Fenix PD30 vs PD31

[Expired]

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]

PD30 doesn't fit 18650.

PD31 has a smooth reflector that causes ringy beam profile.

 

[RonReagan]

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]

Rumor has it Fenix is doing another release with a black clip.

 

[Expired]

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.

 

[Expired]

double

 

[jhc37013]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[Gilgamesh]

I got mine with the black clip from Amazon. However the one their showing now has the silver clip.

 

[Chevy-SS]

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!

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[Gilgamesh]

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!

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I agree! I put a Fenix PD32 tailcap on, now it is an awesome light!

 

[Labrador72]

I agree! I put a Fenix PD32 tailcap on, now it is an awesome light!

Is it easy to find a PD32 tailcap?

 

[Gilgamesh]

Is it easy to find a PD32 tailcap?

Yeah, I just called Fenix customer service, paid over the phone and had one at my mailbox in a week.

 

[Labrador72]

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… 😗

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]

Has anybody tried using a PD30 R5 with a AW 17670?

 

[slumber]

Has anybody tried using a PD30 R5 with a AW 17670?

I tried a protected AW with the label removed, but it didn't fit.

 

[Labrador72]

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? : )