Posted by Air 33 I finally got around to place an order for the TK-40, and see it has a new incarnation! The TK45..anyone have it here? Its about 100 lumens brighter then the tk40, just kind of looks like an ugly spud. http://www.fenixta...om/fenix-tk45.html Meta? Applesnail? Anyone?

I barely have money for the lights I own now. It looks like a mace. CPF has good things to say about its function.

click

I have a Solarforce Masterpiece (not to be confused with the Masterpiece Pro, which is altogether different), which is another MC-E light, running on two 18650s. It was a decision between it, and the Fenix TK30 or TK40. In the end, I made my choice based on battery types (I like 18650) and modes - the Masterpiece is just high - med - low.

As for the TK45, wow, it's certainly a different style! I kind of get the feeling you could get that or the TK40 and be happy either way. I'd probably get the TK40 if I had to pick between them, but I say that without having really compared them properly

FYI: TK40 on sale - $134.95.

Most of the cheaper prices online are from sketchy places.

Posted by AnAppleSnail FYI: TK40 on sale - $134.95. Most of the cheaper prices online are from sketchy places.

I found a Canuck distributor I think I'm gonna go with. Aesthetically the TK40 floats my boat.

Posted by Air 33 I found a Canuck distributor I think I'm gonna go with. Aesthetically the TK40 floats my boat.

Did you buy it?

So, I bought a TK30, after my Solarforce Masterpiece died (the seller is replacing it for me, though). The TK30 is essentially a TK40 that runs on 18650/16430 batteries instead of AAs, so, you can pick your power source, really.

Really, the things you pay for in expensive lights are reliability and user interface. So, hopefully it'll prove reliable, and here's a run-down on the interface:

It has three sets of two modes. That sounds confusing. Let me explain: When you're using the light, it has two modes, selected by loosing or tightening the head, same as with many other lights, including the PD30 and such. The thing is, there are three possible sets of outputs it'll use, which one can select from these:

1) 100 lumens / 600 lumens
2) strobe / 600 lumens
3) 40 lumens / 120 lumens

Actually, I made up the numbers for the last one - suffice to say that both outputs are low. So, I use set 1, which exactly what I wanted. tightening and loosening the head rapidly a few times switches mode sets. Is that clear? Probably not.

Anyway, it's a nice light, and I have no complaints so far.

So, compared to the Solarforce? Well, I have to say I liked the styling of the Masterpiece better. The chunky square knurling on the body is just so nice. Don't get me wrong, the Fenix is nice, too, but I just like the overall look and feel of the Solarforce better. Let me find some pictures:






The modes of the Fenix do suit me better, though. The Solarforce just cycles between low, medium, and high - I think from memory it comes on in high mode if it's been off for a few seconds, or something.

Anyway, they're both good

Nice shot meta, I bought a TK-30 3-4 months ago and love it. I also think the light levels are very nice and the interface isn't bad once you get used to it. Mine has already taken quite a fall onto concrete from at least 5 feet up and been underwater several times its proved to be pretty bullet proof. Definitely my go to light for light painting.

Posted by Uzi- Nice shot meta, I bought a TK-30 3-4 months ago and love it. I also think the light levels are very nice and the interface isn't bad once you get used to it. Mine has already taken quite a fall onto concrete from at least 5 feet up and been underwater several times its proved to be pretty bullet proof. Definitely my go to light for light painting.

What batteries do you run? The short mode is kind of novel, but I just don't really see myself using anything other than 2x18650.

I've been running 4 cr123's I can't really see myself running it in the short mode either unless I'm trying to save space in a bag or batteries but 90 hrs. in low mode is plenty long enough for almost anything.

I'd gotten used to carrying my terralux 6D mag lite for light painting since they had about the same output, so this thing seems tiny and easy to carry in comparison.

I should probably get myself some rechargeable 18650's just from the $$$ standpoint.

Posted by metawaffle Did you buy it?

Missed this !

I ended up trying a 200 lumen Dorcy I picked up locally. Was $40, takes 3 aa's, has button on the back you can tap & hold for light, or screw the rear totally on and you can have the beam on all the time. It has an adjustable beam (but no multiple modes) and I've been using it for about 3 weeks. Throws more then enough light around to light up a room/tunnel, etc. Quite happy for the price + aa battery option. It is as bright as my dodgy $20 Chinese light and obviously has better regulation.

I guess I'm going to have try a fenix in person to commit now.

One complaint about the TK-40, the switch is REALLY easy to bump on, if you throw it in a pack with other junk it will get switched on.

Posted by ExplorerLoki One complaint about the TK-40, the switch is REALLY easy to bump on, if you throw it in a pack with other junk it will get switched on.

Fenix tailcaps lock out.



Oops, not this one. Hmm.

Posted by AnAppleSnail Fenix tailcaps lock out. Oops, not this one. Hmm.

Now I just unscrew the tail a few turns, not ideal but it works.

Posted by AnAppleSnail Fenix tailcaps lock out. Oops, not this one. Hmm.

What a pain! The TK30 is easy to switch on, too, but the tailcap locks out.

Im thinking of going out and buying one of these tommorow...they're definitely cheapest on ebay, but theres a place down the street that sells them & I cant wait for shipping from japan. We'll see if I can mentally justify the expense once I actually get there lol
Hoping it will compliment the solarforce L1200 & L600 nicely for a big trip ;)

Posted by terapr0 Im thinking of going out and buying one of these tommorow...they're definitely cheapest on ebay, but theres a place down the street that sells them & I cant wait for shipping from japan. We'll see if I can mentally justify the expense once I actually get there lol Hoping it will compliment the solarforce L1200 & L600 nicely for a big trip ;)

where? I haven't seen them in any surplus shop before.

http://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/

they just started carrying Fenix stuff....it's a small shop & I know the prices are more than online, but they're nice people, they've got it in stock today and I get the satisfaction of supporting a local business. I'll let u guys know if I pick it up, and how it stands up against the solarforce lights

Thanks...! It's just a bit more (like $20) and that's better then ordering online/shipping drama. For some reason I thought you were talking about the army surplus store in port credit...you know a little back from the street. Its near the go stop. The guy there has some old fenix's but if you ask him why he doesn't carry them he gets into a rant about how fenix doesn't offer wholesale pricing for merchants...which explains why these good quality lights can't be found in most shops.

haha yea I know the store you're talking about....army issue...it's like just down the street from my house. The prices arent the best but they've got some cool stuff for such a small store.

So I ended up buying the TK40...at first glance, it's nice. Hard to tell if its brighter than the solarforce L1200...they're such different lights, its tough to compare between LED & Halogen. I'll try and post some shots after I use it tonight

Posted by terapr0 haha yea I know the store you're talking about....army issue...it's like just down the street from my house. The prices arent the best but they've got some cool stuff for such a small store. So I ended up buying the TK40...at first glance, it's nice. Hard to tell if its brighter than the solarforce L1200...they're such different lights, its tough to compare between LED & Halogen. I'll try and post some shots after I use it tonight

That store has better prices then the three shops downtown. He seems to carry lots of new stuff and sizes. I bought some industrial draining boots there.

How long does your halogen hold up?