Light Review: The 10,000 lumen Fenix LR35R

Can it be true? 10,000 lumens from a light you could fit in your pocket? In this review of the Fenix LR35R I put Fenix’s claimed output figures to the test. As well as this companion review there is a full length video review, with behind the scenes insights into the testing. It turns out that this light went beyond the limits of my test equipment and meant making modifications to allow an accurate reading to be taken.


Here is the video review:

INDEX:
00:00-01:20 Intro
01:20-07:31 Looking over the LR35R
07:31-13:28 Measuring parasitic drain
13:28-19:56 Troubleshooting – comparing cells
19:56-20:43 Troubleshooting – benchmark measurements for sensor modification
20:43-24:28 Modifying the integrating sphere
24:28-26:02 Results – USB charging
26:02-26:57 Results – Thermal imaging
26:57-30:40 Results – Runtime Graphs
30:40-32:11 Results – Beam shots
32:11-33:35 Summary


What is in the box?:
As this is a pre-production sample, there is no un-boxing as only the light was supplied.

A good look round the LR35R – Things to look out for here are:
Be sure to check the video for many of these details.


The beam

Please be careful not to judge tint based on images you see on a computer screen. Unless properly calibrated, the screen itself will change the perceived tint.

The indoor beamshot is intended to give an idea of the beam shape/quality rather than tint. All beamshots are taken using daylight white balance. The woodwork (stairs and skirting) are painted Farrow & Ball “Off-White”, and the walls are a light sandy colour called ‘String’ again by Farrow & Ball. I don’t actually have a ‘white wall’ in the house to use for this, and my wife won’t have one!


Batteries and output:

The LR35R runs on two 21700 cells which can be recharged in the light.

Please note, all quoted lumen figures are from a DIY integrating sphere, and according to ANSI standards. Although every effort is made to give as accurate a result as possible, they should be taken as an estimate only. The results can be used to compare outputs in this review and others I have published.

Before getting onto the output graphs, let’s quickly look at the USB charging graphs. Fenix have use a pulse charging approach which the three images show clearly. Peak charging current is 3A.


And the three runtime graphs which show the effect of the thermal regulation, and how this is countered with stronger cooling.


A thermal image taken during the runtime testing.

The LR35R in use

A real surprise that this output can be achieved in a light smaller than one of my old favourites, the TK35. It does heat up very quickly, and in normal use, hand held, the thermal regulation kicks in much faster than on the runtime graphs which had strong cooling.
The built in charging is very useful, especially as all the 21700 rated chargers I have would not take the long Fenix 21700 cells. It also means you don’t need anything else, and can swap the cells if needed.
As the LR35R is so small, I really wish Fenix had added a lower sub-lumen mode, as for me that would make it a fantastic all-rounder.
Be aware that the headline 10,000 lumens is only short lived, but if you take it down a notch or two, the performance is very very strong.
Beam tint and beam profile are very useable, and overall this is a powerhouse that is easy to live with.


Review Summary
The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond that covered in the review.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________

Lack of a sub-lumen mode.
Heats up very quickly.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________

Hits that 10,000 lumen headline figure.
Very strong performance on High and Medium output.
Surprisingly compact.
USB-C charging built-in.
Comes with two high-capacity 21700 cells.
Great Beam tint and profile.

News: ‘Sharpest Knife Competition’ at Knives UK 2019 – The Results

After its debut at Knives UK 2018 (where eyes were opened, hopes dashed, legends toppled, and shock results revealed), the quality of entries for the Sharpest Knife Competition 2019 noticeably improved.

Drama and enlightenment added to a day of excitement at Knives UK 2019, with the vast array of beautifully hand crafted knives and tools, what more could you ask for?

The Competition Table:

In case you were not able to come along, the competition table was setup in the ‘social/display’ area of the show.


The Competition In Progress:

A few photos of the competition measuring in progress.


The Results:

And the Results – an impressive quality to the entries with the overall second place score thanks to a superb BESS score of 51!! A typical double-edged razor blade fresh out of the packet scores 60, so this is very impressive.


 
See Announcement: The ‘Sharpest Knife’ Competition at Knives UK 2019 for more details.
 

News: Sharpest Knife Competition at Knives UK 2018 – The Results

It Happened! The first ‘Sharpest Knife’ competition of its kind in a public access show in the Northern Hemisphere. Eyes were opened, hopes dashed, legends toppled, shock results revealed, and a winner who could not believe it! Drama and enlightenment added to a day of excitement at Knives UK 2018, with the vast array of beautifully hand crafted knives and tools, what more could you ask for?

Let the contest begin:

The Winner.

I was so busy I didn’t have time to get round all the Knives UK exhibitors, so this is a whistle-stop tour that does not do the show justice, merely giving a brief glimpse of it.

 
See Announcement: The ‘Sharpest Knife’ Competition at KnivesUK 2018 for more details.
 

Showcase: BKS Gembloux 2017 Knife Show

The Belgian Knife Society Show in Gembloux is one of those exceptional events. Taking over the entire Gembloux Town Hall, this annual show attracts hundreds of knife makers from all over the world, and a flock of knife enthusiasts eager to see the amazing work on display (and buy a lot of it).

‘Showcase’ on Tactical Reviews:

The ‘Showcase’ is an opportunity for me to share some photographs, videos and thoughts about interesting or exceptional shows/exhibitions, knives, lights or other gear.

As well as all the exhibitors and demonstrations, the Belgian Knife Society (BKS) arranged for a couple of seminars. Tactical Reviews was there to record these excellent speakers and their words of wisdom.

The following videos are much longer than I would normally publish, but the information in them is very interesting and worth listening to. They are informal, so imagine you are really there in the room.

“The Complex Structure Of Viking Blades”

Owen Bush, (Bladesmith, Swordsmith and artist Blacksmith based in the London/Kent region of England – UK) explains the Viking forging techniques and using modelling clay Owen shows how the intricate pattern welded designs are formed in Damascus blades.

Video Edited with – Cyberlink Director Suite 5 (PowerDirector 16 and AudioDirector 7)
Camera – Panasonic HC-V770    Microphone – Tonor TN120308BL

The Viking Sword: What It Was And What It Was Not

Peter Johnsson (SWE) is a specialist in white weapons and takes you on a journey through time: the swords of the Roman era, continental blades, the Anglo-Saxon sword and the weapons of Eastern Europe and how sword design evoloved with changing requirements.

Video Edited with – Cyberlink Director Suite 5 (PowerDirector 16 and AudioDirector 7)
Camera – Panasonic HC-V770    Microphone – Tonor TN120308BL

Gallery:

This is a series of images from the show; enjoy!

 

Discussing a Showcase:

Please feel free to start a thread on any of the following forums as these are the ideal place to freely discuss it. If you started reading a forum thread that has brought you to this page, please return to that forum to discuss the Showcase there.

EdgeMatters – Sponsored Reviews (UK based Forum for Knife Makers and Collectors)

BladeForums – Knife Reviews (US based Forum for Knife Discussion)

CandlePowerForums – Knife Reviews Section (Largest and Friendliest Flashlight Community Forum)

The Showcase featured image is of a sword by Owen Bush.

Showcase: Knives UK 2017

Knives UK is the UK’s only dedicated knife show. Now in it’s twelfth year, the show features some of the country’s top knife-makers and high quality custom blades, and is aimed at outdoor professionals, enthusiasts and collectors.

Many thanks to KnivesUK’s founder and organiser, Mike Keogh, for his continued dedication to organising and running the show. The mark of a great event is that as this year’s show comes to an end we are already looking forward to the next one; I certainly am.

‘Showcase’ on Tactical Reviews:

The ‘Showcase’ is an opportunity for me to share photographs, videos and thoughts about interesting or exceptional knives, lights or other gear.

Video Edited with – Cyberlink Director Suite 5 (PowerDirector 15 and AudioDirector 7)
Camera – Panasonic HC-V770    Microphone – Tonor TN120308BL and/or Takstar SGC-598

Knives UK 2017: – A Tour of the Show

Competition Knives Gallery: – The Entries

Run by the Edge Matters Forum, Knives UK hosted a knife makers competition; these are the entries received for consideration.

Competition Knives Gallery: – The Winners

Best Fixed Blade – Steve Nawacki
Best Folder – Ignatius
Young Maker – Oliver Slocombe
Amateur – Best from Scratch – Craig Burton
Amateur Best from Blank – Lee Bessant

 

Discussing a Showcase:

Please feel free to start a thread on any of the following forums as these are the ideal place to freely discuss it. If you started reading a forum thread that has brought you to this page, please return to that forum to discuss the Showcase there.

EdgeMatters – Sponsored Reviews (UK based Forum for Knife Makers and Collectors)

BladeForums – Knife Reviews (US based Forum for Knife Discussion)

CandlePowerForums – Knife Reviews Section (Largest and Friendliest Flashlight Community Forum)

Return from a Fantastic IWA 2016

IWA 2016 has been fantastic and there is just not enough time to do everything, even attending all-day, every-day of the show. IWA 2016 has been a great opportunity to put names to faces, meet new people, see new products and get together with like minded people.

I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into the IWA inspired reviews and sharing the results.

Here are the first few review candidates which came back from the show with me. (please excuse the hotel bedroom photo) With samples from Spyderco, CRKT/Ruger, Morakniv, Zero Tolerance, Fällkniven, Surefire, Nite Ize and Walkstool. There will be more, so make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest exclusive updates.

IWA first reviews

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IWA 2016 approaches!

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It is now just one week to go until IWA 2016 opens its doors to showcase the best in hunting guns, shooting sports, outdoor equipment and equipment for official agencies, especially for civilian and official self-defense.

I will be there to bring you as many Tactical Reviews as I can.