Review: Black Shadow Terminator 4*U3/4*18650

Because they have two handles, one of the way I hold them is on the top of my head. I can also hold them with single handle just like the picture.
This configuration makes me not considering Olight X6 and Klarus RS80 as strong as before because they are quite similar to me, or I am afraid I will not be amazed anymore by X6 or RS80.
I think it will be practical if one knows the limitation of their flashlights. Or one really needs 5000+ lumens and above, and this is cheaper way to achieve it with branded LED flashlight and quite portable with its size and handles.

Pretty cool, Dengoh! You should try and get a lux reading from it at 20m or so. Would love to see what it does to throw distance.

Is this $134.42 currently the cheapest around? I’m sure there are cheaper around but I couldn’t find.

I shouldn’t add the $6.75 for T6 3C right?

I’m getting the one at Going Gear since they have the U3 version.

You mean this

I tried checking out and it seems I have to pay extra for shipping.

So I might settle for the $134.42 intl-outdoor one. But I’m quite sure somewhere else must have it cheaper.

If you’re in the U.S, free shipping on orders over $49.

I did a 2m lux reading, it was 97kcd peak intensity. I will try again with longer distance.
But I think my meter is not good enough, will also measure TN31 and TK70 to have relative comparison.

Did you use just a tripod metal bolt to attach both Terminators?

Yes, just a small piece of metal 1/4” to 1/4”. Use papers to adjust the depth of the hole so that they align in same direction.

Hello - first time poster :slight_smile:

JohnnyMac, firstly thanks to you for the excellent and very detailed review of the Terminator, and too for the inspiration I needed to go and buy one there and then (from Intl Outdoor )

I have to admit, I’ve always liked the idea of zooming torches, but actually after owning several over several years, I’m just fed up with them. I really only use the zoom to show folk lol. At the moment, my best torch is a Trustfire Z5, a bit basic I know, compared to the vast majority on here, but I really have very little need for anything better. Well, that’s what I thought until I saw the Terminator…

And so I will usher in a new era of retina-melting PROPER torches :open_mouth: >)

Also, I’d just like to say what a great forum this is! I’ve been wanting to treat myself to a new torch for a wee while now, but having been misled many, many times from loads of retailers about what they’re actually selling, I thought I’d head on down here for some good honest research. Good move too. Love all the reviews and beamshots etc, plus of course the fair reviews of the sellers. Very important to know you can trust a seller. The torch can be as expensive and as (allegedly) good as it wants to be, but it’s no use if the seller is a dong.

Anyway, sorry, I’m waffling, I’ll go now lol :slight_smile:

welcome to blf denbuc!!!

Welcome Deunbuc!
You may not know this now (I certainly didn’t when I first got into torches), but do you prefer more flood, or throw in a light? The terminator with the 3k lumens (measure of total output) has ~60k cd (candela, which is a measure of intensity), and a Z5 would have around 35k cd if I recall correctly.
However if you favored throw, you might want to look at something with a larger diameter head such as a Fenix TK75 (2600lumens, approx. 75k cd), Fenix TK70 (2200 lumens, approx. 120k cd) or BTU Shocker (3000 lumens, approx. 130k cd).

I have been using 2 lights simultaneously - one on each hand for my forest trails - the Dry at high mode (1500 lumens) and the TN30 at turbo (2500 lumens). The numbers add up to about 4000 lumens. It lits up a bigger area, as I like to have a wider perimeter of light.
Lately, I’m beginning to hanker for a 2-light added up 5000 lumen beam.

Because the 2 lights are side by side, it is inevitable that I pit them against one another.
This is not a good thing to do. It then becomes apparent that the DRY is underperforming. With the same number of lumens approx. TN30 is quite a bit brighter than the DRY, no matter what.
Of course I’d like to push the envelope for the DRY, like using thicker wires, etc. but I don’t have the skills.

Lol - if I hammer a nail to the wall, the nail will run crooked - 9 out of 10 times. I have bend many nails.
I put a screw in place, I destroy the threads. My bike exhaust pipe had to be rethreaded twice.
Once I kill a hair dryer by trying to shrink wrap some audio wires.
When it comes to hand skills, better for me not to touch anything.

This has more or less reinforced my attitude that I am better of with well made, branded light as I do not have to meddle with anything and they generally perform better and last longer.

So I will bide my time and wait for a suitable, high powered multi-emitter light upwards of 2500 lumens to come along. Short bursts of (2 - 3 mins turbo) will not be useful in my context.
I am actually contemplating getting another TN30 as I really like the magnetic interface and the looks.
But I will keep my options open for another multi emitter light. TK75 is another option. Any light above 3000 lumens with a decent throw and a middle mode of 1600 lumens will be a good contender.

Hi everyone, new guy here. I just signed up, hope I’m welcome. :slight_smile:

How great is this light? I’ve been reading a whole lot about the BS Terminator and would want to pick up one or two but is not real sure about which emitter I should choose. How bright is it going from U2 to U3? Only place I can find them U3 is goinggear and they charge $63 to ship the light to me vs. free shipping from intnl-outdoors for the U2 version. That’s a huge difference in the unit price.

Would the keeppower 3400 18650s from cnqualitygoods and xtar SP2 charger be a perfect match for this light?

Thanks for the welcome Slewflash and jmpaul320! :slight_smile:

Slewflash, I use my torches going camping/walking/hiking and for drunken walks home lol, not really any more than that, so I suppose when I think about it flood is more important to me for close-quarters vision. But honestly, apart from the time I use them, I really just like to know that I have an arse-kicker of a torch close-by for any eventuality. Bit sad maybe and a bit pointless lol. Thanks for the advice/info/tips! Every day’s a school day! This one seems to be a great mix of looks, build quality, power and price.

the difference between those two emitter bins is 7%

a bin has a range, so a U2 that almost made it to U3, compared to a U3 that almost didn’t make the cut, could be ~1% difference.

in other words, buy the one that is significantly cheaper.

You might want to consider either this, an Apex 5T6 or a skyray king. The King has 3 XML emitters, roughly 2200lumens for the coolwhite tint and approx. 23k cd. It’s got the perfect output for what you’re after, but bear in mind the King can’t be turned on high for more than around 5-7 minutes because the entire body will actually heat up like a frying pan and it will hurt to actually hold it, so maybe you want something with a handle such as the BS Terminator or the Apex 5T6. The Apex 5T6 has similar output to the king, has less throw and more flood and allows for longer periods of use due to the handle.

Welcome to the family, Denbuc!! Thanks for the kind words.

I'm sure you will love your Terminator and you purchased from a great seller. Hank is great to deal with and if something is not right he is sure to set things straight and do what it takes. He is a stand up guy. Be sure to stick around and post often. Let us know how you like your light once you have it as well as any other lights you get in the future. ;)

Will-do JohnnyMac, thank you. :slight_smile:

Welcome to the family, arjay!! You won’t see a difference between bins with the naked eye and even side-by-side it’s hard to tell a difference. Get it based on the best price and you will be happy. I truly believe the machining and craftsmanship on this light are second to none. You will love it!

Your battery and charger choice is fantastic. ;)