Introduction
Fenix has been progressively adding to their pistol light lineup since unveiling the GL19 and GL22 at SHOT Show 2022, both of which we reviewed (click here for our video review of the GL19). These lights were approximately the size of the TLR-9 and TLR-10, respectively, with similar output, and at a competitive price. I was pleasantly surprised by how the switches felt, and was curious to see what the future held for the relatively small flashlight company.
At the time these two lights were released, though, the market had already shifted towards subcompact pistols. Fenix’s lights were both designed for fullsize handguns, and as a result didn’t get much traction. However it looks like Fenix has picked up on the trend and responded with a pistol light oriented for the subcompact market–the GL06. It comes in two different models, one compatible with the P365, and one compatible with standard Pic rails. For those running the Glock 43/48, Fenix does not yet have an option for you.
First Impressions
The GL06 looks and feels fairly solid, perhaps with the exception of the mounting system. It mounts via a throw lever, something which Olight is more popularly known for. Here’s the thing–Olight has never engineered a light for the P365. In the past Streamlight issued a recall on their 7-Sub because lights were flinging off the end of the pistol under recoil. With this in mind, I’d be curious to see how the Fenix performs in harsh conditions.
Beyond the mounting mechanism, this light looks it could withstand a beating. Its lens (which appears to be polymer) is deeply recessed in a slightly crenelated bezel, which should protect it in the event that it has to break the fall of a fully-loaded pistol.
Something I don’t like, though, is the user interface. In case you don’t already know my opinion, side-switches are more difficult to activate and can throw off your sight picture when activated. I prefer switches which are activated by pushing down, since I am already bracing for recoil in this direction.
If this light had come out five years ago, these switches could pass. But Fenix proved they can make good switches on the GL19 and GL22. Why they would take this step backwards is beyond me. At the time I’m writing this article, Fenix’s video unveiling the light has a single comment: “Make it with gl19 switches.”
One more important factor is size. Below, you can see the comparison between the Fenix and the TLR-7A, when mounted to a Glock 19x:
While the height seems the same, the bezel sticks out further. This will result in more buildup on the lens during shooting, and also makes for a longer holster if you can find one.
And here is a comparison between the Fenix and the TLR7-Sub on a P365:
Out of all the lights I’ve seen with a dedicated rail mount for the P365, the Fenix is the largest–so let’s see if it has the performance to make up for its size.
Manufacturer’s Claims
Fenix provides very detailed information regarding the lumen output of the GL06, and provides two charts: one for the light’s performance using the provided, rechargeable “ARB-L16-700UP” battery, and another for using a standard CR123A battery:
Here is the same information, presented in table form:
| CR123A | ARB-L16-700UP (Included) | |
| Lumens | 400 | 600 |
| Candela | Not Rated | 4880 |
| Runtime | 1 hour, 30 minutes | 50 minutes |
Since these two batteries have the exact same external dimensions, I’m curious what magic the engineers at Fenix are doing to make their proprietary battery perform better. That is, unless you’re more concerned about runtime, in which case you’d be better off running a CR123A. Regardless, the “dual-fuel” capability is nice to have.
| Specification | Fenix GL06 |
| Impact Resistance | 1 meter |
| Waterproof (IPX) Rating | IPX7 (submerged one meter for thirty minutes) |
| Price | $84.95 (at time of writing this article) |
Another nice feature is the IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning the light can withstand being submerged in water one meter deep for thirty minutes. Rest assured, rain or snow will not affect this light’s operation.
Fenix has proven honest with their specs in the past, let’s see if the GL06 lives up to this standard.
Into the Lab: Lumens, Candela, CRI
As we can see in the chart above, the Fenix GL06 exceeds its output claims by almost 15%, producing an impressive 687 lumens as sampled by the ANSI/PLATO standard. If we were to look at the raw output numbers, the GL06 produces an instant max of 704.3 lumens.
Notice how closely this chart resembles Fenix’s publications. Well done, Fenix. Let’s get a closer look at the lights performance for the first ten minutes.
As we can see, the Fenix’s output is very respectable, and actually exceeds the output of the Streamlight TLR-7. Its output doesn’t suddenly drop down from one level to another, meaning your eyes have time to adjust as output decreases.
How about candela?
| Candela | 0 Seconds | 30 Seconds |
| Fenix GL06 | 4455 | 4988 |
For those that are new here, candela is essentially a measurement of the “intensity” of a light beam, which affects how far the light can punch out. The higher the candela, the further a flashlight’s beam can reach. Interestingly, the GL06’s candela increases slightly with time. While it wasn’t within the time of this test, I’ve actually seen the GL06 read up to 5,000 candela. This makes it just about neck-and-neck with the Streamlight TLR-7, which isn’t a particularly strong thrower itself. While this light would be good for identifying a suspect in your home or shop, doing so in a parking light may prove more difficult.
CRI, or “Color rendering index,” is a measurement of how closely a light’s color resembles that of the sun. If a light has poor CRI, it can compromise your ability to recognize a suspect. If you managed to spot the guy who broke into your house just as he was running away, you may not be able to accurately describe his clothing or skin color to the 911 operator, if your flashlight has a low CRI.
This chart may be confusing to look at, so pay particular attention to the “R9” number, as this is where LED-based flashlights typically fall short. Many lights even have a negative value here, but the Fenix has an outstanding 12.8. Also notice the “Ra” rating at the top of the chart. A value of 100 here would mean the light is precisely the same profile as the sun, maximizing the user’s ability to recognize colors. Here, the Fenix has a rating of 81.9. Many tactical flashlights have ratings in the seventies or even sixties, which results in a cold, blue, almost surgical-looking beam. The Fenix, on the other hand, has light which is warm an almost natural-looking.
Takeaways
Here are some pros and cons for the light.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great lumen output Respectable beam intensity Spectacular CRI Robust body IPX7 waterproof Dual-fuel capability Included rechargeable battery Competitive price | Poor user interface (side-switches) Mounting system a potential failure point Zero holster compatibility |
Overall, I am impressed by the light’s output. The rail mount is probably sufficient, but is a question mark for me. The side-switches are a deal-breaker. If Fenix improved the switches, and sold enough of these lights for us to make a compatible holster, I would actually consider running this setup IWB. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts below, or in the comments section of the YouTube video soon to come.
