Fenix TK15 as a bike light
- Thread starter Robinda
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jtblue
Newly Enlightened
The Fenix TK15 hasn't been released yet but 4Sevens has it listed as being in stock by the 19th of November 2010. We might see some reviews before the official release date, however, before then we can only speculate as to how this thing performs.
Not to threadjack, but the best option I've found for bar-mounting a flashlight is the twofish block, which is hardly enough to stabilize a 1AA light during real single track riding. What would you use with this larger light?
I was thinking the lock block approach with this as well as I use them with a Fenix LD20 and using it with one 18650 caell I thought a lock block might be sufficient.
Failing that I thought I might use one of these http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/computer-handlebar-extension-mount-t-bar-black-prod19582/ as further support.
Failing that I thought I might use one of these http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/computer-handlebar-extension-mount-t-bar-black-prod19582/ as further support.
tandem
Enlightened
I would have concerns about mounting the larger, heavier TK15 (as compared to a LD20) on a TwoFish block for off road riding too. I find the TwoFish works quite well for road riding with a single AA light, fairly well for a double AA but even there on rougher roads I can start to see where vibration may be an issue. What's your experience with your LD20 off road?
That's a good idea you have, I think, on the extension bar. Two TwoFish blocks, one on handle bar one on the extension bar -- would seem pretty bomb proof. I'd not considered doing it that way before. [slaps forehead]
As for the TK15 I'd be willing to bet that it has pretty much the same beam as the TK12 and similar or slightly improved runtimes.
While I like the simpler TK11 best of all, one thing I really like about the TK15 over the TK11 (and to a lesser degree the TK12) is the presence of a "high" (not max/turbo) which is isn't under 100 lumen. Of the three models the TK15's first step down from max is the highest coming in at 143 claimed lumen.
The TK11's next step down from max output was substantially lower at 60 lumen output, which is fine for 'be-seen' but not nearly enough for seeing the road coming up fast on me. The TK12 was an improvement over the TK11 with a step down on max to 120 lumen claimed. I could see using the turbo output of the TK15 on fast descents (road riding) and challenging roads and dropping back to high for most road conditions, just to gain runtime. Thus the TK15 would be back on my radar if I wanted to go that route. No doubt on off-road conditions I'd have it on Turbo a lot.
Somewhere between 140 and 200 I'd prefer for the first step down from max, higher better than lower as I'm willing to sacrifice some runtime. Therefore I'm not hugely enamoured of the TK15's 140 lumen output level but it is a step in the right direction for me.
all new Edit:
Sorry to confuse matters here but your post has caught me almost at the very point where my own mind has been shifting gears on what I am doing for my primary road bike and my initial response still shows that I've not yet shed the old thinking fully. I'd been hoping to find an 18650 powered XP-G stock light from a major maker that offered an output level > 200 lumen but not on its "max" output. Over the past week I'd given up that search, feeling it was unlikely there was a stock light from a maker I trust with that narrow a spread between max and high.
I've come to conclude that I want an XP-G light powered by a single 18650 that is driven >= 240 lumen-ish OTF (hard but not excessively). Instead of looking for a narrower spread between max and "high" instead I plan on running on max output continuously, swapping 18650 cells as needed. If I can get 2+ hours on max (or near it) that will satisfy my needs easily for night commuting, training, and even for extended night rides such as a longer distance brevet.
Given that I think I feel more comfortable with the TK11 overall, opting for simplicity and possibly increased or at least proven durability. The TK11 (and TK12) might not be pushing the led quite as hard as the TK15 and that appeals to me. I'm also always a bit nervous when a new physical design comes out, so for my own purposes the TK15 doesn't tempt me as much as I'd rather see what others experiences with the side mounted mode button and other changes to the body turn out to be.
In fact a few days ago I did order something along these lines but it wasn't a Fenix but a P60 host to run a Malkoff M61 drop in module. I'll only be running it on max output, at least that is the plan. I was going to get a light of this type for other purposes anyway so I'm going to use this to validate the approach and see if that level of output serves my needs. If it doesn't, Triple XP-G land here I come.
That's a good idea you have, I think, on the extension bar. Two TwoFish blocks, one on handle bar one on the extension bar -- would seem pretty bomb proof. I'd not considered doing it that way before. [slaps forehead]
As for the TK15 I'd be willing to bet that it has pretty much the same beam as the TK12 and similar or slightly improved runtimes.
While I like the simpler TK11 best of all, one thing I really like about the TK15 over the TK11 (and to a lesser degree the TK12) is the presence of a "high" (not max/turbo) which is isn't under 100 lumen. Of the three models the TK15's first step down from max is the highest coming in at 143 claimed lumen.
The TK11's next step down from max output was substantially lower at 60 lumen output, which is fine for 'be-seen' but not nearly enough for seeing the road coming up fast on me. The TK12 was an improvement over the TK11 with a step down on max to 120 lumen claimed. I could see using the turbo output of the TK15 on fast descents (road riding) and challenging roads and dropping back to high for most road conditions, just to gain runtime. Thus the TK15 would be back on my radar if I wanted to go that route. No doubt on off-road conditions I'd have it on Turbo a lot.
Somewhere between 140 and 200 I'd prefer for the first step down from max, higher better than lower as I'm willing to sacrifice some runtime. Therefore I'm not hugely enamoured of the TK15's 140 lumen output level but it is a step in the right direction for me.
all new Edit:
Sorry to confuse matters here but your post has caught me almost at the very point where my own mind has been shifting gears on what I am doing for my primary road bike and my initial response still shows that I've not yet shed the old thinking fully. I'd been hoping to find an 18650 powered XP-G stock light from a major maker that offered an output level > 200 lumen but not on its "max" output. Over the past week I'd given up that search, feeling it was unlikely there was a stock light from a maker I trust with that narrow a spread between max and high.
I've come to conclude that I want an XP-G light powered by a single 18650 that is driven >= 240 lumen-ish OTF (hard but not excessively). Instead of looking for a narrower spread between max and "high" instead I plan on running on max output continuously, swapping 18650 cells as needed. If I can get 2+ hours on max (or near it) that will satisfy my needs easily for night commuting, training, and even for extended night rides such as a longer distance brevet.
Given that I think I feel more comfortable with the TK11 overall, opting for simplicity and possibly increased or at least proven durability. The TK11 (and TK12) might not be pushing the led quite as hard as the TK15 and that appeals to me. I'm also always a bit nervous when a new physical design comes out, so for my own purposes the TK15 doesn't tempt me as much as I'd rather see what others experiences with the side mounted mode button and other changes to the body turn out to be.
In fact a few days ago I did order something along these lines but it wasn't a Fenix but a P60 host to run a Malkoff M61 drop in module. I'll only be running it on max output, at least that is the plan. I was going to get a light of this type for other purposes anyway so I'm going to use this to validate the approach and see if that level of output serves my needs. If it doesn't, Triple XP-G land here I come.
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I have a TK10 and it would probably serve well as a bike light. However, on my first hike with it I slipped on ice and dropped/threw the light ~15ft. The switch stopped working. I was able to resolder the switch and get it running again, but it left a bad taste in my mouth as a hard use light.
I would think the throw would be fine, but the flood would be less than optimal for technical riding.
On the other hand I have run a PD20 for over a year and half without issue.
Hope it helps.
I would think the throw would be fine, but the flood would be less than optimal for technical riding.
On the other hand I have run a PD20 for over a year and half without issue.
Hope it helps.
Been using the same L1Tv2.0 as a helmet light for years, although its been upgraded to the R5 recently. Anyhow, its seen plenty of drops onto pavement and been smacked into tons of branches while riding- sometimes almost bad enough to take either me or my helmet off! Never had an issue, though.
I was hoping to change to a single 18650 cell light to facilitate easy battery changes when out, As changin the batteries in my Hope Vision 1 would be fiddly(4 x aa in a battery holder) with cold hands in the dark.
I have sourced a second battery holder from Maplin which with a little adaptation (added paddong on the back) works in my Hope so the issue of battery changes reduced I can carry on using the Hope.
Besides the wife says I can't buy any new torches LOL.
As far as the Lock block I have to agree that it is only just good enough for the bars on technical down hill the last interesting descent we did had the two fish boucing around but holdong, the hope ended up rotating aropund the bars due to some jumps at the end of the ride so I will have to make sure I tighten it next time.
I have sourced a second battery holder from Maplin which with a little adaptation (added paddong on the back) works in my Hope so the issue of battery changes reduced I can carry on using the Hope.
Besides the wife says I can't buy any new torches LOL.
As far as the Lock block I have to agree that it is only just good enough for the bars on technical down hill the last interesting descent we did had the two fish boucing around but holdong, the hope ended up rotating aropund the bars due to some jumps at the end of the ride so I will have to make sure I tighten it next time.
