Fenix PD32 LED flashlight review – Part II

Out of the box, the PD32 LED flashlight is small, compact and very well built but the question now is: Can it deliver in the field?

the emphatic answer to the question is: YES

Fenix PD32 LED Torch - 315 Lumen

The PD32 has 4 practical power modes giving various burn times from 200hrs on the low mode to 2hrs on the Turbo mode

Fenix PD32 LED Torch Power modes

See below how powerful the light is in Turbo mode (315 lumens). I went up in a dark attic to test the light. The whole attic lights up, it’s quite impressive.

Fenix PD32 LED Torch - in use - attic

Fenix PD32 LED Torch - in use Turbo mode - attic

After using the PD32 for a couple of weeks now, I can say that the battery life is as stated in the spec.

I went for a long evening walk lasting over one hour and a half and there was a good bit of life left in the battery after using the torch in Turbo mode for most of the walk.

Actually, we got a bit of rain that evening and it was comforting to know that the PD32 is totally waterproof. Wet weather is no bother to the PD32

See the Power ratings below:

315 Lumens -> Turbo mode | 130 Lumens -> High mode | 70 Lumens -> Mid mode | 9 Lumens -> Low mode

200 hrs -> Low mode | 16 hrs -> Mid mode | 8 hrs -> High mode | 2 hrs -> Turbo mode

Using a mix of power mode, the PD32 won’t need constant recharging.

The Turbo mode (315 Lumen) will certainly burn the battery a lot faster than the “High” mode (130 Lumen). You will not get more than 2hours in Turbo mode. Actually, you will know when the battery is almost fully depleted because at that stage, the turbo mode does not come on and the torch won’t go higher than the “High” mode at 130 lumens.

Again, I cannot praise enough the workmanship and the high quality finish of the PD32. This “little” but powerful torch is made to last. The tactical On/Off switch is very sturdy; so is the function switch.

The function switch operates the power modes which are easy to cycle through.

The PD32 also has two additional modes:

- The “Strobe” mode is accessible by pressing the “Function” switch for over 1 second.
- The “SOS” mode on the PD32 can also be activated from the function switch by pressing it for over 3 seconds.

This is a clever way of making these functions available because you don’t normally need these modes and therefore, you do not want to have to cycle through them every time you want to change power modes.

PD32 LED Torch - multi-function switch

I took the PD32 out for test in a business park where there is a certain amount of light around even at night. I went around an unoccupied building and was very impressed by the amount of light I got from the PD32.

I have to say I am a big fan of Fenix’s light heads that deliver a mix of flood and focus beam.

PD32 LED Torch - Beam Shape - Perfect mix of Flood and Focus beam

For LED Flashlight users out there that do security, police or emergency work, the PD32 provided a perfect mix of flood and throw beam which means you can pinpoint on a particular spot of interest while still getting enough flood light to see what’s in the vicinity of what you are pointing at.

PD32 LED Torch - in use - Turbo mode - office site

PD32 LED Torch - in use - Turbo mode - office site

PD32 LED Torch - in use - Turbo mode - office site

PD32 LED Torch - in use - Turbo mode - office site

Conclusion:

All in all, I think the PD32 is a winner. It is small and compact and yet, it will not disappoint in terms of power.

The High mode is good for most day to day uses and you get the extra light in Turbo mode when you need to pierce through semi darkness, need to see far in the distance or simply need the extra brightness.

The fact that it accepts an 18650 rechargeable battery as well as 2 x CR123A batteries is a big plus and makes the PD32  a very versatile LED torch in most applications.

I cannot praise enough the high quality build of this LED torch and all I can say here is: you get what you get you pay for and on that front you will not be disappointed.

I love the 2-switch configuration and the fact that the Strobe and SOS modes are “hidden” so that one does not need to constantly cycle through them when changing power levels.

The PD32 comes with an 18650 rechargeable battery as standard (LED Powerhouse special deal !) and many other free extras.