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- May 25, 2011
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I'm one of four people (in the USA) chosen to test and review the latest product from Fenix – the TK25RB flashlight. In return for my thoughts on their latest product, Fenix has allowed me to keep the reviewed item for my own use.
I applied to test/review the TK25RB for several reasons. Among them was a desire to review a flashlight from a layman's point of view. I find the technical reviews to be extremely informative, but sometimes a bit overwhelming for those who aren't necessarily addicted to flashlights and aren't into learning all the technical details of a flashlight.
In the not too distant past I did a lot of hunting, including hunting at night. In those days I was constrained to using flashlights (that required a heavy battery - typically the size of a lawn-mower battery) that didn't last long, weren't very bright, and didn't work very well. We would sometimes fashion a shoulder strap to help ease the burden when walking several miles per night, but even with a strap those flashlights were cumbersome and awkward. Carrying an extra battery was usually outside of the budget, and always a major hassle – it wasn't uncommon to run out of power long before we wanted to end the hunt; at which point we either had to trek back to the truck (for the spare battery) or we had to call it a night and end the hunt prematurely.
With my prior hunting experiences as a guide, I set about testing the TK25RB as I would if given the opportunity to fully test a product before making a purchase decision. I didn't purposefully abuse the item, but I wasn't careful with it either and ended up using the light in a much rougher manner than I ever would if I had purchased the product.
I'll get to the review in just a bit, but first wanted to explain the night shots (seen later in the review). The shots were exposed manually (in raw) with daylight temperature. I made no effort to be creative, or to make the shots appealing: I simply chose a composure that highlights the beam as best as I could and took the shot. I did use a tripod (long shutter speeds) but also used a model (to hold the TK25RB) who had to battle biting insects as well as the longish shutter times (some shots show a bit of blur). The fireflies were out as well, so the blips of light (seen in some shots) are fireflies doing their thing. I did not edit (in any manner) the photo's shown – I simply converted them into a JPEG and chose the shots I've used.
Up first is the product information (provided by Fenix lighting)(screenshot from their website)



Included in the package is the TK25RB, a spare O-ring, a clip, a lanyard, and a holster. Also included is a small pamphlet (instruction manual) and a registration card. The battery is not included.
Upon handling the TK25RB for the first time, I immediately noticed that the build quality was on par with other Fenix flashlights I own – excellent. The finish is nice; not too smooth and not too rough and the light has an overall feeling of substance that I look for in a tool. The end cap screws on/off easily and shows no sign of grit in the threads. The end-cap switches are just about perfect in my opinion – not too tough to engage, but not so easy that any movement engages them either. I did have a bit of difficulty attaching the lanyard to the end cap, but that is properly chalked up to aging eyes and fingers that sometimes have a mind of their own.
I applied to test/review the TK25RB for several reasons. Among them was a desire to review a flashlight from a layman's point of view. I find the technical reviews to be extremely informative, but sometimes a bit overwhelming for those who aren't necessarily addicted to flashlights and aren't into learning all the technical details of a flashlight.
In the not too distant past I did a lot of hunting, including hunting at night. In those days I was constrained to using flashlights (that required a heavy battery - typically the size of a lawn-mower battery) that didn't last long, weren't very bright, and didn't work very well. We would sometimes fashion a shoulder strap to help ease the burden when walking several miles per night, but even with a strap those flashlights were cumbersome and awkward. Carrying an extra battery was usually outside of the budget, and always a major hassle – it wasn't uncommon to run out of power long before we wanted to end the hunt; at which point we either had to trek back to the truck (for the spare battery) or we had to call it a night and end the hunt prematurely.
With my prior hunting experiences as a guide, I set about testing the TK25RB as I would if given the opportunity to fully test a product before making a purchase decision. I didn't purposefully abuse the item, but I wasn't careful with it either and ended up using the light in a much rougher manner than I ever would if I had purchased the product.
I'll get to the review in just a bit, but first wanted to explain the night shots (seen later in the review). The shots were exposed manually (in raw) with daylight temperature. I made no effort to be creative, or to make the shots appealing: I simply chose a composure that highlights the beam as best as I could and took the shot. I did use a tripod (long shutter speeds) but also used a model (to hold the TK25RB) who had to battle biting insects as well as the longish shutter times (some shots show a bit of blur). The fireflies were out as well, so the blips of light (seen in some shots) are fireflies doing their thing. I did not edit (in any manner) the photo's shown – I simply converted them into a JPEG and chose the shots I've used.
Up first is the product information (provided by Fenix lighting)(screenshot from their website)



Included in the package is the TK25RB, a spare O-ring, a clip, a lanyard, and a holster. Also included is a small pamphlet (instruction manual) and a registration card. The battery is not included.
Upon handling the TK25RB for the first time, I immediately noticed that the build quality was on par with other Fenix flashlights I own – excellent. The finish is nice; not too smooth and not too rough and the light has an overall feeling of substance that I look for in a tool. The end cap screws on/off easily and shows no sign of grit in the threads. The end-cap switches are just about perfect in my opinion – not too tough to engage, but not so easy that any movement engages them either. I did have a bit of difficulty attaching the lanyard to the end cap, but that is properly chalked up to aging eyes and fingers that sometimes have a mind of their own.