My first Fenix

[johns]

Just received my first Fenix - a PD30.
When I first tried it out, I was pretty disappointed. I thought the bezel wouldn't turn, but when I tried a little more force, it did. Now that I figured out how to operate it, I really do like it. Seems like a very nice light for the money and the size.
Can you use rechargeable (RCR123) batteries in it?

 

[Brad Southard]

Congrats!!! Sometimes when Fenix lights come brand new they are a little sticky. Just run the threads all the way in and all the way out and they loosen up really nicely.

I'm pretty certian that you can use a RCR123A, dont see why not. Maybe someone else can say for sure.

I EDC a PD20 everyday and the PD30 is fantastic at only a smidge larger.

 

[jake25]

From what I recall you can run up to 12+ Volts. I think I've seen an extension for the P3D in the accessories section.

 

[Dole]

Yes you can run RCR123's ... AW RCR123's are the recommended brand here.

 

[johns]

Thanks - I'm going to order some!

 

[Search]

I'm very happy with my PD30.

I think I was the first person on here to buy it. No one had any input besides it was an upgrade.

Glad to see it's catching on. Mine stays in my pocket.

 

[01GTB]

I love my PD30. It's just a great all around light. Several of my friends have talked about ordering one since they have seen it.

 

[oregon]

I'm very happy with my PD30.
Mine stays in my pocket.

How do you protect the lens from scratching or other fouling while its in your pocket? Has it come on inadvertantly while in your pocket? Does it show pocket wear? How about a pic thank you.

oregon

 

[KingGlamis]

Congrats on your first Fenix. I also got a PD30 not long ago to replace my aging P3D and I love it. It's the EDC I carry on my belt (although I use the P3D holster since it has no flap, I prefer that). My only complaint with the P3D was no anti-roll feature, which they fixed on the PD30. To me it's the perfect EDC.

I also EDC a Fenix L1T in my pocket and it has shown some mild wear on the anodizing from rattling around with change and other pocket stuff, but overall it's holding up pretty well.

My experience is any light you carry in a pocket that has other metal items in it will show wear after a while. In my other pocket I EDC a Leatherman Monarch 500 all stainless steel light. This is the pocket with my keys in it and even the stainless steel has gotten some scratches from the keys.

A holster or a pocket with nothing else in it is the only way to keep a light in really good shape (not counting shelf queens ).

 

[Search]

How do you protect the lens from scratching or other fouling while its in your pocket? Has it come on inadvertantly while in your pocket? Does it show pocket wear? How about a pic thank you.

oregon

I'm half asleep because I wake up at 5:30 to go to work and get off at 5. I just woke up from a nap and have no idea where my camera is. I'll take one tomorrow to show you.

I carry a wallet, a phone, my keys, a dip can, change, and a PD30 regularly.

I keep my phone and the PD30 in my right pocket. I keep the PD30 bezel up so the lens stays ok.

If I have to put anything in that pocket I just try to be careful and not push anything on it.

I haven't scratched my lens. The only scratches are from it falling 3 or 4 times.

Those were when I had a coat or jacket on and was jogging and it fell out of the coat pocket.

Every time I did I found a new scratch and they are all counted for

It sounds weird but it's all second nature. Just keep it in a certain pocket and make sure you don't have anything ridiculous in there with it.

It will be fine, it's a tough lens anyway.

 

[2benlightened]

From what I recall you can run up to 12+ Volts. I think I've seen an extension for the P3D in the accessories section.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172795&page=7

about halfway down pg. 7 of this thread shows a pic of the extensions you are talking about

PEU's 3-cell tactical body for the P3D... I presume it would fit the PD30... but I also suspect they are out of stock and may not make any more. They also had a 2-cell version... they may still have some of those. PEU also made 2 4-cell bodies, one of which I just picked up... gonna do some actual "consumer" testing such as some runtimes as well as actually see how it handles using 4 cells after 3 or 4 sets (sorry, no abuse tests like the T1 undertook... this body's too rare for that LOL), but 4sevens said it worked fine (don't know how long he ran it for or on what settings... have to ask) which means the P3D was actually handling 14-15Volts or so.

KingGlamis:
"My only complaint with the P3D was no anti-roll feature, which they fixed on the PD30. To me it's the perfect EDC."

the extension jake25 is talking about has an anti-roll bar on it, part of the reason I jumped on the body was the P3D rolling around and also hard to hold onto with gloves on... as you say, PD30 is an improved design for this...

johns:
"I thought the bezel wouldn't turn, but when I tried a little more force, it did."

I simply used a dab of olive oil on the tip of my finger wiped on the threads and o-ring and worked it in... worked great; haven't had any problems with the integrity of the seals in 2 years, and can adjust the bezel one-handed now; but just in case the olive oil isn't good for the o-rings you should probably use proper lube like dioxit? or something. CONGRATS! on your new light! LOL... I've got too many P3D's to justify getting the PD30, but I'm ordering the PD20 (ha ha like I can justify that either!!!) I'll be awfully surprised if I ever hear that you are anything but very happy with that light!

 

[deusexaethera]

Remember to grease the threads, especially under the head; they're not anodized, and dry aluminum will grind itself up quickly.

 

[johns]

Thanks for the tips on lubing the threads!
I have some grease for O-rings that I bought for an air rifle (uses a bottle of compressed air) that I fill from a scuba tank. That would probably work well here too.
I really can't get over how much light this little flashlight provides.
Of course now I've been reading about the TK 40 and Tk 30 - must resist.

 

[2benlightened]

when you've got the threads properly lubed, you should be able to hold the light in the palm of your hand, and with the fingers of the same hand twist the bezel from regular mode to turbo mode... tip: leave the bezel about 1/16th of a turn away from being on turbo... you can walk around with the light in low to save both runtime and night vision, and when you need to light up something, just press the side of the bezel with your index finger: there is enough play in the threads that you can flash from turbo and back again many times; as soon as you let go it goes back to low... you don't have to keep twisting.

 

[CdBoy]

go for Fenix LD20 that way you have a 2xAA type LED torch. you will not regret it.

 

[jhc37013]

Just received my first Fenix - a PD30.
When I first tried it out, I was pretty disappointed. I thought the bezel wouldn't turn, but when I tried a little more force, it did. Now that I figured out how to operate it, I really do like it. Seems like a very nice light for the money and the size.
Can you use rechargeable (RCR123) batteries in it?

Congrats on the Fenix, I have many brands but always seem to come back to a Fenix for EDC or if something goes bump in the night I always pick up a Fenix Tk11. Now that you have one Fenix why not go ahead and get another. You said you was eyeballing a TK, go for it you won't regret it.

 

[johns]

when you've got the threads properly lubed, you should be able to hold the light in the palm of your hand, and with the fingers of the same hand twist the bezel from regular mode to turbo mode... tip: leave the bezel about 1/16th of a turn away from being on turbo... you can walk around with the light in low to save both runtime and night vision, and when you need to light up something, just press the side of the bezel with your index finger: there is enough play in the threads that you can flash from turbo and back again many times; as soon as you let go it goes back to low... you don't have to keep twisting.

That's a great idea - Going to put some lube on the threads tonight.

 

[moregothic]

My first fenix will be a TK21. Yay