Fenix TK30 630 Lumen LED Flashlight

Outstanding light, excellent quality & extremely bright. Contrary to other comments, I did not have any trouble installing two Tenergy Li-Ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.7V batteries. The flashlight came with a magnetic tab to ensure that a connection can be made when installing batteries in series. I have just discovered that Tenergy has developed the same 18650 battery with a tab on the positive terminal. Each battery sells for approx. $7.40 thru Amazon. You will need two of them if you use the extension, which I recommend if you want to capture all 640 lumins. By the way, the quality of the flashlight is unmatched, it feels good in your hand and easy to use, but don't ever look at the bulb with your eyes, or you may have permanent damage. I like it better than my TK45, because the head is larger and throws a larger, longer beam. The TK45 throws more of a wide angle, but will stay cooler because it has three independent lights/compartments. Both are awesome, but I like the feel of the TK30 just a bit better. Lastly, I have not yet found a good case for the TK45, and found one right away for the TK30. Both lights are great.

I originally purchased this item in 2011 based on light output performance and reviews from others. That performance was great when new and build quality was (and still is) very good. I've been very satisfied with the light out put on "medium" mode over the past couple of years of infrequent use (15 minutes per night). Over the past couple of weeks after much more frequent use (60-90 min per night and deeper depth of battery discharge), the light output has dropped off dramatically (even with fresh cells, fully charged) to the point where I need to switch to max output mode to get reasonable light output. I do like this flashlight but I don't believe the drop-off in light output in only 2 years of intermittent use is acceptable to anyone.

Just got my Fenix TK30 today - it is a great flashlight. I got these along with the Tenergy 18650 Batteries with internal PCB. Basically it will not let the batteries over or under charge. Would take more care with the batteries but they are nearly as creepy as others seem to make them. Would recommend them with the light. Have to use the light to really appreciate how nice they are. The light is much skinnier than I expected. Using the single battery it is actually quite small - with the extension it is long and skinny.Overall I would highly recommend. Would be great for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

I've been a collector and user (public safety) of flashlights for a while and have most of the top end brands - this was my first Fenix. I liked the spec but mostly I bought it because of the rechargeable factor (the "guilt" feeling of turning on a Surefire M6 and using 6x123s up in 20 mins).So far I cannot fault this light. Bright, flexible, easy to use, seems strong and feels great in your hand.I did follow Amazon's "people who bought also bought" and got the Tenergy rechargeable 18650s but found these to be an incredibly tight fit and one actually ripped the cover exposing bare metal - way dangerous in Li-ion batteries! I ordered some Pila 18650s (600P) and these fit much better than the Tenergy cells. Nice to have the CR123 backup though if the rechargeables go out.Very, very bright and very clear white light with clear "Surefire quality" beam IMHO.Couldn't be happier with this and on the strength of it, also bought an LD20 which I adore also!

6/15/10- Been practicing the turn to change settings - getting better. Bought the 18650 Tenergy batteries and they fit snug but ok. I like those batteries for some reason. Guess cuz they are big. They look fine. Nice little metal button that came with the light works fine. Can't say the 18650's are any brighter than the surefire 123's. Got the Tenergy white colored charger for the 18650's and they fit in it ok. Goofy charger- green light / red lights - had to reverse the batteries while in the charger (unplugged it) then when I spun the batteries in the charger light went from red to green... Probably a good investment to buy an upgraded charger. Something more professional. Anyway they charged 2 batteries to 4.1 volts and 2 batteries to 3.8. Go figure. Anyway I'm good to go. Probably try something bigger and better- ie more expensive. Happy with Fenix - probably good value. So long for now.5/27/10 addendumWatched video Fenix advised me to watch on the twisting of the torch to get it to change modes. Trick is to turn the head ~ 10-20 degrees only in quick successions - twice. Yesterday I could get it to change modes ~ 50% of the time. Much better than before as my wrist was getting sore...I like the light - seem to like it better without the extension. It's bright and compact. I have enough other torches that are heavier and longer. Anyway I get happier every day. I would recommend the purchase even if it drives up my price if I buy a second one.I purchased the TK30 after having been very pleased with my TK40. The TK30 has been disappointing and I'm inclinded to send it back. It arrived in a 2 piece plastic wrap and 4 round pieces of tape were to hold the halves together. The left sided tapes were not sticking and one on the right looked messed up. There was no packing label in the box. I always get a packing label in the box....I can only conclude the case had been opened. Had I received a product that had been returned?I bought 4 CR123a batteries - installed them correctly and hit the button to turn it on -nothing happened. Did this several times and it turned on.For a while the light looked about as bright as the TK40...Next tried to cycle through the 4 modes. Turning the head about a half / quarter turn and it goes to another mode - or goes out. To cycle through you twist the head - loosen - tighten- loosen tighen. Let's say mine sometimes goes through the cycle and most of the time it goes to whatever mode it choses.Let me say the looks of the light are first rate. But I don't like 140 dollar paper weights.I'm torn in spending another 40 - 50 dollars to get rechargable 18650 to put into this flashlight that may work or not.What burns me is I have no idea if this product was someones else's toy before I got it or not. How does a new one - unopened work? I may never know. Amazon, you'll be hearing from me. I've been a free spending client of yours.For you the customer - buy the TK40. Stay away from the TK30 until the quality issues related to packaging are fixed.Addendum 5/25/10 Bumped my eval from a 2 to a 3 because Fenix customer service was outstanding IMHO.Hi, Sent an email to Fenix and they replied to me right away and send me a link to a video to show me the twisty thing...My package had a little button - round, about the size of a battery in diameter- with a metal nub in the center sticking out on both sides- I can only assume this fits between 2 baterries that do not have posts. Email Fenix and I bet they will take care of you.Did the Tenergy batteries fit into the tubes ok??? I know with the CR123A batteries there is generous room...I think I will keep the TK30 I have. The tape I describe- 4 round pieces ~ inch in diameter sealing the 2 clamshells - top and bottom . Now the clam shells have 4 indents in them, 2 on each side that snap the to halves together. The tape was only stuck to the back half of the clamshells and were not folded and stuck on the top half....Anyway- brightness of TK40 with alkalines (8) and the TK30 with CR123A is about the same. The TK30 with only 2 CR123A is very bright. I guess my next steps are to watch the video - it shows the TK12 which is said to work the same way as the TK30, and then purchase some 18650 rechargeables - you like the tenergy that amazon sells with this unit? I'm eager to try them... Best regards. PS - email fenix - they responded right away to me - I think they have a receptive customer service - I was impressed. They calmed me down. 4 stars for Fenix - Amazon...jury still out.

Problem with all Fenix flashlights I've owned: the switches go bad. I've cleaned all metal contacts as per their instructions to no avail. I've had the company replace one for me. I have two more that need to be sent back. This is one of them.

Cannot say anything bad about the fantastic flashlight. The only comment I have is that it did not come with a special spacer for the 2 battery set up. Had to make my own.