As far as I know, the Trustfire X-8 is as powerful as the TK41 (maybe even better). I have got the X-8 this week, but I didn't have enough time to play around with it yet. All I can say is, it throws better than my Brinyte C9. It draws 1550 mA at the tailcap from two 18650. The beam is very nice and not ringy at all. The hotspot (which is really burning hot) mesures just 15 cm on a distance of two meters, surrounded by a fat corona of about 80cm diameter. The spill is very even and about equal bright as the one of the MF drop-in. The X-8 is my best XM-L light so far and it sure worths the money. A solid design with very smooth treads and a very good heatsinking. The finish is smooth silky black, but sadly, it's sure not HA-III (it came with a small scratch on the head). If your budget isn't on the level of the Fenix, the X-8 is for you.
I know that $129 is not a budget light, but the TK41 is still one of the best values around for the money. Plus it doesn't look like a toilet plunger, it looks like a good old-fashioned flashlight. Waterproof, runs on batteries you can buy at Walmart, nice switch location, good mode management, incredible throw. It could be the perfect flashlight. I was this close to buying a TK35 when they announced the TK41, so I've been waiting for reviews and beamshots.
I'm guessing it blows the TK35 away in throw, and pretty much everything else except the HID crowd. And HID can get up there in the $500-2000 range for the good stuff.
BTW, the TK35 is the ONLY flashlight I've ever seen on Amazon with more then 5 reviews that got 100% perfect scores from those that rated it.
Are they overpriced? Probably, unless you are looking at Surefires, Pelicans, HDS, eagletacs, or Zebralights, etc.
I agree that it seems weird to have a $129 light. But I bet other folks would deem it strange to have $500 invested in 30 lights that each cost between 10 and 25 bucks.
Just saayin'
It seems to me that they are rating the output of the CREE XM-L T6 rather than the plastic features of the TK35…
The entire body is aluminum, and waterproof, I think the only plastic is the battery holder. Is that an issue?
Tail switch assembly of the TK35 is plastic. and the battery holder.
Nothing wrong with plastic, infact more practical, but to me its a part that seems a little out of place for the sake of "becasue you can" have more aluminium.. lol!
From selfbuilts review: "As always, I have some concerns over long-term stability with any all-plastic battery carrier. Although the TK35 carrier seems better than their previous offerings in the high-output class, the dual switch control area feels relatively cheap. In particular, the simple plastic plunger that connects to electronic switch does not inspire a lot of confidence (it also rattles at all times)."
It also seems that the tint can be horribly green and varies a lot and that it has steel screws that corrode.
All of this is fixed on the JETbeam BC40 that costs much less, so I don't think TK35 should be hailed as the perfect light.
Soo ugly... lol! Just personal opinion.
The TK35 looks better, except for the plastic tailcap.
I'd have gotten the Jetbeam, if it was not so ugly. It's the classic toilet plunger.
The throw should be better with the Tk41 than the Jetbeam. And AA batteries are convenient if the electricity is off and you can't recharge your 18650's
I'm not saying the TK35 is the perfect light, but if you read the reviews on Amazon there are always 5 or 6 negative ones on just about everything. The Tk35 is the only light I've seen with all perfect reviews.
For me, I think the TK 41 would be the perfect light. I like a lot of throw, I like the "classic flashlight" look, I like AA's, I like waterproof.
I just don't like $129, but you can't have everything I suppose.
The only problem with the plastic parts is that at this price there shouldn't be any, it just seems like cutting corners for extra profit.
I can't think of any lights with metal clickys or metal battery holders, but then again I don't have many expensive lights. Maybe my Pelican has a metal clilcky, but since I can't take it out, I'm not really sure. My original one broke and they sent me a whole new tailpiece with the clicky already installed.
DIY 18650 Metal Battery Holder
Stock Metal Battery Holder (sooo pretty!!!)
Looks heavy, but nice work. DIY is a whole 'nother world compared to off-the-shelf.
But I congratulate you on a great job. Stainless?
What light is that okwchin?
http://www.dealextreme.com/forums/Forums.dx/Forum.57749~threadid.867721
scroll down for the beamshots
The bottom aluminium one is the one that came with the torch. My DIY is the relatively nasty dremel cut pcb job lol. Had to make one quick becasue I ran out of CR123s to feed the torch with. 6x 123, gone in an hour, is not fun.
Man, that X8 is one gorgeous piece of kit!!! One day I hope to be able to justify $60 for it. Perhaps it will be on Santa’s 2011 wish list. 
Johnny
I really like the X8 as well, it's kind of odd looking and should be ugly...but some how it just manages to look like it's been made for the job it does instead. It is sadly a little pricey.
Hey, these are my beamshots :)
I am waiting for the Trustfire X8, it should be on its way to Belgium. If it gets through customs without too much delay, it will be here at the end of next week (if all goes well, last year there were problems with a bike-light i ordered at DX, and it took about 5 months to get it here...).
Manafont has the TK41 for $110.00 - just noticed it.