Yeah, this request is way off topic, but needing to know.

Has anyone had experience with handheld tactical lights? Fenix brand TK series, or SureFire? Looking at the Fenix TK12 R2 since cost is reasonable and performance appears good. I've been reading reviews, but most seem to be tainted by reviewers also selling the same thing.

If you have had experience with other brands, good/bad I would also like to hear about it. My main requirements are compact size (< 6" length and <= 1.5" diameter), multiple mode (50 - 225 or 240 lumens and strobe), aluminum construction although poly might work and water resistant. Run time is flexible, but prefer 10+ hour @ 50 and 1.5 - 3 hours @ 225-240; strobe time won't be much of an issue.

Most won't understand why anyone would want a light like this, and that is fine - my wife won't either and she will probably be a little more than upset at the cost - she thinks a $5 flashlight from Wally World is good. I know the Maxa Beam is the ultimate, but not a tac light as too big and insane on cost - besides I don't need a beam to throw 1.5 miles.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

Planning on some night-time hunting?

The TK12 claims 1.5@240 and 12@55

What batteries are you considering? I ask because the CR123A seems to have several mah ratings.
The 1550s will prolly outlast the 1400s, and that could make a pretty sizable difference on time.

I don't have any experience at that level, but I do have a fairly beefy maglight I use for computer stuff.

Our rescue unit uses the Fenix brand TK10 series. Been using solid for last few years and love them. Nice piece of equipment for us out in the outdoors needing light- either at night time, in caves, or needed to search fallen homes/debris traps. Works well in the elements- snow, rain, even dropped in water. Fits good with my tac-vest too

General mode is close to the 10 hour mark. Of course, a lot has to do with the exact element you are in. We used these on a deployment in the NWT and in -40 weather the time dropped to about 8 hrs. Still we tried various lights and these seem to fit both our need and our budget- considering I have to gear up two teams of 5 members.

Cheers

I have the Surefire E2E ($80) I carry on the bike with me.

Pro - Great light provides a nice tight beam with no dark spot in the middle.

Con - Gets real warm fast, and there is no dimming of the light. When the batteries are done it is over with Darn near no warning which can be a little awkward if your stuck on the side of the road or in the middle of the woods. Batteries are not available everywhere which I find to be a PITA.

I also carry a LED flash light I got a Sams Club Serengeti for $15....Brighter "White" light batteries last longer and actually has a better throw distance. I like them both but for everyday use on the bike I prefer the LED. Plus the LED has a flashing mode for if you need help. Uses 3 AAA.

Thanks for the replys.

Sing, I am mainly using the light as a self-defense light - hence the strobe and the lumen requirement. It will also be used out in the country as a general purpose light so I needed the run time at lower lumens. Like Toyman, I also need a light with me when riding that I can easily carry. The batteries I will be useing are of two types: rechargeable single 18650 Li-Ion rated at 3000mah, and backups using CR123A lithium batteries rated at 1550mah. The rechargeable will be the primary battery I use.

Thrawn, I appreciate your comments because I know what a light has to go through doing what you are doing, and dependability is crucial. I like the Fenix a lot and it meets my needs/wants, and the price is very good. I am having a hard time making a decisiion between the Fenix TK12 and the Olight M21 that is rated at 500 lumens max (doubt if it reaches that). I read the reviews of the M21 on http://www.candlepowerforums.com it sounds like a very good light, and saw a comparison of the TK12 to the M20 (wish it was to the M21). The Olight is about $35 more than the Fenix and uses a more advanced LED setup, but the Fenix light settings are more flexible.

I do think the price differential may be the deciding factor because the wife just saw the prices, and I need to keep peace in the family. The combinations are approximately $150 for the Olight and $115 for the Fenix (including charger, Li-Ion and CR123A batteries. Now all I need to do is hit "submit" on the order.

[Edit]Wrong URL on candlepowerforums corrected [/edit]

I did finally, after a few hours of research and hearing from Thrawn, go with the TK12.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

If you dont mind me asking, "self defense"?

Reader's Digest version: The light is a striking weapon that can also be used to temporarily blind someone through either pure lumen capacity or strobe use. A good tac light uses LEDs and aluminum construction and are a lot more rugged than your average light. Thrawn uses a light for search and rescue which is a very good example of how well they have to be made. I was looking for a good tac light as an additional option to concealed carry lethal force.

There are a lot of options for self defense in addition to lights and each has strengths and weaknesses. I just want to extricate myself if possible from any situation. If a person draws a lethal weapon, everything escalates and a 124 grain chunk of lead can't be brought back.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

Note to self: "Do not try to invade Prom's home sector.."

Unless you have a bigger light

LOL, prome wants to literally photon someone...

But as long as you stay 1.5 mils away from him you should be ok, cuz he didnt buck up for the outragous light!

Just stay out of his sector, you'll be fine.

And don't be fooled by the strobe It's NOT a beacon.

lmao. Funny thing is I never knew that lights were a major hobby for people when I started looking into a decent handheld. Crazy people on lights, but then I still play an ancient text based game sometimes.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

I probably shouldn't show this to the people that play TW, but here ya go:

http://www.wickedlasers.com/index.php

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."