candle lamp
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have won the opportunity to join in Fenix PD32 global testing campaign in September. It's a pleasure and honor for me
to review the light. English is not my native language, so I wish to be understood that my English is not so good.
Manufacturer's Specifications:
• Cree XP-G (R5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
• Uses two 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium) or one 18650 rechargeable battery (Li-ion)
• 127mm (Length) x 25.4mm (Diameter)
• 61-gram weight (excluding batteries)
• Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
• Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
• Over heat protection to avoid high-temperature of the surface
• Anti-roll, slip-resistant body design
• Tactical tail switch with momentary-on function
• Side switch in the head
• Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
• Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
• Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
.
Packaging is simple white cardboard box with molded plastic insert. Inside I just found the light, manual only
(no lanyard, spare o-rings, holster, ETC.).
.
The light is a prototype sample and may be different from the formal version will be released soon.
Black anodizing(seems type III) is matte finish, and lettering is white, but not so bright. Knurling is
not very aggressive on the battery tube and tailcap regions, but provides good grip to the tailcap
despite the cylindrical body.
.
The head has cylindrical design with decagonal shape at the neck(i.e. right under the side switch)
which provides good grip and anti-roll feature.
Half of the tailcap is covered in knurling and has two partially raised rims which provides comfortable
activation of the switch. There are two slits through both rims which allows for lanyard attachment.
There is no clip, but the groove for attaching the clip is on the battery tube.
.
There is a side switch on the head which select the 4 brightness levels and mode change. It feels like
an electronic switch, has minimal travel and a good amount of tension which produces a quiet clicking
sound when pressed.
.
The light has 3 parts(head, battery tube, and tailcap).
Note the square-cut threads at both ends of the battery tube and screw threads are anodized at the both
head and the tailcap. The diameter of the both ends of the battery tube is same, so head and tailcap can be
reversed on the battery tube. It means the pocket clip is reversible without removing it from the original position.
There is no risk the light might catch on something and be pulled off. You can unscrew either of the head and
tailcap a little for lock out.
.
My sample features an well centered XP-G R5, with a smooth deep reflector. There is slightly raised button
on the positive contact board in the head, and my flat-top & button-top 18650 cells work fine in the light.
.
Most of the battery tube is covered is knurling which should provide more than enough grip. There are two
flat faces machined with some letterings printed on. The threads between the head and battery tube mate
perfectly and very smooth. So does the threads between the battery tube and tailcap.
.
The tail switch is a forward clicky which allows for momentary activation. The light can't tailstand because
the switch cap does protrude out the tail end.
The (-) spring looks like gold-plated. The switch has a good feel, but slightly stiffer than other lights with
this kind of switch.
Overall build quality is very good.
.
User Interface
There are general mode(turbo, high, med., low brightness) and flashing mode(strobe, SOS).
The tailcap switch is a power switch and the side switch is used for selecting 4 brightness levels and flashing
mode with the light on.
Just press the tail switch completely to turn on the light. Another complete press on it can turn it off.
You can activate the light momentarily by half-pressing it as well.
Press and release the side switch to change 4 brightness levels from Turbo -> Low -> Med. -> High -> circle.
The light memorizes the last brightness used in general mode even after changing the batteries.
The strobe, SOS in flashing mode are accessed by pressing and holding the side switch for longer than 1 second
and 2 seconds respectively. When the light is in strobe or SOS, a single press on the side switch returns to the
memorized brightness in general mode.
Note there is no memory feature for the flashing mode. i.e. You can use it like an hidden mode.
.
From left to right : CR123A, LG unprotected 18650, VicLite protected 18650, Fenix LD10, Spark SL6S-740NW,
Fenix PD32, Solarforce L2T.
.
From left to right : Fenix E15, E05, LD15, LD10, PD32
.
PD32 is a compact 1x18650 & 2xCR123A light. The user interface is a lot more user-friendly than older version
of PD31 by adopting the side switch.
.
The net weight is 61g and 108g including one protected 18650 cell.
.
PWM
I was unable to detect any signs of PWM with my test(waving the light sideways). It appears to be
current-controlled on its low mode too. I couldn't see tint-shift at all brightness levels.
.
Runtime
Regulation is maintained very nicely through turbo level of output on 1x18650, though it drops rather quickly
towards the end of the battery life. I assume this regulation is same to not only other levels of output but on
2xCR123A as well. (But note 2xRCR123 is banned.)
The voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test is 4.19v, 2.83v respectively. The runtime for 50%
output of turbo level is appr. 134 minutes in my test.
The light automatically transfer into the high brightness level after working 33 minutes in the turbo to avoid
the influence due to the high temperature. If the turbo level is needed continuously, just click the side switch
again. The above runtime of turbo output is an accumulated time.
Beamshot
1) White door beamshot
- About 40cm from the white door
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
The light has a narrow hot spot with a large, soft corona surrounding it and side spill. The bright ring area
between the hot spot and spill is noticeable.
While the reflector and XP-G R5 emitter are very well aligned, the ring around the hotspot can be seen.
This might be due to the leveling of the reflector. i.e. I guess that the bottom of the reflector is slightly
higher than the emitter, so some beam from emitter might hit it and this make the bright ring.
Neither of this issue affect practical usage though, but I hope Fenix would solve this issue. Also expect they'd
consider the orange peel reflector for the PD32 formal version.
The beam tint on my sample is slightly hint of green on hot spot and cool white on side spill.
.
2) Indoor beamshot
- About 3.5m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
3) Indoor beamshot
- About 7m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
4) Outdoor beamshot
- About 55~65m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
[Edit : Oct. 24] Addition of beamshots
5) Outdoor beamshot
- About 30 from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
6) Outdoor beamshot
- About 40 from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
to review the light. English is not my native language, so I wish to be understood that my English is not so good.
Manufacturer's Specifications:
• Cree XP-G (R5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
• Uses two 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium) or one 18650 rechargeable battery (Li-ion)
• 127mm (Length) x 25.4mm (Diameter)
• 61-gram weight (excluding batteries)
• Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
• Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
• Over heat protection to avoid high-temperature of the surface
• Anti-roll, slip-resistant body design
• Tactical tail switch with momentary-on function
• Side switch in the head
• Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
• Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
• Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
.
Packaging is simple white cardboard box with molded plastic insert. Inside I just found the light, manual only
(no lanyard, spare o-rings, holster, ETC.).
.
The light is a prototype sample and may be different from the formal version will be released soon.
Black anodizing(seems type III) is matte finish, and lettering is white, but not so bright. Knurling is
not very aggressive on the battery tube and tailcap regions, but provides good grip to the tailcap
despite the cylindrical body.
.
The head has cylindrical design with decagonal shape at the neck(i.e. right under the side switch)
which provides good grip and anti-roll feature.
Half of the tailcap is covered in knurling and has two partially raised rims which provides comfortable
activation of the switch. There are two slits through both rims which allows for lanyard attachment.
There is no clip, but the groove for attaching the clip is on the battery tube.
.
There is a side switch on the head which select the 4 brightness levels and mode change. It feels like
an electronic switch, has minimal travel and a good amount of tension which produces a quiet clicking
sound when pressed.
.
The light has 3 parts(head, battery tube, and tailcap).
Note the square-cut threads at both ends of the battery tube and screw threads are anodized at the both
head and the tailcap. The diameter of the both ends of the battery tube is same, so head and tailcap can be
reversed on the battery tube. It means the pocket clip is reversible without removing it from the original position.
There is no risk the light might catch on something and be pulled off. You can unscrew either of the head and
tailcap a little for lock out.
.
My sample features an well centered XP-G R5, with a smooth deep reflector. There is slightly raised button
on the positive contact board in the head, and my flat-top & button-top 18650 cells work fine in the light.
.
Most of the battery tube is covered is knurling which should provide more than enough grip. There are two
flat faces machined with some letterings printed on. The threads between the head and battery tube mate
perfectly and very smooth. So does the threads between the battery tube and tailcap.
.
The tail switch is a forward clicky which allows for momentary activation. The light can't tailstand because
the switch cap does protrude out the tail end.
The (-) spring looks like gold-plated. The switch has a good feel, but slightly stiffer than other lights with
this kind of switch.
Overall build quality is very good.
.
User Interface
There are general mode(turbo, high, med., low brightness) and flashing mode(strobe, SOS).
The tailcap switch is a power switch and the side switch is used for selecting 4 brightness levels and flashing
mode with the light on.
Just press the tail switch completely to turn on the light. Another complete press on it can turn it off.
You can activate the light momentarily by half-pressing it as well.
Press and release the side switch to change 4 brightness levels from Turbo -> Low -> Med. -> High -> circle.
The light memorizes the last brightness used in general mode even after changing the batteries.
The strobe, SOS in flashing mode are accessed by pressing and holding the side switch for longer than 1 second
and 2 seconds respectively. When the light is in strobe or SOS, a single press on the side switch returns to the
memorized brightness in general mode.
Note there is no memory feature for the flashing mode. i.e. You can use it like an hidden mode.
.
From left to right : CR123A, LG unprotected 18650, VicLite protected 18650, Fenix LD10, Spark SL6S-740NW,
Fenix PD32, Solarforce L2T.
.
From left to right : Fenix E15, E05, LD15, LD10, PD32
.
PD32 is a compact 1x18650 & 2xCR123A light. The user interface is a lot more user-friendly than older version
of PD31 by adopting the side switch.
.
The net weight is 61g and 108g including one protected 18650 cell.
.
PWM
I was unable to detect any signs of PWM with my test(waving the light sideways). It appears to be
current-controlled on its low mode too. I couldn't see tint-shift at all brightness levels.
.
Runtime
Regulation is maintained very nicely through turbo level of output on 1x18650, though it drops rather quickly
towards the end of the battery life. I assume this regulation is same to not only other levels of output but on
2xCR123A as well. (But note 2xRCR123 is banned.)
The voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test is 4.19v, 2.83v respectively. The runtime for 50%
output of turbo level is appr. 134 minutes in my test.
The light automatically transfer into the high brightness level after working 33 minutes in the turbo to avoid
the influence due to the high temperature. If the turbo level is needed continuously, just click the side switch
again. The above runtime of turbo output is an accumulated time.
Beamshot
1) White door beamshot
- About 40cm from the white door
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
The light has a narrow hot spot with a large, soft corona surrounding it and side spill. The bright ring area
between the hot spot and spill is noticeable.
While the reflector and XP-G R5 emitter are very well aligned, the ring around the hotspot can be seen.
This might be due to the leveling of the reflector. i.e. I guess that the bottom of the reflector is slightly
higher than the emitter, so some beam from emitter might hit it and this make the bright ring.
Neither of this issue affect practical usage though, but I hope Fenix would solve this issue. Also expect they'd
consider the orange peel reflector for the PD32 formal version.
The beam tint on my sample is slightly hint of green on hot spot and cool white on side spill.
.
2) Indoor beamshot
- About 3.5m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
3) Indoor beamshot
- About 7m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
4) Outdoor beamshot
- About 55~65m from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
[Edit : Oct. 24] Addition of beamshots
5) Outdoor beamshot
- About 30 from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
.
6) Outdoor beamshot
- About 40 from the target
- With 1 x VicLite Protected 18650(2600mAh)
- AWB
Last edited:
