Fenix TK76 – futuristic, 3 LEDs, a new concept – throw and spot in one flashlight
Fenix offers a few flashlightusers the possibility with the global testing campaign to review the new Fnix TK76. The reviewers got a pre-sale product without accessory – only with a copy of the manuel.
There was a small problems during the delivery process and as a result I got my review sample not as early as the reviewers in the USA or Asia.
I want to thank Mr. Auler of the Flashlightshop in Germany, who assists me with the customs services process - this is a little bit complicated here in Germany.
My review model is probably a later one, because I notice slight variations between this and the CPF user firelord (for example the word Fenix TK76 is not recessed). So I think that this is quite close to the final product.
A nice detail is that my test model has some Chinese characters and I found only one other with these (all testers of the western world have Latin letters and even some of the Asians do not have the Chinese version [like the review on shoudian.org shows]).
This are the things I got.
Link to Fenix with some more pictures and information.
Manufacturer and model : Fenix TK76
Dimensions: Length: 224mm diameter battery tube 52mm, head (longest range) 96mm, weight: 800g (without batteries), approx 1000g (with 4x 18650)
Material: Aluminum HA III
LED modes:
LED Type: 1x XM-L2 U2 (spot), 1x XM-L2 U2 (120 ° flood optic), 1x XM-L T6 (60 ° flood, structure optic).
Each LED has four brightness levels, which can be combined individually (in ANSI lumens per LED): Turbo (933Lm) 3.5 h, high (350Lm) 11.5 h, Mid (135LM) 33h, Low (7lm) 200h.
*All three LEDs together: *Turbo 2800 lumens 1.2 hours , high 1100 lumens 4h, mid 420 lumens 11h , low 20 lumens 66h , Intensity on turbo: 50800cd.
Hidden modes: Strobe (15 and 2 Hz switching): 2800 lumens , SOS 420 lumens
Battery Type: 4x 18650 (recommended), but it will also work with 2x 18650 or other combinations (for details please take a look at the point battery power).
Other data: Ultra Clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflection coating, 3 LEDs with different lenses, low voltage warning, battery indicator (4 LEDs), tripod mount, IPX8, drop resistance 1m
Review accessory: Only a copy of the manuel.
Retail version: Packaging, instructions, spare O-rings, warranty card, manuel
Price in Germany: 279.90€ (I think this is the price for Europe), US $299,95
Despite the name, it has little in common with the TK75 - so it is not a successor of this, it is a completely original concept.
Size comparison:
I use two flashlights, which are well known and many users will have one of these: Solarforce L2p and ThruNite TN31.
LEDs:
The TK76 has three LEDs and each is housed in a separate area of the head. Each LED has a different lens and is designed for a different purpose.
It has a larger spot in the middle and two flooders on the sides with two small lenses.
The spot use a CREE XM-L2 U2 in cool white and has a good range.
The LED is centered and the lens is coated. The SMO reflector is in perfect conditions (diameter 42mm).
In addition, the TK76 has on the right side a CREE XM-T6 L2 in neutral white with a structured 60° lens. The lens is made of plastic (diameter 17mm).
The last LED is also a CREE XM-L U2 in cool white, but has a strong curvature of the lens outward up to 120° (diameter 17mm). It is therefore intended to illuminate a large area as possible. The range is less than the 60° lens, but it covers a larger area.
Here you can see quite nice, light beam of each LED.
The flashlight has for each area its own LED and by the combination of all three an impressive turbomode. Of course, it is compromise if you compare it with specialized thrower or flooder. On the other hand, all combined into one torch and who takes as example a Fenix TK75 and a ThruNite TM15 at the same time - both flashlights take away more space and weight and are heavier than the TK76. You also need more 18650 batteries for both.
UI - functions of the buttons:
The five buttons might find some deterrent, but in my view they make the handling extremely easy. Each LED has its own button, with which you can go through the brightness levels. The button position is responsible for the corresponding LED (the left button for the left LED etc.) and the logo shows the function, too. The curved lens that diffuses the lightbeam at the widest shows the symbolically (more small rays), the turbo button has a ittel sun etc.
This allows you to combine your very own light, for example spot on high , flood NW on mid and flood CW on low. Any combination is possible. If you press the power button all LEDs are switched off at once.
If you want turn on all at the same level again, you press the power button again.
If you want to use only one LED, press the corresponding button to the LED for two seconds and it is switched on in the brightness in which it has been turned off the last time. A short press and will increase the brightness by one step. To turn off press one button again for about 2 seconds.
So you can start each LED individually or all at once and may also turn off each or all LEDs together.
With the turbo button (yellow sun), all LEDs are turned on in turbo mode. If you hold the button for 5 seconds it “locks” in the turbo mode and you can release the button. Less than 5 seconds it goes out again with release of the turbo button. The mode also functions as a instant turbo mode.
When one switch is pressed and hold, the functions of all the other switches are turned off at the same time. So if you want to change in the brightness of two LEDs, you have to turn LED one and after this the second.
Once again, a short summary of the light modes and buttons:
- switch all three LEDs on or off: Red power button
- switch one LEDs on or off: Just hold the corresponding gray LED switch for two seconds
- wants to change the brightness level at a particular LED, press the corresponding gray button once
- turbo mode (all LEDs full power): Yellow turbo button
Strobe:
To switch into strobe press and hold the power button for 1 second. In this mode it strobes on turbo brightness with all three LEDs first with 15khz later with 2kHz and shortly changed again. Especially the rapid combination is extremely unpleasant for the eyes, what I have already found only in the reflection on the white wall.
SOS:
Press the power button for 3 seconds. The flashlight is flashing with all three LEDs in the mid mode.
Features of the light indicators:
Each head has four own small LEDs that gives information on the current brightness level of the corresponding LED. As long as the LEDs light up blue everything is perfect. Once they switch to red, it indicates that the battery no longer have the power for the mode, then flashes briefly and switched ine level down. It starts with the fact that it switches from turbo switches back to high and the LEDs light up blue again. Now it is no longer possible to select the turbo mode and with decreasing battery power slowly more modes aren’t available. When the final level of the indicator turns red and starts flashing, the batteries should be changed.
Purple LEDs: It shows the power indicator level. Press the spot LED switch quickly two times and the purple LEDs will show for 3 seconds the power level. It will not blink the voltage level - there are only 4 LEDs (the same which show the brightness level). 100% full has four purple LEDs.
I notice that the blue LEDs of my review sample do not light up all 100% the same. On the right everything is ok, the other two are each slightly different from the color of light (one LED is more turquoise blue all other dark blue).
Workmanship:
The threads and o-rings are very well greased on the delivery and the threads are cut neatly.
On my sample I could find three small defect in the HA III, where I assume that only occur with the review copies and fall out in series production by quality control. The battery tube is very well made inside.
The lettering (both the name and Chinese characters) are attached clean.
The battery carrier has some slight scratches. The driver has minor scratches at the positions where the battery carrier contacts when screwing them.
Battery carrier:
The battery carrier holds 4 x 18650 batteries. It is the same design as the TK75, also resembles strongly that of the TK51 and is a 2S2P system. Two batteries in series and parallel, too. With this it is possible to operate the torch with only 2x 18650 (turbo mode is available only a few seconds with 2x 18650).
Unprotected batteries with flat head and protected top (even the extremely long protected Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh with approximately 70.3 mm fit) with a button fits without any problems. In my test I choose unprotected Flattop 18650 of Samsung, protected with button-top Panasonic NCR18650B and XTAR button top unprotected 2900mAh high drain. All configurations ran flawlessly.
The battery carrier makes a very high-quality impression and it is clearly marked, how the batteries are placed in.
Very nice are the small are the small hollows which make it easy to take off the batteries.
What I’m missing is an arrow to identify which side of the battery carrier is inserted into the housing.
From the construction I find it the best I’ve ever had in my hand. In contrast, the carrier of the ThruNite TN31 is very simple (a few struts, springs, finished).
Other reviews from beta testers from the USA or Canada showed that the battery carrier came with rusted bolts. Mine are all fine. I noticed on my battery carrier that the contacts on the positive poles of 18650 bays are loose in its holder. If only two bays are filled and two bays remain free these contacts rattle when you shake the battery carrier. If all four bays are full of course nothing rattles , as applied to a battery at each contact . My battery carrier is from the 12th Sept. 2012 (when the numbers on the battery carrier represent the production date) and was produced for the Fenix TK75. In the other reviews has been expressed that antedated battery carrier for the beta test TK76 were used. That’s why I ’m not about small scratches such as surprised at the ring contact.
A user from a German flashlightforum has already confirmed that in his TK75 and the two spare battery carriers nothing rattles.
Batteries:
Recommended are 4x 18650, because all modes can be used normally and the instructions of the manufacturer have been tested with these (with Fenix ABR 3400mAh).
In the manual is written Fenix ARB-L2 recommanded, 18650 li-ion cautious, 18650 LiFePo4 usable. CR123A, 16340 banned.
Later the manual said that in an emergency 4/8 CR123A batteries may be used , the turbo mode but then not necessarily will work.
On the Fenixhomepage the TK76 is extended with the AER- TK75 kit (the same extension kit, which is used for the TK75). With this the runtime is doubled. Thus, it would therefore be a 2S4P system. The TK75 can also be operated with two or more extensions as all renewals only increase the number of parallel-connected batteries. In the TK76 which therefore is also possible - but whether it makes sense because of the length and weight , is another question . With one extension it has a length of 33cm and a weight of 1,2kg (with batteries)
Weight and balance:
With 800 grams (without batteries) or about 1000 grams (with 4x 18650) it is not a lightweight. Weights of the TK75 510 grams without batteries, the ThruNite TN31 460 grams.
If you walk with the flashlight, you realize very quickly that it is quite heavy, which can be uncomfortable in the long run. However, if the modes are changed not often, it can carry more comfortable (just below the head) and there it is quite balanced (although then it takes a little longer to reach the switch).
On a tripod it sits very balanced, which is attached the corresponding thread in the back of the head.
The wide end cap gives it a good and stable position on the end cap - it’s tailstandable. The tailcap has 4 wide lanyardholes, through which two strands of paracord fits easily.
It comes without a holster on the other hand: Who wants to have 1kg hang on the belt? I would prefer a shoulder strap like the TK61 has.
For fixing the lanyardholes at the end cap are ideal. As a second side, either one of the free slots next to the LEDs would be to choose, because there are also wide louvers, which are suitable for threading through or what I would regard as a perfect solution: You need an eyelet with thread, which are screwed into the tripod hole. Thus, all the buttons at once with the forefinger can be reached, as they look buttons down when you hang them over the shoulder.
Beamshots:
My camera isn’t really good for beamshots (no matter how I change the setting) and the numerous reviews in the CPF shows better beamshots, here are just three.
Once a comparison of the two flood LEDs on the second level, which nicely shows the difference in color of the CW U2 to NW T6:
The spot of the TK76 (XM-L2) at the highest level against one really good thrower on the market: ThruNite TN31 Turbo (XM-L2). It is seen that the beam of the TN31 is far more intense, but you should not forget that it has also round about 450 lumens more.
The Fenix TK76 in turbo mode (all LEDs at the highest level).
What I miss on the TK76:
A comfortable carrying system (eg, as described above as a shoulder strap and mounting points as the tripod mount and the lanyardholes) .
The flashlight has three LEDs and some light indicators, but if it is turned off, you will not find it any longer in the dark. It would be very useful if you could turn on one of the indicator LEDs as a standby light when it is needed. That should not draw much power and you could find in the dark quickly.
Conclusion:
The TK76 is another great example of what is possible today and combines good concepts (number of LEDs that can be controlled individually, spot and flood combined) in a body. Since the weight is 800g not surprising and the many lumens need a good heatsink for cooling down and a good size, but it is really big and heavy. The head has quite a bit of modding potential (spot dedomed, the two free spaces in addition to the small Flood LED) and maybe there are even later times , a 5 LED variant. The control and functionality is very well thought out and the low voltage warning works exemplary.
Nevertheless, it is a compromise solution because the spot will never be as good as a pure thrower and the floodlights properties of pure floodlights are inferior. But if you want an interim solution you should look closer this torch, because it has great features and an awesome workmanship.
The design is extraordinary and I like it.
I think it’s good that Fenix has demonstrated courage here with the design which looks not as 95% of all flashlights.
