Fenix TK16 Review 2025: Upgrade Dual Tactical Tail Switch flashlight

Last Updated on March 19, 2025

The Fenix tk16 flashlight is durably constructed from a durable aircraft grade aluminum body. It has a premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish. In addition, the tactical flashlight has a dual spring design for better impact resistance and more ideal for flat-head batteries. The anti-roll and slip resistant body makes it be ideal for tactical use. Read this Fenix tk16 review to know more why I am recommending this tactical flashlight.

The Fenix TK16 rechargeable flashlight has a toughened ultra clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating that prevents the led bulb from being damaged. The Fenix TK16 flashlight is compact and lightweight for simple use and storage. You can use the pocket clip or lanyard to keep it secure when not in use.

Technical Features of the Fenix TK16 LED Flashlight

Features	Fenix TK16
Maximum Brightness:	1000 lumens
Minimum Brightness:	10 Lumens
Maximum Run-time:	150 hours (10 lumens)
Minimum Run-time:	1 hour & 10 minutes (1000 lumens)
LED:	Cree XM-L2 U2
Beam Distance:	240 Meters
Impact Resistance:	1 meter
Modes:	5 (1000, 400, 150, 10, 1000(strobe))
Body:	Aircraft-grade aluminum
Length:	140 mm
Waterproof standard:	IPX-8 (Underwater: 2 meters)
Weight:	122 grams
Battery Include:	Yes (Two CR123A Lithium)
Price:	Check Today’s Price

With tons and tons of flashlights on the market, choosing the best come sometimes be a tricky task. This is because there are different brands and models of flashlights. They differ in features and usage, too. Select a flashlight that meets your needs and the environment that you usually operate in. For instance, if you are an angler, you need a flashlight that is water resistance just in case of rain or when you need to swim.

Fenix is a brand that is famously known for its quality flashlights. Started many years ago, Fenix offers some of the top flashlights with outstanding features. If you’re looking for a tactical flashlight, then it’s great to consider acquiring it from Fenix. In this review, we are going to look at the Fenix tk16 led rechargeable light. This is an upgrade of the Fenix tk15 flashlight. You can also check other versions like Fenix e12 or Fenix uc35 flashlight.

Fenix TK16 Review(video):

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Operating the Fenix tk16 led light is very easy and quick. It has a dual tactical switch. The first switch is the tactical tail switch for momentary-on function. This is held for it to light on/off. The second switch is the tail mode switch. This is also referred to as the strobe switch. It is as well used for cycling the different light modes and the strobe mode. Use it to select low, medium, high, and turbo mode. The low mode uses 10 lumens and runs for 150 hours, the medium mode uses 150 lumens and runs for 10 hours, the high mode uses 400 lumens and runs for 3 hr 25 minutes, while the turbo mode uses 1000 lumens and runs for 1 hr 10 minutes.

Why buy Tactical flashlight like the Fenix TK16?

Outdoor enthusiasts and flashlight lovers know the importance of having a sturdily built and reliable light. If you have ever hit your foot to a raised pavement or meet a thug as you return late from work, then you know how crucial it is to have a flashlight. A quality flashlight with bright light will ensure that you arrive home safely without hitting your foot or disorienting a thug as you take off. So, you should ensure that you have a flashlight with you always.

If you’ve been looking for a tactical light for use outdoors, in the backyard, for camping or even hunting reasons, the feni tk16 1000 lumen flashlight is the best. The flashlight has the ability to resists the impact of up to 1 meter. For the many years that I’ve been using this light, it has fallen on the floor in my garage several times but it still functions exceptionally. Furthermore, the light has a waterproof rating of IPX-8. This implies that it can be used underwater up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. So, you can use the rechargeable flashlight to dive in water or in heavy rainfall, and it will still function very well.

Fenix tk16 flashlight is safe to use, unlike some other tactical lights. The flashlight has different safety features that make it be durable and reliable. First is the low voltage warning feature. This feature enables you to know when the flashlight needs to be recharged or what percentage of the battery is remaining. In addition, it has reverse polarity protection. It prevents the battery from being inserted wrongly in the battery compartment. And finally, there is the digitally regulated output that maintains constant brightness. Also, the light comes with a striking face bezel. This can allow the user to break glass or hit a thug with it. After buying this flashlight, the Fenix lighting Company offers a limited lifetime guarantee to the buyer.

Related: Best 18650 Flashlight Review

Troubleshooting table for the Fenix TK16 flashlight:

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Flashlight not turning on	– Plastic insulation disc not removed – Battery improperly installed – Depleted or faulty battery – Loose tail cap – Extra O-ring causing poor connection	– Remove the plastic insulation disc inside the flashlight body – Ensure the battery’s positive end faces the flashlight head – Replace or recharge the battery; test it in another device to confirm functionality – Tighten the tail cap securely – Ensure only one O-ring is present; remove any additional O-rings
Flashlight stuck on medium brightness	– Battery not fully charged – Faulty battery	– Fully charge the battery until the indicator turns green – If the issue persists, consider replacing the battery
Intermittent operation or flickering light	– Loose connections – Dirty or oxidized contacts	– Tighten all connections securely – Clean battery contacts and threads with a soft cloth
Difficulty cycling through modes	– Faulty tail switch – Electronic malfunction	– Ensure the tail switch is not obstructed – If unresponsive, perform a reset by removing the battery for a few minutes and reinstalling it
Battery drains quickly	– High-output mode used continuously – Parasitic drain when off – Aged or poor-quality battery	– Use lower brightness settings for extended runtime – Physically lock out the flashlight by slightly loosening the tail cap when not in use – Replace the battery with a new, high-quality one

Main Features & Fenix tk16 review

Durable aircraft grade aluminum body
Anti-roll, slip resistant body design
Dual spring design
Low voltage warning function
Toughened ultra clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
Uses Cree xm-l2 u2 led with the lifespan of 50, 000 hours
Intelligent memory circuit
Premium type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
Digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
Dual tactical tail switch
Strike face bezel
Reverse polarity protection
Powered by 1 18650 rechargeable lithium ion battery or 2 3V CR123A lithium batteries
Weighs 122 grams without batteries
Impact resistant up to 1 meter
IPX-8 waterproof rated
The maximum lumen of 1000
Maximum beam distance of 240 meters
5 lighting modes with strobe mode
Limited lifetime guarantee from Fenix lighting

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Included in the flashlight bundle are: holster, pocket clip, lanyard, spare rubber boot, spare o-ring, instruction sheet, and two LegionArms CR 123 lithium batteries.

Pros:

The Fenix tk16 is durably built for long lastingness
It comes with different lighting modes for use in different areas or scenarios
It is lightweight and compactly designed for everyday use
This light uses a led bulb which is reliable and offers white light for use in different surroundings
The light is built for tactical use as it has a layered body which can crash and still survive
It is built for all weather use as it is IPX-8 waterproof rated
It uses rechargeable batteries which are more reliable and last longer
This flashlight offers very bright light with a maximum of 1000 lumens
The flashlight reaches far distances with its max beam distance of 240 meters
It is very easy to use with the new dual tactical switch for momentary-on and strobe mode
It comes with a pocket clip and lanyard for easy storage when not in use
The reverse polarity protection prevents the batteries from being inserted in the wrong way
Fenix offers lifetime limited warranty on buyers of the LED flashlight

Cons:

Switching on/off the flashlight is a bit challenging as it needs one to hold the button for sometime before it lights on/off.
It comes with an anti-roll ring that cannot be removed

Comparison table for the Fenix PD35 and Fenix TK16 flashlights:

Specification	Fenix PD35	Fenix TK16
Brand	Fenix	Fenix
Model	PD35	TK16
Light Source	LED (Cree XP-L)	LED (Cree XM-L2 U2)
Max Lumens	1000 lumens	1000 lumens
Beam Distance	656 feet (200 meters)	787 feet (240 meters)
Peak Beam Intensity	10,000 candela	14,500 candela
Modes	5 Brightness Levels + Strobe	5 Brightness Levels + Strobe
Turbo Mode Output	1000 lumens	1000 lumens
High Mode Output	500 lumens	400 lumens
Medium Mode Output	200 lumens	150 lumens
Low Mode Output	50 lumens	10 lumens
Eco Mode Output	8 lumens	N/A
Strobe Mode	Yes (1000 lumens)	Yes (1000 lumens)
Battery Type	1x 18650 or 2x CR123A	1x 18650 or 2x CR123A
Runtime (Turbo)	2 hours 50 minutes	1 hour 10 minutes
Runtime (Eco/Low)	430 hours (Eco – 8 lumens)	135 hours (Low – 10 lumens)
Switch Type	Tailcap + Side Switch	Dual Tail Switch
Tactical Features	No	Yes (Strike Bezel & Instant Strobe)
Waterproof Rating	IPX-8 (2 meters submersible)	IPX-8 (2 meters submersible)
Impact Resistance	1 meter	1 meter
Material	Aerospace-grade aluminum	Aerospace-grade aluminum
Lens Type	Ultra-clear, anti-reflective coated lens	Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with AR coating
Dimensions (L x D)	5.4 x 1.0 inches (137 x 25.4 mm)	5.5 x 1.0 inches (140 x 25.4 mm)
Weight	3.1 oz (88g) (without battery)	4.3 oz (121g) (without battery)
Pocket Clip	Yes	Yes
Warranty	Limited Lifetime Warranty	Limited Lifetime Warranty
Price	Check Price	Check Price

Summary

A flashlight is an essential tool that should be able to work in all kinds of situations. That’s what you get when you acquire the Fenix tk16 led flashlight. This flashlight is sturdily built for outdoor and tactical use. It offers very bright light and reaches a distance of 240 meters, which is enough to spot the game that you’re hunting. Its lowest light mode is still bright enough and can allow you to utilize the light for at least 150 hours. These and many other features make this flashlight to be exceptional and reliable for use in rain and in other harsh conditions. Also, the brand is reliable and the rechargeable flashlight is offered at a great price. I hope this Fenix TK16 review article will be useful for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How bright is the Fenix TK16 flashlight?

The Fenix TK16 delivers a maximum output of 1000 lumens, making it a powerful tactical flashlight.

2. What type of battery does the Fenix TK16 use?

It runs on a single 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery or two CR123A batteries as an alternative power source.

3. Does the Fenix TK16 have a strobe mode for self-defense?

Yes, it includes a 1000-lumen strobe mode, which can disorient attackers and is useful for emergency situations.

4. Is the Fenix TK16 waterproof and impact-resistant?

Yes, it has an IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing it to be submerged in up to 2 meters of water, and it is impact-resistant up to 1 meter.

5. What makes the Fenix TK16 a good tactical flashlight?

It features a dual tail switch for quick operation, high brightness, durable build, and a strong beam distance, making it ideal for law enforcement, security, and outdoor activities.