I'm new to flashlights - thinking of the TK11 R2

[Juramentado]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I signed up specifically to get some good advice on choosing a flashlight for work. I'm trying decide on a Fenix model that has the following features and can do the following: a) Low and High power option b) Crenelated front (or at both ends) c) LED d) Option for a rechargeable battery I don't know much about the different battery option available for "tactical" lights in the market right now but I do know that a rechargeable option is a top priority for me. I'm attracted to the TK11R2 - its the right size for me and has the SD / tactical aspects I'm looking for - but I'm not sure what to make of the rest of the specs.

 

[DM51]

Re: I'm new to flashlights and I need some good advice

Welcome to CPF, Juramentado.

I'll move your thread into the LED Flashlights section, and change the title to comething a little more specific.

 

[SupremeEye]

I recently ordered a TK11 R2 and it's a very good solid light. It can take either two 123 batteries or just one 18650 (18650 is what you want).

It is plenty bright and the price is just right!

I use it @ work in my facility. I'm satisfied with it and would recommend it to anybody who isn't blinded by one brand of light.

 

[Henk_Lu]

If you want a Fenix that takes the 18650, the TK11 is the only option, a good one, for sure!

I opted for the TK10 as I don't use rechargeables and I preffer to trade some throw for more flood. On the other hand I bought the Olight M20 Waarior Premium with an SMO reflector, that's an option not from Fenix and very versatile, but different and more complicated UI (4 modes & memory).

If I bought a TK11, it would surely be the R2. Even if you won't see a huge difference between the Q5 and the R2, why take the weaker one if you can have the stronger and more efficent one? ;)

Btw, each second day I have a look at the TK11-R2 and ask myself if it really doesn't fit between the TK20, the Olight M20 and the EagleTac T10C2 (and the Surefire U2). When my last light arrived las friday, my wife (who grabbed it up from the postal office) firmly said "I hope that this is the last one!". She had that tone in her voice that tells you "take care, she's seriously mad at you". So, I promised I would wait for "the next generation of flashlights" until considering getting a new one. That would take at least a year I said. The TK11 R2 is a beautyfull light... :devil:

 

[Juramentado]

Thanks for the quick replies :) I'm a newbie to 18650 batteries. Are these the size of AA batteries? I read somewhere that 18650s need to be carefully recharged and such. Is there really a risk of fire or explosions if you screw up recharging? Also, what surefire compares to the TK11R2 for brightness. I know that's a subjective comparison, but I just want to see what surefire has that's a match to the TK11R2

 

[Federal LG]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I signed up specifically to get some good advice on choosing a flashlight for work. I'm trying decide on a Fenix model that has the following features and can do the following: a) Low and High power option b) Crenelated front (or at both ends) c) LED d) Option for a rechargeable battery I don't know much about the different battery option available for "tactical" lights in the market right now but I do know that a rechargeable option is a top priority for me. I'm attracted to the TK11R2 - its the right size for me and has the SD / tactical aspects I'm looking for - but I'm not sure what to make of the rest of the specs.

What kind of work are you talking about ?

Another option is Fenix TK20. It´s sturdy, has an outstanding throw, and uses 2xAA rechargeable batteries.

 

[Juramentado]

What kind of work are you talking about ?

I work as a security consultant. It entails a mix of different roles, from executive protection to survey work.

 

[TONY M]

+1 on the TK20. It is a bit larger than the TK11 as it uses 2xAA cells but performs well.

An 18650 battery is much bigger than an AA, it is 18mm wide an 65mm long or should be. ;)

If you do want to use rechargeable lithiums then read up plenty on how to use them safely.

:welcome:

 

[325addict]

I think, the TK11 and a 18650 cell is a winner.

Be sure to take PROTECTED cells and a GOOD charger. The charger should cut off at 4,2V (otherwise risk of spitting flames of half a meter, indeed, here you were right!)
The protection is needed in order to prevent over-discharge. Once this happened, the cell will become chemically instable and will become very dangerous indeed....

good 18650 cells can be had from AW or the cheaper Trustfire blue wrapped 2500mAh ones. You can buy them from DX.


Timmo.

 

[Gunner12]

The 18650 battery as 18mm in diameter and 65mm long, hence 18 65 0(0 means cylinder). Think 2 CR123s but a bit wider. The same number scheme goes for the other Li-ion batteries. 14500 is 14mm in diameter and 50mm long.

The Fenix TK11 should be pretty good for your job.

If you really don't like the light, you can always ask for a trade with someone here(if someone is willing) or return the light if it's from a reputable seller.

:welcome:

 

[Henk_Lu]

I like the TK20 very much, but for caching purposes. I don't think that is is what is wanted here, the TK11 seems the better choice to me.

Btw, does anybody use primaries in his TK11? Do they rattle? I don't know if the battery tube is the same as the one of the TK10 or if it's wider, to adopt the 18650...

A look on the EagleTac T10L can't harm. My personal choice would be the TK11, but many preffer the T10L.

 

[Juramentado]

good 18650 cells can be had from AW or the cheaper Trustfire blue wrapped 2500mAh ones. You can buy them from DX.

What is "DX"?

 

[Gunner12]

Dealextreme. They have some pretty good deals on lower priced lights and other things, read the reviews there and here to find the better ones(when talking about flashlights). Shipping is included in their price but it is pretty slow, 2-4 weeks depending on availability(usually 2-3 weeks). CS can be/is iffy.

AW's batteries can be bought at the Marketplace, Lighthound, 4sevens/Fenix Store, and probably a few more places.

 

[StandardBattery]

I think there are a couple of lights to look at TK11-R2 is definetly a good one. SureFire does not really make lights intended for rechargeable batteries, they might have 1 or 2. Sometimes you can get away with using them, but they don't offer any that use 18650 cells.

While not exactly compareable the Surefire E2DL would work well in your application and surprisingly in actually use is not that different from a TK11, but it does have noticeably less flood light, but I find them more similar than different really. It has two output levels. It uses 2xCR123A lithium batteries. I think its may accept rechageables (not offcially, but people do it), BUT I would double check that.

For 18650 batteries, since your new to them, buy AW 18650 2200mAh cells from lighthound.com, or from AW himself on the CPFMARKETPLACE. Get a good charger like the Pila, or an AW-139 also works well for me. With those cells, charger and a TK11, there is little to worry about, but there is a batteries/electronics forum where you can learn a lot more.

:welcome:

 

[roof]

Is there a big difference between the old TK11 and the new TK11 R2??:confused:

 

[Mjolnir]

If you don't want to spend that much money on a charger and batteries, the ones from DX do work fine. Just make sure to test the batteries the first few times you charge them to make sure that they are being charged to only 4.2 volts (and not more).

The Eagletac T10L is also worth a look. It is a dedicated 18650 light that has flat regulation, so it stays the same brightness until it goes out (the TK11 R2 does also apparently).
The T10L has less "throw" which means that it can't light up objects as far away as the TK11, but it has brighter "spill" (everything around the central focused spot), so It is really a tradeoff.
I have a T10L and the brightness of the spill is very useful for lighting up larger areas. It also costs a few dollars less than the TK11. It has the same way of changing modes, and momentary on capability.

 

[nohcho]

TK 11 R2 is tad brighter than q5 , and i think throws little better and some people say that it has way better regulation ( i personally did not test it). Between t10l and TK 11 i personally would go with TK , cause it looks alot better and i dont really care about T10L exellent regulation. My major gripe against T10L is lack of knurling on the tailcap wich makes it really annoying to unscrew it every time. TK 11 all the way.

 

[Mjolnir]

I wouldn't say that the TK11 is "alot better" than the T10L. It can use CR123 batteries and has a smooth reflector. Otherwise, it is almost the same.
I have had zero issues with the lack of knurling on the T10L. It has 6 flat faces on the tailcap, so it is actually quite easy to unscrew.
I cannot imagine any problems with unscrewign the T10L's tailcap unless it wasn't lubricated adequately. It is easily 10 times easier to unscrew than your average plastic soda bottle.
The T10L can also tailstand, while the TK11 can't. It really comes down to which beam profile you want.

 

[roadie]

My 2 cents advise ....

Get a Surefire E2DL

Reasons :

1. its a surefire E2DL
2. there's resell value
3. the body surface is more scratch resistant
4. the 'beam' is whiter
5. it can tailstand
6. surefire offers life time warranty ... as long as u dun use rechargeable in it ....
7. its a surefire E2DL

 

[Mjolnir]

Except that he stated that rechargeable batteries are a priority, so the E2DL wouldn't work. I don't see why it would be more scratch resistant than the TK11 or T10L, as both of those have type III hard anodizing as well. They are also both brighter, and the TK11 will out throw the e2dl.