New Fenix TK22.

[Overclocker]

I totally agree and I wonder how Fenix could keep sticking to these double switch design for these lights, especially the TK series.
The side button probably is a great choice for the new E series lights and can be handy if you do DIY or manual work where you keep using the same mode all the time.
For potential use in any emergency situation - tactical or non- tactical - the side switch simply makes changing or predicting modes overly complicated. Not a good choice for the the LD/PD/TK series.
I would have thought Fenix had figured it out by now but it looks like they either haven't or they just don't care.

oh they don't care. they sell what sells. maybe this side button BS makes them a lot of money LOL

the average "tacticool" joe that walks into store really isn't looking for moonlight or pre-selection. he just wants something that looks cool

 

[skyrider]

It will be for hunting rather than self defense. Also, these have mode memory so I would leave it at the turbo setting. If I mount it with the side switch facing towards the rails, I should be fine.

 

[Kokopelli]

Hmm, tempting looks and that quality Fenix finish. I only with I had a light that size and could reach a bit farther like 280-300m range. TK15 still seems to have a farther throw than TK22 but if you compare these two have you guys seen one better than other for throw?

If only there were an XM-L2 with slightly better throw.

 

[SimulatedZero]

oh they don't care. they sell what sells. maybe this side button BS makes them a lot of money LOL
tough
the average "tacticool" joe that walks into store really isn't looking for moonlight or pre-selection. he just wants something that looks cool

Wow, have a bit of bias huh. I have had absolutely no issues using my TK15 with a Surefire/Rogers grip in the past and I suspect that I won't with the TK22 either. Your average LEO isn't looking for moonlight or pre-selection either. Most look for a tough light with momentary, maybe a High/Low, and a strobe.

I also fail to see how the side button complicates anything. If anything it actually simplifies mode changing. You don't have to worry about switching modes while trying to signal someone and it's very easy to for everyone I've come across to remember that the side button changes the brightness. As far as mode memory, if you always leave it in turbo then you know what mode it's going to be in. If you want to leave it in a different mode try paying attention to what you are doing and remember the mode you left it in. It's also nice because you get to choose what mode you want to leave the light for general use. Some people like to always leave it on the second lowest mode, some people like turbo. It gives you more options.

The Fenix TK22 doesn't represent any major leap in technology for Fenix. I represents a bunch of little tweaks and upgrades to one of their previous lights. Things like the steel strike bezel that will wear longer and better than an aluminum one. The LOP reflector for a nicer, smoother beam. The dual springs in the battery compartment to protect the battery better. A bunch of little touches that had been my complaints on the TK15. Which is why I really like the TK22, because it fixes all of those complaints.

 

[Kokopelli]

Now if only I could get this for $70

 

[Overclocker]

As far as mode memory, if you always leave it in turbo then you know what mode it's going to be in. If you want to leave it in a different mode try paying attention to what you are doing and remember the mode you left it in.

wow so many ifs! when the stakes are high and you want that max mode right NOW you really don't want to have to go through that flowchart of mental notes of what mode you last used. jeeze some people just don't get it

a fenix is like a star trek phaser you couldn't set to stun or kill before firing

 

[martinaee]

I don't own a tk series light, but I do own an E40 which has the same interface except the mode change button is on the back next to the clicky. My opinion is that it is a good thing if you make it so---- If you always want a light to be in highest turbo just put it like that/ always want lowest? Do the same. It's a great interface in my opinion and just as good as the amazing interface of the LD20 ---- but just slightly different. If your are disciplined it can be better than the LD20 because you can always have high mode if you want or low mode etc. The mode change button has never not worked for me either. It's very consistent.

I really want a TK22, but the only thing that is ALWAYS keeping me from getting one of these yet is the fact that none of them easily tailstand. I know it's not that important to some, but it is to me. I see it as one of the biggest "emergency" features of any light. Let's face it--- while we would like to use these amazing lights in that stereotypical situation of finding some poor lost little kid or dog in dark woods 99 percent of the time it's just that we lost electricity for an hour or something, tail standing and bouncing a powerful beam of light on a ceiling is a VERY good feature. I know you can just put a light into a glass or something, but I don't like putting the tail-cap right down on a surface, and what if you are somewhere where you just don't have a glass?

 

[SimulatedZero]

wow so many ifs! when the stakes are high and you want that max mode right NOW you really don't want to have to go through that flowchart of mental notes of what mode you last used. jeeze some people just don't get it

a fenix is like a star trek phaser you couldn't set to stun or kill before firing

As someone who actually needs a dependable flashlight for their job where they use lights for safety, and at times weapons, I can assure I get it. If leaving a light in turbo mode is too complicated for you then I pity you. It is a very simple and easy concept. My work lights don't ever even leave turbo so it's not even an issue. Nor do I buy lights based on their "Tactical" value. Their are a few criteria I look for that happen to coincide with what people consider to be the makings of a tactical light, but that is not my primary goal. In those situations your mind is your first and best piece of equipment. If you aren't mentally capable of handling those situations then all else is dust and air because it won't do you any good.

Now, I'm not going to continue this argument and turn this thread into another thread about what everybody and their mother thinks is tactically sound. It's quite clear that you don't think much of Fenix lights or of their UI. Their are a lot of people think differently about these lights and actually like them. So if you don't mind (or even if you do), go bash this light somewhere else. Your input is not constructive and is merely derogatory.

 

[SimulatedZero]

I really want a TK22, but the only thing that is ALWAYS keeping me from getting one of these yet is the fact that none of them easily tailstand. I know it's not that important to some, but it is to me. I see it as one of the biggest "emergency" features of any light. Let's face it--- while we would like to use these amazing lights in that stereotypical situation of finding some poor lost little kid or dog in dark woods 99 percent of the time it's just that we lost electricity for an hour or something, tail standing and bouncing a powerful beam of light on a ceiling is a VERY good feature. I know you can just put a light into a glass or something, but I don't like putting the tail-cap right down on a surface, and what if you are somewhere where you just don't have a glass?

Yeah, that has always been annoying. Especially with their more EDC'able lights like the LD12. That's one reason I like FourSeven's, their Pro lights tailstand very solidly.

 

[Robert Hode]

New here but... the same way I remember that I put a loaded round in the chamber of my pistol, before I holster it, so it goes bang when I take it out and pull the trigger, is the same way I could remember the last setting on a flashlight.

Just got a TK22 a couple of days ago. I'm new to high end flashlights, but it seems fairly intuitive to use, no ergonomic complaints, and lights things up fine for what I use it for.

 

[Overclocker]

As someone who actually needs a dependable flashlight for their job where they use lights for safety, and at times weapons, I can assure I get it. If leaving a light in turbo mode is too complicated for you then I pity you. It is a very simple and easy concept. My work lights don't ever even leave turbo so it's not even an issue. Nor do I buy lights based on their "Tactical" value. Their are a few criteria I look for that happen to coincide with what people consider to be the makings of a tactical light, but that is not my primary goal. In those situations your mind is your first and best piece of equipment. If you aren't mentally capable of handling those situations then all else is dust and air because it won't do you any good.

Now, I'm not going to continue this argument and turn this thread into another thread about what everybody and their mother thinks is tactically sound. It's quite clear that you don't think much of Fenix lights or of their UI. Their are a lot of people think differently about these lights and actually like them. So if you don't mind (or even if you do), go bash this light somewhere else. Your input is not constructive and is merely derogatory.

now you're being rude. last time i checked this was flashlight forum, not a fenix fan site. you're obviously entitled to your own opinion (and it's not your call to determine if my posts are constructive or not) but it's pretty obvious to everyone here that a person like yourself whose lights "never ever leave turbo" CLEARLY deserves a UI that automatically boots up at turbo every time e.g. klarus. no? jeeze, for christs sakes get a single mode, get the right tool for the job LOL sure you may not forget but there are lots of external factors beyond our control, think MURPHY'S LAW

the side button UI has its uses, i'm aware of that. mostly for utility purposes where you need to repeatedly turn it on/off and wish for it to stay at the same mode

you're obviously a fenix fan so just avoid reading my posts ok? when i don't like something about any flashlight i say it. you might misconstrue them as "bashing"

 

[Overclocker]

New here but... the same way I remember that I put a loaded round in the chamber of my pistol, before I holster it, so it goes bang when I take it out and pull the trigger, is the same way I could remember the last setting on a flashlight.

Just got a TK22 a couple of days ago. I'm new to high end flashlights, but it seems fairly intuitive to use, no ergonomic complaints, and lights things up fine for what I use it for.

ummmm nope, incorrect analogy. loading a round is like loading batteries on the flashlight. elementary.

the issue here is forgetting to disengage the safety lever! people make mistakes, sometimes they forget the safety, sometimes they leave the light in low mode. under stress humans DO @#$% it up!

solution to forgetting the safety lever? glock

solution to forgetting to leave the light in turbo? klarus

just keeping it real!

 

[Stress_Test]

I still prefer the TK11 myself. The TK12 is a close second, because it basically acts the same except for the "programmable" choice of which two mode sets you want. It can still be used TK11 style with just hi/low based on the head being tight or loose.

Between the two, the TK11 is my immediate go-to light in an emergency (it stays by my bed) with the TK12 being the second choice.

Lighthound (and maybe other places) still sell the TK11 and TK12, but it is the R5 version.

Be aware, the TK11 R5 is pulse-width-modulated on the lower mode. It looks like it's about the same frequency as the 4sevens mini series, so it's fast enough that it doesn't really bother me. But might be a deal-breaker for others.

I'm really hoping that Fenix will get away from this whole side switch mess. Ugh. It's a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Labrador72]

The Fenix LD/PD 12/22/32 and TK15/21/22 could still be OK if they had two states like the TK11: head tightened for turbo and head loosened for all other modes (selectable through the side switch).
I personally would prefer no side switch but if it had a turbo mode that could be set and checked when the light is off and no risk of being switched on in another mode.
But no, the side switch has to have priority over anything else these days!

 

[Labrador72]

Double post - deleted.

 

[Kokopelli]

I see some manufacturers use the side switch to adjust modes or brightness level infinetely if long pressed and turn the light on or off if short pressed. The tail swithc reverts to the highest setting and work as a hard switch. I still find this a bit weak as you just can't start on a low level if you had your light off through the tail switch or you forget to turn your light off and you drain your batteries in time.

Why don't any manufacturer put in a shortcut to low if you turn the light on through the tail switch and pressing the side switch at the same time, I just can't understand.

 

[martinaee]

Yeah, that has always been annoying. Especially with their more EDC'able lights like the LD12. That's one reason I like FourSeven's, their Pro lights tailstand very solidly.

At least the E series are good tailstanders so far... meh. And yeah on the newer fenix UI. I think as long as you are very strict on yourself about always turning the light back to whatever brightness you want it to come on in before you shut it off it's no big deal and actually can be very good. If you are using it for a "defense/tactical" light. Just make sure it's in turbo. When we have proof from somebody that this UI failed to work correctly then we'll have a different conversation.

 

[flame2000]

I really want a TK22, but the only thing that is ALWAYS keeping me from getting one of these yet is the fact that none of them easily tailstand. I know it's not that important to some, but it is to me. I see it as one of the biggest "emergency" features of any light. Let's face it--- while we would like to use these amazing lights in that stereotypical situation of finding some poor lost little kid or dog in dark woods 99 percent of the time it's just that we lost electricity for an hour or something, tail standing and bouncing a powerful beam of light on a ceiling is a VERY good feature. I know you can just put a light into a glass or something, but I don't like putting the tail-cap right down on a surface, and what if you are somewhere where you just don't have a glass?

Agreed with you. That's the only reason stopping me from getting this TK22. I've always like Fenix built quality but just can get pass the idea that it can't tail-stand.
And I don't EDC a glass or cup wherever I go! :laughing:

 

[SimulatedZero]

Agreed with you. That's the only reason stopping me from getting this TK22. I've always like Fenix built quality but just can get pass the idea that it can't tail-stand.
And I don't EDC a glass or cup wherever I go! :laughing:

Oh... I thought all of us did that... Well, this got awkward...
Just kidding

I did want to comment on the build quality of this light though. I honestly feel like it's the highest quality build I have gotten from Fenix yet. I was a little bit worried that Fenix's quality had been declining of late but, this does not appear to be true. The anodizing is flawless and beautiful. It really feels like a solid light, though only time will tell. If it is built as well as the TK15 I have, then I doubt I will ever break it without purposely trying to.

 

[Infinite Zero]

I picked up the TK22 today from my local knife shop. I used these boards to do some homework on led flashlights and narrowed things down to a few Fenix models (the TK22, LD22 and PD32). The owner of the shop took some time to show me the three lights as well as a few others. I decided the TK was right for me.

I like that it remembers the last brightness setting it was used at and the side button feels better than the other two Fenix models. It's surprisingly pocketable (actually moreso than the LD22 in my opinion) and the hotspot is remarkably artifact-free (sorry if that's the wrong term). I was also worried about local availability of 123 lithium cells, but found them easily at several local stores.