| Fenix TK30 | |
|---|---|
| LEP class | Class 3B |
| Distance | 1200 meters |
| Lumens | 500 lumens |
| Modes | 2+strobe |
| Avg. Price | $269 |
Fenix TK30 White Laser Flashlight reaching 1.2 km
In 2020, Fenix produced its first LEP flashlight, named TK30. I’m not sure why they choose that name because they already had a TK30 many years ago. But anyways, Fenix took the plunge and decided to get an LEP flashlight in their lineup.
Just like other LEP lights this size, it has a focused spotlight beam, but not as tight as the bigger ones like the Acebeam W30 and Weltool W4. Its hotpot is still smaller than most LED flashlights. One of the main differences between the TK30 and most of the other LEP lights is its strobe function.
The Acebeam W30 and Jetbeam M1X have only one switch. The Fenix TK30 has two; one rear switch for power and a side switch for changing modes.
Batteries and Charging
Fenix includes an ARB-L21-5000U 21700 lithium-ion battery with the kit. The battery itself has a USB-C port for charging. That, however, means it’s too long for a regular battery charger, so you have to use a USB charger. Charging is pretty quick and works with all types of USB chargers and even a laptop.
The battery itself has over- and under-charge protection. That means it won’t overcharge (above 4.2V) or discharge below 2.5V. When the light reaches a low Voltage, it will turn off. If you want to use 18650 batteries, you have to use an adapter. They won’t be long enough to make contact with the springs on both ends.
Performance report
Fenix claims an output of a maximum of 500 lumens, but with my own testing, I have measured 493 lumens. Also, its runtime is roughly 3.5 hours on High. But High doesn’t mean it does full power for 3.5 hours. It drops to somewhere between 130 and 200 lumens. That is quite a wide range you may argue. And that’s because of its regulation. If you look at the runtime graph it shows a zigzag pattern. In person, this is hard to see, but a lux measuring device clearly shows this up-and-down graph. This is how the TK30 is regulated, and the same pattern is used in other non-LEP lights made by Fenix.
Low mode will run at about 120 lumens or so for almost 6 hours, using the battery Fenix included in the package.
My measurements show that High can do 1296 meters at peak. But the output drops quickly, so peak beam intensity is only good for a few seconds. Within the first 15 minutes, the output drops from roughly 490 lumens to 250 lumens.
Get it
You can get it at certain stores around the globe. The TK30 has changed some specifications and went from a Class 3 laser to a Class 1 laser.. This helped to get the flashlights for sale in more stores, and in more countries. Products with class 3 lasers are forbidden in certain countries. So, you can either receive a Class 3 or Class 1 laser in your TK30. Although I only have the Class 3 one, I heard the Class 1 laser performed the same.
Another option is looking at its slightly bigger brother, the Fenix HT30R.
