Review: BTU Shocker (3 x XM-L T6 NW | 3 x 18650)

Both lights are equal in output or throw to human eyes though in calculation BTU is 100m longer because BTU copy TK70 reflector (credit goes to Fenix). But what about flood? From beamshots, I clearly can see the difference that TK75 is better because flood is about angle of beam profiles. It is not something far away like throw. Again, a flashlight is not just about throw and flood. Let’s not forget a lot of things on BTU are sub standard and don’t deserve current price.

Well, BTU brand start as copycat with a lot disappointments. I have not much high hope on this brand. Ultrafire copy either, at least they sell it at much lower price. Just look at UF-T50 and Zebralight, Ultrafire is 2-3 times cheaper. Why? Because they know they save a lot on R&D and they are not greedy. BTU also spend a lot less on R&D as it copy TK70. If TK70 is selling at $180, can BTU sell at $90 or lower, definitely can as all these high end flashlights have 100% gross margin as they can’t sell as many as low end flashlights. I am still alarmed to see some of you defending BTU when you pay $150 for BTU where it is stated to be 3500 Lumens and AR lens. Well, maybe some of you really “LOVE” BTU. But that doesn’t mean you should spread around wrong information about BTU saying how good it is and hiding all the “cheatings” it has.

Those BTU lover attacking me or TK75, you need to reconsider your BTU throw is effort of Fenix. Be grateful when you enjoy throw of BTU. I don’t attack you all, I am just stating facts about BTU.

And I don’t work for Fenix. I once insisted TN31 out throw TK70 when ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS posted a lot beamshots about TK70 and TN31.

But I have watched you attack RDR everytime he comes in and posts his field stats. I don’t see the BTU as a ‘copy cat’ . At the time it was introduced. It was filling the void in the industry for a smaller heavy duty thrower/ flooder. If you remember, the TK75 was introduced after the BTU had been in production. Your blantant disregard for actual field stats is disconcerting. Even owners of the TK75 admit what a good lite the BTU is. You insist the BTU is sub standard. Yet you don’t own one. You aren’t fair & unbiased in your assesment. Many light companies rely on each others designs. Look at the SST-90’s. There are a finite amount of design variations. Just because one uses similiar technology doesn’t make it a copy cat. I think many of the so called ‘cutting corners’ you refer to. Was BTU’s effort to lighten a already hefty design.

I certainly am not trying to attack you. I’m just baffled why you have such a passion for hating the BTU. And most, including me, readily admit the TK75 is an awesome light. I have used both lights many times and I know BOTH lights are awesome. Both have advantages and disadvantages. And I have no issue if somebody picks the TK75 over the BTU, after all its a great light with features some prefer.
But what’s with the hatred and false claims against the BTU? A light that you have no personal experience with. It is a very good light with an unmatched throw and flood combo. No LED flashlight on the market can beat it. Now that is a fact.
And are you seriously trying to claim the BTU doesn’t have much flood? That’s a joke. The BTU has TONS of flood. Does it start as soon as a King or TK75 - of course not since it has the deeper reflectors with tighter angles. But I can assure you the BTU will illuminate a HUGE area of light for hundreds of meters.
Now if you don’t like this light, that fine. But why do you feel it’s your primary duty in life to wrongly trash it? You can see most actual owners of this light like it. Some have issue and have stated it. Some are just as impressed as me. But in either case we are justified in our claims good or bad since we have actually used the light.
I have never stated any false info on this light. I don’t guess what my lights do, I test them and find out the facts. Facts like when I openly admitted the TK75 edged out the BTU by 45 lumens. If I was trying to falsely promote this light I would have simply lied and said the BTU kicked its butt. But I didn’t. I have stated my opinion multiple times, such as I like the “heft” of the BTU, and I don’t like the two button function of the TK75. Those are just opinions and everybody has the right to their own. Just like I also think a side clicky on the BTU would be nice and a AR lens would be a good addition.
And if I actually thought another test on this light would actually allow you to make an better decision on the BTU, I would do it. But I know anything I post, show, or demonstrate for you will never be enough. You are so blinded by your hatred for it that nothing else matters. Just like everything I just wrote in this post is pointless since you will likely dispute everything I just stated.
Ok, now your turn to trash the BTU again.

Dale, I didn’t attack RDR, I was bashing BTU when I think BTU is overstated again. One can state how much they love a product, others can also state what are the shortcomings and there are better choice. It might look impolite to someone, to me, it is not. At least, I am not criticizing someone’s wife is ugly or son is fatty.

RDR, I have TK70. I know how the flood is, BTU flood definitely is not as good as TK75. Flood is about seeing things in front of you, not things at distance as that is responsibility of throw. I think I have said before, if you can record a 20 minutes video of BTU always in Turbo mode, with light meter monitoring its output, then you prove your statement that BTU can be used non-stop in Turbo mode, and really convince everyone BTU can be used in Turbo mode non-stop or as long as TK75 does. That will add one more good thing about BTU that is unproven yet at this moment. I don’t ignore good things about BTU for example its throw though TK75 throw as good to human eyes. But I disagree to ignore its shortcomings just because of its throw. Its throw is not really something very impressive either, just on par with TN31 that was difficult to call for better thrower in the past with TK70 to human eyes.

I don’t own BTU. But I have used TK70 for 2+ years accumulating more than maybe 600+ hours. I don’t hate heavy light. I have many other flashlights either. I don’t think I need to buy BTU to know its shortcomings. HID is my gap, LED flashlights are easy to me to study their shortcomings.

I know this is causing unhappiness to both sides and this is never ending if continue. I will not comment on BTU anymore in future even I read newbie post about buying BTU instead of TK75 after so many good things talked about BTU. Let’s have peace.

Ok, I want peace on my side too. Now I would like to do this test for you on the light. Only thing is I have no desire to upload a huge file like that. Not even sure if I have the equipment or service to do that.
I can test both lights for a solid 30 min., keeping both on turbo, no extra cooling, and test them on the lightbox at perhaps every 5 minutes - or whatever timing you prefer - and I would post up my results. If that would be acceptable and you take me on my word, then I’ll test them both this weekend. It’s up to you if this testing method is adequate.
So that test is up to you - yes or no?

http://www.lightmalls.com/archon-d100w-10-000-lumen-underwater-photographing-100wswc-led-diving-flashlight-with-battery

yeah, but how would the BTU or TK do underwater?

More than a few of us are interested in the beamshots as noted.

For that price i would want a sub :slight_smile:

who wants a cookie

RDR, thanks for offering to test. But I hope you do it not just for me, it is for all BLF members who are considering BTU and also to prove your assumption BTU can be used for long time in Turbo mode. I think your camera should have video recording function. This is huge effort as we seldom see people do long time runtime test except some professional flashlight reviewer, if you record it down, you can refer back to it later. We can think about how to publish the file later. I uploaded 3 hours video files to Facebook before, it can be done especially at night when lines are smooth.
I can take your word for it since you can’t upload big video files, maybe 2 minutes interval is better as that will give us 10 readings for 20 minutes.

To other who mention about underwater performance, I don’t recall BTU has the specification about it. I mean even someone tested his BTU can submerge under water, that doesn’t mean your BTU can. It is not stated to have IPX rating. So buyer still have to take their own risk with no manufacturer warranty if they want to submerge it under water. Of course, quite rare people want to submerge their flashlights under water except some reviewers got their samples from manufacturer.

umm the rear rubber seals on the btu are not thick enough for proper sealing .i noticed

oh and fronty can you test the output with and then without the lens .if theres a major diffrence il bug Ric to send me a AR coated one

I should be able to do that. I want to measure the lens size better anyway for possible upgrades later, so I can put it on the lightbox easy enough while I do it.

I have the ability to record that long, no biggie there. It’s the uploading that sux. But let me see what I can do. Ill charge the batteries up and attempt this in one fashion or another tomorrow if I can. I’m curious myself at exactly what time it kicks off turbo, exactly 3 minutes or does it depend on conditions, etc. Too bad I don’t have a temperature gun to see hot hot it gets.
Anyway, again ill see what I can do.

I have an IR temperature probe. I’ll be doing a 20 minute turbo test on this light when I get it. I can live with 3 minute turbo, but I’d really like to be able to reprogram the driver so it had a 10 or 20 minute turbo.

I just went out and bought a Ryobi Tek4 Lion Infrared Thermometer - a temp gun. So I’m good to go in that aspect. If I am going to test any light on run time, multiple turbo bursts, etc., regardless of BTU, TK75, quark or whatever, I want to play it safe and know how hot the lights are getting. If any get too hot, I will now know and can shut them down before damage occurs.
I’m not sure though exactly how hot is too hot. From memory, I was think temps up to 140F (60C) are fairly normal and ok in hard driven lights, but at what point is a light get too hot? I welcome any input on this guys.

wellfrom i understand from my laymans view when led soldered on to the star in the first place,the temparature exceeds above 200 celcius and dosnt harm the led so i guess the driver is the one to watch out for thatl fry before the led does .The more cheaply its made the faster it may fail due to heat.

some observations

-il remove the led centering plastic piece and put in another "flater one. i feel that the "raise" edges are preventing the emittter from striking the sides of the reflector fully .the whole white plastic is like a wall around the emmiter itself!

edit-oh well i tried it :) the beam profile sharpens up a bit. no major changes . So the plastic centering things may be just fine .my bad but im still gona pimp this light up some more

does this look like a u2? .how can one tell?

you really cant tell…

The last time I saw this view of my BTU…. Things went incredibly wrong…. LOL

hahaha . Dale you and i both have the same crazy curious mind .

I have ordered 3 new xml U3 with 20mm star and will change it just for fun :)

will use a more expensive thearmal paste . Silver artic that i use for computer cpu .

thermal paste has to be a very very thin layer just to form a solid bond the 2 metals to transfer heat . thermal paste just "fills up " minute uneven surface . theres no need to dump it like toothpaste !!

I will will also make a large plastic or metal ring 3mm that goes over all the 3 stars and screws neatly . therel be 20mm hole even cut in the large plate thatl keep all stars centered :)

DO NOT let the aluminum heat shield spin on reassembly… That shit wont go good for ya…. Well it didnt me.