Fenix TK12. Any good?

DaveK · **on:** January 12, 2010, 12:02:00 AM

I've got some Heinnie Haynes Vouchers burning a hole in my pocket, and have been thinking about a new torch.

In reality, it will be for general use around the house, putting the rubbish out etc, but also for camping / hiking trips - so I'm looking for a bit of an all-rounder.

Would this seem like a sensible choice do you think? Any advice gratefully accepted!

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2010, 12:28:39 AM

Well I am no expert as you know, but if I was going to buy a Fenix that would be the one I'd be getting as (like you I believe) I am not put off by the CR123 cells and the specs look superb.

DaveK · **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2010, 12:38:35 AM

Well it's this or more Maxpedition Gear

Seriously, I have some nice torches, but am looking for one that I can take camping and walking to get me out of the sh1t if I need it, so for that I want good run-time and performance etc. But to justify it, I'll probably use it day to day aswell, and this one seems pretty flexible.

And remember, no matter how little you know about torches, you still know more than me

Benner · **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2010, 12:44:05 AM

Well the specs certainly look impressive and the UI looks pretty simple as well (but still offering plenty of options). Looks a nice torch to me.

DaveK · **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2010, 12:50:31 AM

Cool.

I'll see if anyone knows of any reason why it might not be right, and I'll probably order it tomorrow I think

edap617 · **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2010, 12:53:22 AM

TK-12 is a nice light, but if you want a longer runtime take a look at TK-11 because you have the option to use 1x18650.

DaveK · **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:04:33 AM

Aha - an expert is here now - see you Ben

@Eddie - Is that a different battery size? How much difference in runtime would that make? I did look at the TK-11, but truth is I don't really know what I'm looking at!

My other two torches are also CR123A, so there might be some economy or convenience in having the new one the same. However, if the run-time was dramatically different I might rethink.....

Please enlighten me - thanks!

Benner · **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:09:13 AM

That is one of these Dave http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart.php?cat_id=10

Basicaly a bigger cell that has 4.2V. Would abviously require it's own charger but would have good run times.

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:09:49 AM

18650 looks like a giant AA, a tad larger than two 123a placed end to end, it's what's in your laptop battery pack. Biggest advantage is it's rechargeable so if you use your light a lot it's cheaper, but if you only change your 123a once a month or more it's probably not worth the hassle.

I think Tk series is a bit overkill for the average user, don't really need something that strong.

DaveK · **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:23:35 AM

Thanks both.

I change the batteries probably about once a month in my Blackhawk light, and that has no "low power" mode, so I might even need to change them less often with the TK-12 I guess.

According to Heinnies description, I'd get about 12 hours with a 18650 (10 hours with 2xCR123A) at 60 lumens (lowest setting). The TK-12 will give me 12 hours at 50 lumens with CR123A, but also has a 5 lumens setting (120 hours).

Maybe I'm missing something, but that looks like I can get 12 hours of decent light, but have the option of dropping it down if I'm on my last set of batteries?

Benner · **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:29:08 AM

The 11 does lack that lowest setting yes (from the specs I have read) so I would still be going with the 12 personally. Those bigger cells are all good, but I don't think it's worth it IMO especially with such few changes as hopefully you'll be having.

DaveK · **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:31:35 AM

That's the way I'm leaning definitely.

Although I'd be happier if Eddie would weigh in again and tell me it's a good choice - I know how much he knows about these things!

edap617 · **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:41:19 AM

18650 is rechargeable lithium ion and has the highest energy content density and it is in this order from lowest to hightest... Alkaline, NiCad, NiMh, Lithium (RCR123), Lithium Primary (CR123), Lithium Ion (14500, 17670, 18650). In my own experience the runtime of 1x18650 is 2.5 times than that of RCR123.

There are 2 kinds of 18650, the unprotected and the protected. The "protected" have PCBs at the bottom of each bat that cuts off the current at 4.2V and 2.7V. Laptop battery packs have unprotected cells inside becuase there is overcharge/over discharge circuit protection inside the battery pack itself. You have to intially invest on a charger that can charge RCR123, 14500, 18650, etc. before you can realize some savings on battery.

edap617 · **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:49:10 AM

Dave, if you want to enjoy more using your light I suggest you use rechargeable batteries.

DaveK · **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2010, 02:03:32 AM

OK understood

I think until I know what I'm doing - I'm going to stick with what I know (i.e. CR123A - I have a bunch of them here already too) and go for the TK12 in the first instance.

The main reason is I want to experience all of the different modes as I don't have any really clever lights yet. It may turn out that I learn that something else would be better, but I'm paying with vouchers not cash anyway

Thanks for the help guys - I really appreciate it.

Also, I've been looking at Eddies "Inexpensive lights" thread. I might grab one of the lights off there and have started asking questions on that thread too

Zack · **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2010, 04:32:12 AM

I know I am late to this party, but I have the TK10 and its a very nice light. Agressive? Yes! But very bright. I keep it attached to my maxped Typhoon. Why do I need a 225 lumen light on a diaper bag? I dunno, but I like it.

DaveK · **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2010, 07:54:05 PM

I have pulled the trigger and it has been despatched.

Exciting eh?

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2010, 10:25:05 PM

Looking forward to the review of that one mate

DaveK · **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2010, 10:27:29 PM

Yeah - when I've finished downing aircraft with though.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2010, 10:33:16 PM

Quote from: DaveK on January 12, 2010, 10:27:29 PM

Yeah - when I've finished downing aircraft with though.

Just make sure you only point it at the aircraft with the black crosses on

Benner · **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:17:35 AM

Cool

DaveK · **Reply #21 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:27:26 PM

OK - is there a way to attach the pocket clip on these things without scratching the nice finish

Zack · **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2010, 03:04:06 AM

I had the pocket clip on my TK10 and promptly took it off. Is too big to carry clipped to a pocket, so I just attached the sheath to a bag.

DaveK · **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2010, 07:43:04 PM

I just bashed it on in the end

DaveK · **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2010, 12:43:01 AM

OK - so these arrived yesterday:

I think I made the right choices, and have all of my wants covered for now between these few lights.

The county comm spare battery holder is cool too :

DaveK · **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2010, 01:25:16 AM

OK. The TK12-EX is basically just a longer body tube yeah?

I guess that it replaces the supplied tube, but apparently it remains compatible with CR123A batteries, which confuses me

Surely, if the tube is longer, then the batteries would slide about. What am I missing?

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #26 on:** January 17, 2010, 10:07:43 AM

I think it's so you can run a different battery (14600???)

DaveK · **Reply #27 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:55:32 AM

Yeah that's definitely right Mike, but the descriptions I've seen seem to suggest that it will continue to work with CR123s - which confuses me a bit.

What appeals to me initially, is that it will make the body slightly longer which appeals to me for grip, but also opens the door to the bigger batteries in the future.

It may be a daft idea though, so I thought I'd get some advice here before I go ordering anything

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Fenix TK12. Any good?

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