The assessment of the quality of a product depends heavily on previous experience with similar products. I myself discovered the world of "Super LEDs" in 2000 with the Fenix P1D that - although only the size of a lipstick - the brightest flashlight was that I had ever seen. The Cree LEDs were an entirely new dimension transmitted light, as revolutionary as the CD compared to the record. But this revolution took place in secret, in webshops and on the site of the torch freaks candlepowerforums.com. This "enlightened" untried even then seen power of tiny LED lights, while the ground today, 10 years later, halogen lamps, "30 LED Super spotlight" from the hardware store and LED Lenser buys. Welch fascinating intransparent market, almost a secret science ...
I bought in those 10 years the Fenix P1D, P2D and P3D, then the sensation was maxed out, especially known quadruple lumen amount for twice the brightness perception is necessary. Only this year, with the introduction of Cree XM-L awoke my interest re: almost 800 lumens compared to 2-300, which were previously the maximum, that was exciting. I ordered a TK35, which is one of the brightest of all the current Super-LEDs and was again ... just as overwhelmed as 10 years ago! Whow 'as much light from such a small package has not been seen before. People, if you so far only "Birnchenlampen" or halogen kanntet, you will completely blow this lamp. But even "enlightened" who are accustomed etc. Q5 LEDs will be overwhelmed. Buy, try - Hammer!
What preoccupied me before the acquisition, the question was "Throw" vs. "Spill". As is known, the person tends to selectively light to find a lamp with extreme concentration and range (= throw) as one that less far, but wider illuminates (= Spill). So I was very attracted by the EagleTac M3C4 XM-L, the more throw than the Fenix TK35.
I have just had the first night 3 hours by the Fenix in the woods and now also this question has been resolved: In the dark forest or field paths is spill, so a wide illumination to 40, 50 meters clearly more important than throw. The "wall of light" that provides the TK35 here helps to brighten the entire field and gives you the good feeling of having everything under control. Much better than the bright point of a pure "Throwers" far forward in the dark back and forth to "poke".
Nevertheless, there is no problem with the TK35, in turbo mode, for example. To shine 100-150 meters above a large meadow and seeing a swing, if there is something or someone. In pitch-dark forest path Turbo looks really like having a car headlights at all times. Even in semi-darkness, for example. in dimly lit residential streets, the Throw the TK35 than enough to brighten to 50, 60 meters every dark corner. Next you have to rarely look, because 50 meters are the natural focus of attention, anything beyond "comes only later anyway".
Anything else speaks for the excellent mix of spill and Throw, which offers the TK35: This lamp is "tactical": That is, the switch allows short pulses of light, as long as you tapping him lightly. If you come into a dark room, enough - thanks to excellent Spill - such "Lichschuss" to see everything. A lamp with even more Throw would produce a small, gleißendhellen spot, the trappings would appear relatively dark. In this respect, the TK35, the all-purpose lamp is par excellence, also for anti-terror units ;-)
All this in a format that is still fully compatible pocket. The reflector of the M3C4 has about 3-4 cm more in diameter, which is then already so like trying to squeeze a Kaffehäferl into his pocket.
The burn time with good battery ranges from 1.2 (turbo) to 14 hours or more (step 2). It is noteworthy that in the mountain forest before stage 2 completely enough to safely move which are then for 14 hours of light from a battery pack! The night may therefore be long ;-) Umbedingt recommended the purchase of 4 pieces. 18650 batteries and a good charger as the Pila IBC (which it currently does not exist unfortunately on Amazon), as with CR 123 batteries you will quickly "poor". The UltraFire charger, the Amazon offers do's around half the money also, but you must be sure to remove the batteries immediately after a full charge from the device, because the loader loads - although with less power, but - more and shortens lifetime of Li-ion batteries sensitive.
For discussed in some reviews yellowness of Beams: I've seen so far three TK35 in natura. The light one of them (my ;-) was pure white like a good HID headlamps, two were slightly yellowish, yet still whiter than the light from a 100W household light bulb. The Freaks on candlepower forums call this the "Tint-Lottery", the light colors lottery, resulting from the still large series dispersion in the production of LEDs. I personally like pure white, but it's a matter of taste and both have their advantages: Slightly warmer light forms foliage from clear and is always more pleasant than a blue or green tint. Pure white light makes perhaps indoors more ago.
"White-wall-hunter", so "people who light up white walls" could, bekriteln the not 100% homogeneous Hotspot: As the XM-L is larger than most previous LEDs, is their spot only with very large reflectors perfect bündelbar. That is, most of XM-L lamps have a slight "donut hole", a darker spot in the middle of the brightest light circle. The four times as many lumens of XM-L make up for it but plentiful. The "donut" might interfere with "White-wall-hunting", but not really in practical use.
To summarize: The TK35 is now (end of 2011) a must have for outdoors. In the house for me, it does the much smaller and lighter PD30 or 31. But: When you have too much light ;-)
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Update 2/2012
The TK 35 is still the most powerful lamp that I've ever had in my hand. If I now eg. need only to the basement to check the heating system, I do not need to think twice, what lamp I grab. The best flat. All other lights are OK for reading in bed or on the terrace, but if a "serious" lamp is asked, I take the strongest. With the most powerful battery pack. With the broadest variable luminosity. I used to think "size matters". But if there's a rustling in the stairwell and I do not know what to expect down there, then I take not of the most compact, but to the strongest light in my portfolio. Only with this lamp I can dazzle a potential intruder so that I see him - but he is not me. The TK35 is not for EDC (ie everyday carry), but it is too large. But it is the best tool I - indoors and outdoors - have. And that makes them the best equipment in every situation.
No buyer - no matter which lamp of experience - will regret the purchase of the TK35.
