Fenix TA21 Level 225 Lumen Tactical LED Flashlight

We've got a winner.Of the high-end lights I've owned / used / researched, the Fenix TA21 walks off with my top praise for a number of reasons. Keeping in mind that like any tool, it has a specific role. It suites my purpose perfectly. I will try to give you a good idea of why it appeals to me. Weigh that against your own requirements.PRO's: (in no particular order)It uses 2 x CR123A lithium cells. This is my preferred power source today. Lithium cells have a 10 YEAR shelf life. The whole idea of an "emergency" light source is that it is ready when you need it. If you are "on the job" with this light, on a daily basis, the 18650 rechargeable may be a better choice. This light handles both."Medium-long Throw" Those are my words. Your light can be designed with a shallow reflector with heavy "orange-peel" to give a wide bright beam for close-up work, or with a smooth and very deep dish for a more focused, long-range bright spot. This light is in-between, though it is clearly more of a thrower, it has the "orange peel" type reflector and a clean, clear "spill" area surrounding the spot. Nice.12-level bi-directional rotating barrel switch, AND momentary cap switch. THIS is my favorite feature. None of that nonsensical twist on / off multiple time to change modes, then clicky-clicky-clicky to find out where you want the light set, and on some lights, then you get to PICK between which modes to use, because you can only choose 2 out of eight, like the Quark tactical. BAH! I hate that with a passion. (and I own one.)I want my lights on LOW by default, and I'll power them up to what level I need / want at the time. For my use, that is the most logical. With this light, it will fire-up in what ever mode you have it set to, and it will stay until you change it. You change it by grasping the barrel switch, and give it a turn. Also, it "wraps around" so that when you get through all 12 settings, you don't have to go back the other way, the switch just continues right around and starts at the beginning again. Beautiful. Logical. Simple. Intuitive.Light beam quality: This is a CREE Q5-based light. These technologies change FAST, ok. This WAS "THE" illumination source to have, until just recently. Up against my XG-R5 based lights, in real-world look-see use, you're not gonna know the dif. Yes, the R5 is more efficient. It's not really an issue.Size: Smaller than it looks in the pictures. If I wrap my paw around it from the middle, the nose and tail will both stick out about an inch. However, it's too big for EDC unless you are on the job with it in some capacity. Roughly 2x"C" battery sized Maglite. More than that, the "weaponized" crown around the lens makes pocket carry unlikely. (jacket pocket, ok).It has a heavy-duty pocket clip can be re-located and locked back in place. You can loosen / tighten the extra thick beveled body ring (which serves to prevent the light from rolling if you lay it on a flat surface) which lets you freely rotate the thick pocket clip ring, without scratching up the barrel.CONS:As far as I know, no one has built the "Perfect" light, yet. I am obligated to nit-pick.Price. At this price point (especially for a Q5 led), you should expect a LOT, and I do. I would expect a top-qauality sheath, a much better lanyard (the one included is a joke) and at least one set of CR123A cells to get you started. None of this is included. I anticipate price drops on this light pretty soon. In the mean time, Amazon's price is the best I'm finding.I don't like to score an item based on price, but it's more on VALUE for the dollar, and the missing sheath, lanyard, and batteries are unfortunate. I'm obligated to remove a full point, as I can not remove 1/2 point. So be it.Balance. The heavy nose over-balances the light. Most people would never notice this. Others (and you know who you are) it may really bother them. I find it impossible to "choke up" by moving the hand closer to the lens, because of the way the diameter varies along the shaft. To get a balance, under-hand carry just extend the index finger loosely toward the lens. Doesn't take much. About 1/4 inch does it for me. Huge difference. Over-hand, won't matter. Nose-heavy is an advantage in that position. (my opinion)THE BOTTOM LINE: Why buy the TA21 over OTHER 2x 123A lights?1) The outstanding 12-postiion, logical, rotating barrel switch. As far as I know, the only one. This is a truly outstanding set-up for me, I just cant say enough about that. Did I mention that on "Low" setting (4 Lumens) it will run for 170 hours continuous? That's about a week, boys 'n girls. 4 lumens is brighter than you think. You'll see what you give it a try.2) Excellent durability, quality, water-proofing, etc.3) When larger size and weight are desirable for tactical reasons.#3 up there is important. If you are NOT specifically interested in a heavy "weaponized" light, most people will be better served with a leaner, lighter version of the same thing. You can easily come in at half the weight for the same light and power. If you want satisfaction, look closely at what will work best for YOUR anticipated use.As for me, I'm giving this light two very solid thumbs up, and give a respectful nod to FENIX, as I am forced to admit that to date, this is indeed the best light I've ever had my hands on.If this is the kind of light you are looking for, there is no way you'll regret this purchase.-Berk

I bought this light because it was one of a few quality lights with the option for a remote switch. This was purchased to attach to my M1A, and it does its job. Its bright, and easy to use. I like the fact that the on/off button is completely separate from the output settings. Some lights have to cycle through several settings, using the same switch you use to turn it on, but not with this. You set the dial to the output you want and simply turn it on. No cycling to find high output or the blinding strobe function. Immediately after mounting the light, I fired about 80 rounds with no detriment to the light's function. Being mounted to a .308 is borderline abusive, but I haven't had any problems yet.Pros: It's a great light, and extremely bright. It offers a huge amount of flexibility with the 12 different output settings. (I have mine set about halfway up and that's more than enough to make a dark room perfectly clear).Cons: It is a heavier light, and large when compared to some other lights. (I have used Coast lights and Surefires and they are noticeably smaller and lighter)It's not a small, or lightweight flashlight, but the light output is great. The flexibility of variable outputs, strobes, flashes, even an S.O.S. blink is nice to have, even if you never have the need for it. It's a solid light and is definitely with considering. Even if you do upgrade lights later on, you will always have a decent back-up.

I've been using this every day for a while now, and feel I can properly review the Tac 21 now.The lights construction is Hardcore, that's the best way I can describe it.I've struck wood with it and it was not scratched but mauled the wooden table, it has a strike plate on it, and it does not disappoint, you can deal out major damage with this thing if you struck someone with it and it seems the more you use it the sharper the strike plate gets.It has a really nice pocket clip attached to it, "it comes attached", and I've been wearing it in my pocket daily, I've not had a single hole in my pocket so it seems it's length is just long enough to be used as a weapon but just short enough not to mutilate your pants, it has a lanyard hole in the rear of the flashlight which I love, SOS function, strobe, and tons of light settings.I have dropped it allot, thrown it, sat on it, and used it in a storm, and it does not even have a scratch on it, on highest setting I get about two weeks from a set of two battery's, with hardcore use, it goes beyond that if you lower the setting or don't use it every single night for long periods like I do.This may sound kind of sick but I also like blinding people with it.The thing throws off such light that even in daylight it can rival existing light, it turns night into day basically in a dark room and is painful if you look into it.If you remove the pocket clip, it fits onto a battle rifle nicely, and I would totality recommend this as a gun light of you do door to door, or work with a special response team, it is built hardcore and can take a ton of abuse, and that says allot when I say that, as I have no mercy with my deployment gear, I put them through the wringer.It may not have 600 luminous, but by standard of price, function, and damage consumption this is a clear winner for me.It will most likely brake whatever it's against, before it breaks itself.I have heard story's about the selector breaking but have had no issue with it, don't hit stuff with the selector plate, hit stuff with the strike plate, that's what it's there for, do that and you should be fine.Also the click on/off button on the back is awesome, I find myself half way pressing it at times so that when I release my finger it goes off, click it all the way in and it stays on.Did I mention you can use it as a dive light?Yeah, I think that says it all, the thing is wicked.If you get this I highly doubt you'll regret it.

EXCELLENT PRODUCT. QUALITY FOR YOUR MONEY.