Bang! Another Red Dot Award Winner - TK35UE 2018 Flashlight
“When I speak about good design, I am referring to more than just an attractive product. All of the products are characterized by outstanding functionality. This demonstrates that the designers have understood their clients and their needs.”
— Professor Dr. Peter Zec.
This is what the founder and CEO of the Red Dot Award, Peter Zec said to the 2018 product design winners. It simply and clearly manifests: a good design is not just the output of an attractive product, but a piece of work which is based on the understanding of the customer and their demands. That absolutely applies to the Fenix TK35 Ultimate Edition 2018.
On March 9, 2018, the winners of the Red Dot Award 2018, also usually referred to as the “Oscar of Design”, was announced. The leading outdoor lighting brand Fenix, from China, won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2018 with its newest high-performance flashlight. The TK35UE 2018 features an innovative toggle switch which allows free and rapid switching between lockout, tactical and outdoor modes - the first of its kind in the industry. It competed against more than 6300 entries from 59 countries. In the end, it succeeded in winning the favor of the jurors. This really means a lot to the Fenix brand, the Fenix product designers and the whole R&D team, as they gained international recognition once again after the similarly successful TK72R.
The Red Dot Award was organized by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in 1955, and has become one of the world’s largest design competitions. After 63 years of growth and expansion, it is now well developed as an international design award establishment. As one of the most influential, it is also commonly referred to as the “Oscar of Design”. It is well known that the assessment standard for awards is extremely strict. The jury of around 40 independent designers, design professors and specialist journalists test, discuss and assess each individual product, before awarding the “Honorable Mention” for a well-conceived detail solution, the “Red Dot Award” for high design quality or the “Red Dot: Best of the Best Award” for ground-breaking design. It is understood that for selection of the Red Dot Award, they need to evaluate the innovation level, function, ecological impact, ergonomics, and durability.
The innovative TK35 Ultimate Edition 2018 perfectly combines multiple function and simple operation. The creative battery holder with built-in micro USB port enables batteries to be recharged without having to remove them from the cradle, making charging and replacement of batteries very convenient. This greatly satisfies users’ demand on cost reduction, while the IP68 rated protection effectively eliminates waterproof risks. Fitted with CREE XHP70 LED, the light delivers a max output of 3200 lumens and beam distance of 300 meters. The two tail switches are for selection of the five output levels, strobe activation and SOS. In addition, the battery level indication, parallel battery compartment that allows the unique flat body design, altogether enhances the tough performance of this ultimate edition of the TK35, and optimizes a pleasant experience for users.
Innovation - Mechanical toggle switch for mode switching
Flashlights become multifunctional while the operation is complicated, with user-friendliness compromised. If confronted with tough environments where fast reaction is called for, they may be unresponsive. The original intention with the design of the TK35UE was to redefine current flashlights, and to let the user respond promptly with the correct mode to ensure safety in complex environments. An innovative toggle switch allows free and rapid switching between modes - the first of its kind in the industry. For example, in tactical operations turn the toggle switch to off & locked status to avoid accidental activation and exposing yourself. In outdoor activities, it can prevent accidental activation during storage or transportation.
This seemingly simple toggle switch offers the user a wholly new and free way of control. Compared to traditional operation, the toggle switch affords users optimal operation. We believe that this understanding of customers and their needs, was what led to the official jurors of the red dot presenting this award to the TK35UE 2018.
This design makes TK35UE 2018 very suitable for the military, policing, outdoor exploring, camping, searching and caving.
User friendliness - Body size and power source
The TK35UE 2018 measures in at a length of 164.5mm and a width of 48mm. The flat body fits the palm perfectly, offering a more secure feeling in the hand, and allows for the dual-switch layout. The correct mode for various environments can be chosen in advance by using the mechanical toggle switch.
The TK35UE 2018 is powered by two 18650 rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The creative battery holder with built-in Micro USB port allows batteries to be recharged inside the holder, making it convenient and versatile both for battery charging and replacement.
In July 2018 the Fenix TK35UE 2018 will receive its well-deserved trophy on the stage of the Essen Theatre. This is not the first time that Fenix has stood on this prize stage. Last summer, the Fenix OLED high-performance flashlight TK72R also achieved this honor. We believe this will not be the last time, because Fenix takes each user seriously and will always penetrates into the customer base. Just as Professor Peter Zec believed, works that understand customers and their needs will go better and further. Fenix will make every endeavor to create and design more reliable products, while customers will discover Fenix innovation and sincerity in design!
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