My father-in-law is a Vietnam vet who has a simple rule: don’t buy junk. So last Christmas, when he handed my wife and me both a Fenix PD36R Pro, I knew it wasn’t going to be some cheap plastic light destined for a kitchen drawer.
The moment I unboxed it, I could tell he’d done his homework. The heft of the machined aluminum body, the clean anodized finish, the satisfying click of the tail switches. This thing felt less like a tool and more like a piece of professional-grade equipment. It radiated confidence.
But after a year of using it for everything from late-night dog walks in the Arizona desert to road trip breakdowns, I’ve learned a few things. This isn’t a sponsored post or a rehash of the spec sheet. This is a review from the real world, and I’m here to tell you why this fantastic flashlight almost never sees the inside of my pocket.
First Impressions: Built Like It’s Going to War
Let’s get this out of the way: the PD36R Pro is a tank. There’s no rattle, no flex, no part of it that feels like a corner was cut. The knurling on the body provides a solid grip without being overly aggressive on your hand. It came ready to go with a high-capacity 5000mAh battery, a USB-C charging cable, and a basic nylon sheath.
That first day, I snapped the steel clip into my front pocket and figured I’d see how it felt. It felt… substantial. And that’s where the problem started.
The Deal-Breaker for Pocket People
The Fenix PD36R Pro is not a pocket-friendly flashlight, and anyone who tells you otherwise is probably wearing cargo pants from 1998.
Let’s talk numbers. The light weighs 5.96 ounces with the battery inside and measures 5.74 inches long. That’s about the weight of a loaded Glock 43 magazine and the length of a permanent marker. In a pair of jeans, it feels less like a flashlight and more like you’re carrying a small metal baton. It prints, it digs into your leg when you sit, and it snags on car seats.
After about a week of this, I gave up and moved it to the included belt sheath. That was a huge improvement. The light was accessible but out of the way. Eventually, it found its permanent home: the side pocket of my vehicle’s EDC bag. It’s the perfect grab-and-go light for that role. My wife keeps hers on the end table, ready to light up the backyard when the dogs start barking at coyotes.
If you’re looking for a light that disappears next to your pocket knife, this isn’t it. But if you want a serious torch you can count on, the size is a worthwhile tradeoff for the performance you get.
Raw Power When You Absolutely Need It
So, why bother with a light this big? Because it does things smaller lights just can’t.
On its “Turbo” setting, the PD36R Pro throws out a staggering 2,800 lumens in a beam that Fenix claims reaches over 1,200 feet. In practice, it turns a pitch-black rural road into daylight. It’s the difference between seeing a shape in the dark and identifying exactly what that shape is from a safe distance.
But raw power creates heat, which is the enemy of modern LEDs. This is where Fenix’s engineering shines. The light has built-in thermal protection. To test it, I left it running on Turbo. My infrared thermometer showed the body hitting 103°F after 30 minutes and climbing to 109°F after a full hour. It was warm, but never dangerously hot. Shortly after, the light automatically stepped down its brightness to cool off, just as designed. That’s a critical feature. It means the light won’t cook itself or you when you need it most.
The Strobe: A Truly Functional Defensive Tool
A lot of lights have a strobe function that feels like an afterthought. It’s often hidden behind a complicated series of clicks that you’d never remember under stress. The Fenix gets this right.
The PD36R Pro has two buttons on the tail cap: a round main switch for on/off and a smaller paddle switch for changing modes and activating the strobe. To get the strobe, you just press and hold that paddle switch. It works whether the light is on or off. It’s simple, it’s instant, and it’s brutally effective. A 2,800-lumen strobe blast is genuinely disorienting and can buy you the critical seconds you need to move, create distance, or draw. It’s not a replacement for a proper weapon, but it’s a powerful tool for de-escalation and self-defense.
The below video contains rapidly flashing lights and strobe effects which may trigger seizures or cause discomfort for photosensitive individuals. Please do not watch if you are affected by these conditions.
The Scoreboard: One Year of Honest Use
Here’s the breakdown after 12 months of carrying and using this light.
| Category | Score (out of 5) | Notes |
| Build Quality | 4.5/5 | Rock solid. The finish has held up to drops and daily abuse. |
| Brightness/Output | 5/5 | It’s a flamethrower. The beam has a great balance of flood and spot. |
| Battery & Charging | 5/5 | The battery life is fantastic, and onboard USB-C charging is a must. |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 | The two-button tail switch is great once learned, but takes practice. |
| Portability/EDC Fit | 3/5 | Too big and heavy for comfortable pocket carry. A bag or belt is best. |
| Value for Money | 4/5 | It’s not cheap, but you get professional-grade performance and durability. |
| Overall | 4.25/5 | An outstanding light, as long as you have the right place for it. |
Final Verdict: Who Is This Light Actually For?
This light isn’t for the minimalist trying to keep their pockets empty. It’s for the pragmatist.
It’s for the homeowner checking on a strange noise in their backyard. It’s for the person who drives through remote areas and needs a reliable tool in their vehicle. It’s for anyone building a serious EDC bag, bug-out bag, or home defense system where sheer performance is more important than deep concealment.
It’s a workhorse, not a show pony. It’s a bit of overkill for finding a keyhole, but it’s perfectly suited for figuring out what’s making that sound 100 yards away.
Would I buy it again? Without hesitation. The Fenix PD36R Pro has earned its place in my system, even if that place isn’t my pocket. The tradeoff in size is one I’m more than willing to make for the power and reliability it brings to the table.
What’s Next?
So the PD36R Pro is a beast, but it’s probably not living in your jeans pocket. If you’re after a powerful light that is built for discreet, comfortable pocket carry, you need a different kind of tool. I did a full, hands-on review of the light that often rides in my pocket, the Coast HP3R. It’s a slim, rechargeable penlight that punches way above its weight.
- Check out my full Coast HP3R review to see if it’s the right fit for your setup.
And remember, a flashlight is just one piece of the puzzle. Building a smart, practical everyday carry system takes time and the right gear. To help you get it right, I put together a no-fluff guide covering the essentials.
- Visit our checklist page to download your free EDC Checklist and make sure you have all your bases covered.
If this review helped you make a decision, you can check the latest price and availability for the Fenix PD36R Pro on Amazon.
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References
Fenix Lighting. “Fenix PD36R PRO Rechargeable Flashlight.” Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-pd36r-pro-rechargeable-flashlight.
Shotwell, Tim. “Fenix PD36R Pro Review: Full Review of This Tactical Flashlight.” FlashlightPro.com, October 26, 2022. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://flashlightpro.com/fenix-pd36r-pro-review/.