Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video I have edited and joined various short video clips.
Please consider that I am not a film director :-) but I just want to offer a comparison between some models of Fenix flashlights.
In the video I use Fenix PD36 R - Fenix PD36 TAC and in a short moment also a Fenix TK11 TAC.
However, the video is mainly dedicated to the comparison between the two PD36 models.
These are two flashlights that are very similar in shape but with some substantial differences.
PD36R - flashlight released in 2019 has an SST40 LED with a power of 1600 lumens and a "classic" interface.
The PD36 R turns on with a rear button and another button on the torch tube allows you to select between 5 levels (holding it down activates the strobe)
The PD36 R also has a battery level indicator light and charges via a USB-C cable (no need to open the flashlight to charge the battery)
The PD36 TAC version is the novelty of this mid 2021 (recently released) it has an SST70 LED and a maximum brightness of 3000 lumens.
This led offers a much wider beam but resulting in a lower throw.
The TAC version is controlled only from the rear tailcap, it is very innovative, it has a rotary selector that allows you to choose between a central locking position (a safety one that allows you to avoid unwanted ignition) this safety position is necessary as the rear button it is very protruding and therefore an inadvertent ignition can be easy in a pocket, holster or bag.
Having a locking system avoids you having to loosen the tail cap 1/4 turn (as all flashaholics are used to) if you need to use the flashlight immediately this system allows you to unlock the light in a moment and using only one hand.
The protruding rear button is very useful if you need to turn on the flashlight immediately (a tactical, defense, emergency) easy to reach even with gloves on.
The TAC version, however, does not have external charging like the PD36R version.
To charge the battery on the TAC version you have to remove it and connect it to a cable provided in the package (the Fenix battery supplied has an integrated USB C port)
The advantage could be that there is no external protective rubber cover that can be lost or damaged, water or sand cannot enter.
But I want to say that a year ago I gave a PD36 R as a gift and it was used and abused in every situation including water and sand, no any problem occurred..
Still with regard to the interface of the TAC version, it has a Tactical mode where there is a level of 2000 lumens and pressing the button fully for 0.8 seconds activates a strobe of 2000 lumens.
By turning the selector in Duty mode we have 5 modes 30-150-350-1000-3000 lumens and by pressing hard there is always the strobe of 2000 lumens.
At the level of 3000 lumens the torch heats a lot but is equipped with a thermal sensor that gradually decreases the temperature according to the external temperature.
In windy weather or low temperatures the PD36 TAC will hold high power for longer and/or will have a slower and lesser power descent.
Using the Turbo of 3000 lumens the power drops rapidly (always based on the outside temperature) while using the tactical mode (High = 2000 lumens) it keeps the brightness much longer and will start to decrease the power later and very slowly.
I have read some comments from some users who would have liked a 3000 lumens tactical mode but I am happy instead of the choice made by Fenix (2000 lumens in tactical mode)
The PD36 TAC at the 2000 lumens level has a great brightness and overheats less allowing you to maintain a higher output longer before having the stepdown.
Please consider that we are talking about cigar shaped lights with a small head diameter, in the absence of a large head dissipating the heat of 3000 lumens is a big problem.
The good thermal management allows you to have a small-sized flashlight in your pocket with impressive performance but at the same time actually usable for practical purposes.
The PD36 TAC is a "wide" flood beam light while the PD36 R version has a beam that is a good compromise between throw and flood_wide.
The TK11 TAC that I use briefly is a tactical flashlight with an interface similar to the PD36 TAC, but it has a larger head (SST40 led like the PD36R) and allows a greater throw, I bought it to replace my old TK09 (2016) XP- L HI and I was fully satisfied with it.
The TK11 TAC is only used from 2.41 to 2.53 minutes - then again at 3.30 to 3.49 minutes
Which is the best flashlight? Which one to buy? Surely all three ;-)
But if I had to recommend one I would say the PD36 R, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful lights ever built by Fenix
Its price has dropped a lot since 2019, it is sold with the battery, you can recharge it via the USB cable it shows the battery level and has impressive performance.
It is a perfect light for those approaching the world of lights for the first time but can also satisfy advanced users of flashlights.
If you are looking for a wide_monster of light go for PD36 TAC
In this video I have edited and joined various short video clips.
Please consider that I am not a film director :-) but I just want to offer a comparison between some models of Fenix flashlights.
In the video I use Fenix PD36 R - Fenix PD36 TAC and in a short moment also a Fenix TK11 TAC.
However, the video is mainly dedicated to the comparison between the two PD36 models.
These are two flashlights that are very similar in shape but with some substantial differences.
PD36R - flashlight released in 2019 has an SST40 LED with a power of 1600 lumens and a "classic" interface.
The PD36 R turns on with a rear button and another button on the torch tube allows you to select between 5 levels (holding it down activates the strobe)
The PD36 R also has a battery level indicator light and charges via a USB-C cable (no need to open the flashlight to charge the battery)
The PD36 TAC version is the novelty of this mid 2021 (recently released) it has an SST70 LED and a maximum brightness of 3000 lumens.
This led offers a much wider beam but resulting in a lower throw.
The TAC version is controlled only from the rear tailcap, it is very innovative, it has a rotary selector that allows you to choose between a central locking position (a safety one that allows you to avoid unwanted ignition) this safety position is necessary as the rear button it is very protruding and therefore an inadvertent ignition can be easy in a pocket, holster or bag.
Having a locking system avoids you having to loosen the tail cap 1/4 turn (as all flashaholics are used to) if you need to use the flashlight immediately this system allows you to unlock the light in a moment and using only one hand.
The protruding rear button is very useful if you need to turn on the flashlight immediately (a tactical, defense, emergency) easy to reach even with gloves on.
The TAC version, however, does not have external charging like the PD36R version.
To charge the battery on the TAC version you have to remove it and connect it to a cable provided in the package (the Fenix battery supplied has an integrated USB C port)
The advantage could be that there is no external protective rubber cover that can be lost or damaged, water or sand cannot enter.
But I want to say that a year ago I gave a PD36 R as a gift and it was used and abused in every situation including water and sand, no any problem occurred..
Still with regard to the interface of the TAC version, it has a Tactical mode where there is a level of 2000 lumens and pressing the button fully for 0.8 seconds activates a strobe of 2000 lumens.
By turning the selector in Duty mode we have 5 modes 30-150-350-1000-3000 lumens and by pressing hard there is always the strobe of 2000 lumens.
At the level of 3000 lumens the torch heats a lot but is equipped with a thermal sensor that gradually decreases the temperature according to the external temperature.
In windy weather or low temperatures the PD36 TAC will hold high power for longer and/or will have a slower and lesser power descent.
Using the Turbo of 3000 lumens the power drops rapidly (always based on the outside temperature) while using the tactical mode (High = 2000 lumens) it keeps the brightness much longer and will start to decrease the power later and very slowly.
I have read some comments from some users who would have liked a 3000 lumens tactical mode but I am happy instead of the choice made by Fenix (2000 lumens in tactical mode)
The PD36 TAC at the 2000 lumens level has a great brightness and overheats less allowing you to maintain a higher output longer before having the stepdown.
Please consider that we are talking about cigar shaped lights with a small head diameter, in the absence of a large head dissipating the heat of 3000 lumens is a big problem.
The good thermal management allows you to have a small-sized flashlight in your pocket with impressive performance but at the same time actually usable for practical purposes.
The PD36 TAC is a "wide" flood beam light while the PD36 R version has a beam that is a good compromise between throw and flood_wide.
The TK11 TAC that I use briefly is a tactical flashlight with an interface similar to the PD36 TAC, but it has a larger head (SST40 led like the PD36R) and allows a greater throw, I bought it to replace my old TK09 (2016) XP- L HI and I was fully satisfied with it.
The TK11 TAC is only used from 2.41 to 2.53 minutes - then again at 3.30 to 3.49 minutes
Which is the best flashlight? Which one to buy? Surely all three ;-)
But if I had to recommend one I would say the PD36 R, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful lights ever built by Fenix
Its price has dropped a lot since 2019, it is sold with the battery, you can recharge it via the USB cable it shows the battery level and has impressive performance.
It is a perfect light for those approaching the world of lights for the first time but can also satisfy advanced users of flashlights.
If you are looking for a wide_monster of light go for PD36 TAC
