I only use primaries in it, but they seem to last a very long time. I'm not sure the PD30 can handle RCR's? Maybe the LifePO4. Surefire has some listed on their site, maybe those would work.
Fenix PD30 vs PD31
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Labrador72
Flashlight Enthusiast
I read this thread when I was trying to decide which light to get and of course I went for the PD31 as I wanted a 18650, even thought getting the PD30 after the PD31 and PD32 had been released would be foolish.
Then one night I saw a PD30 on sale, starting staring at pictures late at night and bit the bullet for that too telling myself it would be a good back-up light.
I have to say after a month I've come to really appreciate the PD30. I think its main advantage is its compact size which: it's slightly taller than a single AA flashlight but offers the lumens and the runtimes of 2xCR123. Its size is a good trade-off for the fact that it can't run 18650 or protected 17670. I also find that the 10-lumen low can also be very handy around the house at night rather than the 2-lumen low of the PD31 -- which is maybe better suited for middle-of-the-night tasks.
I thought I had bought something outdated and ended up hoping Fenix will keep producing and upgrading the same model.
Then one night I saw a PD30 on sale, starting staring at pictures late at night and bit the bullet for that too telling myself it would be a good back-up light.
I have to say after a month I've come to really appreciate the PD30. I think its main advantage is its compact size which: it's slightly taller than a single AA flashlight but offers the lumens and the runtimes of 2xCR123. Its size is a good trade-off for the fact that it can't run 18650 or protected 17670. I also find that the 10-lumen low can also be very handy around the house at night rather than the 2-lumen low of the PD31 -- which is maybe better suited for middle-of-the-night tasks.
I thought I had bought something outdated and ended up hoping Fenix will keep producing and upgrading the same model.
Does the PD31 have ringy beam compared to the PD30?
Labrador72
Flashlight Enthusiast
Not the one I have. I don't remember for sure but if I think when I put both lights against 2 inches or 5 centimeters from the wall the PD31 has a couple of barely visible rings. Further than that they both have the very clean beams.
From the posts I've read it seems the first PD31 batch(es) had a ringy beam but subsequent batches didn't.
From the posts I've read it seems the first PD31 batch(es) had a ringy beam but subsequent batches didn't.
Thanks Labrador72. Good to know.
Labrador72
Flashlight Enthusiast
No probs! : ) I'm pretty picky about ringy beams and I have to say my PD31 has one of the cleanest beams out of my SMO reflector flashlights.
If you are planning to buy a PD31, you should be safe at this stage: I wanted to be sure not to get a ringy one when I bought mine so I read all threads on the PD31 on this forum and more. All posts I read from people who had bought a PD31 in the second half of 2011 said they didn't have the notorious "saturn" ring. You'd have to have some bad luck and find a reseller who has one in stock from early batches - it could happen but is unlikely: from what I read the PD31 at some point was pretty much out of stock everywhere.
If you are planning to buy a PD31, you should be safe at this stage: I wanted to be sure not to get a ringy one when I bought mine so I read all threads on the PD31 on this forum and more. All posts I read from people who had bought a PD31 in the second half of 2011 said they didn't have the notorious "saturn" ring. You'd have to have some bad luck and find a reseller who has one in stock from early batches - it could happen but is unlikely: from what I read the PD31 at some point was pretty much out of stock everywhere.
