Review: TrustFire TR-3T6

No, the base section is too long for one 18650 and at least on the knockoffs, minimum activation voltage is 4.0V

Nope. Wrong. Sorry. two or three. Not one.

Yeah I was looking at a picture all wrong (too tired!)

You can run 2x18500 in the super-shorty configuration though. And if 4 AA’s will fit, 4 18500 will also fit. J) Would that blow the driver though?

It works on 3 cr123 as well if I remember correctly, would make sense if there is 100mm space then 3*34mm must fit also.
I read it with the 18500 just this week here, I guess it were unprotected ones :frowning:
That is no option for me in this light as it empties batteries to fast…
Any tips for 18500 cells? Sadly the libretto laptop packs are not available for my country(eBay lists them for 235€)

I use 2 x 18650 batteries in it. It didn’t come with the extension tube….so I really don’t know if it can handle 3.

Pictures of the driver will come soon. Sorry for the wait, I’ve been very busy.

I’ve seen a lot of misinformation on what won’t work in a trustfire tr-3t6. Mine is the 8 fin all black model with extension tubes from FastTech, stock except for some heat sink compound on the head. Mine will run:
1x18650 w/ dummy cell or spacer -There a noticeable hum/buzz on low and medium, but it will work in a pinch
2x18650 w/ shorter extension
3x18650 w/ both extensions
1x18500 same buzz as 1x18650
2x18500 super shorty mode, this is how I usually carry mine when I’m not on SAR missions
3x18500 w/ spacer and extension
I haven’t been brave enough to turn on 4x18500, but I can confirm that it seems to fit
2xAA only works in two modes, appear to be only mid and low
3xAA either with a dummy cell or with the extension tube not fully screwed down
4xAA w/ both extensions

3xcr123a I can’t confirm since I don’t have any, but others on here suggested it would. I would also bet 1 or 2 or 4 cr123a cells would put out the right amount of power with the right spacers and extensions.

AAAs don’t seem to work, haven’t really messed with them much though, ymmv

This is for my flashlight, yours might vary slightly. I tend to stick to 2 or 3 18650s for when I really need the hours or 2x18500s when I carry it around at home or whenever I don’t plan on using it much. Its nice to actually be able to fit this beast in a pocket whenever I go out at night.
Anyone run theirs on something else?

That is so cool about the 2×18500 super shorty mode CyrusAM. I will definitely be doing that.

DMWalking may not have the same driver as you. His appears to have no markings on the cell side. Does yours?

My driver is green and has "TF" stamped on bottom and some numbers on the top (Bottom and Top of the cell side of the driver). I have the original TR-3T6 with less fins than DMWalking's light above.

Mine is marked “2011-1216” above the spring and “TF” below on a green pcb. I ordered mine from fasttech only about 2 months ago. Just make sure your 18500 cells are short enough, mine are unprotected and the springs seem to be close to their maximum limits.

Thanks Cyrus. I'm using Sanyo unprotected 18500's. I'll watch the pressure when screwing on the end cap.

Thanks for the review. It was nice to see what the ACTUAL lumens are.

After this,I think my comments will be done on this light! I don’t want to offend the op and the people that like it.

Mine looks like Glens,7 fins. Got two of them last November.

I got mine[Two] from T-Mart for $35 U.S.Dollars each. For that price I should not complain but I will!

It is NOT 3800 Lumens as T mart advertizes!! It also does NOT throw 1000 meters as they advertize!! I do NOT buy any more products from that company! Phony Batteries, Distorted and deceptive specs…………….you get what you pay for! :_(

I am probably not too popular! :open_mouth:

Every time I see that light or hear that companies name it reminds me of my Freshman year of mistakes in the Flashlight world! :frowning:

However, even though I was MISLED, for $35.00 it is a bright light and a good weapon for my Girlfriend! I gave her the other one! :smiley:

I use 6 cr123’s in my 3t6 with extension tube. Works phenomenally!

Wow, that is a variation I never tested because I was afraid of the high voltage but if it works it’s fabulous.

Wow, stock 3t6 works with 6x4.2V in series???

Well, it’s actually 6x3 volts in series.

Ah OK, you can see how many cr123’s I use (zero). I assumed the rechargeable ones were 4.2V lithium. 6 in series is kinda dangerous too…

That’s still something though, that means you can add another 18650 to the chain if you wanted with extension or use 4x18500 maybe… Is it perceptibly brighter in stock form with 6xcr123 than it is with 3x18650 or 4xcr123?

I really can’t say if 6 cr123’s or 3 18650’s give the highest brightness as objectively measured but my subjective impression is that the cr123’s give a longer throw than the 18650’s

I received mine from Fasttech (SS bezel, sticker on the reflector, seems genuine to me) a couple of days ago and measured it:

with 3x 18650 it draws 1.4A
with 2x 18650 : 3A
with 1x 18650 : 0,8A

In the voltage-window with 2 to 3 18650 the driver seems to be designed to draw less power with more voltage. The interesting benefit is that the lifetime at high nearly doubles by adding only one additional 18650 and not much loss of light (my 3T6 really does seem brighter with 2 18650, but it’s hard to distinguish by the naked eye).

What the driver does with any additional voltage above that is hard to tell and depends on the programming, but even brighter with 4 18650 would be really nice. :smiley:

Supplemental:
4 AA Eneloops: 3.4A

Everybody seems to forget that the TR 3T6 has an additional advantage; with its 29 cm length ( extensor tube included) and heavy, crenelated, reflector house it is an excellent baton for self defence .