kz1000s1
Enlightened
The TA30 is a new addition to the tactical series of flashlights from Fenix. This company entered the US market in 2005 with flashlights powered by AA batteries intended for the traditional consumer. Since then, the Chinese based company has expanded it's product line into the military and police market occupied primarily by Surefire and Streamlight. The T1 model in 2007 showed us a new side of the company, a tougher side that later brought us the TK10, TK11 and TK20.
Along with the new TK40 model, the TA30 shows that the company is not content to rest on it's laurels. The TA30 is the first Fenix light to feature a mechanical ring switch to select light levels, a crenulated bezel and to operate on three CR123 batteries.
I signed up for the Fenix TA30 trial run campaign and was selected by the Fenix marketing dept. along with forty-three others from around the world. We were tasked with evaluating the TA30 and reporting our results on Internet forums such as Candlepowerforums. Also, we are asked to fill out a questionnaire with our comments and suggestions for improvement. I was provided with the TA30 flashlight free of charge. This will not influence my review of this light. I'll call it as I see it.
My test sample arrived on 5/09/09 from Fenix Outfitters, a United States Fenix dealer. The product packaging is the usual Fenix cardboard box with a plastic tray, although this box was substantially larger.
Being that the Fenix lights I'm accustomed to range from the LOD-CE to the L2P models, the size and weight of the TA30 is a radical change.
From left: Fenix LOD-CE, Fenix TA30, Fenix L2P
Length: 200mm (7.9 in.), Width: 35mm (1.38in. )
200 grams (7 oz.) without batteries, 255 grams (9 oz.) with.
From left: Maglite 1C mod, Fenix TA30, Surefire A2, Surefire M2, Surefire E2e
One of the next features you notice is the mechanical level selector ring at the rear of the head. This is another departure from the Fenix norm of having the levels controlled by tightening or loosening the head combined with taps of a reverse clicky switch. With the selector ring, you can choose any level merely by turning the ring to one of four positions.
1. Low (9 Lumens, 115Hrs)
2. Med (60 Lumens, 25Hrs)
3. High (225 Lumens, 3.5Hrs)
4. Strobe (230 Lumens, 7Hrs)
(The output and run times are the claims of Fenix, not my measurements).
One advantage of the ring is the ability to select a level before you turn on the light. To me, that beats a light that turns on at a blinding high level, then you have to keep clicking to get what you want. When I first tried it, I thought the ring was much too hard to turn. It's almost impossible to do with one hand. In spite of this, the action is fairly smooth. For it's intended military use, it may need to be like this. One available accessory is a remote switch for weapon mounted use, so in that use, is not likely to move on it's own from the weapon's recoil.
A feature that is shared with most of the tactical series is the use of knurling on the body and tailcap. The result is an excellent non-slip surface to keep the light securely in your hand under all conditions. Quite a difference from other Fenix lights that always felt like they were slipping out of your hand.
Included with the light is a lanyard, an extra switch boot, and two O-rings. One O-ring is for the tailcap, the other is larger and nothing is mentioned in the directions about what it's for. And there is a warning not to disassemble the head. The lanyard is really more of a wrist strap, though it is thicker than other Fenix straps. This being a "premium" light in the line, perhaps an upgrade to a Surefire type lanyard is in order, or at least as an available accessory. The hole for it in the tailcap could also be a bit larger.
Performance
This light is rated at 225 lumens on the high setting. I performed a ceiling bounce test against my M2 Surefire with a 200 lumen P91 lamp and it was very close but I think the P91 was slightly brighter. Given that Surefire ratings are usually conservative, the 225 rating from Fenix might not be far off.
Beam quality is excellent for a Cree XR-E led, which typically has a dark ring around the center hot spot. The TA30 has only a slight ring that won't be noticed at all in normal use, and the remainder of the beam is smooth and even.
Waterproof?
With a mechanical selector ring as the TA30 has, there must be a physical connection between the ring and an internal switch. That connection will need to be sealed in order for the light to be waterproof, and Fenix states that it passes the IPX-8 standard for that. However, that standard seems to be a bit vague in this case.
Definition of 1PX-8 from an independent source:
"IPX-8
Protected against water submersion - The equipment is suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions which are identified by the manufacturer."
From the research I've done, usually the manufacturer then states the depth and time at that depth the product can withstand. Fenix never states the conditions, so I wanted to see for myself if the TA30 can stand getting wet.
First, a blow test. I filled my bathroom sink with water, then I removed the batteries, put the head of the light under the water and blew into the open battery tube, watching for air bubbles. None were seen.
Next, the flashlight was reassembled, turned on to the high setting, and put it on the bottom of the sink. It was left there for fifteen minutes. At the end of the time, I repeatedly turned the light on and off underwater with the tailcap switch. After that, with the light on, still under the water, I cycled the selector switch several times through all four levels. Still working. After removal from the water, I removed the tailcap and the batteries to inspect for any water infiltration. None was seen.
I therefore have to conclude that the TA30 should at least have adequate waterproofing to survive being dropped in a puddle and surviving, and most likely, worse treatment then that.
I will be adding more to this review later, including beamshots and further testing.
Along with the new TK40 model, the TA30 shows that the company is not content to rest on it's laurels. The TA30 is the first Fenix light to feature a mechanical ring switch to select light levels, a crenulated bezel and to operate on three CR123 batteries.
I signed up for the Fenix TA30 trial run campaign and was selected by the Fenix marketing dept. along with forty-three others from around the world. We were tasked with evaluating the TA30 and reporting our results on Internet forums such as Candlepowerforums. Also, we are asked to fill out a questionnaire with our comments and suggestions for improvement. I was provided with the TA30 flashlight free of charge. This will not influence my review of this light. I'll call it as I see it.
My test sample arrived on 5/09/09 from Fenix Outfitters, a United States Fenix dealer. The product packaging is the usual Fenix cardboard box with a plastic tray, although this box was substantially larger.
Being that the Fenix lights I'm accustomed to range from the LOD-CE to the L2P models, the size and weight of the TA30 is a radical change.
From left: Fenix LOD-CE, Fenix TA30, Fenix L2P
Length: 200mm (7.9 in.), Width: 35mm (1.38in. )
200 grams (7 oz.) without batteries, 255 grams (9 oz.) with.
From left: Maglite 1C mod, Fenix TA30, Surefire A2, Surefire M2, Surefire E2e
One of the next features you notice is the mechanical level selector ring at the rear of the head. This is another departure from the Fenix norm of having the levels controlled by tightening or loosening the head combined with taps of a reverse clicky switch. With the selector ring, you can choose any level merely by turning the ring to one of four positions.
1. Low (9 Lumens, 115Hrs)
2. Med (60 Lumens, 25Hrs)
3. High (225 Lumens, 3.5Hrs)
4. Strobe (230 Lumens, 7Hrs)
(The output and run times are the claims of Fenix, not my measurements).
One advantage of the ring is the ability to select a level before you turn on the light. To me, that beats a light that turns on at a blinding high level, then you have to keep clicking to get what you want. When I first tried it, I thought the ring was much too hard to turn. It's almost impossible to do with one hand. In spite of this, the action is fairly smooth. For it's intended military use, it may need to be like this. One available accessory is a remote switch for weapon mounted use, so in that use, is not likely to move on it's own from the weapon's recoil.
A feature that is shared with most of the tactical series is the use of knurling on the body and tailcap. The result is an excellent non-slip surface to keep the light securely in your hand under all conditions. Quite a difference from other Fenix lights that always felt like they were slipping out of your hand.
Included with the light is a lanyard, an extra switch boot, and two O-rings. One O-ring is for the tailcap, the other is larger and nothing is mentioned in the directions about what it's for. And there is a warning not to disassemble the head. The lanyard is really more of a wrist strap, though it is thicker than other Fenix straps. This being a "premium" light in the line, perhaps an upgrade to a Surefire type lanyard is in order, or at least as an available accessory. The hole for it in the tailcap could also be a bit larger.
Performance
This light is rated at 225 lumens on the high setting. I performed a ceiling bounce test against my M2 Surefire with a 200 lumen P91 lamp and it was very close but I think the P91 was slightly brighter. Given that Surefire ratings are usually conservative, the 225 rating from Fenix might not be far off.
Beam quality is excellent for a Cree XR-E led, which typically has a dark ring around the center hot spot. The TA30 has only a slight ring that won't be noticed at all in normal use, and the remainder of the beam is smooth and even.
Waterproof?
With a mechanical selector ring as the TA30 has, there must be a physical connection between the ring and an internal switch. That connection will need to be sealed in order for the light to be waterproof, and Fenix states that it passes the IPX-8 standard for that. However, that standard seems to be a bit vague in this case.
Definition of 1PX-8 from an independent source:
"IPX-8
Protected against water submersion - The equipment is suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions which are identified by the manufacturer."
From the research I've done, usually the manufacturer then states the depth and time at that depth the product can withstand. Fenix never states the conditions, so I wanted to see for myself if the TA30 can stand getting wet.
First, a blow test. I filled my bathroom sink with water, then I removed the batteries, put the head of the light under the water and blew into the open battery tube, watching for air bubbles. None were seen.
Next, the flashlight was reassembled, turned on to the high setting, and put it on the bottom of the sink. It was left there for fifteen minutes. At the end of the time, I repeatedly turned the light on and off underwater with the tailcap switch. After that, with the light on, still under the water, I cycled the selector switch several times through all four levels. Still working. After removal from the water, I removed the tailcap and the batteries to inspect for any water infiltration. None was seen.
I therefore have to conclude that the TA30 should at least have adequate waterproofing to survive being dropped in a puddle and surviving, and most likely, worse treatment then that.
I will be adding more to this review later, including beamshots and further testing.
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