The Fenix L2D CE and the TANK007 TK-566

Overall impressions for both lights are very good indeed. The Fenix L2D CE is around 18 months old and the TANK007 TK-566 has just arrived today. This is a comparison of a $60 flashlight versus a $15 flashlight.

Overall impressions to begin with.

Firstly the Fenix L2D CE;

This is a very well made and impressive flashlight which takes 2 AA cells either of the alkaline, NiMH and primary Lithium (energiser) type. It is very well made and precisely built and made from good quality components. This version didn't have the orange peel reflector. The L2D weighs 116 grams with standard Eneloop NiMH

A good review is available here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w622hSop__c

and here at http://www.light-reviews.com/fenix_l2d_ce_q5/

Overall this flashlight is highly recommended.


This brings us to the TANK007 TK-566 which is available from Dealextreme for $15

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18626

How on earth is this $15 flashlight going to compare to the much more expensive Fenix. Well it does and it even exceeds the Fenix is a few areas. The main advantages of this flashlight are that the TK-566 can also be used not only as a double AA but also as a single AA again using all the same battery types. There is even the possibility of the TK-566 being used with a single 14500 rechargable Lithium Cell although some more research may be required before using this cell type. The TK-566 weighs 125 grams so is just slightly heavier than the Fenix

The construction and build is good, although not as good as the Fenix but it is not far off. The flashlight feels good in the hand has a some what better grip than the Fenix, which I have always found to be a little skinny in the middle. The sizes between both flashlight are comparable when the TK-566 is being used with the double AA extension tube.

The feel on the clicky on the TK-566 subjectively easily beats the Fenix L2D clicky being stiffer and more responsive and gives the feeling of being more precise and robust. The TK-566 has a GITD clicky rubber cover so the flashlight can be located in the dark unlike the Fenix.

Beam performance on the TK-566 is very good and is preferable over the Fenix L2D as the L2D suffers from a slight ringing effect.

The only downside is that the TK-566 cannot be used in candle mode unlike the L2D and this can be a really useful function especially if using the diffuser attachment which is available as a Fenix accessory.

The output on the highest setting for both flashlights are very similar and when the TK-566 is used with a single AA Lithium Cell (weighs a very lightweight 66 grams in total) the output is somwhere between the Turbo and maximum output of the L2D using fresh Eneloops.

Another advantage the TK-566 has over the L2D is that it doesn't forget the mode it was in. The TK-566 will cycle through the settings of Medium, Low, High, Strobe, SOS and if turned off will remember the setting unlike the Fenix L2D.

Overall the TK-566 appears to be exceptional value for money and a decent performer even when compared to one of the best.