Fenix PD40R V2 Review

Thanks again to Fenix Lighting USA for sending me this light to check out!
www.fenixlight...

[@jerrysifuentes5012]

What a great get right into it review without all the unnecessary boxing. This light is now on my list.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks! I personally don't buy my gear for the packaging, not quite sure why everyone one else is so into spending soo much time showing it off...

[@BadgerBob]

Nice review. As a front line emergency services worker, I love Fenix torches but every new torch or product refresh is frustrating. Fenix are so close to the perfect flashlight, but seem to stubbornly ignore what people want and need. It’s almost as if they do it on purpose to keep us guessing. Fenix, if you are reading this please make the following torch - size, quality and power of the PD36R, USB C, rotary switch AND tail switch, tail stand, and proper moonlight mode (that can be reached without cycling and blinding people). Thanks.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Couldn't agree more! This whole Strobe/SOS mode thing across the flashlight industry is just silly... It just so happens, that Jetbeam have already made your dream light; check out the RRT01 which checks off nearly all of your criteria.

[@jean-pierredejon7458]

I'm in the market for a new light to replace my cheap light. I do not like tail lights because they occasionally turn on my light killing my battery.

[@VicInCommentSection]

Wow, this a well done, professional review. This is by far the best review I've seen for this flashlight, and is among the best review I've seen in recent memory - and I watch dozens of video reviews each week! The narration is superb: it is clear and well-paced. The statements are concise and informative. The video shots allow viewers to easily experience how this flashlight performs and works. I'm just really impressed overall. Take care!

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thank you, Vic! I'm really trying to go the extra mile and do more than just the standard pair of hands handling a light whilst the reviewer rambles on for way too long. I'm glad it was informative for you!

[@MadDestructionChaos]

I already bought one after watching video, then reading your comment! I can't wait!!

[@reyray9256]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@davianjaden4551]

@Rey Ray instablaster ;)

[@reyray9256]

@Davian Jaden Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@artiet5982]

This light is very compelling! I found this on a whim and am considering buying it. I consider myself a flashlight enthusiast and watch many reviews, modify flashlights and own over a couple dozen. All of that to say - you make the best flashlight review video i have ever seen (I have watched MANY). your beam shots are superb, actually showing the usefulness and Not in the FPOV. Thank you! Great, straightforward information that shy's away from the gimmicky, salesman/cheerleader tone so often seen in other review channels. I like how you pointed out that knurling and or vertical milling would've helped on the control ring grip, those are the words of someone I can tell actually uses the light they are reviewing, much appreciated! Thank you for putting this video out! Subscribed!

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words, Art! I need to get back in the swing of things, but there's just soo many people who do the reviews to please the companies and in turn receive more review samples. It gets monotonous and everyone ends up saying the same things... I'm glad you appreciated my efforts, and hopefully I can make some more videos again very soon!

[@liberty0758]

By far the best review of this light. Just ordered the PD36R, but this one is definitely the next one.

[@kodyschmautz7799]

Ya I was I on the fence between the the pd36 Pd40. Both bright long run time lights with USB C charging and higher capacity cells. I ended up opting for the PD40r. Both seem like a solid choice.

[@michaeltabor9596]

I have both the 40 is a little better seems to get hotter faster But for me it’s a defensive tactical flashlights High beam @ strobe which can’ make it almost impossible for the bad guy To see you Still wondering if I should have got the 10,000 light

[@kiwiperspective8656]

I have to echo all the other comments about the quality of this review, I'm off to see what else you have reviewed. You earned a subscription.

[@lowammo]

Excellent reviews. I completely agree with the needed increased tension or bigger gap to access turbo

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Gabor.Bujdoso]

I'm so glad I found your channel after watching several boring living room reviews, where they didn't even take the light outside. I just subscribed, love the content and the clear, straightforward presentation! You deserve a lot more subscribers!

[@lewpete6446]

I bought one after this review and I agree it's fantastic. Grey penetration hundreds of yards.

[@WildStuff]

Looks good! Great review, short & sweet and to the point. I've had the PD36R for a while now and really love it, but this PD40R is proving to be very tempting.... I don't need it... but I do want it.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thank you! I'll need to do a comparison video between the two, but in all honesty the performance is really close between the two (at least with my non scientific use/testing). If you don't really need the few extra lumens in turbo or the rotary switch, there isn't much you'd be gaining by upgrading.

[@MemphisMojo15s]

@@ChinookOutdoors I just bought the PD40R and mine doesn't have the rotary dial. Mine is ridiculously bright and covers a large area. My sister has the PD36R at 1600 lumens and I can tell there is a huge difference between the 2. Both are nice lights though. My complaint with the 40 is the LED shines a + in the middle and you can see it. It isn't terribly noticeable unless you know what to look for.

[@patricj951]

Good review, short but still including the important things to know about the light! I agree about the drawback of too easy access to strobe mode, which can be annoying. I would like a light like this but with 3 modes and without strobe. Also with tail switch so it would be possible to have direct access to the desired level of the rotary switch.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks! I really don't know why any light still has strobe modes; it just seems to be one of those marketing points that just got way out of hand. Look at any true"tactical" light (Surefire) and there's no disco mode to be found...

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

Great review! I just got my 36r. Love rotary switch flashlights, though. Both seem awesome!

[@nicolasbrunet6430]

11/10 review

[@justinuriahphoto]

It's a great light for sure!

[@petebusch9069]

Great review. Fenix, get rid of the stupid strobe mode, some of use these for work and have no need and it gets accidentally turned on all the time, so annoying.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Couldn't agree more! I say in general SOS and strobe modes are useless. Give me a simple UI and a momentary mode and I'll be 100% happy!

[@michaeltabor9596]

Chinook Outdoors are you guys for real? Strobe mode is for defense for an attacker I have the 36 & just got the 40pdr 40 is a little bit better 20& more You can blind someone temp on strobe mode God for bid he has a weapon

[@jdpratt33]

For everyday carry at work the strobe is an annoying feature, maybe they could make a version without.

[@edcleyacacio6990]

Tenho a versão anterior da Fenix pd40r. Um canhão de luz. Famosa no Brasil.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Obrigado!

[@ishotapig]

Ended up returning it for the PD36R- I found out after having it that TURBO will not work when battery is below 80%- this is really useless for me - this was confirmed from the company! They are trying to get a battery to make it last longer- I would rather have the PD36R turbo is 1600 lumens but works for almost all of the battery capacity!

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks for the info, that's definitely not fantastic at all... I find this whole turbo lumen numbers race just a little bit frustrating. I'll need to do a head-t-head comparison video between the two lights and will definitely be mentioning this. Overall though, I've got to say I like the modes and runtimes on the PD36R much better though I'll make concessions for the rotary switch.

[@golforfishing]

I don't know about this PD40R 2.0! I was surprised to see that the PD40R 2.0 only can do 3000 lumens for 2 minutes, and then it steps down to 1000 lumens and cannot do 3000 lumens again even if the battery is at 95%. So I recharged the battery, and tried 30 lumens, 350 lumens, 1000 lumens for maybe 2 minutes, and then when I tried 3000 lumens I was shocked to see that it was only 1000 lumens. What the hell...

[@ishotapig]

golforfishing that’s why I went to the PD36R - it’s been flawless!

[@golforfishing]

@@ishotapig Wow you were right, at 80% battery or below it (PD40R V2.0) will not or can not do 3000 lumen turbo mode. I confirmed this on my new battery charger that has an info display. I fully charged the flashlight, used it until turbo mode wasn't turning on, and then I charged the battery on my new smart charger and the display read 79% (close enough). That's only 2 minutes on turbo mode! What the hell Fenix...

[@ishotapig]

golforfishing I told many and they don’t believe me! The PD36R has been much better for me!!

[@Anakena3]

Great and honest review Thanks !

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks Joey!

[@dynaco]

the lack of detent or increased distance from Turbo to Strobe mode is the exact reason i still haven't bought this torch. You shouldn't have to know what brightness you're on nor have to count clicks. Why not have Strobe on the other side of off? Then If you need Turbo it's max turns in one direction or if you need strobe max turns in the other direction.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Glad I'm not the only one who feels it could have been better!

[@SimpleAdventuresLLMSX]

I think I'll still prefer the constant 800lumens on the PD36R. I have two PD36R and switch to the other if one gets too hot.

[@ninjesus4079]

Love your reviews of the pd36r and pd40r! But now I am really lost as I need to chose between the two... Which one would you recommend the most?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words! Another comment pointing out the need for a comparison video between the two. I definitely need to get on it ASAP. When I have the choice between the two, I almost always grab the PD36R. Its outputs may not look as good on a spec sheet, but overall its run times are more balanced with much better run times. The PD40R is still a very solid light and you really can't go wrong with either, but it's certainly focused on higher lumen outputs (at least on the spec. sheet) at the detriment to run times. The strobe mode on that light also drives me nuts... In short; if you need a useable everyday light the PD36R is hands down the winner. If you're solely focused on needing a brighter light (and run times aren't as important) that shines farther the PD40R wins over the 36.

[@ninjesus4079]

@@ChinookOutdoors thanks a lot for your detailed answer! I will most likely go with the Pd36r :)

[@jimrodriguez8047]

Great review!

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks Jim!

[@beowolfso.6096]

I do a lot of hiking. Wonder what are the odds of it turning On if the flashlight rubs on something while in the backpack? Would have preferred for Fenix to have added an On/Off button along with the easy to switch mode. Thanks for the video

[@ChinookOutdoors]

That's definitely one of my concerns with any side-switch light without a lockout feature. As a general rule I twist the head or battery compartment open just a fraction of a turn so that the contacts are no longer touching. This works for almost every light out there, however you have to watch out not to unscrew it soo much that the O-ring is no longer seated; if you do so, you'll loose water resistance and risk the end you unscrewed possibly falling off and exposing your battery.

[@ricklavoie3703]

Ordered mine today jan9,2021

[@b00b00]

Now is the PD40r v2 worth the extra $20 over the PD36r? Asking because you said the 3000 lumens die down to 1200 lumens? Does the PD36r do the same also? or as quick?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Ultimately, I really need to do a head to head comparison video of the two. The 40R is technically brighter, (but the turbo modes on both throttle down within a minute or two). The biggest difference is the high modes between the two. The 40R has a high of 1000 lumens for 190 minutes while the 36R does 800 lumens for 349 minutes. the other big difference is that the 36R has an added low mode of 150 lumens for 1560 lumens. Overall, the 40R is brighter, has the rotary switch, and a bit better throw while the 36 R has an extra-low mode and will run a little less bright for longer (6900 minutes at 30 lumens vs the 5290 mins on the 40R). It all comes down to whether or not the rotary switch and extra lumens/throw are worth it for one's particular uses. If I had to buy these (Fenix provided these both for review) I would gladly pay the extra 20$ for the rotary switch and more simple UI as it's easier to use with gloves when I'm on a SAR call or at work at the FD. If you're curious about what the ramping looks like, Fenix Lighting USA has runtime charts for most of their lights. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be one "master chart" where one can compare lights.

[@troystevens9506]

I'm no flashlight expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to agree that the PD40R V2 is definitely worth the extra $20. The rotary selector, 3k lumens, and greater light throw all won me over.

[@b00b00]

Thanks for your input! I bought both! I couldn’t make up my mind. It seem better for eh 40r but I liked the more modes on the 36r so I just ended up getting both.

[@troystevens9506]

@@b00b00 Lol. I just ordered a 36r also. I'm a retired Deputy Sheriff with no impulse control when it comes to guns and flashlights.

[@b00b00]

Well I feel like the PD36R is a better choice because the modes. I do like high mode for almost 6 hours at 800 lumens vs the 40r high mode at 1000 just over 3 hours and next mode down dropping all the way down to 350. Wish it was 500-600. I honestly got the PD40r because I was only curious to see how much brighter it was lol smh. I actually got 2 PD36Rs one for my dad for Father’s Day.

[@cubehire3653]

Good review. I too dislike strobe lights in flashlights. Most users will never use or want them. I wish the strobes could be permanently disabled.

[@DungNguyen-qg5hw]

Great reviews with many real life beamshots! I have PD36R and wondering if it’s possible to swap PD36R barrel with PD40R v2, we’ll have momentary ON switch? Maybe the PD36R switch cannot sustain the high current of 3000 lumens though :)

[@ChinookOutdoors]

That would be awesome if it could be done, but unfortunately it seems the PD40R is just a few millimetres larger in diameter.

[@artiet5982]

I do not own either model (yet) but form my experience with modify many lights, the swap you are asking about would not be possible. Beside what the creator has said about the diameters being different (good info!), the driver of the flashlight must be made & designed for the type of switch being used. That also means lights with dual switch lights cannot be used with single switch drivers, and also tail switch / side switches cannot be swapped around. The driver for this PD40R would be made to only work with. rotary control "switch", so it would unfortunately not be compatible with other types of switches, like a tail switch. unless Fenix has compatibility for such things, which would be really awesome and very unique! It is in fact not impossible, it just would need to be intentionally made that way.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I have (2) of-the: TK-15 U.E. and they are phenomenal. I highly recommend Fenix. oNe LovE from NYC

[@onedirection3510]

Such a cool light. If only it didn’t have the vulnerability of the charging port. The Fenix TK16 V2.0 has a better solution. I really live the rotating bezel for modes. If only the Fenix TK16 V2.0 had that too! Lol

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks! I'm really hoping to see the charging port cover they've started using on a few lights (the PD25R seems to be the newest) on more lights. Short of having a cell with a built-in charger, which comes with it's own problems, it seems to be the best way to protect the port that I've seen to date.

[@romainlamarre406]

Thx for your nice test 👍 ! I hesitate between the pd36r and the pd40r. In turbo mode the difference is huge ? The tactical Button on the 36r is good for me, but the rotative Button on the 40r seems so simply to use. For you what’s the best into the 2 flashlights ? Thx for your response 😁.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thank you! I really need to make a comparison video between the two lights. Overall the 36R isn't as bright. but on the other hand, the run times are much better overall. While the 40R has a solid dial, I really think having the strobe mode at the very end of the dial's rotation is rather annoying. While you can't go wrong with either, I personally choose the PD36R over the PD40R almost every time even though it's slightly dimmer and doesn't throw as well. I feel like the 40R is a great idea, but the platform still needs some tweaking before it reaches it's full potential.

[@romainlamarre406]

Thanks for your answer 👍👌

[@one4all885]

Why does it have so much flood at 2:45? In test reviews it doesn't spill that much, and neither does the one I have.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Looks like the camera over exposed the beams a bit. Without being behind the camera is challenging to nail the exposure. My beam shoes down the creek are a better representation.

[@vinnieromano1336]

Should have put a magnet where the tail cap would have been

[@ishotapig]

Seems like a runtime of just over 3 hours for the 1000 lumens - maybe better off with the PD36R with the 800 lumens with over 5 hour runtime- don’t think 200 lumens would be that noticeable of a difference?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

That is one of the trade-offs with the pd40r. Ill have to do a comparison video but I agree, the difference isn't that noticeable. Overall, the beam pattern and performance are pretty close that if it wasn't for the rotary switch, I'd opt for the PD36R.

[@KotoHouse]

@@ChinookOutdoors Do you prefer the rotary switch over the PD36r type switch?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

@@KotoHouse For general everyday use, yes. It's hard to beat the super simple user interface. The body is a little larger which makes it a little more difficult to carry in the pocket though. If you generally carry lights clipped to your pocket this might be a factor to consider. The PD36R also has generally more conservative brightness levels and better run times; if maximum lumens for short bursts isn't a factor that don't really matter as much, it might be another reason to look at the 36. Also, the PD40R doesn't have a momentary mode, which is something I occasionally miss. I think either way, they're both AWESOME lights and you really can't go wrong!

[@TheTrailDancer]

Which one do you like more between the PD36R or PD40R V2 for backpacking, hiking, outdoor use? I have been looking a good Outdoor EDC and Olight is great, but don't like their charging cable... extra weight. Do you like anything from Nitecore? I have tons of headlamps, but would love a regular flashlight.

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment! Despite the control ring, I MUCH prefer the 36. Overall its modes are much better balanced, opting for realistic and sustained outputs rather then a high turbo for marketing sake. The tail and side switch combo is also much more user friendly. If Fenix ever revises the 40r and includes a light with no strobe mode, a tail switch, and overall lower outputs (and better run times) it would be a real winner.

[@TheTrailDancer]

@@ChinookOutdoors I went with the E4K, because I found it on sale. The controls aren't my fav, but I love the emergency modes; it's the main reason I selected this model. I'll get a 36R or 40R next year and compare..

[@ChinookOutdoors]

@@TheTrailDancer Looks like one interesting little light! I wish more outdoor lights had beacon modes! I'll keep my eye on your channel and hope to see a review!

[@TheTrailDancer]

@@ChinookOutdoors Thanks for the sub...

[@MemphisMojo15s]

My PD40R uses standard USB and a 26650 battery. I have the original light

[@MrWahtda]

Hu Bro, what kind of watch is that?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

That would be a Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military! Thanks for watching!

[@MrWahtda]

Thabk ....you, nice vids i bought. fenix

[@ferrari4sale563]

The pd40r have more yellow tint compare to the pd36r.

[@PhoenixtheII]

The audio: "Doesn't have to cycle through mode after mode" Meanwhile on video: *Watches video cycle through mode after mode to get to max power mode...* Which one is it?

[@ChinookOutdoors]

If you miss the desired mode (usual turbo for me) on a button-operated light with a cyclical user interface (i.e. the eco -> low -> med. -> high -> turbo -> eco... interface found on the PD36R) you have to go back through all those other modes to get back to the one that was originally missed. Yes, there are 5 modes on the PR40R, but if you overshot turbo and go into strobe, it's only one click back to get to the turbo. The added benefit of a control ring over a button is that you don't have to press and release to change modes.

[@PhoenixtheII]

@@ChinookOutdoors Oh right, didn't think of it that way :)

[@dipsicon]

where to buy ??

[@ChinookOutdoors]

Depends where you live. In the US, Fenixlighting.com is the official US distributor. Fenixlight.com is the international distributor.