There is a multitude of lights on the market that tout turning night into day, but rarely do they ever live up to the hype. You buy it, get it charged up, and then turn it on only to be super disappointed. I’ve been there many times. It’s frustrating spending hundreds of dollars on multiple lights that end up sitting in a drawer with other lights that were just as disappointing.

However, that all changed the day my new Fenix LR40R was delivered. I plugged in the super-fast type-C charge cable and it was charged before dark. So, I took the light outside with high expectations hoping it would indeed live up to the hype. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but think it was going to also find a permanent home in my drawer. I pressed the power button on the left for flood and the light came on in low mode. Not too bad, I thought. This is pretty bright just on low. Then as I made the next few presses, I began to smile and then laugh because by the time I got to Turbo mode I was laughing so hard at the amount of light that was coming from the light. Every single nook and cranny was surrounded by a plethora of light. It took me a minute to gain my composure once again, but when I did, I immediately had to go inside and tell my entire family to come outside and see this new gadget of goodness. Folks, this light is no joke. If you need to light up everything that is in front of you then there is no better light on the market. My daughter and I were playing baseball in the front yard with this thing on and we could see just like it was daylight out. It’s that bright.

A few of my favorite things about the LR40R is obviously 1) the brightness. You can’t help but smile every time you turn it to turbo. 2) The size is about the same dimensions as a soda can. It’s not that heavy either! 3) The ability to use the included battery pack or your own 18650’s is great for when you are out in the wilderness and don’t have a way to charge the pack. Just pop in 1,2,3, or 4, 18650’s and you’re on your way. 4) It’s waterproof for the days when you will need it the most. Great for those who live on the farm and work around mother nature. 5) It also has an amazing spot beam, button on the right, that reaches way out into the woods or into the field. Another great reason for farmers and hunters who need pinpoint confirmation way out in the distance. 6) Fast Type-C charging. This is so much faster than USB charging. 7) It has 4 blue led lights above the two main power buttons to let you know how much battery you have left. That is great to know, especially for those who are using the light for emergency purposes. 8) The finish is tough. You can feel the quality in your hands. 9) It has a lock-out mode so the light cannot be accidentally turned on while in a backpack or by any other means. It’s easy to enable this feature and also disable it too. 10) There is a USB port on the back of the light that you can use to plug in your cable to charge your phone or other gadgets. So essentially, it can be used as a charging bank.

Lastly, a few things I’d change about it, but these are my own opinions. They may not cross your mind as everyone will have their own thoughts about the light. 1) The carrying case is robust but leaves the top of the light exposed. I’d like to have a top to cover the lens from being exposed like it is in case something hard falls on the glass lens. The rest of the case is spot on. Very nicely done. 2) The dust cover for the charge port is a little loose and comes out with little effort. Fenix says it’s waterproof even if the cover isn’t seated, so no worries. And that’s it.

Overall, this is a great option for anyone needing the maximum amount of light from a flashlight this small. 12,000 lumens is no joke. If you shine this in someone’s eyes you could potentially cause problems. It’s not a light that will fit in your jeans pocket, so you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to carry it. Mine stays in a go-bag that I carry with me every day, everywhere I go. It’s great for emergency lighting, walking at night, backpacking, camping, going grocery shopping, you name it. The low is low enough to use for just about any setting, while the turbo is there in case you need it. If you are into being prepared for emergency situations, then this is a great light to have in a preparedness bag. It will serve you and your family for many years. There are a lot of lights on the market, but none as bright as the Fenix LR40R. But don’t take my word for it. Pick one up and see for yourself.

– Justin