Fenix TK22R | Expert Review by Koen van der Jagt

How could you possibly improve a champion like the Fenix TK22? With previous updates of this popular series, the upgrades were focused on improving performance. Thanks to new technology, both the light output and the range were increased. With the latest version, the TK22R, the main focus is on improving ease of use. A new operating concept should make it even easier to control all functions. This calls for a test! In this review, I take the test and show what the TK22R can do in practice!

Contents

• First impressions
• When and how
• Controls and comfort
• What I like
• What could be better
• Value for money?
• Conclusion
• Beamshots

First impressions

As we've come to expect from Fenix' mid-range torches, this torch comes in a simple cardboard box. Nothing wrong with that, though the tab that closes the box tears off quite easily. Fenix uses renewed plastic interior of the box to keep the torch and its accessories neatly in place. The box includes the torch with battery, a holster, lanyard, charging cable and spare o-rings. You can get started quickly! Optional accessories include a remote control, diffuser, red filter, traffic cone and mounting material to attach the torch to a weapon. These are all sold separately.

At first glance, the TK22RR has not undergone many changes from its predecessors. When you look a little closer, however, a few things will stand out: the torch is a bit longer because of its built-in charging circuit. Also, the mode switch has been moved from the side to the rear. In terms of colour, the manufacturer sticks to matt black with this tactical lamp, this in itself is no surprise when we consider the target audience. Still, a camo option would certainly fit well within this series.

In terms of build quality and finish, Fenix has set the bar very high. Fortunately, the TK22R is no exception to the rule: this torch as a flawless finish, everything is that should move does so smoothly, the light source is perfectly centred and you won't find any sharp or rough edges on this torch. The ring around the lamp head has pointed shapes. This can be used to defend yourself, or to break a window in case of emergency. The light source has seen an upgrade too; even among LED manufacturers, innovations are constantly being developed. The TK22R features a Luminous SST70 LED, which is slightly larger than the SST40 in the TK22UE. The LED is nicely centred; this prevents deviations in the light profile. A smooth reflector turns the ray of light into a narrow beam. It's good that the ring under the lamp head (which protects the charging port) has a ribbing because it fits very tightly and you sometimes have to use quite a bit of force to unscrew it. This way, you can get a good grip on it. The sleek way in which Fenix has managed to hide the charging port is impressive. The body clip has remained unchanged, you can add a lanyard to it if you wish. What's great is that Fenix provides an easily adjustable lanyard. The ‘control centre’ of the TK22R is on the back. The large, rubberised switch has been moved slightly to accommodate the mode switch properly. This metal ring is clearly positioned lower to avoid confusion between the switches. Thanks to the nodge in the edge, you can easily locate it by touch. The torch runs on a powerful built-in 21700 battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh. The casing has a double suspension and can thus take a beating.

The TK22R leaves an excellent first impression on me. It's no coincidence that the design hardly changed, this is simply a good design.

When and how

The TK22R is a torch that performs best when you need to act quickly. This is because it is prepared for unexpected situations thanks to the innovative controls. However, you can use the torch in more ways than you might initially expect: you don’t necessarily have to be a police officer or security guard to carry the TK22R. With its blinding strobe mode and pointed bezel, you can also defend yourself in a precarious situation. This undoubtedly provides a sense of security on a dark cycle path or in dark alley. Thanks to the Duty mode, you can also make good use of this flashlight around the house. In short: the TK22R comes in handy in many different situations!

Controls and comfort

I generally prefer torches of this size: thanks to its pleasant size and weight, it does not become tiresome when used for long periods of time always together. It may be a bit too big for the average trouser pocket, but it fits inside most jacket pockets. Alternatively, you could always use the holster to carry it from your belt.

The TK22R is the first rechargeable version of this series. The way in which you charge it is identical to that of the TK20R UE's. The charging port is hidden so well that you'd have a hard time finding it if there wasn't an icon engraved at its location. When you unscrew the ring, the charging port is visible and the rest is self-explanatory. The light next to the charging port provides information about the charging process and the current battery status. After charging, the indicator ‘disappears’ behind the ring so you can't easily see how full your battery still is. This isn't the best solution, I think.

Fenix is using this control concept for the first time with the R version of the TK22 series. In a distinct notch on the rear edge, there is a rotary knob to set the mode or lock the torch. When the switch is set to the icon with the lock, the torch is fully locked. From the lock-out position, you switch to Duty and then to Tactical. You can then turn on the torch with the main switch, choosing between a half press for momentary-on or a full press for continuous operation. In Duty mode, you can select from four light levels. Switching between these modes is done by pressing the switch halfway after first clicking through. I think this is a good solution because when using momentary-on, the light mode that is in memory is always switched on. With the mode switch in Tactical, you only have two modes: turbo and strobe. Switching between modes is done in the same way as in Duty and again the last mode used is stored in memory. What I really appreciate is the fact that you can switch TK22R off and on again via the mode switch. The condition is that the main switch must be fully clicked through. This way, you can switch from lock-out to, for example, medium in Duty mode and directly to strobe in Tactical mode in no time. You can pre-program two favourite modes that can be activated within a second!

Beyond this, the TK22R doesn’t offer additional options for light modes. However, the torch does have overheat protection, which is not a luxury since small torches nowadays have enormous output and heat up as a consequence. In case of overheating, the light will decrease its output until it returns to a safe temperature. There is also a built-in warning to alert you to a nearly empty battery: when the power is low, the twill flash three times every five minutes.

I think Fenix has taken an excellent step with this operating concept. The ability to pre-program modes, in particular, adds value to this torch. The fact that the torch is modestly equipped in terms of features is, in my opinion, more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

This is what I love

The TK22R makes a strong impression in terms of build quality and finish. It’s no coincidence that the well-balanced design has remained virtually unchanged for years. I’d also like to mention the speed with which you can switch between modes and light settings. Another strong point is the way the USB port is protected against water and dust.

This could be better

In my opinion, the mode switch could have been a bit larger. You can usually locate the button easily, but it becomes more difficult when wearing gloves. I would also appreciate it if there were an indicator, such as a blink once or twice, to show which mode the torch is in. This seems like a practical addition, especially in the dark when you can’t see the icons on the switch. I also find it inconvenient that Fenix has placed the battery indicator next to the USB port; it’s now hidden behind the rotary ring, meaning you can’t check the battery level without unscrewing the ring.

Value for money?

The TK22 series is not cheap, so it's wise to make a well-considered choice. Compared to its predecessor, the TK22R is slightly more expensive, but its light output has been doubled. In that sense, the price is more than fair. Another factor to consider is that I have been using many Fenix torches for over 10 years without issue. If you buy a Fenix torch, you’re buying a product that will last you for years and comes with excellent service and warranty. These aspects definitely put the purchase price into a different perspective.

My conclusion

As the saying goes, 'Good wine needs no bush'. This also applies to the TK22 collection. This model has been a crowd favourite for years for a reason. The R is not only the most powerful, but also the first directly rechargeable version in this collection. This means you won't have to remove the battery before charging it, which is a significant advantage. With the new interface, you have full control of the torch. Given the target audience, this is a must. However, the mode switch is somewhat small; if you often wear gloves or have very large hands, you might consider the TK22 TAC. This has a similar interface with a larger switch but is not directly rechargeable. The light profile is highly versatile thanks to the excellent balance between range and floodlight. The endurance is also more than adequate, although it makes sense that a relatively small torch isn’t designed for continuous use at its highest setting. All in all, Fenix delivers an excellent product with the TK22R and a valuable addition to the collection.

In use; the beamshots!

The light image feels familiar and doesn't show many differences compared to previous versions. What stands out is the enormous hotspot, which is larger than with previous versions. The rest of the beam is also bright enough to maintain an overview; you can see that this torch effectively combines the best of diffuse and focused light. With the TK22R, you can also see the tactical ring of the lamp head reflected in the beam, which is why the profile is not round but more hexagonal. In practice, this won’t cause any inconvenience, but you can also see it in the images of the light beam below. I can’t detect any deviations in the cool light colour; this issue seems to have been resolved with modern generations of LEDs.

A forest in the German Alps was an ideal location for me to test the beam profile and light intensity and to capture it photographically. Below, you see the four light modes from low to high.

Here are some more examples of what it looks like with the torch in hand. The wide hot spot is striking, but the rest of the beam is also bright enough to keep a nice overview.

At one of my favourite locations (the Veluwe), I tried the torch in a slightly denser forest. Again, you can see beautifully how much area the TK22R's beam covers!