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Body: The battery tube maintains a fairly clean look, with a thing raised lip machined at the front of the battery tube. There's a band of diamond textured knurling about 3cm wide, and two flat surfaces machined on with the Fenix branding printed on it. The TK12 has great ergonomics, it feels really comfortable and secure in hand with a hefty mass. I did find the grip ring to be slightly uncomfortable when holding the TK12 in an overhand grip, and it's also a little small for comfortably holding in a cigar-style grip, very much like that of the TK11. The wall of the battery tube is very thick, I'm confident that it can handle rugged abuse. Its internal diameter is wide enough to accommodate protected 17670 cells. If you wish to use 18650 cells, you will need to purchase the 18650 separately. The wall of the 18650 tube is obviously slightly thinner since it has a wider inner diameter. Threads on either ends of the battery tube are very well done, smooth and thick. Head and tail cap screw on very easily without any cross-threading or grinding, very nice. There are thick rubber o-rings which came generously lubricated. These serve are water seals, 2 at the front end and 1 at the rear end. The TK12 is advertised as meeting IPX-8 waterproof standards, although maximum submersion depth wasn't specified by the manufacturer. The threads at the rear end is coated as well so the light can be locked-out by loosening the tail cap. Type 3 anodized coating on its exterior surface is smooth and consistent throughout.
The tail cap has a hand of knurling for grip. At the rear end the tail cap has a deep 4-point scallop machined into it, one of the points has a hole for lanyard or key ring attachments. The rubber switch cap has a checkered texture and feels quite thick, and also protrudes out slightly from the tail cap so tail standing is impossible. The switch module housed in the tail cap is a forward push button, allowing for momentary activation which I personally think is a must-have for tactical flashlights. The switch has a noticeably longer travel than other Fenix products which use reverse push buttons. Clicking on the switch provides good tactile feedback and audible click. Switching mechanism is responsive so signaling with the TK12 poses no problems.
Bezel/Head:The entire head of the TK12 is machine from aluminum with a 5-point crenellated bezel which allows you to see if the light has been left on when placed head down. The bezel is thick and seems tough enough to stand up against daily usage. Beneath the bezel sits a toughened, AR coated glass lens similar to other Fenix products. A very lightly textured reflector is used in the TK12. Surface finishing on the reflector seems to be very well done indeed, highly polished and consistent. The emitter and reflector are perfectly aligned in my sample. The exterior sides of the head has 6 shallow scallops machined on it which seems to be more of an aesthetic touch, they don't really work well as an anti-roll feature. Looking inside the rear end of the head you'll see the PCB for the "+" battery contact though do take note that the TK12 does not have the reverse polarity protection implemented so that it will work with flat-topped 18650 cells. The threads on the head are smooth, clean and thick.
Output:The user interface of the TK12 is a welcomed progression from that of the earlier Fenix T-series. It provides three levels of constant output and a strobe mode. These are broken down to three sets with two output modes each as described below. Do take note that the lumen values below are manufacturer rated, actual measured lumen values can be found in the column to the right.
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Level
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OutputA
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runtime
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OutputB
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runtime
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Outdoor mode
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50(Lumens)/ 2405 (Lux)
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12 hrs
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225 (Lumens)/ 10860 (Lux)
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1.5 hrs
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Camping modeLux
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5(Lumens)/ 423()
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120 hrs
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90(Lumens)/ 4446(Lux)
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5.5 hrs
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Hunting mode
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Strobe
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3 hrs
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225 (Lumens)/ 10860 (Lux)
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1.5 hrs
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Runtime:
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Batteries
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Level
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Runtime
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Percentage
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2 x CR123A 1500mAh
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225 Lumens
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2 hrs 1 mins
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50 %
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2 x CR123A 1500mAh
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90 Lumensl
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7 hrs 5 mins
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50 %
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2 x CR123A 1500mAh
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50 Lumens
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15 hrs 4 mins
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50 %
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2 x CR123A 1500mAh
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5 Lumens
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~ 120 hrs
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50 %
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1 x 18650 2400mAh
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225 Lumens
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2 hrs 27 mins
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50 %
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1 x 18650 2400mAh
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90 Lumens
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7 hrs 44 mins
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50 %
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1 x 18650 2400mAh
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50 Lumens
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15 hrs 4 mins
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50 %
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1 x 18650 2400mAh
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5 Lumens
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~ 120 hrs
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50 %
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Switch:
When the flashlight is in output A:
Screw the flashlight head for selecting the output from A -> B -> A -> B (just like loose -> tighten -> loose -> tighten within 0.5 seconds) to switch to the next mode.
When the flashlight is in output B:
Screw the flashlight head for selecting the output from B -> A -> B -> A (tighten -> loose -> tighten -> loose -> tighten within 0.5 seconds) to switch to the next mode.
Batteries: For batteries, this light is approved
by the manufacturer for use with two CR123A 1500mAh or 1 x 18650 2400mAh
To change out the batteries: unscrew the tailcap, drop
out the old cells, place in new cells observing proper
polarity. Reattach the tailcap and you're ready to go.
Accessories: Several accessories are included
with the light. Inside the package you will find a Nylon wrist strap,
Spare rubber switch cap, Spare rubber o-rings, Optional 18650 Battery Tube and a Braided nylon lanyard. The Fenix
brand is one of the few I have received that included this many accessories, and I have never seen a light
include a spare rubber switch cover.
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fenix tk12 extend tube is not included in package
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Picky Little Things:Nohing to report
Conclusions: The Good - Solid build quality and cleanly machined. Nicely designed anti-roll grip ring which work well. Tactile and responsive switch.The Bad - Grip ring is uncomfortable when held in an overhand grip and is slightly too small to hold securely in a cigar-style grip.The Relative - Neutral white beam tint, close to sunlight white. Uses a forward push button which allows for momentary activation. Can't tail stand.
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