ThruNite T30




ThruNite started a few years ago with a small light, then they added a very good thrower (Catapult) and has lately added lots of other lights to their range. The light I am looking at here is a light in 18650 size. The light has 3 brightness settings, to change between them the head must be loosened and then tighten. On/off is done with a forward tail switch. The light will remember the last selected brightness. The light is made of aluminum with hard-anodized (Type 3) finish.

I got a early copy of the light without any box, accessories or text on the light.



The light uses a smooth reflector with a XM-L led in the center. The bezel is in stainless steel.



The head has a good knurling, that gives a good grip, behind the knurling is the usual heatsink.




The backside of the head shows the connection to the battery, this connection is a spring. Around the periphery is a metal ring that is used for mode changes.



The battery tube has square cut threads and o-rings to seal the light. The tail thread is anodized, making it possible to lock out the light.



The body has the same type of knurling as the head and tailcap.



The light has a removable tactical ring, this ring can also be used for the lanyard. When removed there is nothing to protect the threads. This ring also works as an anti roll device.



The body with the clip mounted. There is no lock for the clip, but the tactical ring does help to hold it.



In the tailcap is the usual spring. The light has a protruding switch, i.e. it cannot tailstand.



Here is all the part the light can be disassembled in without tools.


This light is the usual size for a 18650 light, performance is in the good end for both total output and throw. This light has a simple user interface with only 3 brightness settings and no flashing modes. There is a huge spread between the settings. As the other ThruNite 18650 lights the light has slightly reduced performance on 18650 LiIon batteries.
This light is not for people that want to find exactly the right brightness for a job, but for people that want a fast and easy way to change from a weak night light to a bright allround flashlight or high power flashlight.



Technical specification and measurements



The light is rated for use with 1x18650 or 2xCR123 batteries. The light works fine with all 18650 batteries from 65 to 70 mm long.

Measured size and weight:
Length: 143 mm
Diameter: 24.3 mm to 35.1 mm
Weight: 177 gram with 2xCR123 and 190 gram with AW18650-26.

The light uses a Cree XM-L led.



In the above table I have collected all modes, measured at 3.7 volt (i.e. with one LiIon battery). All the estimated runtimes are with a 18650 2600mAh LiIon battery. The estimated lumen is scale from the specified maximum, measured at 7.4 volt.



The first voltage sweep is done in high mode, the light has stabilization down to about 3.9 volt, this means that it reaches full output with a fresh LiIon battery, but will soon start to drop in output.



In medium the regulation works down to about 3.3 volt.



The runtime shows good stabilization (until voltage is to low on 18650), when the battery voltage is low the light starts flashing as a battery warning, this can be seen around 90 minutes for 18650 and 2xCR123, with 2x16340 the protection in batteries shuts down before the low voltage alarm is given.



To see how this light handles the heat, I did a run on my test bench with a temperature sensor on the light. The current is reduced when the temperature rises, this means that the light has a temperature control.
Note: My test does not simulate actual usage conditions, but are done on a test bench with only the head of the light and no cooling airflow, i.e. the light will get hotter than during normal use.


The light does not use pwm and only has a small amount of high frequency noise in the light and no flashing modes.



Comparison to other Flashlights

ThruNite Scorpion, ThruNite Scorpion turbo, ThruNite TN10:


ThruNite TN11, ThruNite TN12, ThruNite T30:


For the full comparison to other lights with graphs and beamshots see here




Notes

The light was supplied by ThruNite for review.