TK35 Clone $ 38,00 at cnqualitygoods

KD version doesn't include holster.

As I understood, CNQG includes it?

Yep, it's an Ultrafire holster. It also fits the DRY triple XM-L perfectly, so pretty cool for me. :)

The holster also fits the Kingpower big head, Ultrafire U80, UF-980L and also TF-3T6, Sky Ray 3800 triple XM-L shorty mode (it's a tight squeeze). With the tail sticking out it can also carry the Solarforce MPP-1. So now all these lights are able to EDC if you wish. :)

6$ for a holster... well, ok ))

How much mA on max?

Can't measure the current on max. Check out my pictures.

Could you post a picture of the holster? Maybe some of the users have the lights you named in your post and want a nice holster.

Something like this, but the body of the holster is bigger and is of a somewhat semi-hard nylon material. The length is 8 inches and width and height are 3 inches, so it's not a small holster like those $3 stuff found on DX.

asd

Ah ha...found it! It's the same holster as the UF-T60.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultrafire-UF-T60-2-x-18650-CREE-XM-L-T6-3-mode-1000-Lumens-LED-Flashlight-Torch-/270837266419?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item3f0f28b7f3#ht_3790wt_1169

asd

I happneed to see the TK35 clone while I was ordering a DRY X3, and I decided to see how the clone stood up to the real thing, so I also ordered one.

Well here is the spoiler, it doesn't come close to the real TK35. That said, if I didn't have the real TK35 to compare to, I would have been impressed with the light. So most people probably would like it.

Don't read on if you want to save 50 dollars over a real TK35 for a flashlight that is ~60% as good as the Fenix. For the money is still a great deal. Ignorance is bliss, and in this case it saves real dollars to be a little ignorant.

Many of its shortcomings have already been mentioned, but I will list them anyway.

1. It is not as bright. I would say about 35% dimmer than the TK35 on turbo mode. It is a pretty substantial difference. The other modes aren't as bright either, except the lowest seems about equal. I was shocked how much dimmer. I checked over and over with many different batteries, and brands of batteries. I believe the 820 ANSI lumens that Fenix claims for the TK35. It has proven itself in test after test. The clone claims 850 lumens, but it is not even close.

2. The PWM is very strong and you can hear it plainly, as well. Very obvious in every mode except turbo. This will probably result in much shorter runtimes compared to the TK35 which is excellent in that regard (which has the more efficient constant drive in every mode). Although running dimmer might compensate. I will try to compare battery life later, but that might be hard when the TK35 can run for 170 hours on low. I actually did time the TK35 on high and got 6 hours and 20 min with AW 2900 batts.

3. The buttons feel squishy and cheap. There is some play between the rubber caps and the actual buttons, which makes them feel cheap, and also makes them harder to engage, unlike the TK35 buttons that feel solid, with very good engagement. Operations are very annoying on the clone, actually.

3.5. The on off switch on the real TK35 sticks out past the endcap, so you can't tail stand, but the clone can tail stand, no problem.

4. There is no memory. When you turn it on it always starts in low mode, but there is a really annoying bright flash as you push the on/off button before it settles into low. The flash seems to be brighter than turbo mode.

5. Sometimes the flashlight refuses to change modes. A sharp tap on the base with my hand seems to fix it for a while, but that worries me that eventually the flashlight will be stuck in low mode. I might have a defective model in this regard.

6. The hotspot is misshapen, larger in size, has a donut hole, and not as warm in color as my TK35 (which I also just bought about 2 weeks ago, and has a pretty much perfect hotspot). Dirt inside the mirror area on the clone, as well.

7. Very very minor differences in the machining of the metal parts, like slightly larger bevels etc. but most people would never notice. Internal metal parts are cheaper metals than the TK35, and won't last as long. For example the contacts are thickly reinforced where the head contacts the circuit board on the TK35 battery carrier. On the clone the head directly contacts the bare tracings on the circuit board which appear very thin and fragile, and prone to wear.

8. No lube at all on the O-ring which was already pretty chewed up.

9. No lanyard, no extra O-ring.

10. Awesome carry pouch for the clone that fits my new DRY perfectly, which is nice and better than the Fenix version.

11. Almost forgot, no limit to the time you can be in turbo mode for the clone. The TK35 limits you to 25 minutes, kicking you down to high, however you can override by turning it off then on again. The clone also definitely runs cooler and less bright, so that is probably why no limit.

Overall there is no doubt that the Fenix is the better flashlight in almost every way, despite the body being so closely machined. It feels higher quality, and the components used are obviously higher quality.

Worth the extra 50 dollars the TK35 costs over this clone? For me yes! My TK35 is one of my all time favorite flashlights.

But this is the budget light forum, right? And for this substantial savings over the real deal, it is still a very good flashlight for the money! I don't regret my purchase, I can live with its shortcomings for the price I paid for it. And for those who have never used a TK35, ignorance is bliss. Save yourself some money! Unless you are a perfectionist, in that case, it is impossible to beat the real deal.

thanks for your honesty

Hehe...i want a T6 3C netural white TK35.

Can only bear to touch/mod the cheaper clone.

Actually the warmer colour temp in the TK35 is the yellowish green colour. Sometimes it could be pretty greenish, sometimes it could be ok. I have this in my other branded lights in varying degrees like RRT-2 XM-L, Balder BD-4, Sunwayman T40CS, Fenix TK70. All these $$ lights seem to like this tint, which is great for high output but not so good for low output. The TK35 clone is great, not bluish like the STL-V2/DRY in high (1A tint) but in low it's not yellowish+greenish, which looks to me very pale.

I'm thinking about getting one for modding, too. I like the host format and the extra button. Shouldn't be difficult to change it to a parallel setup and use an AMC7135 driver with custom firmware.

@2100: Where do you get the XM-L 3C?

Got it from Ric....I have an order on the way (some replacement parts mainly a scratched bezel of another light) so i just tagged this together with it "FOC". :) http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1302

Other places are selling with shipping 23 bucks to 35 bucks! *faint*

Well I just got done testing the clone on high for runtime. It got 4 hours 34 minutes VS. 6 hours 26 minutes (I tested the TK35 again at the same time). This was with AW2900 batts.

The clone also ran much warmer than the Fenix during this test, even though it was actually a bit dimmer. PWM is much less efficient than constant drive. On turbo the clone runs cooler then the TK35, but I haven't measured runtime on turbo since the Fenix limits to 25 minutes at a time. The clone might run longer on turbo, don't know. Although dimmer.

Shank2001 can you post some pics please.

Shank2001, how long did it take you to receive the flashlight?

Got mine this morning.

I like it, apart from the deep scratch, about two inches long, running down the head and body of the light.

Someone has attempted to cover it with a black permanent marker. Not impressed.

I'll see what Ric has to say via PM.

Pantaloonie, you got it from CNQG?

Yes.

Some interesting info from local forum (torch.pl, user 'greg', translated by me so sorry for any problems, link in Polish) for those with soldering skills. There are two R200 (200mOhm) resistors in the circuit. Solder another one to increase current to the emitter by 50%. His results:

before after

1. min 60 mA 90 mA
2. mid 200 mA 300 mA
3. max 930 mA 1400 mA
4. turbo 1940 mA 2900 mA

Remember to improve heat dissipation - there's poor contact with emitter PCB and radiator + almost no thermal paste.

Pantaloonie, thanks for the information. As for the scratch - open a claim on paypal.

phantom23, amazing! :)