The Acebeam TK17-AL is a bright, durable EDC flashlight. This light comes with your choice of one of three LEDs, allowing you to choose the quality of light you desire the most. The Samsung LH351D LED provides the greatest amount of light output, topping out at a massive 2300 lumens! The Osram KW CSLNM1.TG LED is specialized for long range throw, making the TK17-AL more ideal for spotting, search and rescue and late night navigation. The Nichia 219 C LED provides a neutral white light that is easier on the eyes and gives a more naturalistic color rendering to your surroundings. This flashlight comes with an 1100mAh 18350 battery, outfitted with a USB charging port for fast and easy charging. The body of the TK17-AL is lightweight yet durable aluminum which is further anodized to prevent oxidation, scratches and more.
I received my TK17 219C version. It looks much nicer in person than I thought though it is a little long for an 18350 when compared to the Thrunite T1. I saw some pics online of another Acebeam light with 219C and the tint appeared very rosy so I thought they got a better batch. My EC65 with 219C was very greenish. I took some measurements of the TK17 219C version:
As you can see the positive DUV puts the tint on the green side and I’m not a fan of the tint at all. However, I’m surprised the real output meets Acebeam’s rating of 1400 lumens. Especially considering most of my Acebeams measured lower than Acebeam’s output specs, which includes my TK16 and TK18.
What really bothers me with this light is that strobe is built-in to the main modes so you have to keep going through the strobe before you can cycle back down to low. Acebeam what the hell are your engineers thinking!! Was the UI on this designed by an intern? After owning so many well designed Acebeam lights, I thought they would only get better. I’m shocked Acebeam decided to copy those $1.99 flashlights with strobe built-in to the main mode on their latest TK17.
I do not recommend the TK17 unless you do find it annoying having to frequently see strobe while changing brightness modes. Acebeam should learn that strobe should always be hidden from the main modes.
Wow. Acebeam did that? In late 2019? That’s a real shame. I like having strobe for those rare occasions, but it absolutely must be outside of the primary menu. I would never buy this light because of this drawback. This is a UI from 10 years ago.
That pic is representative of the final version I got. It uses the Acebeam 18350 with built-in usb recharge. I measured 1,008mah. It does not fit unprotected 18350 like the Aspire or Vapcell.
Here are measurements I took of the different Acebeam TK series flashlights using the Texas Ace Lumen Tube calibrated with Maukka lights measured at 2 seconds. I love this series but not so much the emitter options. The Osram is actually my favorite tint in this series even though I'm not a CW fan because the negative DUV in the Osram makes it look pure white. I just wish they offer some below the BBL (negative DUV) NW tint in the future.
Got the TK17 with LH351D in both Aluminum and Titanium. My impressions:
Nice looking light. Looks a lot like the Lumintop LM-10, but a lot smaller and lighter.
Feels great in-hand. Grip is excellent. The light has enough ridges and slots to provide superb grip. Grip is better than many lights with traditional knurling.
Output with LH351D is extremely bright and floody.
Interface is good for a clicky. No electronic switch. This is a simple reverse clicky with 5 brightness settings in sequence. Approximately 1-second off-time mode memory. (remembers the mode if you leave the light off for at least 1 second). The aluminum version has a strobe after turbo. The titanium version has the same 5 brightness settings but no strobe.
The steel clip on the aluminum version is quite good with a nice lip that slips over the edges of pockets quite well. The fancy silver clip on the titanium one looks pretty, but I think probably isn’t as functional as the steel clip. It grips fine, but has numerous artistic protrusions to get caught on things. And the smaller lip makes it harder to slip over pockets.
My overall opinion: I really like this light. This surprised me as in many ways it is a step backwards. It has a clicky switch when I tend to prefer electronic switches. And it’s definitely not the smallest or shortest light around for its 18350 battery size. It feels a lot better in the hand than my FW3A with 18500 cell, which is similar in length, but fatter than the TK17.
It was Bangoood and they didn’t want to give up without a fight. I thought I had PayPal on my side, and yes I did except PayPal wanted the defective goods (valued at less than $50) returned which would cost $80 in shipping from Canada.
After some extra tinkering on my part, I ended up finding a way to make the item I purchased work, and I have since learned not to request full refunds from Chinese Companies in PayPal disputes.
Some additional observations now that I’ve had these lights for awhile:
Easy to mod - the Bezel on both the aluminum and titanium TK17s are not glued. Performing an emitter swap is fairly easy.
The LEDs are wired in series. This light uses a boost driver! If doing an emitter swap, I recommend reflowing onto the existing star rather than using a third-party star.
They use standard Carclo optics.
The aluminum TK17 with LH351D has a very nice high-CRI 5000K tint. The Titanium is also high CRI, but the tint is cool white. Maybe 6000K. Too cool for me.
The star is copper and screwed down.
The aluminum version has an aluminum socket for the metal button. The titanium version has a brass socket.
The clip on the Titanium one looks nice, but is not practical. The molded decorative “X” shape extends over the sides of the clip and gets caught on pockets. Also the silver clip lacks flexibility.
Jetbeam clips for the RRT-01 fit well, but may need a small spacer (easily cut from sheet copper or aluminum) as they are thinner than the stock Acebeam clips.
The Aluminum version is 5 modes + strobe with off-mode memory. the Titanium version is the same, but has no strobe mode.
Output is very good for the size of the flashlight.
Hand feel is very good. Both aluminum and titanium versions feel very grippy in the hand. However, the edges on the titanium version are sharp and feel uncomfortable. I fixed that with some steel wool, followed by a polish.
Conclusion: These are very nice little lights. A bit on the pricey side (especially the Titanium), but if you find a good enough discount well worth it.