Darkness is frightening for most people, and they tend to avoid moving through it. Shadows and sounds full of the unknown awaken in us an animal fear inherited from our cave-dwelling ancestors. On the other hand, there are bushcrafters, naturalists, rescuers and law enforcement/military personnel, for whom darkness is as natural a working environment as a bright day is for an ordinary person. These people have specific needs that must be understood in detail. The brand Fenix understands them very well, which is why it came up with the TK16 V2.0 flashlight model, designed primarily for law enforcement and military units, but not only for them. We will discuss how this is more than just a flashlight in this article.
„Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller
About Fenix
The birth of the FenixLight Limited brand began in 2001 in China. From the very start, it made high quality and durability its priority, and it has stuck to this principle to this day. Their products are known to users in over 100 countries. This is not a narrow group of people. Fenix is synonymous with reliability for rescue and law enforcement units, adventurers, and millions of ordinary hikers. And no wonder. If you need a powerful and reliable light, it does not matter whether you work in an industrial plant, fight crime, conquer mountains, or simply enjoy night rides on a bicycle. Fenix has what you need. The limits of its products are determined only by the limits of the user themselves.
Power in a small package
So that I am not just waxing poetic about quality, let's look at the hard facts and numbers.
The maximum output of the TK16 is an impressive 3100 lumens. The strobe is also set to this level. At maximum output, the throw is approximately 380 meters. The high beams on our old Fabia looked like a kerosene lamp next to these parameters and bright white light :).
The TK16 is powered by a 5000 mAh Li-ion battery of type 21700, which is included in the package. The battery can practically also be charged via the built-in USB-C connector. The LED is a Luminus SST-70 type with a lifespan of 50000 hours of illumination. 
In total, the TK16 flashlight has 6 modes. The maximum runtime depends on the set output.
- 3100 lumens (2.66 hrs.) - Checking the wide surroundings, searching in open terrain, strobe. Throw approx. 380m.
- 1000 lumens (2.8 hrs.) - Checking medium distances, e.g. the area around a cabin. Throw approx. 220m.
- 350 lumens (8.3 hrs.) - Ideal for smaller halls and parks. Throw approx. 120m.
- 150 lumens (19.2 hrs.) - The most common mode for lighting the immediate surroundings while camping or checking small spaces. Throw approx. 80m
- 30 lumens (43.3 hrs.) - Suitable for power outages at home or lighting small spaces. Throw approx. 40m.
- Strobe
The flashlight has memory and turns on to the last set mode, with the exception of the strobe. This eliminates the annoying need to click through modes every time it is turned on. 
Turning on and switching modes
Durability is a combination of several elements
- thermal fuse against overheating
- fuse against reversed battery insertion
- battery cell held between two springs for use during shooting
- body made of aircraft-grade hardened aluminum
- impact resistant from 1m
- scratch-resistant body - Type III hard anodized
- waterproof up to 2 m - IP68 standard
Flashlight Dimensions and Weight
- Length 14.3 cm
- Head diameter 3.4 cm
- Body diameter 2.54 cm
- Given the performance, the weight is negligible at 184g including the battery
Tactical Use
So, we have the numbers. Let's see how the TK performed in practice.
Outside of my regular job, my main environment is open countryside and floodplain forests. I spend a substantial part of my free time in nature, whether bushcrafting, doing classic hiking, or catching nocturnal birds of prey with my wife. At the same time, I am also a shooter and involved in personal protection, so I evaluated the TK16 from several perspectives.
For dangerous moments…
I carry the TK as an EDC flashlight, but it is ideal especially for police, military and private security services. Given its performance, it is relatively small, but it's not a flashlight you'd hide under a t-shirt.
For a better idea - the tube of the flashlight without the light head is a similar length to a magazine for a Glock 19. 
Comparison of the tube size to a Glock 19 magazine
The light has tungsten spikes at the end. They are designed to break glass, for example on a car. It's a great tool if you spend a lot of time traveling, whether by public transport or by car.
While traveling by train, it once happened that we collided with a stuck truck at a railway crossing. A flashlight with spikes would have been very useful then, since we couldn't reach the truck driver because of the jammed doors. The only quick option was the windows.
The spikes combined with the duralumin body of the flashlight are also a good aid in self-defense situations, where they effectively substitute for a kubotan during strikes. 
Tungsten spikes of the Fenix TK16 flashlight
From the start, the grip is designed for a reverse grip. Both switches are located at the rear and are operated with the thumb. This is a common type of grip used by law enforcement, where the hand is in the upper defensive position and the barrel allows comfortable handling in a crossed grip, where the hand holding a short weapon rests against the hand holding the flashlight. The attacker is thus blinded by the light the entire time, and shooting with a short weapon is more accurate even though the weapon is held with only one hand.
On my Glock, I also have another Fenix GL22 with a laser, so I no longer need a separate flashlight. However, on my two-inch revolver, this grip combined with the light is practically ideal.
The 16 handled and performed great with gloves on. However, I would highlight the rough texture on the body. Without gloves, in wet and frozen hands the grip was a bit uncertain. 
The strobe is controlled separately by a smaller switch, so strobe is immediately available. At an intensity of 3100lm (5500-6500 K), anyone on the opposite end of the flashlight will experience harrowing and severely disorienting moments. It's a great choice not only for home defense but also for detaining suspicious persons. The strong strobe effect is often enough to prevent the situation from escalating, so more aggressive forms of incapacitation aren't necessary.
The switch placement increased the flexibility of using the TK16. Within a few seconds, you can add a remote switch with a cable to the flashlight by simply swapping the tailcap. The flashlight can then be mounted on the forend of a long gun using a mount. Springs on each end ensure stable battery contact. This way the light doesn't lose contact with the power source even under strong shocks during shooting.
Besides the remote switch, the flashlight can be fitted with several accessories. What interested me most were the filters and diffusers.
I often use the red filter. It attaches with a simple snap-on fit, since it's shaped to match the head of the flashlight. Animals see red light differently than humans and find it less disturbing. At the same time, it draws less attention around me than a bright white light. For camping, I prefer the green filter instead. 
Using the red filter outdoors
The diffuser is also a good accessory. The diffuser is universal for multiple models, so it needs to be pressed on more firmly onto the head. The diffuser spreads the light sideways, turning the flashlight into an extra powerful lantern.
In the future, I will definitely add a traffic cone to my gear. It's useful not only for the aforementioned inconveniences while driving, but also for emergency situations during hiking. The red cone at an intensity of 3100lm is practically ideal for signaling rescue helicopters and clearly marking your position, whether with or without the strobe. You're visible even under dense vegetation and on hills or in open terrain, shining for kilometers. This way I don't need to carry signal flares with me unnecessarily.
Use in the field
The weather forecast reports calm winds and overcast skies. Ideal conditions. So a quick check of the equipment, batteries, capture kits, and don't forget warm base layers. We choose a suitable location and head out. I'm part of a working group for owl research and monitoring. I spend evenings and sometimes entire nights of free time in the darkness of open countryside, and the 16 always comes with me.
We work in specific conditions that place certain demands on the gear. Monitoring mainly takes place during migration, so from autumn to spring. We work in damp conditions and low temperatures, which put excessive strain on the equipment. Capture sites are often several hundred meters apart, in remote or less accessible locations.
In combination with my other militant hobbies, the TK16 was a clear choice. I like equipment that is versatile. Thanks to its range of over 300m, I use the TK for checking a wider perimeter, and as a headlamp I have the HM51R Ruby V2.0.
With the mentioned throw distance, apart from a significant improvement in situational overview, the work has also become easier. Moving at night through the steppe can be complicated. The grass is usually wet and knee-high. Underneath it hide potholes and icy stones. With the current throw distance I can check the trapping site from a distance without unnecessarily approaching it. At the same time, I have an overview of the wildlife in the area. The last thing you need in the middle of a dark night is large game in the trapping net, an encounter with a wild boar at close range, or catching a poacher a few meters away.
After adding Fenix to my equipment, one annoying task disappeared. The batteries in the 16 and the Ruby last long enough. I therefore charge them roughly every 3rd trip. It saves me a lot of time and lugging around spare batteries.
LEDs for flashlights with a power of over 3000lm have their specifics, which is why Fenix equipped them with a thermal protection. At maximum output, the light quickly overheats above 60 degrees. The protection ensures that the flashlight automatically reduces the output by 1 mode until the temperature drops to an acceptable level.
At an outside temperature of around 5 degrees, the flashlight reduced its maximum output after 25-30 seconds. This may seem short, but it's important to realize that this is a high intensity that most users only turn on for a short time. This "flaw" is the same for all extra powerful lights regardless of manufacturer.
The durability of the 16 came in handy in every aspect. It doesn't matter whether I have it in a covered holster, an open pouch, or just hanging from the strap of a chest rig. Regardless of weather or temperature, I can always rely on it and it works as it should. It doesn't mind shocks, drops onto frozen soil, or moisture and temperatures below zero. Once turned on, it lights up without unnecessary mode clicking, it shines well and shines for a long time. I don't ask more from a proper flashlight.
The TK16 V2.0 has earned my full trust, just like its relatives the HM51 Ruby V2.0 and the GL22. The Fenix family at our home will certainly keep growing.
If you're among those who aren't afraid to venture into unexplored darkness, whether for work or personal passion, the TK16 V2.0 is a companion for you. It will go with you into the unknown and share the discomfort of the surrounding environment. One of the most important things in such moments is the certainty that you can rely on your equipment just as you rely on your partner. Only then can you effectively and safely complete tasks and bring everything to a successful conclusion.
