[REVIEW] Thorfire TG06S (yep another one)

Hello everyone,
Welcome to my first flashlight review. Now I know there has already been a few reviews on this light but Thorfire asked and how could I refuse.

I was sent the TG06s flashlight by the Thorfire Amazon Australia store for reviewing purposes. I have not received anything other than the light as compensation for this review.
The Thorfire TG06s is the upgraded version of the TG06 and is a compact AA sized flashlight. It uses a Normal AA sized battery or a 14500 sized lithium-ion battery and can put out a Max of 500lumens when using a 14500 Li-Ion battery.
The light arrived in a simple Thorfire branded brown cardboard box, shipping from Amazon AU was lightning fast, I received the light within 3 days.

The light was well packaged, with a foam inlay in the box and the light itself was in a lil bubble wrap baggy.
Simply enough there was an extra set of spare o-rings and a short manual included.

The TG06S is constructed of Aircraft grade aluminium coated in black Anodizing. The Anodizing is evenly applied and I could not find any defects on my example. It has a strong clip that I found was not all that easy to remove, but, think that is a good thing as it shows its strength. The clip can also be reversed for use on brim of your hat or something similar.
This photo shows its size difference when compared to a Utorch Ut01 and Convoy s2+

And in the hand

On first use I installed a Sanyo 800mah Li-Ion Battery. I later found this battery to be too short, If I shook the light with this battery installed it would cycle through the modes as if I were half clicking. This could be fixed by soldering a small spring onto the driver or just using a battery with a longer dimension. Fortunately I had just received an order of Keeppower 840mah 14500s so once I placed this inside it worked without issue.

I set out to disassemble the light and have a look at its components. One thing that I did notice was the tail cap was not removable, strange, but not a massive issue, just undo the head and you are able to install your AA/14500 battery easily. On removing the head, I noticed the thread is nice, smooth and well cut.
After a struggle and few swear words, I was able to remove the tail cap. I had to use a clamp and ring spanner. After further inspection, I can see it was glued on. Why??
This is the light completely disassembled

The TG06S uses a Cree XPG-2 LED, with a max output of 500 lumens while using a 14500 Li-Ion Battery.


The Light has 5 modes. On first click the light will always revert to high mode, each additional half click will go to a lower mode. Once moonlight has been reached the next half click will take it to high again. Two quick half clicks will activate strobe.

14500 Li-Ion battery
High – 500 Lms
Medium – 200 Lms
Low – 50 Lms
Moonlight – 1 Lm

AA or Ni-mH
High – 150 Lms
Medium – 80Lms
Low – 20Lms
Moonlight – 0.5Lms

BEAMSHOTS
I used the Utorch UT01 as a comparison light


You can see the Ut01 is slightly brighter, but it is also rated at 800lms to The TG06S’ 500lms. Despite this difference, I think that the TG06S actually out throws the UT01 and is a great performer.

SUMMARY

The TG06S is a well built, Bright, Throwy EDC Light. After a week’s use I have become quite fond of the little light and will use it quite often. With the speed at which Thorfire Amazon AU shipped the light to me, I will be sure to purchase more lights from them (hopefully the Q8 :wink: )

PROS

-Compact
-well built
-good amount of throw
-lightweight
-strong reversible clip

CONS

-problems tail standing
-Tail cap Glued down.

The TG06S is currently an Amazon Lighting Deal at $13.59. I was about to order until I saw the PWM issue in this video https://youtu.be/mebHAYWiwjc?t=3m42s. Is it noticeable in real time?

No, not noticeable at all. :+1:

I believe they went with a different driver, on the new model. I have a few of these, and my latest one (purchased beginning of Nov), has no PWM. Great little light

EDIT: And also Nice review :+1:

Nice, was the tailcap on your most recent one glued down too?

Thanks man appreciate it :beer: :beer: :beer:

If you put it in front of a quality video camera and you will see the PWM but, had no one known that they would have never noticed the difference.

I have never let PWM at lower levels stop me from purchasing any lights...

I just did a short video of the beam on my camera and there is no noticeable PWM.

this makes me think, as dusty said, they have upgraded the driver :partying_face:

I don’t believe it was glued. Can’t remember If I had taken that one apart or not. It’s in the wifes purse. None of the others were glued. As far as tail standing, I have some tailcaps that are not quite as tall, which allows it to sit inside the tube a bit.

I’ll now about the glue on Thursday, as I’ve just ordered another one :person_facepalming:
$10.20 with 35% coupon listed on page.

Is that one you purchased recently terry?

EDIT: Lol yep just did a quick vid on my phone and it is as noticeable as your in your video.

I own about 6 of those dating back to the first TG06 that would actually hit 500 lumen long before there was a S model all the way up to the latest model which is actually a bit lower in output than the TG06 I mentioned above as it is a 1.5A current verses the older TG06 that was a 2A current..

It is still a very good light. And like I said if no one pointed out the PWM then ot would have never been an issue at all.

To me PWM is just one of those things that is harped about far too much in most cases... As long as it is not noticeable with the naked eye then to me it is a non issue...

Now if I were going to be filming with the light as a background light then yes it would... But I do not plan to do that so to me it was always a non issue.

Completely agree!

I am gonna take that video down... I only wanted to show that it is only at the lowest setting and only visible using the camera...

Like I said for me it was and is a non issue.

Glad I didn’t order during the lightning deal. I just ordered one with the code for $10.53. :+1:

Here is a quick video I posted a while back in ( another TG06 review :smiling_imp: ) It shows the difference between an earlier model, and my latest.
Personally, I never noticed PWM on my other models, but it was brought up so I had to see for myself.
PWM

And it was $10.53, I just had a few cents of amazon points.

That’s too bad.

So no memory, I’m guessing? Some Amazon reviews say it has memory, others say that it doesn’t. Which one is it???

Mine has no memory

Cool nice review.

I am so envious of those who can’t see PWM. It drives me crazy, like a disco strobe. I have an original TG06 that never leaves the night stand drawer its PWM is so bad. Crying shame for what is an EXCELLENT light in every other way.

I dunno about that. For me, no memory and start on high is grounds for immediate disqualification. :slight_smile:

What is the diameter of driver?

17mm driver, and 16mm mcpcb for the led. H17F driver fits as long as you are careful when tightening down the retaining ring, so most any 17mm driver should fit.

I have both the older non-S version, and the newer one with that driver in them.