Packaging and Contents The TK15 and TK15S arrived in standard cardboard boxes like most Thorfire lights. One difference I noticed from prior Thorfire lights was that the box was taped shut with the label. This is a good improvement because it prevents the box from coming open during shipping. The light is protected in a bubble-wrap sleeve and there is foam padding on both the top and bottom of the box. Accessories included clips (pre-installed), 2 spare O-rings and manual. The packaging is more than sufficient in addition to the mailer packaging. There is no significant risk of damage or scuffing to the light during delivery using this packaging. This packaging is better than I have seen for some other lights (in other lights I've experienced scuffed finishes from poor packaging).

1 x Flashlight

1 x Clip (Pre-Installed)

2 x Spare O-ring 1 x Manual





Fit and Finish The TK15 and TK15S have smooth black anodizing. The anodizing was applied well and my copy did not have any notable defects in the finish. The anodizing has a nice non-glossy sheen and I feel that this finish looks very nice and professional in quality. The anodizing is also applied to both the head and tail threads.



The body of the light is a 18650-size EDC tube design that some people also may describe as an "S design". The threads lego with some other popular brands in this category but may or may not make proper electrical contact. Of course, the threads of both lights lego with each other so the head, body and tail and all interchangeable. The width is similar to fat marker. It is a little thicker but shorter than a dry erase marker. Due to the design, there is minimal roll-resistance unless the clip is attached.







The center and tail of the body has a subtle diamond pattern knurling which adds grip, a clean look, and some scratch resistance. The knurling is not overly aggressive and it feels good in hand. This is perfect for use bare-handed. The TK15S has a tail-switch but the TK15 does not.



The threads were cut perfectly square and a nice touch is the anodizing on both the head and tail threads. The threads were cut perfectly square and a nice touch is the anodizing on both the head and tail threads.







Accessories No lanyard or case/holster included. The included clip is great although I would have also liked a lanyard. I also would have preferred "deep carry" clips (or both clips). Tail Stand







Both lights can tail-stand on a level surface and are stable. However, installing a lanyard will de-stablize tail standing somewhat on the TK15S (not a problem on the TK15 since the lanyard point is offset). User Interface and Modes - TK15 The light uses a side-switch to control on/off and modes. There is mode memory. The light will activate on the last used brightness.





To turn the light ON, press switch.

To advance modes, press switch (L -> M -> H -> T)

To turn the light OFF, long-press switch. Operation: Moon (Hidden): To turn MOON ON, long-press switch (when off).

To turn MOON OFF, press switch (will turn light off). Strobe / Bike Strobe (Hidden): To turn STROBE ON, double-click side switch (when on).

To turn STROBE OFF, press side switch (will return to previous mode). Comment 1: I wish that Moon was not hidden (but that you could always start on moon with a long-press). Comment 2: I wish that double-click did not turn on strobe because it is possible to activate strobe on accident. Even better, it would be nice if the flashlight was programmable so that you could disable options like strobe or mode memory. It would also be nice to be able to program the mode order. User Interface and Modes - TK15S The light has a rear forward-clicky (On/Off/Momentary) and uses a side-switch to control modes.

Output starts low and cycles up then back down. Moon -> L -> M -> H -> M -> L -> Moon

There is mode memory. The light will activate on the last used brightness. Strobe & bike strobe are hidden.

Operation:

To turn the light ON (MOMENTARY), partial press and hold tail switch. You can also switch modes while on momentary.

To turn the light ON, press tail switch.

To advance modes, press side switch (Moon -> L -> M -> H -> M -> L -> Moon)

To turn the light OFF, press tail switch. Operation: Strobe / Bike Strobe (Hidden): To turn STROBE ON, double-click side switch (when on).

To turn STROBE OFF, press side switch (will return to previous mode). To turn BIKE STROBE ON, long-press side switch (when on).

To turn BIKE STROBE OFF, press side switch (will return to previous mode). Comment 1: I like the mode rotation (which goes up then back down). The side switch UI is very intuitive. I also like that Moon is not hidden (part of the normal mode rotation). Comment 2: I wish that double-click did not turn on strobe because it is possible to activate strobe on accident. Even better, it would be nice if the flashlight was programmable so that you could disable options like strobe or mode memory. It would also be nice to be able to program the mode order. Output, Runtime and Power



Measurements were done using a freshly charged EVVA protected Panasonic NCR18650B. Measurements were done using a freshly charged EVVA protected Panasonic NCR18650B.

The TK15 and TK15S have slightly different mode spacing. The TK15 has 5 modes (although Moon is hidden) and the TK15S has 4 modes (Moon is not hidden). At maximum output on both, I estimate output is 1100+ lumens at 30 seconds after peaks of 1200+ lumens. This clears the stated output of 1050 lumens. The Moon mode on both was measured at exactly 2 lumens for me.

At maximum output on both lights, the tube gets pretty warm so this should be considered "Turbo". At the ~500 lumen settings (which run at about 1A), the tube stays at a comfortable temperature even in 80F/27C weather.

Comment: Between the 2 spacing options, I slightly prefer the TK15 since it has 5 modes. Although, I would have preferred if Moon was not hidden (but that you could still start in Moon with a long-press).



45 Minute Run





This light has timed step-downs on the 2 highest settings. This light has timed step-downs on the 2 highest settings. * From maximum/Turbo, the light will step-down after 2.5 (TK15) to 3 (TK15S) minutes. * From the 2nd highest setting, the light will step-down against after 30 minutes.

Comments:

* The user can manually step back up the power. * The light does not get that hot on Medium. I suspect that the step-down at 30 minutes is in the interest of saving energy as well as to provide extended run-times since the light can run for a very long time on Low. * On Low, the light is barely warm. * Low and Moon both have very long runtimes.



Beam Profile

Balanced General Purpose. Both the TK15 and TK15S use a domed Cree XP-L2 (most likely the V6 3D shared with the Q8) in a polished reflector. The beam is very balanced for general purpose use with a relatively large hotspot. The hotspot is large and transitions smoothly and gradually throughout the beam. The beam has defined edges. This light works very well for people seeking a more balanced beam. This light works great for general purpose use both indoors and outdoors.





Beamshots, Color Temperature and Tint



The TK15 and TK15S have a very nice warm neutral white of 4600-4700K. When white-balanced in Adobe Lightroom against "Daylight 5500K", the beamshots appear slightly warm to neutral. The light appears slightly warm white in practice. This is a very good choice of default color temperature and I'm really happy to see a manufacturer using this color temperature for a light.





TK15











TK15S











Battery Support and Fitment

The TK15 and TK15S are powered by 1x18650 lithium-ion (INR, IMR, ICR, etc.) Protected Batteries Fit. The EVVA Protected Panasonic NCR18650B fits length-wise at 69.5mm and width-wise at 18.67mm. My protected NCR18650GAs also fit. However, both protected batteries are a little tight (the GAs more so) and you can feel the springs compressing as you put on the cap. Button vs Flat-Top: My batteries were button-top. Flat-top batteries should also fit due to the dual battery springs (the positive & negative contacts are both springs).







Lock-Out You can physically lock-out the light by loosening the tail (or head) one-half turn to break the circuit. You can physically lock-out the light by loosening the tail (or head) one-half turn to break the circuit.



If there is a possibility of accidental activation, you should lock-out the light, especially on the TK15 since it can be activated using only the side-switch.





Manual



Size Reference

Flashlight pictured next to a AA, 18650 and C8 for size reference.









