Review: ACEBEAM TK16

roma58 · 2019-07-08T19:09:44.000Z

ACEBEAM TK16

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ACEBEAM TK16 is the new single button EDC lamp. There are several versions of ACEBEAM TK16; Copper, Alluminius and Titanium (as I write not yet submitted). Regarding the emitters we have an edition of Osram, a Luminus SST20 High CRI edition and finally one with Cree XP-G3 LEDs.

The ACEBEAM TK16 was won by me in a Giveaway made by Acebeam. The received version is the Copper version with OSRAM LEDs.
For the technical characteristics: http://www.acebeam.com/tk16

Main features:

- Innovative body construction is made of solid billet ultra conductive pure red copper
- High CRI (CRI≥95) LED resembles the nature of sunlight and reveals subtle detail of an object
- Long range beam distance up to 338 meters by OSRAM LED
- Customized 10C discharge current IMR16340 550mAh battery (RCR123 battery)
- TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic facilitates efficient light transmission with a broad beam and a generous throw
- Highly integrated tail switch switch for all easy operation
- Knurling and polishing finish provide a secure grip
- Multiple LED, multiple brightness and light range
- Compatible Battery: 1 x IMR16340 550mAh (RCR123) battery (recommended) / 1 x CR123A battery
- Strobe setting that can disorient an attacker or serve as a distress signal
- Detachable Gold plated clip and compact size for easy carry
- Streamlined body with slim head design
- Underwater 2 meters submersible
- 1 meter impact resistance
- Low battery voltage warning with flickering
- Intelligent highly efficient circuit board design for max. performance and long run time
- Intelligent temperature controlled light output for user safety
- This flashlight is available in 3 different LED options:
3*LUMINUS SST-20 CRI95 1250 lumens
3*OSRAM KW CSLNM1.TG 1300 lumens Throw 338M
3*CREE XPG 3 1800 lumens

- Size: 23mm Head Diameter x 66.5mm Length x 22mm Tube
- Weight: 75.8g w/o battery; 93.8g w/ battery

The ACEBEAM TK16 has two modes: Power mode and ECO mode.

When TK16 is powered by RCR123 battery (16340 550mAh 10C battery ):
LED option: OSRAM
Power Mode
Moonlight: 0.5 lumens; 6 days
Low: 20 lumens; 355cd; 37 meters; 12 hours
Med: 100 lumens; 1950cd; 88 meters; 3 hours
High: 478 lumens; 11000cd; 210 meters; 50 minutes
Turbo: 1300 lumens; 28500cd; 338 meters; 45 minutes
Strobe: 478 lumens; 1 hour

ECO Mode
Moonlight: 0.5 lumens; 6 days
Low: 20 lumens; 355cd; 37 meters; 12 hours
Med: 100 lumens; 1950cd; 88 meters; 3 hours
High: 478 lumens; 11000cd; 210 meters; 1 hour 15 minutes
Turbo: 780 lumens; 18200cd; 270 meters; 1 hour
Strobe: 478 lumens; 1 hour

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The packaging:

The ACEBEAM TK16 came to me in a beautiful white rigid cardboard box.
On the box we find the material and the LEDs chosen beyond the torch name. In my case the material is copper and the LEDs are OSRAM.

Inside, once the box is open, we have the beautiful TK16 in plain sight. To avoid oxidation, the Copper version will be shipped via vacuum package.

In the package we find:
- ACEBEAM TK16
- ACEBEAM IMR 16340 550 mAh battery
- Removable Clip
- 2 x O-Rings
- 1x Rubber button cap
- User manual
- Guarantee

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How the ACEBEAM TK16 is made:

The ACEBEAM TK16 is made of pure copper. This material retains its charm over time, slowly changing color due to oxidation during exposure to air. The color will show a lot of difference depending on the environment in which it is used.
The ACEBEAM TK16 is composed of two parts. Very nice line and design on the head and on the body.

The battery supplied with the TK16 is a 550 mAh IMR Li-Ion 16340 (IMR16340NP-550A).
Thanks to its high discharge current, it is able to operate the TK16 in turbo mode.

Technical data:
Design: 16340
Type: IMR16340NP-550A
Chemistry: lithium ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Terminal Type:: Button Top
Voltage: 3.7V
Final charge voltage: 4.2V
Final discharge voltage: 2.75V
Max. Discharge current: 5.0 A (10 C)
Capacity: 550 mAh
Temperature range (loading): 0 ° C to 45 ° C
Temperature range (flow): -10 ° C to 60 ° C
Diameter: 16.8 mm
Height: 33.7 mm
Weight: 17.5 g

Once removed from the sealed plastic casing, we find a small plastic circle in the tail of the TK16, to protect the switch, which must be removed.
It's the first time I've seen such a thing.

The ACEBEAM TK16 is really small and holds well. In hand it gives a sense of solidity and as mentioned above, the design and the ergonomic knurling on the torch gives the TK16 aggressiveness and elegance.

On the head we find an unscrewable bezel and the 3 TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optics that offer an efficient light transmission with the 3 "OSRAM" LEDs that in this version bring the TK16 to cover an ultra-long distance up to 338 meters, perfect for long distance sightings, search and save. At maximum power in Turbo mode, up to 1300 lumens are developed.

To the positive under the head we find a plated spring, by contact with the battery, a protective and insulating film from the electronic circuit and the two screws that hold the projector and the LED unit.

Body and tail are one piece. The contact of the negative with the battery takes place, even here, through a plated spring.
We also see the “room”, inside the battery compartment, needed with the electronic switch.

On the body is inserted a gold-plated clip that facilitates the insertion of the TK16 in the pocket.
The clip, with which the TK16 arrives, is already inserted on the torch body. The name of the house is printed above the clip. Unfortunately for an optimal hold, the only possible way of insertion is the one with
which it arrives. No difficulty in unscrewing the body from the head with the clip inserted.
The square design threads arrive well lubricated. We also see the water seal (2 m).

In the queue we have the only switch of which the ACEBEAM TK16 is supplied. The soft rubber button can be easily replaced by unscrewing the small ring in the tail.

Good click of the button.

The ACEBEAM TK16 has tail stand capacity.

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User Interface:

Single Click:
Single click for ON/OFF
Long Press:
1. When the light is OFF, long press for 0.5 seconds to activate Moonlight,
2. When the light is ON, long press to cycle from: Low, Med and High, loosen then at the select level (3 modes can be memorized).
Double Click:
Double click to activate TURBO, and double click again goes to the memorizated mode; every double click to cycle between Turbo and memorized mode.
Triple Click: STROBE
Lock & Unlock:
1. When the light is OFF, long press for 5 seconds to Lock the light after 3 times' Moonlight flickering. 2.When the light is Locked, long press for 5 seconds, the light will be Unlocked with 3 times' flickering and goes to Moonlight.
TK16 has two modes: POWER mode and ECO mode.
Exchange between POWER and ECO: when the light is Locked, if the light beam changes from dark to bright and goes out after continuous 10 times' click, it means the light will go to POWER mode after being Unlocked; otherwise, the light will go to ECO mode.
Note: There is only POWER mode when use CR123A battery.
Low Battery Warning: With the flashlight ON, it will step-down to Low mode and blink 3 times per 5 seconds when the RCR123 battery voltage is down to 3.1V (CR123A battery voltage is down to 2.1V).

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BEAM and RUNTIME:

The radius of ACEBEAM TK16 has some artifacts that are not particularly noticeable when we use the torch in the open field. Even the slight greenish shade turns into a beautiful white when we use the highest light levels.
The beam (spill) begins adjacent to the feet almost completely covering the walk. This version with OSRAM LED is excellent for shooting.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/7RiXEknNAX0

The first Runtime test was performed in TURBO mode (1300 lumens) in a closed environment and without forced ventilation. The battery used is the one supplied, a Li-Ion 16340 IMR 550 mAh, fully charged (4.20V).

Note: I would like to point out that the values expressed by the graphs should be taken, above all, as a reference because they are made with different environmental means and conditions from those used in the laboratory.

The ACEBEAM TK16, when the RCR123 battery voltage is low, emits lightning to warn that the battery is low and it's time to replace it.
The battery voltage at the end of the test in Turbo was 2.95 V.

Let's see the first few minutes ..

Another test was done by putting the ACEBEAM TK16, in the same environmental conditions, in HIGH mode (478 lumens) with forced ventilation and without.

CONCLUSIONS:

The ACEBEAM TK16 is a very compact and high performance EDC torch as the distance reached by the beam, in particular in the version with OSRAM LED I tested. Excellent raw copper and construction. Aggressive but also elegant design.
Too bad the power supply with a 16340 battery that partially limits the runtime.
Definitely recommended for lovers of raw copper and those who need a performing and compact EDC.

djozz · 2019-07-08T19:45:56.000Z

Nice review of a nice flashlight, thanks!!

(I may fall for this flashlight if a good deal comes by )

MascaratumB · 2019-07-09T01:24:12.000Z

Oh boy…this one is driving me crazy
But I’ll look for the aluminum one…!
Thanks for the review

SKV89 · 2019-07-09T18:15:25.000Z

I got the black aluminum with gold bezel on order. Best looking 16340 light I’ve seen yet and great UI. I wonder if this thing will fit the quad optic from Kaidomain, which is smaller than the Carclo quad.

MascaratumB · 2019-07-09T23:22:40.000Z

SKV89:

I got the black aluminum with gold bezel on order. Best looking 16340 light I’ve seen yet and great UI. I wonder if this thing will fit the quad optic from Kaidomain, which is smaller than the Carclo quad.

Thanks for your feedback
Can you please confirm if it has a Carclo inside of it is a “specific” optic? BTW, which Leds did you get?

SKV89 · 2019-07-10T01:34:19.000Z

I haven’t received it yet. I got the Oslon White Flat version. If it is good, I might get the SST-20 because I read the tint is supposed to be good on this light or I might swap it out with a Kaidomain quad if it fits. I know Vinh offers a quad mod for this light, which I’m guessing is most likely from a Carclo optic sanded down to fit.

g_damian · 2019-07-10T10:32:50.000Z

Here are some beam comparison pictures, originally posted What you got today - #9928 by g_damian

Three different LEDs (Nichia 5000K, Osram 6500K, Samsung 4000K) under carclo 10507 (different WB):

With white flat 2mm2 in BLF A6 OP reflector:

TK16 alone (in real life artifacts are not so visible):

desmondkun · 2019-07-10T14:16:01.000Z

Thanks for review.
Great throw and good looking small light.

uluNote10Plus · 2020-01-29T21:16:57.000Z

Does anyone know the real throw of the Osram LED?

Geuzzz · 2021-02-05T21:58:12.000Z

Just came here to praise this light after a year of use. This is one of best edc lights I have owned, more people should try this great light.

Love the copper and design, love the size, love the output and love the simple UI (and love the 219b’s I have in it). Probably my most used light at moment.