Trustfire TR-1200 beamshots with comparisons

[Witnessonly]

Here's a DX flashlight that I've now had in my possession for a couple of
weeks, and as yet I haven't found much out there in regards to reviews, so here goes, my first 'review'...

TR-1200

Emitters: 5x Cree Q5 WC LEDs
Modes: 5 mode (H-M-L-strobe-SOS)
Batteries: 2-3 18650 batteries
Switch: rear button, reverse clicky switch

Firstly here are some pics of the flashlight itself

It's got to be considered as quite flexible with regards to batteries, being that it can be configured to run on either 2 or 3 18650's via removable extension tubes, my preference would be to go the 2 battery configuration for anything but situations that require longer run times, in the 3 battery configuration it does become quite long, at about the length of a 3D M@G but without feeling as robust.

double o-ringed on most collars (there's room for them to all be double o-ringed just not supplied) and also the lens has a single o-ring seal, I'd feel comfortable taking it out in the rain but wouldn't put money on it surviving a submerging for any duration

In regards to brightness, I can say it is it's bright, maybe to bright... Lets just say I was showing it to a friend and told him to take it out on his balcony to 'give it a go', after trying it out for about 5 secs he excitedly called his housemate out to have a look. After seeing it turned on once and for only a second the housemate went running inside with a look of genuine fear on his face, I think he though that the police would be called. It was able to clearly light up an apartment block 200m away.

So here are some beamshots...
Comarison lights are:

Olight M20 premium
DX X-2000 P4 18650
DX MTE SSC P7-D
TR-1200 5x Q5 WC

 

[FlashPilot]

Thanks for your review. I just received this light and am quite impressed. Outdoors, this easily provided much more range, light and spill than my friends Fenix TK-30 and Jetbeam M1X. True that it doesn't have the build quality of the others, but for $47 it's a steal - and at 1/3 the cost of the others. 3 18650's is a fantastic option for these high powered lights, and it works well with both 2 or 3 battery configurations, thanks to its good regulation.

 

[space-time]

Thanks for the information and beamshots!

Does the TR-1200 seem to have the same throw/spill with 2-18650s as it does with 3-18650s? I'm curious if the 3rd battery adds any brightness or if its just runtime.

Does it need 18650s with the "button" on the positive terminal, or will it work with flat top 18650s?

 

[Witnessonly]

No worries, glad I can help the community in a small way.

With regards to the questions:

I just did a rough and ready test with a Sekonic L-508 Zoom master photographic light meter and the difference was 1/10th of a stop between the 2-3 battery configuration, so it looks like the regulation is roping in the extra power and converting it to run times (not that I've done any run time tests yet).

I think the 2 battery config. is a better overall form factor, it feels more solid, where as the 3 battery setup makes the battery tube seem quite long and thin, not something I'd go wacking things with if you get my meaning.

But the option for 3 cells gives me a greater sense of security (run times) when taking it on an overnighter into the bush. Low on this model seems to my eye to be as bright as an Olight M20 R2 on it's highest setting, so a 1 cell with a good low would be an excellent complimentary to this little monster.

The batteries I'm using are button top 18650's but looking at the spring at the back end of the emitter unit it's wound up to a contact point about 4mm in diameter, so maybe it'd be OK with non button ends.

Regards,


WO

 

[space-time]

Thank you for the additional info! This is sounding like an interesting light.

I have a couple of more questions, if any of the TR-1200 owners happen to visit this thread again:

How fast is the strobe? Is it in the 2-3 flashes per second range or more like 10-per or greater?

How about the heat output and heat sinking on those fins around the head? Does it seem like the light could run on high for an extended period without burning itself up? As these things go, its probably a good sign if the head does get somewhat hot - an indication that the heat is actually making it out of the emitter to be radiated to the air.

 

[Witnessonly]

On the strobe, my guess is 5-6 pulses per second.

On the heat side of things, I just tried a quick test for 10 mins (room temp is at about 25deg C)

At 3 mins body (head not battery) room temp, just a sense of warmth at the bezel

At 5 mins heat is migrating down from bezel.

At 10 mins the external head was well on the way to warm, but it was all coming from the thread contacts at the front.

At this point I took the head apart quickly and the emitter 'dropin' assembly is well... 'bloody hot'! Blister hot sort of territory....



So with those facts I've gone and done what I hope is the right thing and jammed a fair bit of Aluminium foil into the void around the 'pill' to make a broader thermal path, keeping in mind not to let it encroach onto the 'center' spring.

OK 5 mins in, now thats more like it, heats being generated from the whole head, and not just from the point of contact with the threads. I would say 'nice and warm' not uncomfortable.

and at the 10 minute mark, pretty warm, not uncomfortable though.


Hope that answers your questions

WO

 

[a1penguin]

Thanks for the beam shots. It's difficult comparing DX flashlights. I have that MTE SSC P7-D on my bike and it's way way floody. That X-2000 looks like it has a much narrower beam even on flood.

Using the Spiderfire vs X2000 comparison beams from the Russian site
http://fonarevka.lux-rc.com/ that P7 shot you have looks pretty bad.

For $13, it might be a good rainy day light.

The 1200 is just too large for bike use, but I've been tempted to get one to have a "blind the intruder instead of shooting him" flashlight.

 

[Witnessonly]

Hey Penguin,

I think that I could have pointed it up a bit more, it was the first shot I took, and sadly I didn't check that shot against the others until I'd got home.

Let's just leave that out of the assessment process shall we

On the x-2000, and it being a good bike light, yes for me it does a great job in that regard, I use this more than any other with my cycling (urban environmants with a few unlit paths)

 

[space-time]

Witnessonly: Thanks again for that info. I like that strobe rate! And that sounds like a really good mod you did around the pill to get the heat out to the head. :thumbsup: I'll do the same if I wind up getting one of these.

 

[chelboed]

The 1200 is just too large for bike use, but I've been tempted to get one to have a "blind the intruder instead of shooting him" flashlight.

Funny that you mention this...I have one on order that I plan to unscrew the body/tube from the head and use it as a helmet mount bike light. I have a couple of tailcaps that may thread into the head. I can drill 2 small holes in the edge of the tail cap for +/- wires. I have a 4x 18650 cell holder 2s/2p to run 7.4v 5000mAh pack. My only fear is that it will be too tight a spot for trail riding.

 

[a1penguin]

Funny that you mention this...I have one on order that I plan to unscrew the body/tube from the head and use it as a helmet mount bike light. I have a couple of tailcaps that may thread into the head. I can drill 2 small holes in the edge of the tail cap for +/- wires. I have a 4x 18650 cell holder 2s/2p to run 7.4v 5000mAh pack. My only fear is that it will be too tight a spot for trail riding.

I commute home at nite on the roads. I've read that you need much more light for MTB in the dark. Also that flood is good.

I love my Trustfire TR-801 on the helmet. Not too heavy, tight beam and I can use it to see glass/road kill soon in enough time to avoid it at 15-17 mph.

Let us know what you think of the light. It looks like a great light if the quality is decent.

 

[mfm]

Can someone post a picture and state the length of the TR-1200 when using only 2x18650 cells? It seems all pictures and measurements are for 3x18650 only.

 

[Witnessonly]

In 2 battery configuration it's 219mm (3 battery is 286mm).

 

[blck1jack]

I just bought this light and I can't wait to see how it turns out. It looks promising. Those shots are at about 400ft which seems phenomenal for a light this price! Looks like its got good flood and hot spot.

 

[Witnessonly]

Here you go, sized against a 4D cell M@g

WO

 

[PayBack]

I've not seen any mention of runtimes? In fact not even on the site that sells it.

 

[Witnessonly]

Hey Payback,

low- 2 batts= 3 hrs 45 mins, one charger and only a few batts means about a day or 2 of testing...

I can be generous though, pick a power and a battery config, I'll see what I can do....

A 'please' might have helped my 'just acquired' mood though.

WO

 

[blck1jack]

Hey Witness, if you have some time, perhaps a low or medium with 3 batts test? I'm curious to see how much runtime is improved with the third batt. Thanks.

 

[PayBack]

Hey Payback,

low- 2 batts= 3 hrs 45 mins, one charger and only a few batts means about a day or 2 of testing...

I can be generous though, pick a power and a battery config, I'll see what I can do....

A 'please' might have helped my 'just acquired' mood though.

WO

Well the lack of a "please" was due to it being a general statement about what I've seen posted around (including sites that sell it, as I said), rather than a lack of manners in a comment aimed specifically at you.

However any chance of 2 x batts on High, please ;-)

 

[Witnessonly]

All good this end Payback, lets chalk it up to my very long day at this end

And as requested, 2 battery config on high, I have it at 75-80 mins


BJack, I'll have a crack at 3 bat config (I'll do it on low for continuity) in the next couple of days, I'm flat out with work ATM but I'll see what I can do.

Regards,


WO