ThorFire contacted me asking if I’d like to review this light with no additional compensation. I’m not an engineer or electrician, just a simple hobbyist who likes flashlights. I spend a good amount of time outdoors for my job and can appreciate the the compactness of the light and the availability of AA batteries. However there are times where I need more than just 150 or so lumens to light up an area for a short period of time or reach out and see in the distance. This is where the 14500 compatibility is much appreciated.
The light came in ThorFire’s usual no nonsense packaging. I appreciate simple boxes with simple packing materials for items that aren’t extremely delicate. If I’m just going to throw away the packaging, I’d just rather save money for something simple and effective. The set contains the light, instruction manual, spare O rings and bike strap, pocket clip, charger, and 14500 battery.
Build quality seems good with even machining and anodization on the exterior and threads. The anodized threads on the tail cap are square cut and triangular on the head end. The light has a well centered Cree XP-G2 R5 LED, a smooth reflector, ample knurling, a glow gasket, and can tailstand. I could detect no PWM in any setting.
Operating the light is very simple, a quick full click on and a full click off. To cycle modes simply click the light on and half press to cycle through options. A quick double click will activate strobe. The light always turns on from high and has no memory. At 3.78 inches long and .82 inches wide it nearly dissapears in the pocket.
The manual states the light has an IPX-8 rating, 2 meters underwater for 30 minutes. The O rings came lubed just fine but I always like to add some more before I do any waterproof testing. The light was submerged for one hour in a bath of ice water and the subsequent results were absolutely no water leakage.
Video,
Completely dry
The towel was for cleaning up the water that dripped off the outside of the light. I swear (:
ThorFire States that the runtimes are as follows,
14500
High 500 lumens, 35 min./Medium 200 lumens, 75 min./Low 50 lumens, 3hrs./Moonlight 1 lumen, 72 hrs.
AA
High 150 lumens, 55 min./Medium 80 lumens, 135 min./Low 20 lumens, 8 hrs./Moonlight .5 lumens, 120 hrs.
I just happened to have a TG06S I bought myself prior to them offering my sample. Although the version I bought didn’t include that battery and charger. This provided me a good side by side comparison of both lights running down different batteries. The light on the left has the 14500 battery and the one on the right has an Eneloop. Both batteries were freshly charged beforehand.
Beamshots!
With a 14500
The Trash can is 20 yards away.
Moonlight
Low
Medium
High
A comparison of a 14500 on hight and an AA
14500
AA
I am always plesantly surprised with ThorFire’s offerings. Not everyone can afford some of the bigger names and feel a bit uneasy about spending fourty plus dollars on an edc light.