Hello everyone, today I'll be reviewing the Fenix TK65R, sent by Fenix whom I thank for the opportunity and confidence given to me.
CLICK HERE to go to the official page on the site Fenix.
I want to clarify that my reviews are done at the amateur level and without the aid of scientific instruments or test in secret Labs at the forefront, meaning between the lines that follow, there will also be my humble impressions.
Official features taken from Fenix:
· CREE XHP70 LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
· built-in 7.2V/5000mAh Li-ion battery pack
· micro USB fast charging with fast charging adaptor
· micro USB charging port with inner waterproofing design
· 270.5mm Length x 61.5mm Head diameter x 36.5mm Body diameter
· 418g (excluding battery and belt clip)
· dedicated catapult - action belt clip
· digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
· featuring battery level indication and low-voltage warning function
· intelligent overheat protection protects from high surface temperature
· made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum; stainless steel strike bezel
· premium type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
· toughened ultra-clear glass lens with an anti-reflective coating
Where to buy it
The flashlight is available on the online store Fenixstore.com
The packaging and accessories
The TK65R comes in a cardboard case with convenient carrying handle for ease the transportation.
The front shows the name of the brand and model, the photo of the flashlight in its entirety and the photos of the salient features of the flashlight and its accessories.
At the back we find a description of the model, its specifications and a discharge curve that shows the trends of all modes.
At the top, next to the handle, are printed the lumen and the meters (ANSI) reached by the flashlight.
The same data are reported on both sides of the pack along with some demonstration photos (both sides are visually identical).
Once you open the briefcase, find the flashlight and its attachment fitted in spaces specially shaped in protective sponge.
Once extracted everything from package we would have:
- the TK65R;
- the battery pack inside the flashlight ;
- the belt clip;
- a spare O-rings;
- a transformer with plug;
- a cable USB -> microUSB along about 85 cm;
- an advertising leaflet;
- the slip paper for warranty;
- the manual in different languages which also includes our.
Here, the manual scan in English and Italian that, if you wish, you can view in full directly from Fenix by going to THIS page.
The flashlight
The TK65R is the new Fenix flashlight, heir of TK60, which makes its size a strength in some way.
The body is totally in aluminum except for the stainless steel bezel and the lines are pretty clean.
The central part of the body presents of large horizontal stripes interrupted by vertical grooves running along the whole handle and which is also found on the tailcap.
Below the parabola there are the dissipating grooves and, immediately afterwards, two electronic keys that have the task of making us interact with the UI. Two drawings differ the keys and remind us of their functions (which we'll see later).
The keys have a short run, protrude slightly from the body for better identification in the dark and emit a quiet click.
Immediately under the keys is the brand name and model. The lettering and drawings are perfect.
On the opposite side to the keys there is a pivot that allows the flashlight to engage the belt clip. The pivot is also the only way that prevent the flashlight from rolling on an inclined plane.
Just below is the inscription CE.
There are no clips, holes for laces or wrist straps.
The lighting of this flashlight has been entrusted to a CREE XHP70 CW LED. The color of the LED is pure white at high levels, at the lowest level is slightly less pure but has no chromatic aberration. It is well centered and is surrounded by a parable of type OP and the whole is surmounted by a crenellated bezel moderately pronounced.
The glass has anti-glare treatment.
In the tail there are the cap that cover the microUSB port that recharge the battery pack, 4 small LEDs that tell us the charging state of the battery pack and the key (electronic) that we can use to turn on the status LED's in the tail.
Even this little button, rubberized externally, has a short run and emits very little noise.
The whole thing is flat and therefore the tailstand is allowed
Here's the cover lifted and the microUSB port discovered. The protective cover is easy to handle and, if properly closed, protect according to IP68 standard.
Just remove the flashlight from the box we find this sheet, which informs us to remove plastic discs that prevent the contact of the battery pack inside the body flashlight before first ignition, bound to it.
The flashlight can be unscrewed only from the tailcap and the thread comes well lubricated and running smoothly.
Given the generous thread compared to other smaller flashlights, you need to perform more turns to unscrew the tailcap.
If you unscrew partially, despite the anodizing, the LED will light up.
Inside there is a golden double contact. Both the central one (positive) and external (negative) are fixed and do not rotate out of them position. Obviously they are not connected to each other.
The base on which rest has two holes that, by turning them with a suitable tool, allow you to access the circuitry inside.
Inside the compartment there is another golden double contact of the same shape and size of that the one seen in the picture above.
The battery and the charging system
As mentioned above, the battery comes already inserted in the flashlight and has, on both middles poles, a black plastic disk that does not allow contact. It comes with a voltage of 7, 26v.
Removing the protection plate, here's how the poles appear side by side. In the middle there is the positive and the outer ring is the negative and, given that the battery pack can be inserted in both directions, double poles are present on both sides.
The battery consists of two series-connected 26650 of 5000 mAh among them and has, as a reference, the code name ARB-L26-10000.
To follow here, some pictures of the outer sheath.
To recharge the battery pack we have a small transformer with plug and a USB-> micro USB cable supplied with the accessories.
The front has no badges or writing of any kind even if the pane suggests that they could be there,
above there is a sticker that invites us to use it in dry,
on the opposite side to the adhesive has a female USB port
While below the plug there is a sticker that shows the specifications of the charger. It manages to deliver output 5V and 3A.
When we have to recharge the cell just insert the charger into the socket and insert the cables into the appropriate ports. The LEDs will light up to the charging of the cell and, when the process is finished, remain all 4 lit.
The entire charging process ends, if we charge the battery from a voltage of just over 6v, in about 3 and a half hours.
To follow, the entire charging process photos.
The belt clip
Since the TK65R has no hole for a possible loop (although it would be useless since the length of the flashlight) and holes for a carrying strap, Fenix have thought of creating this particular support to be inserted in the belt of his pants and to provide it with a practical snap-on clip to hold it steady and to be able to release quickly thanks to the handy button.
Externally is composed of tough and durable plastic, while the middle is made of metal. A "Y" shaped guide facilitates the insertion of the flashlight.
Square bottom tooth helps, working together with a spring to push out the flashlight during unlocking.
Looking on the back, ruffle better to view the presence of these two generous bystanders who accept belts of all kinds.
At the centre there is a square sponge that minimizes the hassles of bumps or rubs.
Seeing it from above you can see that this attack has a curved shape, to better adapt to the shape of the body and to give less hassle to the user while, perhaps, run his tour of ronda.
The locking system consists of the little triangular metal tooth that can be seen.
The unlocking of the flashlight is operated by a orange plastic key placed on the opposite side of the triangle. Just push this button inside to pull the tooth and then loosen your grip on the flashlight.
And here's a closeup on engagement present on the flashlight. As you can see, there is a notch where it goes to enter the tooth.
To frame the flashlight to the clip you have only to insert the coupling between the tracks and push until you hear a clack.
And this is how the flashlight engaged, both from the front
and from the rear.
How does that work
The Fenix TK65R has seven selectable modes, two of which are special levels (the strobe and the SOS).
According to official Fenix data, normal levels have the following characteristics:
- Turbo-> 3200 lumens
- Hight-> 1000 lumens
- Medium-> 400 lumens
- Low-> 150 lumens
- Eco-> 30 lumens
The flashlight has 2 buttons, one above is an auxiliary key while the one on the bottom is the main key.
To turn on the flashlight have to take hold for half a second the main button. Single click from turned up, the modes will cycle in ascending order. Hold for another half second to turn off the flashlight.
On the restrike, as the TK65R has memory, will be repeated the last mode used.
When it is turned off, if you hold the auxiliary button you will turn on the strobe. A single click, always of the top button, will activate the SOS. If we keep pressed the auxiliary button, you will turn off special modes. Whereas, if you press the main button once, it will go down to normal modes.
From turned on, if you press the auxiliary button once, it will take you to the special mode. From here, as discussed above, you can choose to turn off or to return to normal mode.
Since the flashlight does not have a physical lock-out, you can work around the problem with a electronic lock-out.
To activate it you have to press and hold both buttons for 3 seconds until the LED flashes 2 times. Inadvertent pressures of keys in lock mode will flash the LED 2 times.
To unlock the flashlight must hold the 2 buttons until the LED power-up.
Tails button, when pressed, turn on for 3 seconds the green LEDs that indicate the remaining charge. Each LED indicates a 20% charge remaining, the last can both stay on permanently (and indicate a charge between 20 and 40%) or flashing (to report a charge < 20%).
While the cells voltage falls, we will lose the use of high modes and will remain solely with the echo mode. When the residual charge is low even for this mode, the LED will blink 3 times every 5 minutes to warn us that it is vital to charge the flashlight.
Dimensions: dimensions and weight
The TK65R is 27 cm long and has a diameter of between 3.55 cm to 6.15 cm.
The battery is long 14.38 cm and has a diameter of 3 cm.
The flashlight weighs a total of 640 gr. Without the battery weighs 418 g while the battery pack weighs only 222 gr. The only belt clip weighs 66 grams.
Following, pictures for a dimensional comparison with a big BIC lighter
and with a Fenix FD30.
For fair playing, that's also the battery next to a BIC lighter and a standard 26650.
Lumen, runtime, candles and beamshot
N.B. The tests to follow were made with the battery pack supplied Fenix released. The whole thing was done in a homely environment at 21° with or without forced ventilation.
The following values were taken with the battery pack charged and are considered peak.
The following values were taken with the battery pack charged and are considered peak.
N.B. Discharge curves are obviously indicative, the result may vary in either positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or by the conditions of use that may vary from mine during my tests.
Any read discrepancies relating to tests made on the same level are due to a different positioning of the measuring equipment.
The following values were taken with the battery pack charged and are considered peak.
The following photo was taken at a distance of 20 cm from the wall.
Beam width
Beamshot of modes Turbo, High and Med. The tree line is 25 meters. The spill, with the spot facing the infinite horizontally, starts at about 1,30 meters from feet and, thanks to the bezel, there is the under-spill that comes near the foothills.
The cottage is located 70 meters, same levels used previously.
Personal considerations
Big and strong. These are the first two adjectives that come to mind thinking about this flashlight. Easy to grip and handle, the form factor follows the old TK60 but was revisited in a modern key. We find the great LED XHP70 and a powerful battery that powers everything.
The form got me back to mind right away those crime movies of a few years ago where they were using to look for some lowlife, despite the few lumens that there were at the time.
I think this TK65R is targeted to security guards or night watchman making rounds to check that everything is fine.The flash strobe and the size can be useful in case of self defense.
The UI is very simple to master and remember, belt clip and USB charging are another points in its favor.
As improvement I would much like to see a shortcut to High or Turbo modes, in the event of immediate urgency you lose time to cycle all modes. It would be also nice that you could insert into the flashlight body, besides the supplied battery pack, the classic 26650 even with a small adapter like the one used for CR123A. Obviously the connectors at the poles would have been different and would have been born the difficulty of managing charging.
I did not feel the lack of a sheath, the clip is the best choice Fenix could make. When the flashlight does not help, drop the weight on its side and is released more quickly than traditional scabbards.
In the long run the overall weight of the flashlight, in my opinion, does not lead to tire the operator.
Basically I want to promote this Fenix product targeted for a given a range of users.
What do you think about it? Would you buy it?
Thank you for the review. Looks we have a new standard issue (real) flashlight for all sorts of LEO’s.
With 0.6kg (give or take) it has enough momentum to serve and to protect someone who does not listen.
Edit: two 3.6V 26650 5000mAh batteries in series makes one 7.2V 5000mAh proprietary battery.
(with two batteries: double the Volts or the Amps, not both)
Thank you for the review. That my friends is what a security light looks like for those who work long hours in dark areas. Good size, bright, long run times, built like a tank. For those getting in and out of a vehicle often I prefer the smaller single cell lights that don’t get forgotten in the car. It would also be a great back up light for those working large areas you can’t get a car into, such as woods and fields.
Thanks for review.
My first impression of this light is “Wow! what an ugly design” lol
That battery pack is interesting. Does it contain circuitry to monitor the cells? With cells in series, I would be concerned about the cells internally diverging over time.
Thanks to all for the compliments my friends :heart_eyes:
Frankly, the battery pack is thicker than a normal 26650 so I assume there is some circuitry inside.
However, on the tailcap there is the LED’s that show the % of the charging of battery pack.
You have only to hope in good :smiling_imp: