Fenix TK40 High Performance Cree LED Flashlight, Maximum 630 Lumens
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Fenix TK40 High Performance Cree LED Flashlight, Maximum 630 Lumens
Customer Review: Fenix TK40 CREE MC-E LED Flashlight Review
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm an enthusiast about flashlights and coolers. There are several things that I look for when considering a flashlight. 1) Only flashlights that use AA or AAA batteries are considered. Those two batteries are the cheapest and most readily available batteries. Plus, in an emergency, I do not want to be scrambling for different types of batteries (C, D, 9V, CR123, or any other type of specialized battery). 2) The design has to be shock resistant and waterproof. 3) The longest battery life in proportion to the output. I would like an efficient flashlight. 4) Best combination of durability in ratio to size and weight. This is a review of the Fenix TK40 with a CREE MC-E LED with a maximum output of 630 lumens. It is rather long, so if you want the short of it, skip to the conclusion.
Brightness: The low setting of 13 lumens is slightly brighter than flashlights with Nichia LEDs and having better throw. The runtime is estimated at 150 hours on low. The medium setting of 97 lumens is very powerful, enough for just about any use, including lighting up a room, and has a runtime of about 20 hours. The high of 277 lumens with a runtime of about 6 hours appears slightly brighter than the Fenix LD20 on turbo. The turbo mode with 630 lumens is considerably brighter than the LD20 and the output readings are equivalent to a 10 watt HID spotlight. Took it outside and it performed like a spotlight. Indoors, I could shine the flashlight up at the ceiling and it lit the living room like a ceiling light. It appears that this is truly the brightest flashlight running on AA batteries, which is great as I only consider products that use AA and AAA batteries. The only brighter flashlights are usually the high-power HID lights that use special batteries and have short runtimes.
Color of the light: On some flashlight review websites, they reported the TK40 to have a cool color temperature. However, I find the light produced by the one I have to be a neutral color temperature (neither cool or warm).
Beam: The beam was bright in the middle with a smooth and bright spill beam surrounding the core. This is a characteristic of higher quality flashlights that use textured "orange peel" type of reflectors. What you will notice with lower quality flashlights are dark rings present in the field of light, making the output inconsistent. The TK40 tested had an output that contained no inconsistencies and produced an even smoother and brighter spill beam than the LD20, which is impressive. This is likely to a deeper, wider, and larger reflector along with a quad-die CREE MC-E LED .
Throw: The throw of the light, or how far the light will project is considerable. I was able to light up homes and landscapes that were easily over 100 meters away. The throw of the TK40 was far greater than the LD20.
Efficiency: The CREE LED technology appears to be the most efficient lighting. Incandescent flashlights, including krpyton, xenon, etc. have poor runtime in ratio to lumens. The early Nichia type LEDs had fairly good battery life, but output was limited. The next generation of Luxeon LEDs, were more powerful, but lacked efficiency. CREE LEDs appear to be the most powerful and most efficient light sources in flashlights today. MC-E uses four LEDs placed together in a square formation. While this produces far greater light than a single LED setup, it requires more power and results in a lot more heat produced. After five minutes on turbo, the TK40's head becomes hot, and it is not a surprise that it recommends not running the flashlight on turbo for more than 15 minutes at a time (Several other flashlight makers are trying out arranging 3 or more single CREE LEDs on the head of a flashlight rather than using an MC-E that consists of a 4 die CREE LED setup. The reasoning behind this is the lower current is needed to power single LEDs, which will result in less heat, and thus will be more efficient). Overall, the TK40 appears to have well regulated circuitry that maintains constant current to the light, keeping light output consistent until the batteries are drained.
Build: The TK40 appears to be a well made, medium sized (significantly larger than the 2 AA flashlights, yet much smaller than the spotlights that use 6-volt batteries, but closer to the size of a 2 D maglite), solid flashlight that is too hefty for everyday carry. The TK40 has all of the industry standard features including aircraft-grade aluminum construction, level-III anodized protection, o-rings for waterproofing, and an anti-roll design. Overall, the TK40 looks better in reality than in pictures. The TK40 has a user-friendly operating system that utilizes a click of the rear rubberized-button for off and on, a one-second depression for changing output levels, and double clicks for flash modes. One thing to note is that there is no beam adjustment, which does not appear to be necessary as the output is bright, smooth, and even.
Picky Things: My focus is obviously on light output, beam quality, efficiency, and build. However, other reviewers have been picky about the shoulder strap. This is something very low on my list of desired qualities, but the design could be improved. However, the TK40 comes with a plastic case, which is a nice bonus. Some may also complain about batteries not being included. This is not an issue as I use either the Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable NiMH or Energizer Rechargeable NiMH with a 15-minute charger. Rechargeable batteries are such an advantage to save on costs and increase power when using flashlights on a frequent basis. I would highly recommend TK40 users to consider rechargeable batteries for the convenience. The last complaint in most cases is only being able to use turbo for 15 minutes at a time. This is a valid complaint, but in most cases, using turbo for more than 15 minutes at a time is not needed.
Conclusion: Overall, the Fenix TK40 is a top quality flashlight with excellent build quality and exceptional/outstanding/impressive light output, and has all the features desired and found in the best flashlights. The power output may be excessive, but is definitely appreciated. I would rate this flashlight a 4.8 out of 5.0. The rating would be higher if turbo could remain on for a longer period and the integration of the shoulder strap was better designed. Other than this, the TK40 is truly the brightest AA powered flashlight.
Customer Review: Fenix TK40 Sunshine
Summary: 5 Stars
After receiving my NEW Fenix TK40 I was depressed , I put in new batteries and it would not work, no matter what brand of batteries I tried , this flashlight would not work it was DOA.
I then contacted Amazon & explained the situation , they gave me a RMA and shipped out a new one ASAP , I think it took a day in the mail , it was pretty fast, the new TK40 is AWSOME and Amazon shipping is FAST .
A++ for Amazon on shipping and Quick RMA
A++ on the TK40 Performance as well , this flash light is Bright, all the videos do not do this thing justice.
Customer Review: Fenix TK40 amazing...
Summary: 5 Stars
I just wanted to add my 5 stars to the collection up there and what has been said in the other reviews is true to there word. I can say this flashlight it very bright for the size it comes in also I do believe I will not need to buy another light for a good time to come.Customer Review: Fenix TK40 is great
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got the Fenix TK40 today. As always, I opened the package and didn't read the instructions. When I first switched it on I was so disappointed. I thought it was no brighter than my AAA LED flashlights that put out 100 lumens. I was ready to return the flashlight to Amazon. I then realized since the reviews were so good I must be missing something. I decided to read the little instruction pamphlet.
WOW
When I clicked to the proper brightness I was floored. Super white light. Not blue. Clean white light.
What I like also is that it reminds me of the old days when you had a flashlight with 2 D cells. It feels good in the hand. It is not a little portable light but it is awesome.
What is also nice is the battery holder has little + and - signs so you load the batteries correctly.
I have 8 eneloops in there now and have it set to the second to highest setting (277 Lumens) I am curious how long the batteries will really last.
Buy it
Customer Review: Fenix TK40 works !
Summary: 4 Stars
The Fenix TK40 works as advertised. It does the job.
Walking the beach at night, shinning up the long, far-away waves of the barrier reef
& shrimp bancas bobbing with their loads of salty crustaceans, the Fenix 630 lumens
screams up the scene with light.