Are you looking for a light that is small enough to fit in your pocket? Do you need a powerful light despite its small size? If this is what you are looking for the Fenix PD25 is a great choice. The PD25 is an EDC style of light that also falls into the tactical category. A small, but powerful light the Fenix PD25 can be used for a variety of every day and tactical applications. Keep reading to find out everything the Fenix PD25 has to offer.
Before You Buy
Before you buy any flashlight, you want to consider all your options. The Fenix PD25 is a small, powerful light designed for a variety of tasks. Like many other Fenix lights, the PD25 offers an easy to use interface. The PD25 is an excellent choice for those who need a small, but bright light.
Before you make a final decision on whether to buy a specific light you will want to look at what features it offers. The first feature you want to look at is brightness. You want a light that is going to provide enough light for your needs. Lights that provide a range of brightness levels are an excellent choice for EDC style lights. Durability is something else you want to consider.
Knowing a bit about the company manufacturing the lights can help you determine how durable it is. Extra features and benefits should also be considered when deciding on a light. Look to see if the light offers the features and benefits you want before you buy. If it doesn’t, keep looking until you find one that does. Check out our EDC Buyers Guide here.
Fenix PD25
Many people are fooled by the Fenix PD25’s small size, don’t let that be you. Despite its small size, the Fenix PD25 is a rather powerful light as it emits up to 500 lumens on a single battery. With a maximum beam distance of 427 feet, the Fenix PD25 is an excellent light for everyday use and more.
The Fenix PD25 runs on a single 16340 rechargeable Li-ion battery, but a 3V CR123A battery can also be used. Using a CREE XP-L V5 LED with a 50,000-hour lifespan, the PD25offers four levels of brightness, plus strobe mode. The lumens produced range from 5 to 550 lumens. Runtime for the Fenix PD25 will depend on the battery used inside the light.
With a 16340 battery, you can use the light for 53 hours on its lowest setting and 35 minutes on turbo. The CR123A battery provides you with 100 hours of use on low and 1 hour 10 minutes on turbo. With an IPx-8 rating, the Fenix PD25 can be fully submerged in up to 6.5 feet of water for 30 minutes before damage occurs.
Pros:
- Momentary-on function
- Dual switches
- Throw and flood capabilities
- Low voltage warning
Cons:
- No tail stand capability
- No SOS function
- No lockout mode
Specs:
- Weight: 1.7 oz without battery
- Dimensions: 3.7 inches long with a 0.8-inch diameter
- Output: 5 lumens on low; 550 lumens on high
- Runtime: 53 hours on low; 35 minutes on Turbo
Features & Benefits
User Interface
The Fenix PD25 uses two switches to control the light: tail cap and side switch. The side switch is located on the head of the light and controls output selection. The side switch provides access to the 4 brightness levels, plus strobe mode. The tail cap switch is used to power the light on and off. The tail cap switch also powers the momentary on function. The downfall to the tail cap switch is it protrudes from the end of the light, making tail standing impossible.
Constant Brightness
Having a light that fluctuates is irritating, to say the least. Users want a light that provides a constant level of brightness. The only time you expect a fluctuation in brightness is when you are changing modes, not on the same setting. To prevent these fluctuations Fenix uses a digitally regulated output.
Overheat Protection
Overheat ProtectionAlthough at 550 lumens the PD25 isn’t as powerful as other lights there is still an overheating risk. As an EDC style of light, you don’t want something that is going to become too hot to handle. To prevent this from happening the Fenix PD25 uses overheat protection. This technology protects the flashlight from burning itself out after a period of prolonged use.
Low Voltage Warning
The Fenix PD25 has a low voltage warning. This warning function will alert you to when the batteries need to be changed. If the light is in a mode other than Eco, the light will automatically lower the brightness level to conserve battery power. Once you are in Eco mode the light will blink three times every five minutes until you change the batteries.
Social Proof
After spending hours online reading through reviews, I have to say the Fenix PD25 is an amazing flashlight. One thing you should never do is underestimate just how powerful the light is because of its small size. If you are looking for a light bright enough to blind somebody but can fit easily in the palm of your hand, the Fenix PD25 should be your top choice. And, I am not the only one who shares his opinion. Several reputable flashlight review sites share the same opinion with their positive reviews.
Like many other flashlights, the Fenix PD25 is far from perfect. One of the biggest complaints from the reviews that I have read is the light offers no lockout feature. Without a lockout feature, the light has the ability to accidentally turn on when being stored or transported. Accidental activation increases the number of batteries the light uses. The only way to prevent accidental activation is to remove the battery when storing or transporting.
Alternatives
Fenix PD35
The Fenix PD35 is a high-quality flashlight that you can trust to get the job done. The PD35 offers users six different brightness levels, including a strobe light that can act as a deterrent if you are out alone at night. Eco mode emits a mere 14 lumens, while Turbo mode offers users 960 lumens. The tactical tail cap switch provides access to the momentary on feature. The side switch, located near the head of the light, is used to switch between modes. The durable flashlight at only 5 inches long fits into the palm of your hand. The hard anodized aluminum bezel turns into an instant weapon for personal defense. Read our 2014 review of the Fenix PD35 here.
Olight S1R
If you require a light that is brighter than the Fenix PD25, the Olight S1R offers a maximum of 900 lumens. Using a CREE XM-L2 LED with a TIR optic lens the Olight S1R delivers a balanced beam. Powered by a single RCR123 battery, the Olight S1R offers five brightness levels ranging from 0.5 to 900 lumens. The battery can be charged via a portable USB charging cable, no need to remove the battery before charging. The light features a flat magnetic tail cap providing you with hands-free operation. Lockout mode is accessed via the side switch and prevents accidental activation. The Olight S1R is a great alternative if you need a brighter light with a few extra features.
Eagletac D25C Clicky
If you are looking for an EDC style light that is not as bright as the Fenix PD25, the Eagletac D25C Clicky is an excellent choice. The Eagletac D25C Clicky offers users four different brightness levels ranging from 1 to 453 lumens and four hidden modes. Using a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED with a single RCR123A battery the light has a run time of 50 minutes on its highest setting and 150 hours on its lowest setting. The Eagletac D25C measures 2.9 inches long with a 0.78-inch diameter making it small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The Eagletac D25C Clicky is a great alternative for people who want the extra features the Fenix PD25 doesn’t offer.
Fenix PD25 Review Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a compact light, one that can fit in the palm of your hand or in your pocket, the Fenix PD25 is a good choice. The Fenix PD35 is a powerful, EDC style of light that produces up to 550 lumens of light. The PD25 is one of the few EDC style lights that can serve as a tactical light. The tail cap switch, four brightness levels, momentary on function, and hidden strobe mode all come together to provide you with a powerful and versatile light. The Fenix PD25 is not the cheapest light on the market, but with everything the light has to offer, the price really can’t be beaten. Now that you know what the Fenix PD25 has to offer, head on out and purchase one today.
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