Fire-Foxes 4 Vs Fenix TK75 Battle of the BIG Lights

:bumpit:

Added some pictures of the light to the end of the review

I just got informed that my FF4 is on its way to me! I got my hands on a FF3 for a really good price and I absolutely love it. I can't wait to compare the two!

Nice, I'd love to see a comparison of the two.

I haven't been following the FF4 saga lately, any new production batches/updates?

According to lips ....

There were changes in manufacture on the second production run which had to do with firming up bulb and placement...

Click to expand...

So it looks like the UI is still the same

Hmm, well, I don't have any problems with mine thankfully. Not sure if I'll swap it out for a newer version.

Just got my FF4 in today and compared to the FF3 this is what I think so far.

The FF4 definitely feels bulkier "it is taller, wider, and longer". It does have larger fins and more of them which is a good thing IMHO.

Being able to switch back and forth between 24w and 42w might be a nice feature. After playing with the FF3 the past couple of nights I ran it for about 30-40mins straight. First off it got hot as sh!t lol but what do you expect from the size and power; but it would only be on 40W for about 10-15min (depending on the weather/temp) before it triggered it's thermal switch down to 24W. This means the rest of the time I had to walk around with only 24W and you can't go back. With the FF4 you should be able to walk around at 24W initially and jump up to 42w when need (I hope you can do this but you might not be able to after it reaches a certain temp).

The 60W burst it has is bright but to me it isn't practical because of the UI, plus it has no indicator that you are in 60W so the first couple times I wan't sure if i was in it.

The other thing that bothers me about the FF4 is that the handle space is shorter compared to the FF3. With the FF3 I could wrap my entire hand around the handle perfectly, It is just enough room. With the FF4 I can only wrap 3 fingers around the handle then my index finger has to rest on the step up ledge. Here is a picture of what I am talking about.



I am excited for later tonight when I really get to try them out though! but so far the FF4 hasn't shown me anything that makes me think it is a huge improvement over the FF3. I personally would of liked to see them just work on longer 40W runtimes and without the switchable modes. After about 10-20minutes i think you will loose ability to even switch modes because of the thermal kickdown.

I just got the FF 3 and will have the 4 soon. I manage a large ranch way out in the country and my lights really get used ... for a multitude of functions. I find that powerful searchlights are generally used intermittently so seldom does one reach the thermal shutdown mode. When out doing something at night I generally have a head-light on and probably a smaller but powerful light in my pocket. ( as well as a light on my sidearm ) I switch between different lights as the task at hand requires. I personally never need to leave a big light on for, at the most , a few minutes... usually less. JMO

@mhemling33 - I've run mine for half an hour a few times now, starting with 60W after 1 minute warm up time. No problems so far.

I do see a rather distinct difference between 40W and 60W, although, I can't see myself using either for more than a few minutes at a time, with an actual task.

The UI is annoying, not being able to switch modes repeatedly. It would be fantastic if they made mod switching only dependent on batteries keeping up, and thermal step down.

Agreed on the ergonomics. I really really with they would have made the light a bit bigger, with more mass for heat sinking, and a bigger handle so you can wrap your hand around it. I end up holding mine with my thumb and index finger basically wrapped around the fins and button. Which I guess is good for getting rid of heat.

I think having them both is a bit redundant... personally I think this will most likely be my first, and probably last HID since LEDs are starting to really catch up.

@nueces - I don't really have a need for searchlights, but I definitely agree with you on using multiple lights for different purposes. Still I hope we'll see a true pocket searchlight soon, that's capable of taking care of 95% of the tasks out there.

I forgot to mention to you I my M6 came in thursday but i wasn't here to sign for it so I picked it up friday. I took it out last night with the FF3 & FF4 and have to say I am actually impressed with it. No it was no where near as bright but it wasn't a push over.

The price to performance ratio on this thing is great. It is a real solid build that feels good in your hand. I have a feeling this will become my light of choice for now when walking around outside in the dark.

Back to the FF4. I did see a difference between 40 and 60w at night. I was actually impressed with how it preformed. I ran both the FF3 and FF4 for about a half hour continuously lol one in each hand as I walked around.... lets just say seeing in the dark was not an issue. IMHO the FF4 definitely stayed in 40w mode longer and handled the heat better.

I might be selling the FF3 to a guy at work or my dad might take it. Your right there is no need for two but i think I will continue to upgrade when I feel a significant improvement has been made. The m6 definitely has me wanting to start peaking into the LED powerhouses now that I have my HID needs covered.

Well, I sent my TK75 out to Vinh to get the full on monster mod... after he is done I think it might end up holding up much better vs the FF4.

Glad the M6 is turning out good. I'm getting a little peeved mine still haven't come in, but they have I think two more weeks to deliver.

LED's are definitely the future, no doubt about that. What I would absolutely love to see, is something the the RC40, with 4xXML2u3's in there, driven at 6.5A each... 6000 to 7000 lumens, and no warm up time... would be monstrous. I just can't get the RC40 given the price and power pack.

I'll probably end up selling the TK75 from this review after I get Vinh's monster version back.

I was actually looking at vinh's K40 throwers he was taking preorders for. If I had extra funds I might of grabbed one.

You gotta show us some pictures when you get it back!

I'll definitely snap a few

Ok, I lied. I'm not going to snap a few

I don't want to freak out the neighbors.

The modded K40 absolutely destroys all my other lights in throw. It's not even close.

The only light I own, I feel has a decent shot at keeping up with it is the FF4.

None of my other lights even come close. I will be sending Vinh more lights to mod... the way the armytek barracuda got spanked, it's just embarrassing.

Great review! I like the TK75. For my uses its perfect. The Foxfires would be a great WOW your friends light!