Fenix PD30 vs PD31

What to do..

  • Try and hunt down a PD31

    Votes: 11 61.1%
  • Pick up a PD30

    Votes: 6 33.3%
  • Wait and hope for a 2 lumen PD30

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • Total voters
    18

Expired

Newly Enlightened
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May 11, 2011
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257 vs 304 lumens highest
10 vs 2 lumens lowest

I'm looking for a CR123 light, and I've read good stuff about 18650 batteries.
I was thinking I could use rechargeable 18650 which should save me money, then if I'm in a pinch I have the option of CR123.
 

enomosiki

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Mar 13, 2011
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1,109
PD30 doesn't fit 18650.

PD31 has a smooth reflector that causes ringy beam profile.
 

RonReagan

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Oct 25, 2010
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Washington State
Just got the PD31. It is a nice light and has nicely spaced modes. Of course it has a reverse clicky if that matters to you and no momentary since it will change modes. Get them when you can as they only made 4000 of them.
 

PCS

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Mar 10, 2011
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Rumor has it Fenix is doing another release with a black clip.
 

Expired

Newly Enlightened
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Messages
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Location
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PD30 doesn't fit 18650.

PD31 has a smooth reflector that causes ringy beam profile.
I know, I just threw it in because it's pretty much the same flashlight. Concerned more about CR123.

I think they have released a newer version. Check the PD31 Spotted thread.
 

jhc37013

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Feb 17, 2009
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Unless you just absolutely have to use 18650 get the PD30 XPG, the PD31 beam is very ringy like old school XR-E smooth reflector type of ringy. The PD30 has such good runtimes I rarely have to change battery's, I bought the PD31 thinking it would surely take the place of my PD30 but the PD31 is really not that brighter that I can tell plus the ringy beam.
 

Expired

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Unless you just absolutely have to use 18650 get the PD30 XPG, the PD31 beam is very ringy like old school XR-E smooth reflector type of ringy. The PD30 has such good runtimes I rarely have to change battery's, I bought the PD31 thinking it would surely take the place of my PD30 but the PD31 is really not that brighter that I can tell plus the ringy beam.
Thanks for the info. I would have jumped on a PD30 already if it didn't have a low of 10 lumens..
Maybe I can wait and see if they fixed the ring problem on the new PD31.
 

jhc37013

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The only way it will be fixed is either with a better textured reflector or an XM-L model, my PD30 R4 has the lowest output of any of my PD30's, not it's not .2 lumen but it's fairly low.
 

Ryan_T

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Aug 7, 2011
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Loving my PD30.

265 lumens is plenty for my needs, but the 10 lumens might be a bit much for some situations. A lower Low setting would've been nice, but definitely not a deal breaker.
 

Labrador72

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Jan 28, 2012
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Rumor has it Fenix is doing another release with a black clip.
Sorry to revive this somewhat older post but I was wondering if Fenix eventually released more PD31 with a black (titanium coated?) pocket clip.
The Fenix website still lists the PD31 but I see as discontinued on a few stores so I assume it's not longer being produced in favor of the PD32?
 

Chevy-SS

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Feb 21, 2010
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Location
Rhode Island
I have both lights. IMHO the PD31 outperforms the PD30 by just a trifle. Of course, the PD31 is also a tad larger than the PD30. I really like that the PD31 utilizes 18650.

I detest reverse clickies, so I modded my PD31 with a 'tactical' forward clicky. Oh yeah, that transformed the PD31 into a kick-azz light!

-
 

Labrador72

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Jan 28, 2012
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I couldn't find a number for Europe on their website but I did find an e-mail address: I'll be dropping them a mail about the PD32 taicap soon… :whistle:

Guess what? The other night I started reading about the PD31 again, saw that very few online shops have still have it for sale, told myself after all I had just bought a Li-ion charger for the PA10 14500, then accidentally saw a PD31 at a decent price and hit the bullet! I promised myself that I had to get another light so soon because the PD31 was only produced in limited numbers and wouldn't want to risk having to buy one the latest PD31 available at a much higher price. :devil:

What worries me is that I'm already suspisiously spending a lot of time staring at JetBeam PC20 pics…
Please help me stop!
 

Labrador72

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Jan 28, 2012
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Thank you!
I had read threads saying the protected AW 17670 didn't fit the PD30 R2 but then I had seen this review listing protected AW 17670 runtimes so had thought the AW 17670 had been slimmed down that by half a millimeter or so...
Not the case then! Can I ask you what batteries do you use? Primaries or RCR123? : )
 
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