. Fenix says the light is unavailable while charging. If you rely on it in an outage, keep a second light or a spare ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 battery charged.

Is the PD36R Pro waterproof?

Fenix says it is waterproof underwater to 2 meters and dustproof, and the charging port is sealed inside, so it stays waterproof even without its rubber cover.

What battery does it take?

One 21700 lithium-ion cell; Fenix recommends its ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 and says the ARB-L21-6000 and 6000B are not compatible. It recommends only high-quality protected batteries.