Review: Trustfire Z2 (1 x AA/1 x 14500)

Trustfire Z2

Pros:

  • Mode memory
  • Smooth threads
  • Long throw
  • Strong magnetic base
  • Nice feel to it
  • Packs punch for its size
  • $15 price tag

Cons:

  • Not much spill
  • Chipped paint on clip out of the box
  • Strobe / SOS (may be a pro for some)

Features:

  • 5 modes H>M>L>Strobe>SOS
  • Coated glass lens
  • SMO reflector
  • HAIII hard anodizing

I picked this up today after nearly 5 months, I didn't know it was coming so it was a nice surprise.

I am not used to receiving any flash lights in a box so this was a nice touch that made it feel a little higher class than others.

Wow 500 meter range but it didn't come with a rechargeable battery like it says on the box.

The box contains a nice rubberised foam for extra protection.

Nice deep reflector for throw.

The reflector is rather wide at the end where it flares out compared to other flash lights in this style.

It has a very nice finish and a sturdy clip.

This is the only flaw with the light, it seems that it has missing paint off the clip. It doesn't bother me but still it shouldn't have passed QC like that. In fact there is nothing in or on the box saying it passed QC of any kind anyway.

The rest of the light is flawless

From left to right: Solarforce L2, XENO E03, Trustfire Z2, 18650, 14500

It works sideways on the fridge...

And upside down on a shelf that I now realize I need to secure to the wall better.

I wasn't game enough to pull it apart any more than this.

Top is the Trustfire Z2, bottm is SolarForce L2 with MF UF drop in.

Both are approx 1m from the wall

I didnt have anything to rest them on, so the Z2 is in my left hand, the camera is in my right hand, and the L2 is between my knees the same distance as the Z2.

The hot spot appers to be the same intensity visually but the L2's is larger and has a lot more spill.

Conclusion:

If you are after this style of angle light and will not be working with it close up this would be ideal.

I will try to borrow a ZL H51 to do some extra comparisons ASAP.

Last words:

Its not much of a review, its my first and I thought it would be helpful to anyone considering buying this as I don't think there is any review of this anywhere yet.

I have not added any exact specs as on different sites it ranges from 300 lumens to 400 lumens, 700mA to 1700mA and XP-G R2 to XP-G R5 and its not possible for me to test any of those.

Thanks for it! Helpful :=)

Thanks for the review. I was looking into this light awhile ago. Can you unscrew the bezel to put it into full flood mode like the older Z1 could?

-Garry

I just tried it, yep it comes off easy.

..and thanks for confirming this. It kind of doubles the value of this light!

It'd be amazing if it came with a tiny aspheric lense that screwed into that spot to make it full even flood. Thats how I prefer my headlamps/angle lights.

Thanks for review!

BTW theres review in Spanish, just google for it, more on battery life there.

If it had lower low mode if would be UF-H2 killer.

The only thing that keeps me from buying this is not enough low and not enough runtime on low and also lack of it@DD so I could use my gift cards and Dpoints there to get it under 10$ :D!

BTW, can you measure parasitic drain on this?

Hey, that's my kinda light. How much difference was there in brightness between alkalines/eneloops/14500's? I hope it does well on regular AA's, great emergency light. I am a Z1 fan, so the AA factor is nice.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this light has a standard reverse clicky switch (not electric switch) => no parasitic drain.

Thanks for the review Ezarc, I'm liking the look of this light, too.Any chance of a full-flood (bezel unscrewed) beamshot? Is it bright enough to be useful used like that?

Thanks for the review! I'm a big fan of the Z1 also and I've had the Z2 on my shortlist for a while now, except I don't actually need another angle light (bought half a dozen Z1s when they were cheap and keep them around the house and then there's the various UF-H1/2/3s).

Nah, I can always use another one. :D

Thanks a lot for the review and the detailed pictures! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

Nice job, ezarc! Just some clarification and extra info on a few items would be much appreciated.

  • Does it work on both AA and 14500?
  • Any chance of beam shots showing differences in output with each?
  • Can you measure current draw at the tail cap?
  • What emitter is in it?
  • Standard or electric switch? Any way to measure parasitic loss if electric?
  • Beam shot of it without the reflector?

Didnt know that, thanks for clarifying!

Yeah it works with both AA ad 14500, its in the title. Ill try and get some pics of both beam shots but I am just using a phone camera set to auto and the flash off for the last one so I have no idea how they will turn out.

I don't have a multimeter to measure the tail cap draw, I don't have any plans to get one.

The emitter I have no idea, I have now found it says 3 different emitters at 3 different websites. XP-G R2, XP-G R5 and Q5, I don't know if they have different emitters or they are guessing or lying to make it appear better on paper. I

Its just a standard switch, Ill try to get some pics without the reflector also but it wont be for a day or 2. Ill update the first post when I do with the new beam shots.

Where did you buy this from ? Thanks.

Sorry, I didn’t notice the battery choices in the title. Your pics so far look great, even the beam shots. Mine always come out looking blue for some reason. Nice work, EZ.

Nice review, thanks!

Seems like a decent alternative angle-light in budget range!

+1 on the head removal, add diffuser an Voilá, get a cheap floodlight,

Thanks for taking the time to review this. I really dig the little angle heads.

Any idea if the LED can be swapped with a neutral white one?