This 3,000-Lumen Fenix Flashlight Lets You Ditch the Modes You Don’t Want

A strong flashlight can change into surprisingly annoying when getting the correct quantity of sunshine means biking by way of brightness ranges you not often use.

Worth: $109.95
The place to Purchase: Amazon

The Fenix PD36R ACE tackles that drawback from an uncommon course. It delivers a manufacturer-rated 3,000 lumens and a most beam distance of 415 meters, however uncooked output isn’t its most fascinating function. This flashlight allows you to select what number of brightness ranges can be found.

Fenix calls the system Superior Command Version, or ACE. A protected SET button allows you to configure the sunshine for Turbo solely, three brightness ranges, or the complete five-level vary. That makes it helpful for somebody who desires low-output choices round a campsite and somebody who desires a less complicated path to most output.

3,000 lumens, with a caveat

The PD36R ACE makes use of a Luminus SFT70 Gen2 LED. Fenix charges it for a most of three,000 lumens and a beam distance of 415 meters, or 1,362 toes. Its 5 customary brightness ranges are 30-lumen Eco, 150-lumen Low, 350-lumen Medium, 1,000-lumen Excessive, and three,000-lumen Turbo.

Unbiased testing lends assist to these headline figures. 1Lumen measured 3,253 lumens instantly after activation and a pair of,972 lumens at 30 seconds. It additionally measured a 414-meter beam distance at 30 seconds, primarily matching Fenix’s specification.

That doesn’t imply the flashlight maintains 3,000 lumens for hours. In 1Lumen’s runtime check, the primary Turbo discount occurred between roughly 30 and 70 seconds, and output was about 1,062 lumens at 10 minutes. Excessive mode held greater than 1,000 lumens for roughly 13 minutes earlier than lowering output.

Fenix lists a Turbo runtime of three hours and a pair of minutes beneath ANSI/PLATO FL1 methodology. That determine contains operation after the flashlight steps down. It shouldn’t be learn as three hours at 3,000 lumens.

The ACE system removes modes

The PD36R ACE has a mechanical tail change for momentary or fixed activation and a second change close to the pinnacle for altering brightness. Its defining management is tucked beneath a rotating protecting collar.

Flip the collar to disclose the USB-C charging port and SET button. The SET button gives three configurations: Turbo solely; Eco, Medium, and Turbo; or all 5 brightness ranges. Strobe is enabled by default however could be disabled individually. SOS is obtainable solely within the five-level configuration.

The profit is easy: if 5 brightness ranges really feel extreme, you don’t have to cycle by way of all of them. The tradeoff is that altering configurations requires opening the collar, so it makes extra sense to arrange the sunshine earlier than a activity than to regulate its interface in the course of one.

Replaceable battery, particular necessities

The PD36R ACE features a protected 5,000mAh Fenix ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 21700 lithium-ion battery. Fenix specifies runtimes of 63 hours 25 minutes at 30 lumens, 21 hours 49 minutes at 150 lumens, 8 hours 49 minutes at 350 lumens, and three hours 28 minutes at 1,000 lumens. As with Turbo, standardized runtime figures can embody time after output has decreased.

Charging takes place by way of the USB-C port beneath the collar. Fenix estimates about three hours for a full cost; 1Lumen measured 2 hours 39 minutes in its check.

A detachable battery means you may exchange a worn cell as an alternative of changing the flashlight. However don’t assume any 21700 battery will work. Fenix prohibits unprotected cells, and 1Lumen discovered {that a} shorter flat-top Samsung 40T didn’t make correct contact. Test each safety and bodily match earlier than shopping for a spare.

Sensible dimension, one limitation

The PD36R ACE measures 146 mm lengthy, with a 30 mm head and 26 mm physique. Fenix lists its weight at 181.6 grams with the battery put in. It may well experience in a jacket pocket, work bag, car equipment, holster, or backpack, however it’s going to really feel substantial subsequent to a tiny everyday-carry flashlight.

Its physique is created from hard-anodized A6061-T6 aluminum. Fenix specifies IP68 safety and one-meter influence resistance, whereas GearJunkie’s hands-on testing discovered the development and machining strong.

One limitation is simple to miss on a spec sheet: the PD36R ACE can’t stand upright on its tail as a result of the rear change protrudes. Each 1Lumen and GearJunkie famous the omission. It issues should you prefer to intention a flashlight on the ceiling to gentle a room throughout a blackout.

Throw over shade accuracy

The PD36R ACE produces a comparatively cool-white beam, rated at roughly 6500K; 1Lumen measured 6264K and a CRI of 69.

Which may be an inexpensive tradeoff for looking out a path, lighting a yard, or checking tools at a distance. It’s much less interesting when correct colours matter, equivalent to when inspecting paint or distinguishing wire colours. Anybody who prefers hotter, extra natural-looking gentle ought to maintain that in thoughts.

The PD36R ACE makes the strongest case for somebody who desires one rechargeable flashlight for a number of jobs. Its measured output and throw carefully match Fenix’s headline specs, whereas its configurable controls allow you to maintain the complete vary of modes or strip the interface all the way down to those you employ.

It isn’t a tiny EDC gentle. It can’t tail-stand, its cool-white beam isn’t designed for shade accuracy, and Turbo shortly steps down as the sunshine heats up. Spare batteries additionally want cautious choice. If these compromises be just right for you, the PD36R ACE gives substantial attain, helpful decrease modes, and a replaceable battery with out forcing you to navigate the identical 5 brightness ranges on each activity.

Worth: $109.95
The place to Purchase: Amazon

The three,000-lumen score will get your consideration. With the ability to determine how a lot of the flashlight’s interface you truly use is the extra sensible cause to think about it.