Have you been searching for a light that will work in emergency situations? Struggling to find a light that offers reliable one-handed operation? If so you need to look closer at the Fenix TK16. With the tactical tail switch, the Fenix TX16 offers reliable one-handed operation in a compact design. To see what else the Fenix TX16 has to offer, keep reading.
Before You Buy
Before you buy any kind of flashlight you want to consider all of your options. Considering your options ensures you pick the right style light for the job. Tactical lights are designed to be some of the most powerful and brightest lights in the industry. When considering a tactical light you want to look at how many output modes it offers. A true tactical light offers a variety of modes designed for emergency and tactical situations. Being that users will depend on these modes during life or death situations, you want a tactical light that you can depend on.
Tactical lights need to stand up to heavy use. Durability is important when choosing a tactical light. You want lights manufactured from high-grade materials. You want lights that are impact and water resistant, the higher the IPX rating the better. The best tactical lights are going to be designed for indoor and outdoor use.
Fenix TK16
For those of you who are looking for the best EDC flashlight that can also be used in tactical situations, the Fenix TK16 is a superb choice. The Fenix TK16 offers a compact body design, one we like to refer to as pocket-sized. Making use of the new dual tactical tail switch the Fenix TK16 is operated with a single finger. The Fenix TK16 can be powered by a single 18650 Li-ion battery or 2 CR123A batteries. Both styles of batteries are able to power the CREE XM-L2 U2 LED that features a 50,000-hour lifespan.
The Fenix TK16 offers four different brightness modes: Turbo, High, Mid, and low. The light also features 1,000-lumen strobe mode that is instantly accessed via the dual tactical tail switch. Turbo emits up to 1,000 lumens for a period of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Low output is a mere 10 lumens for 150 hours. The aircraft grade aluminum body offers a type III hard-anodized finish that is scratch and wear resistant. The IPX-8 rating allows the TK16 to be fully submerged in up to 6.5 feet of water for 30 minutes or less.
Pros:
- Dual Spring Design
- Momentary On
- Can be mounted on bikes or guns with optional accessories
- Separate thumb switches
Cons:
- Anti-roll ring cannot be removed
- No accidental activation mode
Specs:
- Weight: 4.3 oz without batteries
- Dimensions: 5.5 inches long with a 1.3-inch head diameter
- Output: 10 lumens to 1000 lumens
- Runtime: 150 hours on low; 1 hour 10 minutes on Turbo
Features & Benefits
Dual Tactical Tail Switch
If you are going to be using a light in emergency situations you want one that is easy to use. The Fenix TK16 utilizes an easy to use dual tactical tail switch. The new dual switch features a larger tactical switch and a smaller mode switch. Located on the tail cap both switches are designed for one finger operation. The tactical switch powers the light and provides access to the momentary on feature. The smaller mode switch is used to cycle through the four brightness levels. Strobe mode is activated via the mode switch no matter if the light is on or off. If the light is on, press and hold mode switch for 1 second. With the light off, press and hold the mode switch.
Intelligent Memory Circuit
Being able to turn on your flashlight and instantly access the last brightness level you used is nice. It is not a feature offered with every light. The Fenix TK16 offers the sought after intelligent memory circuit. With this feature, you can access the last brightness level used the next time you turn on the light. The only time intelligent memory doesn’t work is with strobe mode.
Dual Spring Design
Dual Spring DesignImpact resistance is something that concerns all flashlight owners. Nobody ever plans on dropping their light, but accidents do happen. The more impact resistance a light is the better it will stand up to accidental drops. The Fenix TK16 is impact resistant up to 3.2 feet. The light also features a dual spring design to improve impact resistance. The dual spring design also makes the light better suited for flat-head batteries.
Overheat Protection
Using Turbo mode, which is 1,000 lumens, will cause the light to generate a lot of heat. After using Turbo mode for a period of 20 minutes or longer you run the risk of the light overheating. To prevent any damage to the light and to prevent it from overheating Fenix offers overheat protection. The Fenix TK16 automatically adjusts the lumen output to decrease the amount of heat being generated. Overheat protection helps ensure a long working life.
Social Proof
After reading through several reviews online, the Fenix TK16 is a light that I would recommend to anybody. The Fenix TK16 is a light that you can rely on when you need it most, making it an excellent emergency or tactical situation light. Luckily, my opinion of the Fenix TK16 is shared with other flashlight enthusiasts. Many reputable flashlight review sites offer numerous positive reviews.
Even though most people think highly of the Fenix TK16 that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its flaws. One of the things that several reviewers took note of is that it doesn’t have an accidental activation feature. To prevent the light from accidentally turning on when stored you need to unscrew the tail cap slightly or take out the batteries. Another downfall to the TK16 is that you cannot remove the anti-roll ring and still have the light work.
Alternatives
Fenix PD35
If you are looking for a compact light that isn’t quite as powerful as the Fenix TK16, the Fenix PD35 is an excellent choice. The small PD35 utilizes a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED and offers six different brightness levels. Eco mode emits a mere 14 lumens, while Turbo mode offers users 960 lumens. With overheat protection, you won’t have to worry about the light becoming too hot to handle. A low voltage warning light alerts you to when the batteries need changing. The tactical tail cap switch provides access to the momentary on feature. The side switch, located near the head of the light, is used to switch between modes. Read our 2014 Fenix PD35 review here.
Surefire P2X Fury
The Surefire P2X Fury is one of SureFire’s most popular models. The light is not as compact or as bright as the Fenix TK16 but is still a great alternative. On its highest setting, the P2X Fury offers 600 lumens for a period of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The P2X Fury uses IntelliBeam technology to continuously evaluate your surroundings. Light output is automatically adjusted between 15 to 600 lumens to provide you with just the right amount of light needed. Users have the ability to select between tactical mode and auto-adjust mode via the tail cap switch. The P2X Fury offers lock-out mode to prevent accidental activation.
Fenix TK15UE
If the Fenix TK16 doesn’t meet your expectations for a true tactical light, the Fenix TK15UE is a great alternative. The TK15UE offers the same compact design and brightness levels as the TK16 but was designed for tactical purposes in mind. The TK15UE uses a CREE XP-L HI V3 LED to achieve a beam distance of over 1,000 feet. The strike face bezel is impact resistant and built for heavy-duty action. Another difference is in the tactical switch. The TK15UE offers a single tactical tail cap switch with a side switch for brightness modes.
Fenix TK16 Final Thoughts
If you need a light that you can rely on in a real emergency the Fenix TK16 is an excellent choice. The TK16’s compact design allows the light to easily fit inside your pocket or utility belt. With an anti-roll ring and a new dual spring design, the TK16 offers excellent impact protection. While there are several other lights on the market that can be used for emergency situations, the Fenix TK16 meets our high standards of expectation. Now that you know what the Fenix TK16 has to offer, go out there and purchase one today!
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