Trustfire Z6 - mostly pics

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-z6-cree-xml-t6-1000lumen-5mode-floodtothrow-glass-optics-led-flashlight-battery-charger-box-set-18650-p-8751

++ Nice box, feels high quality, square threads (though fairly small), nice finish, good knurling, no machine marks, stainless bezel, slide resistance is just right, boxed w/ 1TF flame, ~18mm slide travel

-- tail cap has some uncomfortable corners when operating switch, plastic lens (but higher quality than any others I have), PCB isn't screwed down (but is huge and has thermal grease), pill needs mass (but I haven't seen a screw in I didn't think that about lol), unknown (to me) charger, purplish tint, purists will want to paint the white pcb cover (i generally like all the light i can get)

high quality 18650 at 4.11V --> 2.3A, 1A, .2A, strobe and SOS. driver has last mode memory.

When I get some snap ring pliers I will add pics of the pill. There are tiny holes in the PCB for accessing the holes in the pill and my skinniest needle nose don't fit.

Overall - I'm giddy over this light. The tail cap feel, lack of a solid pcb retainer are the only parts I don't like. I'll fix the tail cap tonight (and find out how hard, or not, the anodizing is lol). If I swap the emitter to a better tint I will tap the existing holes and screw the emitter down...

There's a black washer on the driver in the next photo, just for a size reference (measured in next photo)

Measurement is of pcb diameter...but it doesn't look like it because the calipers are 1/4" above pcb in photo.

triple conversion anyone?! maybe after i stick a massive chunk of copper rod inside the pill

Z6 - sk68 clone w/ li-ion - C10 zoomie

same shot, same settings, 20 seconds later - obvious heat sag in z6

2

Nice pics, thats probably the best looking zoomie I have seen so far.

3

I'm a little ashamed to admit, that's why I bought it.

TF did a good job on this one - not SUPER, but good. It toasts my 'NEW new C55'.

One other con - it isn't as easy to go to candle mode as other zoomies. When you unscrew the bezel the whole slide pull off backwards...instead of being retained from forward movement by pill, like the rest of my zoomies.

I don't want to be over critical...I like this light a LOT - but I don't want someone to pay the relatively high price and dislike something I didn't mention...

4

For reference, lux readings of the same three lights at 20ft (uncalibrated meter...except 20% higher than 2100's readings....so mostly just relative to one another)

z6 - 284

sk68 clone - 366

c10 zoom - 768

5

Thanks for the info about this light, it looks better built than most zoomies.

Is it comfortable to zoom in and out with one hand?

My X8 bounces a bit as the tube on the body is also made of circular fins.

6

definitely a nice build...but then, it is pretty expensive.

I've been operating the zoom with one hand.

with an over hand grip (thumb in switch operating position), w/ pinky and palm moving the slide, and thumb pushing on front shoulder of tail it works great. I find the friction a little too high if over hand using thumb and index finger to move slide.

I haven't greased it yet.

There isn't any wobble noticeable when sliding, but you can make it wobble a little if (you use two hands) and wiggle the head.

this has the nearly the same tint as my TF D1. It doesn't bother me outside but looks odd on my projector screen...

7

This is one of the best-looking FTT lights ever, IMO. Thanks for posting the review.

Since it presumably puts out a lot of lumen, how does it do in flood mode ?

Has anyone found this one for sale by itself, sans charger and TF flame ?

8

flood mode is a few inches wider than xeno e03 spill at 3 ft.

the flood is even except there is a slight ring around the outer edge that is noticeably brighter - reflection off the polished bezel I suppose - I like it.

and since my xeno is WW (and 2A on high) the z6 is MUCH brighter.

another note, as i continue to fiddle w/ half a dozen zoomies here - this is a good lens...the focus is clearer than any other zoomy I have.

this light is way, way down on my mod list, because it is nice, but if one so desired, adding mass to the pill and swapping in a 2.8A+ driver would make this an absolutely awesome light.

I searched extensively and could not find this 'light only'. Someone linked a page advertising z6 only (for $25), and I think you ordered? but a picture has popped up there now (I checked again before ordering) and I think it is the Z5.

9

Thanks for the additional info.

10

charged include tf flame w/ xtar wp1 to 4.13V and I get 2.05A

i guess these really are good cells (used in 1st measurement ;)

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/panasonic-cgr18650ch-2250mah-liion-battery-p-291.html

11

I am going green here. With envy! LOL ;-)

Have to agree that it is one of the best looking zoomies around. As good as the sipik. If not slightly better. But I dont like that tailcap shape.

12

I didn't either but I do now.

sorry about the dark pics - I'll post more when the new driver arrives and I take some w/ a real cam...

13

btw, in case someone gets this light before I post the mod I'm working on...

the pill CANNOT be removed. I don't mean it'd be really hard to remove, I mean it is NOT coming out of there - ever

14

I mean what did you do to that poor tailcap? (I like it better now- so what did you do?)

And wha? about that pill? It it an integral part of the flashlight or what. And did the light survive your attacks to get it out?

15

I took a file to it, then a very fine sanding sponge, then the dremel w/ polishing wheel and matchless compound.

the pill is permanently adhered to the inside of the head. The emitter mounting surface is simply not strong enough to withstand the force required to break the bond.

I removed most of the mounting surface and lapped a chunk of copper into the head.

I'm waiting on a new driver. I'll take some pics during final assembly.

16

So it is basically glued together with the glue from hell. D@mn!

May I ask what the light has in store for it? (or the mail to be more specific )

17

yeah, glue, epoxy, solder...who knows, but it isn't coming apart.

the driver depends on which order arrives first - 2.8a or 3a, h m l, maybe memory

and after all the work, I might as well swap to xm-l-u2-1c and use the stock purplish emitter in something less worthy of decent tint :)

18

Ahh. That sounds like a beautiful setup you have planned. I am thinking this must really be to your liking since so much time and good parts go into it.

I think I'm slowly feeling the urge comming on. Must resist. resist...

19

I definitely like it, and that's part of the reason, but modding stuff...all kinds of stuff...is kind of a sickness for me lol

20

Just got one of these bad boys off Ebay. Here's a little tip for you BLF shoppers as well; hammering Google and Ebay with the name of the light you want to buy (repeatedly, and it may take an hour or so) seems to trigger an alert for indie sellers in China to list the item you're searching. I could be wrong, but as I scoured both sites and searched "Z6" again and again a vendor showed up selling it 2 bucks cheaper than anywhere else. Of course, you don't get batteries or a charger..but who needs 'em at this stage of the game?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330711412071?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649


Also, a little pro-tip from others that I found works perfectly, and saves TONS of money in the long run; Toshiba laptop batteries usually contain Samsung or other branded (usually unprotected) cells. Call around to local computer repair shops (not Best Buy or other franchise) and ask if they have laptop batteries laying around. Obtain whatever packs you can, carefully crack them open, separate the solder tabs and wiring harness and get charging. Since I don't have a multimeter, I just charge all the batteries and leave them alone for a few days. Then, throw them back on the charger. The ones that start recharging are the crappy ones (use them first!) and the ones that leave your indicator green are in great shape. I've got so many 18650's now I vacuum-bagged them and store in the freezer. Just a little life-hack that'll leave you more money for toys.