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Gear up for an in-depth review of the Fenix TK22 TAC, a tactical flashlight engineered for rugged performance in high-stakes scenarios.
With its versatile Tactical Mode, this compact powerhouse is built to impress law enforcement, outdoor enthusiasts, and EDC aficionados alike.
We will explore its durable construction, intuitive dual-switch system, and impressive 540-meter beam throw. Join me as we explore what makes the TK22 TAC a must-have for anyone seeking reliability and brilliance in a tactical light.
Table of Contents
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FENIX TK22 TAC
RATING
SPECS
- Max Lumens: 2800
- Max Candela: 74000
- Max Beam Distance: 1,772 feet (540 meters)
- Max Runtime: 49 hours 30 minutes
- Lighting Modes: Two operating modes; Tactical operates Turbo and strobe, Duty operates four brightness levels and strobe
- Bulb Type: Luminus SFT70 LED
- Lens Material: Glass
- Colour Temperature: Around 6500K
- Size: Length: 6.06” (154mm) Head: 1.57” (40mm) Body: 1.02” (26mm)
- Weight: 5.5 oz. (156g) excluding battery
- Battery: One included 21700 rechargeable li-ion battery
- Included: Fenix ARB-L21-5000U Li-ion battery, USB type-C charging cable, lanyard, holster, spare O-ring
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Guarantee from Fenix Lighting USA
PROS
- MECHANICAL FUNCTION SWITCH
- ALUMINUM TACTICAL SWITCH
- FUNCTION SWITCH LOCK
- FUNCTION SWITCH HAS VERY DISTINCT CLICKS
- PICATINNY RIFLE ATTACHMENT
CONS
- SPONGY TACTICAL SWITCH
- LARGE FLASHLIGHT HEAD
PRICE
IS THE FENIX TK22 TAC WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED CASH?
Yes. At only $120 US, the Fenix TK22 TAC is worth the cost. Although there are a couple of design features that could be changed, it gives you nearly everything you need and want in a very nice and, more importantly, functional package.
OVERALL
The Fenix TK22 TAC Tactical flashlight is a very solid flashlight overall. It has a strong aluminum body, lithium-ion battery, and Luminus SFT70 LED, which provides a bright white light.
The TK22 TAC has an above-average candela or beam intensity of 74000, which is extremely good for a flashlight of this size. It also has a decent amount of spill, making it useful at both close and long distances.
Although not solely used on the TK22 TAC, the mechanical function switch is fairly unique and one of the traits that brought it to my attention.
The mechanical switch offers a very quick and seamless change between the different flashlight functions.
The head is larger than I would like and can hinder the storage capabilities, but the TK22 TAC’s light intensity and ease of functionality make up for the oversized head.
Overall, the TK22 TAC is an efficient and effective tactical flashlight.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
When I first got my hands on the TK22 TAC three things came to my mind right away. One was how well built it was; the body is very solid with a black type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish which gives it a sleek tactical design.
The second was how much I liked the tail’s mechanical toggle or function switch. It’s extremely practical and easy to operate with one hand in daytime and nighttime conditions.
Finally, the third trait that stood out was the oversized head of the TK22 TAC. With today’s tech, there is no need for an oversized head.
You can get just as much out of a narrow head while keeping the flashlight easily storable anywhere on your carrier or belt.
Other than the physical traits, I was very pleased with the TK22 TAC’s initial performance. It is extremely bright, throws far, and has decent spill, which allows it to be used for more day-to-day operations rather than just a spotlight.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Along with the TK22 TAC, Fenix includes one rechargeable battery, a Type-C charging cable, a nylon carrier, a lanyard, a spare O-ring, a user manual, and a warranty card in the box.
Nothing is proprietary about the charging cable, so you can use any type-C cable.
The carrier is strong and has a hook-and-loop strap on the back, so you can attach it to a belt, thread it through MOLLE on a carrier, or pack it back.
HOW DOES IT HANDLE IN THE FIELD?
It handles great. I was able to test it at around the 350-400 meter mark and it lit up the forest at that distance.
For as intense as the main beam is, there is also quite a bit of spill from the TK22 TAC which makes it a strong multi role candidate.
Testing it within ten meters of my house (ten meters is the average distance of engagement for a home invasion), it is extremely blinding and disorienting. However, I don’t like that there is not an instant strobe on the tactical setting.
The strobe is near instant, however, but there is a solid one-second delay before it kicks in when the light is constant. I personally want an instant strobe to be truly instant for maximum usability in a tactical situation.
QUALITY AND DESIGN
BODY
The TK22 TAC was created using A6061-T6 aluminum which is pretty common in the tactical gear community as it is strong and lightweight.
As I stated earlier it has a black type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish. This is an extremely nice finish and helps to increase the longevity of the flashlight.
The knurling is not aggressive at all and is more for looks than functionality, as it won’t truly help increase your grip. However, it does feel nice in the hand.
BELT CLIP
The belt clip is strong and stiff, ensuring a solid hold when clipped onto gear. Many belt clips on flashlights are quite flimsy and nearly unusable, so having a strong clip that’s usable is a quality addition to a flashlight.
It isn’t reversible, however, so it can only be worn one way.
STRIKE BEZEL
The TK22 TAC’s strike bezel is one of the biggest I have seen on a tactical flashlight. It has fairly sharp edges and large strike points, which make it much more efficient for striking.
One positive aspect of the large head of the TK22 TAC is that it acts as a solid hand guard, preventing your hand from slipping when you strike something.
MODE SELECTOR / TOGGLE SWITCH
The function switch, toggle switch, or more selector, whatever you want to call it, is one of the main aspects of the TK22 TAC that drew me to it.
This mechanical (meaning you have to physically change it) style switch, I find to be so much easier and more effective for tactical and everyday use, much more so than electrical switches.
With electrical switchs you have to usually cycle through modes with a combination of pressing and holding the tail switch or a secondary function switch.
Depending on the flashlight this can sometimes leave you guessing whether you’re in the right mode or not as the mode switch’s while the light is very low or off.
Or it potentially gives away your position as the light is on and changing as you change the mode.
The mode selector on the TK22 TAC has a snappy, audible click when you change modes, which shows the switch’s high build quality.
TACTICAL SWITCH
The tactical switch operates the TK22 TAC’s two different modes: Tactical and Duty. Tactical mode operates instant turbo and near instant strobe, and duty operates all four lighting modes plus turbo.
The tactical switch on the TK22 TAC was bittersweet.
I really liked that, like the body, it was made of aluminum, but it was the first switch I had experienced with Fenix that was a bit loose. It has a very soft detent at the bottom with next to no audible click.
The switch jiggles slightly as you press on it, making it feel cheap. So, although I like the fact that the switch is aluminum, I have not been impressed with the feel of the tactical switch on the TK22 TAC.
I would choose a more standard rubber switch with a better feel, even though I like the aluminum one.
BATTERY
For the TK22 TAC, Fenix went with a 5000mAh 21700 rechargeable Li-ion battery.
The battery is capable of storing a large amount of power, enough to keep devices like flashlights or small electronics running for a long time before needing a recharge.
It’s designed to be reused hundreds of times, offering a reliable and cost-effective energy source for gadgets that need strong, lasting power.
The port to charge the battery is in itself instead of the flashlight. This is good, as the charging port being contained inside the flashlight ensures dirt and water never get into it.
However, it also means when you do want to charge it, you have to completely remove the battery, exposing it to potentially negative elements.
LIGHT
The Luminus SFT-70 LED is a powerful light source that makes flashlights like the Fenix TK22 TAC extremely bright. It shines up to 2800 lumens and up to 540 meters with a candela rating of 74000.
It’s energy-efficient, lasts for tens of thousands of hours, and its reliable, intense light is perfect for tough tasks like search and rescue or tactical operations.
FUNCTIONALITY
The TK22 TAC is a fantastic field flashlight and highly functional in nearly any role you would deploy it.
The highly focused main beam, as you can see in the photo below makes it ideal for search and rescue and tactical situations. You’ll be able to light someone up over two football fields away or completely blind a nighttime home invader.
Also, the TK22 TAC gives quite a bit of spill, which makes it highly effective as a standard camping or general home-use flashlight on its lower settings, as you can light up a decent-sized area.
It can do all these things with controls that are some of the most intuitive and easiest to use switches on a flashlight that you’ll see.
The large head does mean it can only sit in its sheath one way, which limits its storage capabilities, but its functionality ultimately outshines its minor design flaw.
This shows the flashlight’s beam a little more up close, offering another view of how focused the main beam is with spill.
WHAT I LIKE BEST
MODE SELECTOR
I have touched on this a few times, but let me beat a dead horse.
I am a huge fan of the mechanical mode selector on the tail of the TK22 TAC.
It is just so easy to use, and it ensures that in a tactical situation, you will never have an accidental discharge, turning the light on and giving away your position when you don’t mean to.
It’s silent, easy, precise, error-free, and a gem to use. I can’t say 100% of the time, but I think in most cases, I’ll take a solid mechanical switch like the TK22 TAC over an electronic one.
RIFLE MOUNT
Fenix also makes a very nice and simple-to-use rifle mount and remote switch for the TK22 TAC. The mount can attach to M-LOK or Picatinny rails, and the remote can be mounted via the same rail or a hook-and-loop panel.
The remote is multi-switch and gives you instant strobe and instant turbo. This makes the TK22 TAC ideal for attaching to an AR-15 platform or similar rifle.
CONCERNS AND CRITICISMS
HEAD SIZE
My one main criticism, again, to beat a dead horse, is the flashlight’s large head. Fenix could have given the TK22 TAC a much narrower head and kept the properties that make it so good.
True, you might lose a little of the spill, but that would be a minor price to pay for easier storage compatibility and easier use for people with smaller hands.
SOFT TAIL SWITCH
The tactical tail switch is by no means a deal breaker, but it could have been nicer, whether with a slightly stronger spring or a stronger internal switch offering a firmer detent or both.
CONCLUSION
The Fenix TK22 TAC flashlight proves itself as a top-tier choice for tactical professionals and enthusiasts, delivering a powerful 2800-lumen beam that reaches nearly 600 yards with the reliable Luminus SFT70 LED.
Its innovative rotary tail switch, offering seamless toggling between Tactical and Duty modes, ensures intuitive operation even in high-stress situations, while the included 5000mAh 21700 battery provides impressive runtime.
The flashlight’s IP68 waterproof rating and rugged aluminum build make it a dependable companion for law enforcement, search and rescue, or outdoor adventures.
For those seeking a balance of brightness, durability, and tactical versatility, the TK22 TAC is a standout performer that won’t disappoint.
This flashlight is a worthy addition to your gear lineup, whether you’re on duty or exploring the wilderness.
