Product Review : Trustfire F20 5 mode AA/14500 battery flashlight

[myself]

http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/s...XR_E_Q5_5_Mode_100_Lumen_LED_Flashlight-27739


Im looking at the Trustfire F20 today , its AA - 14500 capable [ my main interest being AA ] , and mine came from Lightake.com , and took a little over 1 week to arrive . The pill was not tightened as it arrived , but thats ok , as I usually remove the pill to cut some slots in it to make tightening and removal much easier . You can see the cuts clearly in the picture bellow .

Description from Lightake .

TrustFire F20 Cree XR-E Q5 5-Mode 100-Lumen LED Flashlight Features
- Compact and portable design
- TrustFire F20 Cree XR-E Q5 5-Mode 100-Lumen LED Flashlight
- Powered by 1*AA battery (not included)
- Constant current driver circuit
- Maxium Lumens: Output up to 100 Lumens
- Coated glass and orange peel reflector
- Durable Aluminum Alloy housing
- ON/OFF power switch by pressing the end of the torch body
- 5 modes: Hi > Mid > Lo > Strobe > SOS
- TrustFire F20 with built-in clip for carrying conveniently
- Perfect fit for home maintenance, outdoor activities, hiking, night fishing, camping, caving, hunting etc

TrustFire F20 Cree XR-E Q5 5-Mode 100-Lumen LED Flashlight Specifications
Model: TrustFire
LED: Cree XR-E Q5
Lumen: 100 lumens
Reflector: Orange Peel
Color: Gray
Lens diameter: 20.4mm
Length: 96.0mm
Weight (including the packing):51.0g


The 100Lumen claim for output is nice and conservative , I like that [ For AA ] , and I was a little surprised by the performance .

Also surprising was the build quality , square cut threads , a decent clip [ just ] , nice even anodizing , solid clicky ,

very nicely cut knurling , GITD O-rings and tail cap , and nicely spaced out modes with mode memory , and it does tailstand .

If there is anything to complain about , it would have to be the lose pill on arrival [ not an issue for me ] , and what I would like to see is not so deep a recessed clicky , and a stronger clip , as well I would love to see a straight Hi - Med - Lo version , mode memory means you have to go through strobe and SOS to get back to high from Low .


Performance on AA's


Eveready Rechargeable 1.4v / 130 Lumen

MP rechargeable 1.35v / 125Lumen

INCA rechargeable 1.35v / 125Lumen

Sony rechargeable 1.39v / 127Lumen

Duracell Alkaline 120Lumen

Varta High Energy 110Lumen

Coles Alkaline 120Lumen


Modes


High = 130L - 1.8A

Medium = 55L - 0.78A

Low = 19L - 0.19A


Im sorry there are no beamshots as it was raining rather hard last night , so hopefully I will be able to get some tonight [ I hope ]

I will update this asap , with some 14500 figures , but I just wanted to post this as I was rather impressed with the performance on AA's , and to date I would suggest this might be the best little bargain going in AA capable flashlights ...


14500 Performance


High = 0.97A - starts 230Lumen , sags to 210L after 30 seconds

Medium = 0.42A - 105Lumen

Low = 0.1A - 24Lumen


On high the light begins to warm up very quickly , and the output begins to drop as soon as you turn it on , so I would suggest that anyone buying this light be happy with the above average performance on AA's . I also would be remiss if I didnt mention that some folk have apparently killed the drivers when using 14500 batteries , though mine seems to run fine on a 14500 , and does not appear to affect AA performance in any shape or form . [ Some lights when run on 14500 , suffer from deteriorating performance on AA's as a result from being run on the 14500 ]

PS : this review was written by Old4570 !

 

[Old Bones]

Great review - I'd seen Trustfire lights and batteries on Deal Extremes site, but its good to get such a detailed review. My only problem is that now you've pointed out a new website (Lightake), which has some Romisen lights which are either not on DX or have better leds. Temptation is a terrible thing...

BTW - is this item http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/sku.iTP_C9_Cree_7090_XR_E_Q5_3_Mode_190_Lumen_LED_Flashlight_%28Regular_Version%29-%2027668 possibly in the wrong place?

 

[Tony]

that's a great little review, thanks for putting it up....is old4570 ok with it?

 

[British Red]

I have one of these - at least I think it is - mine says Trustfire R5-A3

Its the most disappointing torch I have bought. It overheats, the claimed lumen output is "optimistic", battery consumption is more than heavy.

There are much better torches out there for the money (even under the "no name") brands.

Really guys, save your money

Red

 

[myself]

Great review - I'd seen Trustfire lights and batteries on Deal Extremes site, but its good to get such a detailed review. My only problem is that now you've pointed out a new website (Lightake), which has some Romisen lights which are either not on DX or have better leds. Temptation is a terrible thing...

BTW - is this item http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/sku.iTP_C9_Cree_7090_XR_E_Q5_3_Mode_190_Lumen_LED_Flashlight_%28Regular_Version%29-%2027668 possibly in the wrong place?

Sorry for late reply , Lightake is very similar to Dealextreme, but there have some gadgets that Dealextreme didn't have .
Yes , there have some product with a nice price.you might can have a try !

 

[myself]

that's a great little review, thanks for putting it up....is old4570 ok with it?

Yes ,sir, i have contact Old4570 , he also glad to share this review to the forum members.

 

[myself]

I have one of these - at least I think it is - mine says Trustfire R5-A3

Its the most disappointing torch I have bought. It overheats, the claimed lumen output is "optimistic", battery consumption is more than heavy.

There are much better torches out there for the money (even under the "no name") brands.

Really guys, save your money

Red

I didn't have Trustfire R5-A3 , but i have the Trustfire Z1 , it works well ,and i like the design ,the quality is OK for the money !

 

[British Red]

Thats cool, differing opinions are allowed. I just wanted to offer a different perspective on th ebrand. Perhaps yours in a newer model and they have ironed out the problems.