Talking Points – Fenix TK35UE

Ambassador Justin J.

Philosophy of Use
• Outdoor enthusiast, law enforcement, military. I bought the TK35UE strictly to put in my camping backpack. I wanted one of the medium sized Fenix TK models since they are a dream to own durability wise. This model is no different. I’ve found it works great for any outdoor applications. It would be a great option if you didn’t own a flashlight and you’re looking for something to keep at your front or backdoor. It’s definitely beefy enough for military or law enforcement use. There is a high level of confidence when carrying this light in your hand. You just know it’s going to work every time you press the tail switch.
Size/Weight
• 10oz without batteries. The weight is great for any kind of local camping you might do. For someone who hunts and needs to pack as lightly as possible, I’d take a look at the TK16 V2. It packs a similar lumen output at less than half the weight of the TK35UE. Just make sure and carry a spare Fenix 21700 battery.
LED/Lumens
• Max 3200 lumens. Comes outfitted with a Cree XHP70 LED. The full range of light options is perfect. The Eco mode is very useful and obviously 3200 lumens is very bright. You get the best of both worlds.
Beam Distance
• At 3200 lumens you get 984ft. (300m). It’ll reach pretty far but if you need something that’ll go way out look at the Fenix HT18. It has a beam that seems to never end. The TK35UE is no slouch though. It’ll light up a field in a second. I can easily spot anything way up in the trees at night. I can spot coyotes way off in the distance too. They simply cannot escape this light.
Functionality
• The toggle switch allows you to switch between tactical mode, outdoor mode and the lock-out function. This was the main reason why I bought this light I wanted to have some flexibility aside from the regular rear tail switch. I think Fenix did a great job utilizing the toggle switch on the rear of the light with the switch just beside it. It’s easy to get to both by adjusting your thumb just a little bit. I tend to leave mine in outdoor mode and very rarely switch it to anything else. I have access to all the light output modes from this position.
Battery/Accessories
• Comes with a holster, lanyard, spare O-ring and USB charging cable. Batteries aren’t included (2 X 18650). Make sure and pick up a few extra as well to have for emergencies. Also, make sure you buy the Fenix brand as they are the highest quality on earth. They make the absolute best batteries to go along in their lights. I’ve never had a single hiccup in more than 20+ Fenix branded batteries that I currently own. They are bomb proof. I love the lanyard they included. It’s super high quality.
Durability/Reliability
• IP68 waterproof and dustproof. Much like the rest of Fenix’ lineup, the TK35UE is definitely built to withstand just about anything you throw at it. It’s one of those lights that you can toss in a bag, car, truck, backpack, and know that it’s going to fire up every time you press the switch. There aren’t many lights on the market today that I could say the same for. I never have to worry about dropping the light on hard concrete and it stop working. Water has zero effect as well. We take it on every camping trip because it’s one of those lights that you can rely on to get you through the entire trip. On the Eco mode you 152 hours of runtime. That’s insane for a light that can fit in a cargo pant pocket. This is also one of Fenix’ TK models. I’ve found the TK series to be built extra tough for people who need the added beefiness.
Value
• $139.95. The TK35UE has a ton of competition in today’s market. Fenix also has a ton of other lights that are newer. However, I believe this light still holds its own amongst the multitude of other options out there. For one, it’s a TK model. For me, that automatically is a huge plus. Think about gasoline vs diesel trucks. This is a diesel with turbo, along with a few extras.
Final Thoughts
• I’ve been wanting this light for over a year. I know it has been out for a while but something about it kept drawing me in. I think the big lure for me is the toggle switch. I’ve always appreciated the thought that goes into the design of lights with toggle switches. They provide you with various options, and I like to have options when faced with different environments. Since I do a ton of outdoor hiking and camping, I knew this would be a great option for me and my family. I like having the ability to toggle the light to the lock-out function when the kids are around. I tend to use the outdoor mode the most. That gives me access to the brightest lumen count while also giving me the ability to change brightness levels. I personally never use the strobe function.
• Fenix makes some great lighting equipment. I’d like to also see their holsters come a little beefier with the TK models. They do sell a more robust holster, but I’d rather just pay the extra dough for a packaged holster that is designed to fit the light perfectly.
• The range of light output is very nice with the TK35UE. The Eco is really more than enough for a ton of tasks. One or two steps up from that and you really don’t need much more. The high and turbo modes are great for times when you need that added extra punch late at night when you hear coyotes outside your tent. Lighting up the forest is comforting when you hear sounds you’ve never heard before (bobcats screeching).
• Overall, I’d buy this light again in a heartbeat. It’s solid as a rock and will last a lifetime if taken care of. My kids will more than likely get to keep this light many years from now. Hopefully, they will get just as much use out of it as I have. Fenix makes some amazing lighting tools!