Fenix TK45

[Chako]

The Fenix TK45 package was in my mailbox waiting for me to come home today. Well I opened the box and was surprised at the nice plastic case the flashlight comes in.




After sliding the cardboard cover off the plastic carry case, and opening it, I was greeted with an odd looking flashlight. The photos on the net just didn’t do it any justice. When I picked it up however, it is very well balanced and designed. I also noticed a few extras in the plastic case, such as a very long lanyard with two of those spring loaded plastic stops that are often found on coats, an instruction and warranty booklet, and a few spare O-rings




I noted that the fit and finish is very good. Not as fancy as the Surefire L1 I recently got, but very nice nonetheless. The grip is excellent, and I love the size. I find a lot of flashlights are getting smaller and smaller. This one is perfect for the house.  

Opening the flashlight, the threads are smooth and precise. I went to get 8 new AA cells to power the flashlight. The battery carrier is made of dark black plastic. It was relatively easy to figure out which way the batteries go based on the spring location for each row of cells.

After loading the flashlight, I pressed one of the buttons (who bothers reading manuals), and nothing came on. I pressed the other, and one of the 3 heads came on. I had read somewhere that the heads rotate in the low settings. I played around with it and true enough, the next time I turned on the flashlight on the low setting, the next head lit up.

I pressed the same button and got medium power. Wow….that is bright!

I pressed it again…and OMG!!!!      

The room lit up in daytime!  

I went at one end of my house and shown light at the other end down a long hallway…and it lit up the far wall like it was nothing…in daytime! That distance is about 45 feet.

Well, I can tell you that my other junky flashlights are pale in comparison to that. I think I will have a hard time looking at them again in the same light.

I pressed the other button, and nothing happened. I did have to pull out the instruction sheet to figure out how to activate the flashing modes. I found you have to press it twice in quick succession. I still had the flashlight on top power and was blinded from the strobe. I quickly brought the power down and tried the various flashing modes. The TK45 has strobe, SOS, and a regular flash mode from what I can tell. You can run them each at the various power settings.

From the box, it states…
-   Throw beam over 200 meters.
-   232 hours max runtime.
-   Waterproof to IPX-8 standard.
-   Type III hard anodized anti abrasive finish.
-   Max 760 Lumens.



This is some flashlight. 

[nuphoria]

Now you're talking lumens

I didn't think it would be long before you picked up something with some serious output - there's probably no going back from being a flashaholic now Dan 

[Freudian Frog]

Now you're talking lumens

I didn't think it would be long before you picked up something with some serious output - there's probably no going back from being a flashaholic now Dan 

He's proper screwed, isn't he?

[Chako]

I think I am safe.

[jzmtl]

I think I am safe.

Didn't you say that when you just started on SAKs?

[nuphoria]

I think I am safe.

Didn't you say that when you just started on SAKs?

Well, my money's on your money heading in to more flashies! 

Once you get started on all that lovely custom Ti stuff, we might lose you to it 

[Turnstone]

Congrats on your light 

It's amazing what they do today with modern LED's 

[Neil]

I have no need whatsoever for such a torch.....

.... but I want one

[Chako]

I just wanted some real good users. I was getting tired of the junk I was using for years. I am certain I won't be diverting funds to flashlights. I still view them as utilitarian devices and not collectables.

[Benner]

I have no need whatsoever for such a torch.....

.... but I want one

I'm kinda there too. 

[John]

I have no need whatsoever for such a torch.....

.... but I want one

I'm kinda there too. 

Choices  that or a TK40  I may find some other dark slicer tho 

[nuphoria]

Oh I like "dark slicer"   Consider that stolen.

I have a couple of fairly bright ones now, one with a SST-50 Nailbender P60 drop-in. I like to call it the night stealer   

[John]

Oh I like "dark slicer"   Consider that stolen.

I have a couple of fairly bright ones now, one with a SST-50 Nailbender P60 drop-in. I like to call it the night stealer   

Dark slicer patented-ed good luck checking the trolley's with that SST-0 Nailbender P60 drop-in NOW    consider that stolen,you have my addy dont you   

[gunga]

I fluctuate between collecting because these are cool devices, to modding, because it fun and the results are pleasing, to ultimately using the lights because, well, they are good tools.

I always end up with too many, and no matter how many I sell, I end up buying many more.
In the end, my collection doesn't fluctuate too much, and it's a lot of fun.  I always make sure I have some reliable, long running lights for emergencies as well as the WOW lights for fun.

I'm a fan of pocket rockets myself, small, light, and bright!

[John]

Gunga it's called flashlight propaganda 

[nuphoria]

Oh I like "dark slicer"   Consider that stolen.

I have a couple of fairly bright ones now, one with a SST-50 Nailbender P60 drop-in. I like to call it the night stealer   

Dark slicer patented-ed good luck checking the trolley's with that SST-0 Nailbender P60 drop-in NOW    consider that stolen,you have my addy dont you   

Damn, too late.... the magic trolley key is all packaged up

[Black Rose]

I always end up with too many, and no matter how many I sell, I end up buying many more.

Whenever I try and sell some of mine, my wife gives me hell for it, so I keep them all.

I'm a fan of pocket rockets myself, small, light, and bright!

That's the direction I am heading now. 

My bigger lights are great, but they don't get much use because they are not a good EDC size.

[Essexman]

Hey Chako, you said the batt holder was a dark plastic? Can you show a pic please.

The TK45 I had on a passaround had a battery holder made of clear plastic, and it was starting to crack up in the stress points, I'm wondering if they changed the design?

[Chako]

I can, but it will have to be later today. 

[Essexman]

No hurry, just wondered if they look like those I had^^^^

[Chako]

Here you go.

[Essexman]

Thanks Chako !!  They look much better, I think they made a change after the prototypes when out for reviews.

[Styerman]

Chako , get into the good stuff , McGizmo and Ra Clickies , come to the dark side !

Chris

[ryan1835]

next he'll be needing enloops

[jekostas]

next he'll be needing enloops

Rayovac Hybrids are cheaper and have the same capability.

Also, available at Wal-Mart up here in the wilds of Canadia.

[Blackbeard]

Looks like a lightsabre. Any beamshots forthcoming?

[Chako]

Not in my condition...sorry.

There are a few other sites that have nicer reviews from people who actually know what they are doing with flashlights.

What I can say is that with all 3 heads going, I don't see any artifacts, just a nice pleasant round beam profile with plenty of spill. In fact, on its highest setting, it will light up a whole room nicely.

[Blackbeard]

Ah, I just saw the other thread, havent been on much lately, hope u feel better.

[Aloxfan]

I have a TK40 and thought it was the brightest baddest thing out there till I played with my father's Elektrolumens EDC-MCE.  This thing is barely bigger than the old Surefire 6P, but is brighter than stink.  It is also built solid and uses a neat rechargeable Li-Ion 18650 battery instead of 8 AA's.  My charger only holds 4 AA's, so I have to charge the battery's over two days to get the TK40 back up and running.  The good thing is it has never died on me, so it lasts a long time on a full charge.  I use run of the mill Energizer rechargable NiMH batteries.


http://elektrolumens.com/EDC-P7/EDC-MCE.html

[Sean]

Chako,
How is the TK treating you?  Is it working well, and any issues with it so far?  How is that battery holder, does it rattle at all when in use?  I've been reading up on this light a bit and am interested  perhaps getting one in the future and just curious how your getting on with it? 
Thanks.