Tactical Flashlight Operation
This tactical flashlight features a very unique operating system with both a single tail switch and a mechanical toggle switch. You’ll be operating the light mostly through the tail switch where you can tap the switch for a momentary-on/off. A full press will give you a constant on and a tap from there will let you cycle through the brightness levels. You can press and hold the tail switch for less than a second to activate the strobe mode. This immediate strobe gives you an extra layer of protection and the ability to disorient any potential attackers.
The mechanical toggle switch is located at the tail end of the flashlight. This switch allows you to lock the light out completely, switch between the Tactical Mode and the Duty Mode which we'll get into below, and lock into a brightness level. What this means is that if you want the flashlight to stay on the medium brightness level then you can turn the light onto the medium output, toggle to lock the output, and that way it'll stay on the medium brightness level. You won't be able to accidentally cycle through the other outputs while the toggle switch is in the lock position. It's definitely a nifty feature. The toggle switch and tail switch make the PD36 TAC is an extremely versatile flashlight and enables you to pick how you want the flashlight to be operated depending on the different situations and environments you're in.
Tactical Mode and Duty Mode
Now let's talk about the two modes of operation you can choose between. The Tactical Mode operates only in the high brightness level or strobe mode. The Tactical Mode is for, as you can imagine, extreme tactical situations where you just need the high brightness level or the strobe mode. The high brightness level in this mode is going to be 2000 lumens.
With the Duty Mode, you have access to the rest of the outputs making this mode better for general use and on duty. In this mode you have a turbo of 3000 lumens, high of 1,000 lumens, medium of 350 lumens, low of 150 lumens, eco of 30 lumens, and finally the strobe mode. You're probably going to be using the Duty Mode more so than the Tactical Mode simply because it's tailored for more situations. However, the Tactical Mode is a great feature for situations where you only need a high output and a strobe mode to help with self-defense.
Between these two modes, you're covered for pretty much any situation. This is why the PD36TAC is an ideal flashlight for law enforcement, security, and military personnel. Not only does it offer you the quick ability to switch between the Tactical Mode and the Duty Mode, but the Tactical Mode is great especially if you're in a high-stake situation. The Duty Mode allows you to use the flashlight for everyday tasks in your profession.
The last thing we want to cover is accessory compatibility. The PD36TAC is compatible with many accessories that are already available in the Fenix line. You can pair the PD36TAC flashlight with the Fenix ALG-00 or ALG-18 gun mount. If you're looking for a remote pressure switch, the AER-05 is the perfect accessory. Fenix has a myriad of accessories that work with this tactical flashlight.