WildTrail WT90 - SBT90.2 1800m+ throw 90mm 3x 21700 With Texas_Ace driver

I really trust Flashoholic, and he does quality reviews. But I don’t know if the prototype thing is different for him?

Regarding the tripod hole, I guess I’m having a hard time understanding why the opposite side of the switch cannot work? If of course the fins weren’t milled out, and it remained a solid chunk of metal? Does leaving that as a solid flat piece effect the grip? It doesn’t seem like it would effect the battery tube?

EDIT: I just watched the video again, especially the first 20 second when they are rotating the upper showing the head and the button hole drilled out, the fins on the back really look like they’d have just enough meat, if left unmilled and flat, for the threading. But when millimeters matter using my eye does no good. I

Agreed!

I don’t have exact measurements but comparing it to my GT tripod hole, there does not appear to be enough room in those fins for the threads. The bottom fin is deep enough but the reflector inside the light starts expanding, that is why the upper fins are shallower. By the 3rd fin, there would not be enough room for sure as it is only a few mm deep. I am not sure how thick the metal behind the fins is but the CAD drawing does not look like it would be thick enough.

I did ask them to look into it though and they are but they are much more receptive to a handle that can be added to the light understandably. I told them if they make the handle custom that adding a tripod mount to it would be great. We will see what happens.

Got a link to him? I am not familiar with him.

The issue I have had about doing reviews of my own lights is I could unconsciously look at them with rose colored glasses. This is why I try to keep my “reviews” on group buy lights I am running as fact based as possible to remain above any possible mis-representation.

I have no problems with others giving honest opinion based reviews which is why I am trying to get this prototype into the hands of someone that could do an unbiased review.

The usage of the light is identical to the GT70/90/94 as it uses the same firmware.

If I can find some time I might take some quick beamshots one of these nights and see how they turn out. I have about 10 projects going on at once right now (including building a barn that is a bit more work then I had planned lol) so have not had much time to sit still much less go take beamshots recently.

Yes you do, he had some “issues” with your TA tube. The_Flashaholic

It hit me after I posted that, that it might be him. I think I blocked him out of my memory lol.

Didn’t you complain about him and his personal ethics and antics w/ some dealings y’all had sometime a while back? (2 years ago)

Oh man,’I was unaware my apologies.

Ok, that makes sense; woth the expanding width of the inside cavity of the head, resulting in less substance for the tripod hole.

And I am not at all opposed to the style handle you, Yokiamy, and others had been mentioning. That seems like a completely reliable and reasonable solution to me. I would pay extra for that, depending on price. If it was included even better, but I’d rather see the price of the light stay down and just purchase a handle after the fact.

Thanks TA for explaining this to me and your patience with it. Can’t wait for this light!

The tripod mount should be centered well to the weight when loaded with batts, for such a big light. It's somewhat odd to have the switch in front of the LED. I would think it puts your hand in the hot zone when holding it to operate the switch. Seems like they are trying to keep the length as short as possible while using a reflector as deep as possible. I'm not a fan of deep reflectors for throw, I know some are. Not sure if it's proven they result in any more kcd.

Without knowing the center of gravity, hard to say where it should be. Without a tripod mount it's not a deal breaker for me and does sound like only a re-design of this light would allow one to be designed in. I agree to punt for a designed in one for now, as TA is saying.

There's always the trade-off with switch position, making the hold area narrow enough to hold comfortably, and thermal design. I recall the old modded TN41's had a nice thin zone to hold comfortably but it was right where the LED is, and boy did that get hot.

TA, I recommend Tom E to do a deep dive on this light. If he is willing of course?I know it would help me make a decision getting his two cents on it after he was able to handle it.

If I can ask, why do you not like a deep reflector For throw? I honestly have never noticed if a light has a deep reflector or not. Is it because the effect it has on the beam? Or switch placement like you were mentioning?Or something else?

Ok, got an update, they will look into adding a tripod mount to future lights, not confirmed but they are going to give it their best shot if it can be done without effecting the rest of the light too much.

Also looking into handle options as well, so we will see what they come up with.

Thank you for the update TA!

Deep reflectors do narrow the spill, not sure if they narrow the hot spot much. If there is a gain in throw, it's not much. 3 main factors for throw in reflector lights:

It is strange to have the switch above the LED, and yes the grip does get hot but I worked with them on the thermal path quite a bit so the grip is only a few degrees warmer then the fins in my thermal test, so big picture it doesn’t seem to have that much of a real world effect on temps. Still took 6 mins to reach 60c at the grip in my test. I would say it is pretty close to the GT thermal gradient.

Loaded with cells the center of gravity is right below the switch it appears, feels pretty good in the hand. They got the balance pretty good for hand holding.

I also got word they are planning to make 70 silver lights, total time should be about 30-40 days until those are ready (largely depends on the China holiday that is coming shortly). No word yet on if they will include a tripod mount, not sure if that will make it into this batch.

I just noticed this- the silver picture is from 28 seconds into the OP video, And black picture is from the end of the video. Different head shape/design/roll stops. I like them both, but the silver one is nice. Kindve has a K1 feel to it. I wonder which one will make production?