So I had this $150 safety award card about to expire........

[Termite]

........and I really didn't know what I wanted. Using it costs $.35 for each transaction, UNLESS you use it all up on a single transaction. Not enough for a new gun, and I recently bought all the 9mm ammo I want.
What to do.........

Well, it's not possible to have too many flashlights, and I don't have a super-duper-blind-the-goblins flashlight(read: 600 lumens+).......
So I ordered one.
A Fenix TK41. 6 modes, 800 lumens, 500 meter range(claimed), runs on 8 AAs.
Battery Junction had sent me a 8% off coupon code for Memorial Day, so I had to add various other nik-naks to the order to approach $150. Order total including shipping was $149.99.

I'll give a range report when I get in from work, and can scare the neighbor's dog with it.

Pic

TK41.jpg

[morsetaper]

I've been curious about Fenix for some time. They have a loyal following amongst the tinfoil hat/survivalist/prepper crowd. I've been looking for something about the size of a Surefire 6P, but with a pocket clip for camping/backpacking purposes. Just trying to avoid paying a Surefire price, and something made in a communist country. If I can't find something made here, or in any other semi-free nation, I might just go ahead and spring for another Surefire.

[Termite]

Just trying to avoid paying a Surefire price, and something made in a communist country. If I can't find something made here, or in any other semi-free nation, I might just go ahead and spring for another Surefire.

Streamlight PolyTac C4 LED. 120 lumens rated, uses 2 CR123 lithium batteries, 2-3 hrs runtime(to 10% brightness). 3 colors available.
$33, from here.
Doesn't have a pocket clip, but it's an excellent light. I have a yellow one mounted in an underbarrel clamp on my Mini-30.

Also, take a look at the lights offered by Battery Junction. I've had very good service from them. The TerraLux Lightstar 220 is an excellent AA flashlight: for $21.05. LINKY. I don't know where it's made, though.

[evan price]

My EDC light is a Fenix. Right now it's an older L1T which has impressed me with its durability and bright light. It wound up getting the other guys here at work to buy them too. Runs on 1 AA cell and is plenty bright enough for anything I need to do even on the low-beam setting. On high beam setting I can easily see to the end of my property where the dog is playing (about 200'). No pocket clip and it can and will roll away since it is round. CREE LED and it is automatically voltage sensing to not damage the LED. Can also be used with two AA cells with an extended body (L2T).
I thought I had lost the L1T so I looked for a replacement and found it is discontinued so I picked up a Fenix LD10-R5 which also uses one AA cell and is much brighter, has a belt or pocket clip and is shaped so it won't roll away. Also has hyperstrobe mode which is interesting. Much brighter, white light, very easy to use, quite durable.
I happened to find my L1T which I had been using to inspect brass and had rolled off the coffee table under the couch, so I put the LD10-R5 away for just in case and went back to the L1T.
I give Fenix two thumbs up, good lights, great prices.

[Combat Controller]

FYI all surefires are made in communist china except for the lens. That's legal when they assemble it and mark it Made in USA. I actually manufactured stuff in the same plant that makes the surefire bodies and in the same city as the tailcap and switches. Seen them in person. In short you pay US prices for commie quality. Might as well just order from Deal Extreme and pay 20% of the cost.

[Termite]

...all surefires are made in communist china except for the lens.In short you pay US prices for commie quality.

But it's really good commie quality...........

[Combat Controller]

Sure, the chinese can actually make some stuff higher quality than the US. I make stuff there. I would rather not, but that's economics for you. I was moving away from them to SA but I sold my company a few months ago and started a new venture. Now I am only manufacturing in the US, no need for China.

[Greg]

My EDC light is a Fenix. Right now it's an older L1T which has impressed me with its durability and bright light. It wound up getting the other guys here at work to buy them too. Runs on 1 AA cell and is plenty bright enough for anything I need to do even on the low-beam setting. On high beam setting I can easily see to the end of my property where the dog is playing (about 200'). No pocket clip and it can and will roll away since it is round. CREE LED and it is automatically voltage sensing to not damage the LED. Can also be used with two AA cells with an extended body (L2T).
I thought I had lost the L1T so I looked for a replacement and found it is discontinued so I picked up a Fenix LD10-R5 which also uses one AA cell and is much brighter, has a belt or pocket clip and is shaped so it won't roll away. Also has hyperstrobe mode which is interesting. Much brighter, white light, very easy to use, quite durable.
I happened to find my L1T which I had been using to inspect brass and had rolled off the coffee table under the couch, so I put the LD10-R5 away for just in case and went back to the L1T.
I give Fenix two thumbs up, good lights, great prices.

I have a pair of Fenix L1T's, the version with the RB80 (Rebel) emitters (well one for me, one for my wife). We're both very happy with them.

If you like Fenix lights, you should also look at Quark lights as well. A guy who was a major Fenix importer/reseller decided to start his own line of lights, similar to Fenix but improved based on input from customers. I have an AA Tactical (with the AA2 tube as well) and it's one of my nightstand lights. I need another head and tailswitch, because I really want 2, one AA for EDC one AA2 for nightstand duty....

[evan price]

I have a pair of Fenix L1T's, the version with the RB80 (Rebel) emitters (well one for me, one for my wife). We're both very happy with them.

If you like Fenix lights, you should also look at Quark lights as well. A guy who was a major Fenix importer/reseller decided to start his own line of lights, similar to Fenix but improved based on input from customers. I have an AA Tactical (with the AA2 tube as well) and it's one of my nightstand lights. I need another head and tailswitch, because I really want 2, one AA for EDC one AA2 for nightstand duty....

My L1T is a v2.0 with the RB80 LED in it too. Very impressive and artifact free white light beam.

[Termite]

I know I promised a field test on the Fenix TK41, and I actually did it, but without pics, and I gotta go back to work 7 days early. One of our guys on the opposite crew needed hernia surgery, or some such silliness.......

Stay tuned.......