Fenix TK40 Review - NEW beamshots up

[SemperFi]

**UPDATE: Was supposed to arrive today the 17th, made it to the local distribution center. Received an "exception" notice, they didn't write a STREET ADDRESS! What the ???!!$#%@$@# Shipped back to california....

Shucks then for that kind of service!!! Lets hope the address still sticks unless it has been separated and lost from the last earthquake...

[SemperFi]

heh, just noticed the yellow ikea batteries...been meaning to see what the "pros" thought about them. I know they're ridiculously dirt cheap.

Thanks and those IKEAs are ridiculously priced as a song however, its a sure bet to have it as a spare supply, nicely packed and neat and stacks up orderly in the backpack.

I would after all, pack a second reserve but would get it from a Duracell Ultra for the better value in Watt/hr. Lithium is of course the way to go down for longer performance when regularly used for better value on the longer run... but my use with the flashes are not as routine as some or many among you would spend half a night regularly in play-flashing with your EDCs...

[EV_007]

Wow, that quad die really puts out a lot of light. Especially for running on AAs.

The shape of the light reminds me of the Wolf Eyes Boxer for some reason.

[1anrm]

To me it looks like a WE Shark I (based on proportions head-tail). Just got one a week or so ago. I like my TK40 so much am saving for another one it runs great on just 4 AAs I dont mind just having 1 hr max burn time in exchange for weight reduction.

[patted]

dealextreme where are they??

[EV_007]

So I had a chance to play around with mine and it seems to be pretty well built. Kinda on the chunky side. Slightly longer than the Wolf Eyes Boxer 24W, but for it running on 8 AA batteries, its not bad. Nice around the house or car flashlight to have on hand due to the multiple levels and the more ubiquitiou AA power source. Good emergency light for those reasons. Can't see myself carrying it around in a pocket or belt, backpack maybe. You can't beat it for the price. Time will tell on it's reliability factor.

The Wolf Eyes Boxer 24W still puts out more light, but the TK40 doesn't do too bad, especially since it has the instant-on advantage of the LEDs over the HID.

Also tested my trusty SureFire M3T just for fun running on two 17670s via A19 battery extender. With the HOLA it just barely out throws the TK40, with a narrower beam of course. TK40's quad die really puts out a nice wide beam. The SF M3T with the A19 extender makes it even slightly longer than the TK40, but not as bulky. I think I must have a hotter SF 225 lumen bulb. The reflector on my M3T isn't as orange peeled as my M6, which may help in the throw department.

I want o get my hands on the EagleTac M2XC4, Neutral White would be nice even though at the cost of shear lumens. Hey Mike from PTS, when are you restocking them? :-)

Amazing what a quad die puts out. Now I'm wondering what a 9 die setup would do. The 6 die seems kinda off balance in the 3x3 configuration. Seems like the 3x3x3 alignment would be more symmetrical. I'm sure it would eat up batteries like mad as well. That would be a true 1000+ lumen LED light I think.

[Wattnot]

dealextreme where are they??

They're in China. Their prices are good and shipping is always free. They are reputable, probably in the order of a 7 or greater on a 10 scale. Shipping takes 3-4 weeks.

[Crenshaw]

Gah, you know i never thought i would actually need this light. But the multiple accolades from a lot of different people is pushing my reason away.

Wattnott, I have a 3xLi-on Mag85. Will This still make me happy, if i at least think about how It will run way longer, and safer.

Crenshaw

[Wattnot]

Wattnott, I have a 3xLi-on Mag85. Will This still make me happy, if i at least think about how It will run way longer, and safer.

Crenshaw

The TK40 is no 1000+ lumen hotwire, but it is a very impressive, very high output LED. You will not be disappointed. Those two lights don't directly compare. They just too different.

[SemperFi]

I'm sure it would eat up batteries like mad as well. That would be a true 1000+ lumen LED light I think.

I have recently purchased the X21 LED Lenser, some 3 weeks after having the TK40. The batteries are not being juiced away as some would fear, on the contrary. I won't buy rechargeable D-sizes for the standard Ultra batteries would last way past anyone's immediate needs not unless its being used 8 hours straight everyday and then, it'll still last you about a solid month!

Gah, you know i never thought i would actually need this light. But the multiple accolades from a lot of different people is pushing my reason away.

I have both stacked in my backpack (wife will handle the TK40) while I'm with the light bazooka (X21 LEDLenser) and will be in Spore pretty shortly and may take a stroll along Henderson Path, and up there by Mt Faber to blast a little...heheh , before heading down to Sydney, Australia and later to those famed Waitomo Caves near Rotorua in North Island New Zealand.

[Geban]

Just ordered a TK 40, hope it´s as good as you guys say it is..

[thedeske]

Just ordered a TK 40, hope it´s as good as you guys say it is..

Be nice and get it's favorite food - Eneloops

[Geban]

Be nice and get it's favorite food - Eneloops

Will do..

[MichaelRose]

I wonder how the TK-40 compares to a P7 with the same type of lamp..

[HKJ]

I wonder how the TK-40 compares to a P7 with the same type of lamp..

TK40 uses a MC-E lamp(LED) and P7 is another type of lamp.
You can compare some of these lights on my website, I have beamshots from many P7/MC-E lights.

[EV_007]

Nice shots HJK. That Titanium is a monster and hefty looking too.

[knestle]

Just got my TK40 an hour ago.
Seems EVERYBODY has a different UI. This one took me a whole 30 seconds to memorize.
I was concerned about how much pressure would be required to activate the tail switch. I got the Nitecore D10 R2 a couple weeks ago and am still unhappy about the effort required for that switch. However, I find the switch of the TK40 to be just right, a nice solid click without too much pressure.

Now, my only con. The knurling on the TK40 is not up to the weight of the light.
The light IS NOT too heavy for it's size. It has a nice solid, substantial feel to it. But the knurling is not aggressive enough to support this weight. The light feels smooth, and very close to slippery. I have no confidence that it will stay in my hand if I don't concentrate on my grip, and most of the time when I am using a light I have other things to think about.

I have a Nite-Ize Clip-N-Grip that I can't find at the moment. I will try that when I locate it. If that proves unacceptable I will be trying a cloth electrical tape wrap, or a foam handlebar tape.
Also, I will be adding a paracord wrist loop. Yeah, belt AND suspenders. This bugger is just too expensive to risk dropping it!

[almach1]

i'm newb poster and fairly novice flashlight user. Bought a TK-10 and a surefire G2 LED last year, and needed something with more umph. this TK-40 does the trick and doesn't require me to purchase more batteries since I stock nothing but eneloops for anything everything that requires a AA in my house. Just opened a new pack i had from Costco and charged them up in my Lacross BC9009. my Girlfriend fried my Maha charger a few months ago by putting alkalines in it.

[amraspalantir]

just got my tk40 yesterday and it blows me away with
its performance!!
btw has anyone tried opening the head by removing the glass lens?
there seems to be a bezel holding the lens and has anyone actually
twisted this bezel and removed the lens?

trying to access the reflector so i can take measurements of it for
a potential DIY reflector.

thanks in advance

[SemperFi]

.... my Girlfriend fried my Maha charger a few months ago by putting alkalines in it.

Oooohch... you failed to flash adequately otherwise she WUD have noticed and knew the difference...
Great to note the TK-40 did and proved well with you too....!!!

[amraspalantir]

Just tested my TK40 right in the middle of Typhoon Mirinae's fury
here in the Philippines.

Just bought my unit 1 week ago and got its baptism of fire 2 nights ago.
Live south of Manila and here is where the eye passed through.

When the lights went out i had to go outside to check on the condition of our power lines (thieves usually strike on power outages to steal the cables).
The wind was howling and raining in sheets!Turned on the light in turbo and was amazed at the light it threw out despite the rain. The rain did reduce the intensity and reflect some light back at me making it a bit difficult to see through it all.But it did the job and after 2 hours i had to go out again and do my inspection.

The TK40 was thoroughly drenched,tested and passed with flying colors!
Definitely One of the best purchases i have for this year!

[flasherByNight]

I guess I never reported back either...
In a word, love it

[collo]

I recently purchased a TK40 and love it.

My EDC is a Fenix L2D with the short barrel running a single 14500 li-ion - good for around 220 lumens.

My other torch is a 4C maglight with a Terralux TLE-6EX drop-in good for 140 lumens, focussed.

My observations.
----------------
TK40 vs over-driven L2D
The TK40 has a tighter hot-spot than the L2D. On medium (93 lumens), the TK40 is about as bright as the L2D, but with less flood.
On high (277 lumens), the contest is over

TK40 vs TLE-6EX maglight
The TK40 needs to be on high (277 lumens), to equal the brightness of the maglight. It does have a larger hotspot though.

Some questions about battery options.
-------------------------------------
I waited until the TK30 came out before deciding on the TK40. I liked the extra runtime, and felt that the longer skinnier TK30 would not feel as good in the hand as the more conventional TK40.

As others have commented, the TK40 with 8*AA Eneloops weighs quite a bit. You can run just 4*AA's but the manual states that they can't deliver enough current to support the 630 lumen turbo mode.

I'm looking for an option that would be lighter, but still give turbo mode.

Since the TK30 runs 2*18650 li-ions in series, it would be nice to know if the TK40 and TK30 have the same internals. From the photo's, the finning is different on the two heads is different, but that could just be cosmetic. This TK30 posting suggests that the TK30 can handle up to 12V, so the 7.2V from 2*18650's should not be a problem.

Does anyone know if this is safe to do?

If so, what would be the wisdom of 4*18650's in a series parallel arrangement? I imagine this would be more dangerous than the Eneloops in the standard TK40 series-parallel setup.

Lastly, can the lighter but lower-capacity 14500's deliver the same current as 18650's?

[HKJ]

Since the TK30 runs 2*18650 li-ions in series, it would be nice to know if the TK40 and TK30 have the same internals. From the photo's, the finning is different on the two heads is different, but that could just be cosmetic.

The TK40/TK30 does definitely not have the same internals, the UI is way to different, TK40 uses a momentary switch and has a standby current, the TK30 uses the new Fenix tactical interface.
They might use the same converter design, but the control circuit is very different.

[collo]

Thanks for that.

Found this thread which says the max. known safe voltage for the TK40 is 6.8V, so I guess I'll play it safe...

[kalifornian]

Just received Twitter from Fenixlight. TK40 just received a review from Blue Sheepdog. Very interesting review. I wonder how many 600+ lumens flashlight can take the same abuse. Blue Sheepdog review link:

http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2009/05/...hlight-review/


Here's another torture test link for the TK40

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=233856

[BUZ]

Some good beamshots/comparisons here:

http://fonarevka.lux-rc.com/

http://superfonarik.ru/article_info.php?articles_id=11

[SemperFi]

Thanks Buz!!!

I think the Xenon as a whole was impressive too given the fact it had the entire basement lighted up.

Will spend more time perusing/comparing the different models... I'm just sizzling thru all the email feedbacks...am on holiday this moment in Singapore for the Christmas and for those who are in this brightly lit island... I was at Changi Village late last night and using mine on the shoreline.... very dark lover-alley ways and romantic spots they have on the stretch by the SAF ferry point.
Great place to test the flashlights.... FYI.

cheersch to all and have a Merry Christmas with a greater year in 2010.

Am going to see the MJ This Is It to be held at the Kallang Stadium in Singapore.

[ukcustomer]

First I would like to start positive by saying how impressed I have been with the TK40. Unfortunately after a couple of months use, it all of a sudden stopped working (these things happen its still under warranty). The problem I have is with the after care support I recieved from fenix.co.uk. This is who I originally purchased this item from. I don't want to go into details but if I could warn at least one person not to use this website then this would justify me posting this.
PS the torch when working is great!

[Lightcrazycanuck]

First I would like to start positive by saying how impressed I have been with the TK40. Unfortunately after a couple of months use, it all of a sudden stopped working (these things happen its still under warranty). The problem I have is with the after care support I recieved from fenix.co.uk. This is who I originally purchased this item from. I don't want to go into details but if I could warn at least one person not to use this website then this would justify me posting this.
PS the torch when working is great!