Fenix TK20R UE Tactical Flashlight Review

1. Introduction

Before I begin, let me first thank the Fenix guy for sending me this flashlight!

If you have read my previous review, you know that I have an obsession with tactical flashlight. The idea was simple: it must have an intuitive user interface, full stop.

As a person who prefers high-low or low-high-only flashlights, tactical flashlights are the only segmentation that suits my preferences.
If you're looking for a tactical flashlight, you'll probably get confused because of the term "tactical."

Almost every brand uses this tagline for marketing purposes, not the actual ones. You might consider a battle-proven flashlight like Surefire or any US brand, but not everyone is willing to spend extra bucks on a flashlight.

Fortunately for us, now we have many options for a really good quality flashlight with a "reasonable price" in the market, just like Fenix, the brand that has existed for more than 20 years for its professional lighting solutions!

Now I will talk about the new tactical line-up flashlight from Fenix, the TK20R UE (Ultimate Edition). If you're a Fenix fan, you would know the TK series is a tactical-only flashlight, so it must have an aggressive bezel, a tail switch, an intuitive user interface, and so on.

TK20R UE is the successor to their popular TK20R V2.0, with a new innovative control switch called FlexiSensa for the user interface.

The new TK20R UE has a different mechanism from the predecessor TK20R V2.0 that has two buttons for the user interface operation, and now the new FlexiSensa on the TK20R UE is a clever solution!

2. What's Inside

The Fenix TK20R UE is come with a complete package, including a better holster and everything.

1 x Fenix TK20R UE
1 x Lanyard
1 x 21700 battery inside the flashlight
1 x Clip attached to the flashlight
1 x USB Type-C Cable
2 x Spare O-Ring
1 x A better Holster (Thanks, Fenix!)
1 x User Manual
1 x Warranty card

3. Build quality and impression

The TK20R UE is my first TK series from Fenix, the "tactical" Fenix I had before was the Fenix PD35R. For my preferences, I don't really like a bigger head flashlight, I mean, the head is slightly bigger than the body. That's why I chose the PD35R since the UI is quite similar to the TK series (dual button & direct strobe).

I don't need to talk about the built quality of the flashlight, it's a Fenix, and you're holding a perfect craftsmanship of the flashlight. You know what I mean? From the first time you opened the box and held it, it felt perfect in any possible way—the weight, the color, the knurling on the body, the switch tension, the anodizing, and everything!

I'm quite like the bezel, although TK20R UE doesn't have ceramic beads like TK16 v2.0 (I have no idea why they removed them). It feels right with the length and the black color, the bezel also doesn't make the light beam looks awkward because of the tip of the bezel, it's perfectly circular.

The TK20R UE is available in four color, and lucky for me, they sent me tropical green since it's not available in black.

4. Specifications

The TK20R UE is a successor to the TK20R V2.0, but not for technical datasheets. The new TK20R UE has a little bit lower output and intensity but almost identical performance to the old TK20R V2.0.

The maximum brightness output of the TK20R UE is 2800 lumens (53.880 cd), and the throw distance is about 465 meters. While the TK20R V2.0 maximum brightness output is 3000 lumens, (56.600 cd), and the throw distance is 475 meters, Both flashlights use a single SFT-70 emitter.

I'm not a big fan of Luminus emitters and their greenish tint, but the exception is the SFT-40 and SFT-70, the kings of thrower emitters! (For me, though.)

The Fenix TK20R UE has four brightness outputs in duty mode: low (30 lumens), medium (350 lumens), and high (1000 lumens). I know some people will not be happy because of the absence of 150 lumens, but considering this is a specific segment on its lineups, it's not a big deal.

The TK20R UE includes their branded 21700 (ARB-L21-5000 V.2) button-top battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh. It's possible to use another button-top battery for the flashlight since the Fenix flashlight doesn't use a proprietary battery for its flashlight.

If you hate the built-in rubber port on a flashlight, then the new Fenix TK20R UE uses a hidden USB charging system below the head. Just twist below the head clockwise to open it, and you'll see a USB Type-C port and a battery indicator there. I hope Fenix will implement this kind of built-in charging for better durability and ease of use.

The TK20R UE also has a double spring on both the negative and positive poles. The primary function of these double springs is to provide a reliable electrical connection between the batteries and the flashlight's circuitry. This design helps ensure consistent power flow, minimizing the risk of flickering or interruptions in the flashlight's illumination. The double springs can also contribute to better shock resistance, making the flashlight more durable in challenging conditions.

5. User interface

The most interesting thing about a flashlight is its user interface, especially when we talk about a tactical flashlight. The new Fenix TK20R UE has a new control switch called FlexiSensa. FlexiSensa is a patented technology that allows users to switch between different modes of operation.

With the FlexiSensa switch, you can choose between Tactical mode, which gives you instant access to Turbo or Strobe only, and Duty mode with four brightness outputs. This is the main thing about the tactical flashlight. For the Note, if you're in duty mode, you can override it to turbo or strobe in tactical mode (depending on which output you choose—the memory function).

This is very clever and really a game changer. Imagine if you're checking something at a close distance that only needs 30 lumens and suddenly, in a matter of seconds, you need a powerful 2800 lumens. Just switch the FlexiSensa, and you get an extremely blinding bright output! I remember with my Nextorch TA30 series and Nitecore SRT series that use a rotational dial ring and an instan access to a strobe or turbo; all three have the same fundamentals for a real tactical flashlight with a no hassle user interface!

The switch also has a lock-out mode, which prevents accidental activation. You can also use the intelligent memory function to remember the last brightness level you selected in on-duty mode.

I think the new FlexiSensa switch is an improvement from the old tactical switch on the Fenix TK11R and TK22R with a better and more intuitive design. The fundamentals are similar with both of them compared to the two-button switch, just like the TK20R V2. 0

For now, the Fenix TK20R UE and Fenix TK22R are two models that feature the FlexiSensa control switch.

6. Size and comparison

I compared the Fenix TK20R UE with the Nextorch TA30C and Nitecore SRT6i since all of them have similar characteristics and specifications. The Fenix and Nextorch are more ergonomic and compact compared to the Nitecore. (Photos for comparison.)

7. Beamshots

I compared the beam profiles of all of them; the Fenix and Nextorch have a really usable beam profile with a great amount of spill and an obvious hotspot. The Nitecore is a better thrower than the others. (See attached photos)

8. Conclusion

Here it is: the conclusion. Well, I have read that some don't like the new patented FlexiSensa because of the absence of instant access to strobe. For me, compared to the TK20R, TK16, or PD35R that have two buttons, the new FlexiSensa system is much better! Here's why, on the TK16, you get instant access to the strobe but not the turbo if you leave the output level on low. So you need to click and click until it is on high; that's not so tactical?!

How about the FlexiSensa? Yes, you can't instant access the strobe (if you're comparing with the TK16 or TK20), but in tactical mode, you just need to half press between the turbo or strobe; that is so simple and more intuitive!

I think FlexiSensa is a great improvement; they think the fundamentals of user behavior for a tactical flashlight are no hassle, no "nonsense user interface." The only minor is that the FlexiSensa switch is made of hard plastic; why didn't Fenix make this from a metal like Nextorch or Nitecore? It's not fragile; it's so well built, but there's still room for improvement.

So with all the features and performance of the Fenix TK20R UE, this is definitely one of the kings of tactical flashlights!