Hi All
I was wondering what some opinions were on the Trustfire 3T6, compared to some of the other multi-emitter lights available today… especially for the price… I see the SRK clones continually drop in price. The 3T6 I have found for ~$28, not much cheaper….
Thanks!
Yeah, the Trustfire 3T6 is a must own torch for a flashaholic. It was the first “Wow” light, and broke the true 1000 lumen mark. Can’t miss, but buy it from Fasttech to be certain of quality…
Thanks for the feedback! I’m wondering given the price tag if I might not be able to get a better performing light for around the same $$?
I found that as soon as I got my SRK the TR-3T6 never got another minutes use. Not only is the SRK brighter, but it's size is much more convenient to use. It tail stands solidly, is compact enough to drop in a jacket pocket, and is rock solid and durable even though it can get hot as hell. The TR-3T6 is too skinny to hold comfortably, too long to carry easily, too much a PITA to switch modes because the switch is all the way at the end of that long body, and due to it's long, topheavy body, it doesn't tail stand all too stably.
If you are just collecting lights then the TR-3T6 is a nice light to have in your collection, but if you are looking to save money and buy the best light you can in order to actually use it hard, and every dollar saved counts, then the SRK is the best buy even though it costs $10 or more. It's money better spent that in the long run will give you a light that will get used the most between the two. ;)
It is a great light. It is a tough work horse. It has great heat sinking and can run on all kinds of batteries. I like the beam pattern better than the SRK. Seems more throwy and less floody. SRK is just too much flood for me. I like to see out further.
Thanks for the two different perspects JohnnyMac and ImA4Wheelr… I’m kinda forced to pick between ‘one or the other… and got an email from TomTop selling this light for $26.99. I was adding all the number up to figure out if I wanted to find a suitable host for my p60 drop-in with Qlite 3.04A and XM-L2, or try building a light from ’scratch’ with a host kit and ‘matching’ driver and emitter… The cost of the complete 3 x XM-L 3T6 is pretty close…
The idea of a ‘killer’ flashlight is kinda cool, but I am thinking it too big for what I would want (somewhat edc)… but then parts of me ‘thinks’ I can definitely find use for it… lol!!
My SRK is brighter than the TR-3T6…. The SRK has three modes high, low, & strobe. It’s about the size of a popcan (4× 18650), The TR-3T6 has a smaller handle. 5 modes Strobe, sos, high medium & low. ( 2 or 3× 18650 ). I paid about the same price for them. Not had any issues with either. They are both great budget lights. The one issue that sucks… Buying SRK’s is a crap shoot… You can get good ones or bad ones. I’ve not heard of similar issues with the TR-3T6. Being that I got a good SRK… IMO! thats the one I would go with. BUT… Factoring in the hit miss percentages of quality. The TR-3T6 might be a safer bet… Good luck!
The strong points of the SRK’s above are good. I like both lights too. But when I need efficiency, long term use, or prefer to not use Li-ions, I pick up the 3T6.
If you get the TR-3T6, I would recommend you get it from Lightmalls. That is where I got mine and it is the orginal model. The original model has a better driver. Can work on 1 to 3 cells. Get the one with the extension. You can then run the light on 4AA eneloops or 3 4/3F Ni-mh.
Hi, i have both the 3T6 and the SRK and for me the 3T6 is much better to use. It is great for using when walking, it isn’t too heavy and is comfortable to hold, it lights up a fair distance ahead but still has good Flood, you can use it in less than 3 cell config if you wish, it is able to be used for defence because of it’s shape, you can also slide it descreetly down beside your Car seat next to the Console where it is easy to reach for emergensies. For all of these reasons and many more it is is one of my favourite Lights to use for most situations. The SRK’s biggest problem is that it just gets too damn hot to hold if you’re using it on high for any length of time, so it is generally only used for short bursts checking the back yard etc.
The 3T6 is a Legend in my opinion, and for the price and usability, it is very hard to beat.
Cheers
I have both and the SRK has more wow factor but the 3T6 is more usable. If I’m just going to shine around my back yard the SRK is cool if I’m going for a long walk I’m going to take the 3T6. It’s comfortable to carry, it has a low mode and it doesn’t get hot.
Here’s another vote for the SRK. Ive purchased 5 from this vendor and all arrived with the high output driver and high polished reflector. I sold my 3T6 the same week I acquired my first SRK. It just couldnt compare for all the reasons already mentioned, including the lousy heat sinking.
use LZZCYLSA for another 5% off
heres’s an oldie but goodie: Trustfire tr-1200
it should outthrow the 3t6 also. since its 5xq5, it still has very useable spill, and pretty floody also.
it can use 2 or 3 18650
might be cheaper places to purchase from though
So, on your recommendation, Mr. Flash Pilot, I bought a SRK seems how I don’t own one from our unmentionable seller. So you guarantee 6 amps + at the tail, or you supply me with beer for a year, right? J)
~
The 3T6 can easily be modded to 6.xA through the LEDs with a simple resistor mod stock is 4.xA.
I never use it with 3 cells as it is too long and thin for me. I always use 2 cells in it and it is one of the lights which I have always batteries in and can grab immediately to do everything( a lot of other lights just are collecting dust). In two cell operation it has the perfect form factor for me.
The possibility of using AAs makes it even better.
I don’t think that gold is the color to go with for hot flashlights…so if there were a nice reliable black one for 30$ I would buy one too.
I have both. My SRK is from the aforementioned unmentionable (isn't that an oxymoron?) seller and is well driven and very impressive! My TF 3T6 is under-driven and completely "meh". I've not touched my 3T6 since getting my SRK! Oh, and my 3T6 was from the same seller as my SRK.
-Garry
I had this light once. at the early stage of my interest into LED flashlight world..thirsty for brightness.
so bought it without second thought. cheap, well built, and driven well (still can be optimized though). aiming at 200 m is easy task for this light with very visible beam.
the only drawback is multi cell serial configuration. the threat of reverse polarity charging make me worry and uncomfortable to use this light for long run. and with 2 cells, it simply not enough power to support the long run time. so end up selling this to a fellow.
top recommended if you don't mind serial battery config.
Ha, love the post garrybunk.
Chosing between these 2 lights is tough. They are quite different. I just wanted to add. The 3T6 is quite compact with one cell (stubby mode). Not much bigger than a C8, but puts out a ton more light even though it only pulls a little more than half the amperage (if memory serves me). Quite efficient in 1 cell mode.
The C8 I was using at the time pulled 3+ amps. I think the 3T6 was only pulling 1.7+ amps, but swamped the C8.
Wait, don’t these 3T6 lights use the same drop-in as those KD ones recently introduced for more than a whole light?
I don’t know. Mine had a big fancy official looking oval “Trustfire” sticker on the pill’s heat sink fins. I made the mistake of pulling it off because I didn’t want it to hamper heat sinking.
mine won't light on with 1 cell only..
but it does has the oval trustfire sticker on the heatsink :)