ArizonaScot
5 May 2010, 18:20
Like most, I started out using SureFire products a long time ago. While they are extremely well-made and are fine products, ever since I discovered Fenix, it is very hard to justify the price to performance ratio of SureFire over Fenix.
Anyway, I recently got a pair (2 each) of the new TK11 R5 and TK12 R5 and gave my nephew the old TK11 R2 models.
The TK11/TK12 R5 gained improvements in lumens over the old R2, up to 285/280, respectively. The main difference between the TK11 and TK12 is in their operating modes. The TK11 can run at either 285 lumens (2.7 hours) or 60 lumens (14 hours). The TK12 has three modes (called "hidden modes") each with two lumens settings; one mode contains a very fast strobe feature, intend to disorient. Physically, they are roughly the same size and there are very subtle differences between the TK11 and the TK12, as you can see from the photos below. Both can accommodate 2 CR123A batteries or 1 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery -- and let me tell you, once you start using the 18650's, you probably won't go back to CR123A's (maybe for backups). I bought 8 18650's and four are always on standby charge. I will probably buy more in the near future. You can get much more info in the links below. . . ..
TK11 R5:
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=119
TK12 R5:
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=120
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4582247389_242cdb229f.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4582875840_1c933a0165.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4582875942_9e50f7ac03.jpg
The carrying case/holster is functional but nothing spectacular, and is the exact same one for either the TK11 or TK12. It has a back Velcro belt loop as well as a plastic loop at the top for tactical vests/pants:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4582875994_fd3e3c359d.jpg
I mated one of the TK11's to my S&W M&P 15T with a VIKING TACTICS LIGHT MOUNT VTAC-MK4 (the light mount is inexpensive but works extremely well so this is another great product that won't break your bank). The pressure switch is also Fenix's http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=93. It is well-made, feels great, and is easy to operate/control. The pressure switch also slides nicely into the Tango VFG without requiring double-sided tape, glue, or anything messy or complicated. I can get a very firm grip on the Tango VFG and yet, still has control of whether I want the light ON or OFF. The switch also has a side-mounted button that I can use my index finger to turn the light ON or OFF. Ergonomically, the combination feels solid and intuitive.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4582876062_e44fdd4c21_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/4582247577_40b6a19fa6_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4582876146_834fd07bdf_o.jpg
I'm going to put the other TK11 on my Mossberg 930 SPX (now that the canted front sight issue has been taken care of). As for the TK12's, one TK12 will be on the night stand along with the TA21. The other TK12 will be in the truck.
I highly recommend the Fenix TK11 and TK12, as well as the TA21. They are high-quality products at a fraction of the cost of the other higher-priced brands.
Anyway, I recently got a pair (2 each) of the new TK11 R5 and TK12 R5 and gave my nephew the old TK11 R2 models.
The TK11/TK12 R5 gained improvements in lumens over the old R2, up to 285/280, respectively. The main difference between the TK11 and TK12 is in their operating modes. The TK11 can run at either 285 lumens (2.7 hours) or 60 lumens (14 hours). The TK12 has three modes (called "hidden modes") each with two lumens settings; one mode contains a very fast strobe feature, intend to disorient. Physically, they are roughly the same size and there are very subtle differences between the TK11 and the TK12, as you can see from the photos below. Both can accommodate 2 CR123A batteries or 1 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery -- and let me tell you, once you start using the 18650's, you probably won't go back to CR123A's (maybe for backups). I bought 8 18650's and four are always on standby charge. I will probably buy more in the near future. You can get much more info in the links below. . . ..
TK11 R5:
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=119
TK12 R5:
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=120
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4582247389_242cdb229f.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4582875840_1c933a0165.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4582875942_9e50f7ac03.jpg
The carrying case/holster is functional but nothing spectacular, and is the exact same one for either the TK11 or TK12. It has a back Velcro belt loop as well as a plastic loop at the top for tactical vests/pants:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4582875994_fd3e3c359d.jpg
I mated one of the TK11's to my S&W M&P 15T with a VIKING TACTICS LIGHT MOUNT VTAC-MK4 (the light mount is inexpensive but works extremely well so this is another great product that won't break your bank). The pressure switch is also Fenix's http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=93. It is well-made, feels great, and is easy to operate/control. The pressure switch also slides nicely into the Tango VFG without requiring double-sided tape, glue, or anything messy or complicated. I can get a very firm grip on the Tango VFG and yet, still has control of whether I want the light ON or OFF. The switch also has a side-mounted button that I can use my index finger to turn the light ON or OFF. Ergonomically, the combination feels solid and intuitive.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4582876062_e44fdd4c21_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/4582247577_40b6a19fa6_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4582876146_834fd07bdf_o.jpg
I'm going to put the other TK11 on my Mossberg 930 SPX (now that the canted front sight issue has been taken care of). As for the TK12's, one TK12 will be on the night stand along with the TA21. The other TK12 will be in the truck.
I highly recommend the Fenix TK11 and TK12, as well as the TA21. They are high-quality products at a fraction of the cost of the other higher-priced brands.