Fenix TK35 (XM-L, 2x18650/4xCR123A) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, DETAILED COMPARISONS

[selfbuilt]

I have just posted a new 100-yard round-up beamshot review for 2011, showcasing all my current "thrower" lights. Below is an animated GIF showing some relevant comparisons for the TK35. Please see that round-up review for additional pics of other lights, taken under the same conditions.

[richpalm]

Between this review and the Amazon promotion, I ordered one... couldn't resist! From what I've read, I'm already expecting an emitter change... anyone had one of these open yet?

Rich

[easilyled]

I tried to open mine because the bezel is fogging up.
However the threads have been glued.

[richpalm]

Got mine... lost the tint lottery as usual. Horrible green just like my TK45.

I torched it apart-head in vise with torch put directly to it, and it took all my strength to open it. The emitter sits on a custom Fenix star, made for this light. So I had to reflow solder a new emitter in that's a tolerable tint.

Overall, I'm not overly impressed. Old or new emitter, it's a nice light but my Trustfire UF-980L is brighter. The TK35 is identical in output with my Sunwayman M40C so it's not a step upward. Both lights use AW 2200maH 18650's.

Rich

[mwaldron]

I knew I wanted one of these the day I saw the announcement with a picture, but I just finally mustered up the will to order. The form factor and the UI sold me on this light.

I'm disappointed in myself, I broke my "no non-warm/high-cri" LEDs rule, but I'm pretty sure that an emitter swap is in this light's future.

The main reason I'm posting is to say that I'm happy to say mine has no rattle at all when assembled, otherwise it's pretty much as described in this thread. My battery carrier is marked as a TX35-B(XM). Perhaps a B revision may have something to do with less rattle.

I knew buying it I wasn't going to like the tint so the lottery didn't scare me too much but I will report mine is slightly purplish.

Thanks for the review, it seems pretty much spot on!

[recDNA]

Purple is a lot better than green imo. Green is the only color I cannot tolerate at all. All of the recent reports of green tints have scared me off of Felix for good.

[samgab]

That's interesting. I got mine quite early on. The battery carrier has the same marking. I have rattle, but it comes from the plastic plungers in the end of the flashlight, there is no rattle from the battery carrier itself. And the rattle doesn't bother me. I reckon a tiny bit of something like petroleum jelly in between the plastic plungers and the retainer would stop the rattle, and it would still function fine.
What does bother me though, is that sometimes the electronic switch doesn't activate when it makes the clicking sound, and I have to press harder to actuate it. Other times it works at the same time it makes the clicky sound.

[Bruno28]

Hello, nice review!!!!
I was thinking of getting a fenix tk35,but wanted the rechargeable 18650.
Could I use a 3000 or 3800 or 4000mah battery on this flashlight?

[selfbuilt]

I was thinking of getting a fenix tk35,but wanted the rechargeable 18650.
Could I use a 3000 or 3800 or 4000mah battery on this flashlight?

The TK35 uses two rechargeable 18650. The highest reported capacity for an 18650 right now is 3100mAh, most are in the 2600-2900mAh range.

The only thing that reaches a 4000mAh rating is a 26650 battery. For that, you can look at my recent 4Sevens Maelstrom X10 review.

[Bruno28]

The TK35 uses two rechargeable 18650. The highest reported capacity for an 18650 right now is 3100mAh, most are in the 2600-2900mAh range.

The only thing that reaches a 4000mAh rating is a 26650 battery. For that, you can look at my recent 4Sevens Maelstrom X10 review.

Thanks for the reply!
How come in ebay they have this (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Pcs-186...#ht_2688wt_902) which is a 4000mAh rechargeable 18650 battery?
If it indeed is 4000mAh,could it be used?

[Haesslich]

Can I say those like a fire hazard? Every spec sheet I've seen for Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, and even ones like GP show 2500-2900 mAh max capacity.

[Bruno28]

Can I say those like a fire hazard? Every spec sheet I've seen for Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, and even ones like GP show 2500-2900 mAh max capacity.

I just got a TK35!
I was thinking of getting a Ultrafire 3000mAh 18650 rechargeable battery. Are they ok?

[xtestifyx]

I know the owner of UltraFire personally. He has warned me of the endless clones of his products on the market.

Brands like TrustFire are to be avoided, for that they are factory rejects from UltraFire originally. From what I know, UltraFire does not make 3000mah cells on the 18650 shape.

Good luck on your search, at the end you can always buy AW or RediLast but at a higher price point

FYI, I just did a search for an UltraFire labeled 3000mah battery. The images and links lead me to KaiDomain and DX, it's a red shrink wrapped battery. I would avoid it at all cost as some on CPF linked and complained that it was leaking and or under-performing.

[Haesslich]

I just got a TK35!
I was thinking of getting a Ultrafire 3000mAh 18650 rechargeable battery. Are they ok?

I'd say 'no', myself. Most UltraFire batteries out there are knockoffs. I tend to trust AW more than most - those cells are sourced properly from Panasonic. With lithium batteries and chargers, the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is the plain truth.

[Bruno28]

Ok, so whats a trustful website that I can buy 18650 rechargeable batteries that can be shipped to Australia?

Are these any good?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Samsung-1...#ht_2156wt_873
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Panasonic...#ht_2072wt_873

[samgab]

Ok, so whats a trustful website that I can buy 18650 rechargeable batteries that can be shipped to Australia?

Are these any good?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Samsung-1...#ht_2156wt_873
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Panasonic...#ht_2072wt_873

Meh... Stick with protected. These are both very good and very trustworthy:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...read-*Part-12*
http://www.redilast.com/

[Bruno28]

Meh... Stick with protected. These are both very good and very trustworthy:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...read-*Part-12*
http://www.redilast.com/

Awesome, thanks!!!
I sent a reply for a Aw battery.

[iron potato]

Nice review ! That leads me to bought one too, its about 2 weeks since, powered with 2x Blue UltraFire 2,600mAH 18650, so far it serve me good, runtime is good with this Blue UltraFire, no any issue, but I concurred that sometimes it feels slippery with sweaty palm

Unlikely to use Turbo mode, med to high already enough for me Speaking of Turbo mode, when I do a test burn, it does heats up to a uncomfortable level to hold it, but to my surprise, high mode is okay, oh well, maybe is just me

Thanks again ~

P.S.: Btw, where to get AW 18650 cell ?

[xtestifyx]

Your UltraFire cells are fake.(They don't make a blue 2600) Careful that they might not be protected by a chip so watch it when charging.

You can get the AW cells here: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...read-*Part-12*

[iron potato]

Your UltraFire cells are fake.(They don't make a blue 2600) Careful that they might not be protected by a chip so watch it when charging.

You can get the AW cells here: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...read-*Part-12*

OMG, really ?
I got it via ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com.my/Ultrafire-Rec...item335ef97dac

I tot it was a better quality cells, cuz I have had some bad experience with red UltraFire 3000mAH cells, 2 cells need to remove the protection chip, still okay, use it as unprotected, another 3 cells failed, I don't really pushing it, one is in the storage box too, I'd also removed the round protection board, still it wouldn't take a charge anymore

I'd read AW cell is good amongst flashaholics, but I really have no idea how to get it Anyway, bookmarked the AW battery link, I'll order some of it when my cell fail, thanks ~

[TK35]

Great review. Just ordered one ! Thanks so much !

My initials are "TK" thus the username "TK35"....nothing to do with Fenix hehehehe.

[FlashlightPhreak]

I like my TK35, BUT it also has the dreaded greenish tint. Not overly green but it's greenish compared to my P1D Q5.

Nevertheless, it's a bright sucker.......

[Kilted]

I have had my TK35 for a few weeks now. Last week I took it into work as I was going to be working in a computer room buried in racks, under floors etc. I did my part and was sitting down working on a computer problem and my TK35 kept on getting borrowed.

With the included holster the TK35 makes a very good 'work' light its adjustable, compact and has long run time. My EDC (LED Lenser) is small easy to carry bright has two modes off/on. It is a three watt with a 14500 lithium, optic adjustable for flood/spot. Its a good EDC work light.

The TK35 is to big as a EDC for me. BUT I'm thinking it is a good "work duty" light no frills just a good solid bright flashlight, I think it is a keeper.

[woodrow]

Thanks for the review. I wanted a new - smaller high output light than my T5l-45 and was kinda sick of the 8 aa batt setup. I grabbed one of these and I am seriously happy. My beam is normal white..not purple..not green, so that is a plus..and the led is well centered. I like the smaller size, and good usable throw. Its funny how good we have it now. I always wanted a M6 (incan) but never could get myself to spend the money (batt life more of a issue than light cost) but now I have a similar sized light that is brighter...it has at least made me no longer sad I never bought a M6 (did buy a m3 and m4). (now to put off the desire for a led M6) Nice light Fenix!

[scaramanga]

I tried to open mine because the bezel is fogging up.
However the threads have been glued.

Experienced this on mine too and can't seem to figure out why, and was unable to open it (threads were glued, I suspect), so I ended up scratching the inside parts of the head/reflector area. Sold the light and got myself another TK35 with clear glass. Do you think its a recurring scenario?

[vincevoxbox]

has anyone ever tried fitting am aspheric lens on the TK35 ? would the 52mm for the Mag fit ?

[led2011]

firstly, for the reviewer, it is awesome work, especially the statistic graph.
second, I am plan to buy one fenix light so I have not tried fitting it. If I got one, I have tried to do it. Then I tell you that result.

[BigBoreLEO]

Cool light, thanks for the review.

[HIDC]

As a relatively new dealer, I got the chance to try out the entire line of Fenix and of the two TK35 we have, the tint is cool white with no hint of green or other color abberation. I'm not sure if it's still luck, or if they're running on better batches of XM-L now. This is an absolutely astounding light, if basic (compared to the Sunwayman) but it feels very durable. Agree that some more knurling would be good as the fine striations don't do much for grip.

@Flashlightphreak: compared to my P1 (yeah old), this is pure white. In contrast, two P1 I have are slightly purple, one tiny bit green and other is noticeably blue.

In regards to Ultrafires (and Trustfires). I have over 30 of them and in general, they have a very predictable discharge curve. Having said that, my buddy brought back a few gray TrustFire 2400mAH (1 year old) which sagged horribly and could barely maintain 3.1v @ 1.5a discharge... though it lasted for 1800 mAH. I agree the quality is likely suspect (not being A grade cells?). I've ordered in a slew of AW 3000 and 2600 and will compare. I'm guessing that once you've tasted the AWs, you really don't want to go back. Buy right, buy once, anyone?

[Mach.84]

Hello all! Just order the TK35 from amazon but could not order the Redilast from EDC website. Kept saying invalid address. But I have use that shipping address quite a fair bit. Any alternative?

Also, I have been on CR123 for many years. Just wondering if the TK35 could take the RCR123 (rechargeable)? On my fresh energizer CR123, it measured 3.56v. However, the RCR123 at 3.6v, that's only 0.04 x 4 = 0.16v different. Will it really matter? And how's using 18650 better than 123? (is it better endurance?) Sorry, as u can see I'm very new to this. Virgin post!
After reading so many reviews on 18650.... I'm a little confuse but I get the feeling panny cell r better and it boils down to how the IC manage the draw down and charging. Assuming protected.

Thanks a million for all the reviews in CPF and user info. I glued to the forum for the past few weeks... Now wife nagging...