TrustFire TR-801 Cree Q5 LED torch review
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying out a new LED torch for use as a helmet light. Courtesy of Dave, who’s managed to unearth the TrustFire TR-801 LED torch from DealExtreme I’ve been running a Cree Q5 LED equipped light for a genuine ‘twenny dollah!’
Kicking out a claimed 230 whatever-they-are-lumens in a tight beam, this is a very powerful torch with a neat aluminium body that feels very tough. I’ve attached it to my helmet using some simple velcro (sorry, hook and eye) straps, using the helmet vents as a guide. The torch is just over 4 inches long but just 24mm in diameter so it fits in well enough that it points exactly where I want it. If you wanted a bit more control, some compressed foam under one end would probably suffice to angle it just so.
In use, this is a truly awesome product. It’s range is in the realms of more than sufficient, with a tight beam that makes it perfect for helmet use as it lights exactly where you are looking. Burn times from the rechargeable Li-ion 18650 battery are such that I managed a 2½ hour night ride on Wednesday with ease. Carry a spare battery and you’d be sorted for every eventuality.
With a floody front light on the handlebars using this light as a helmet light makes the perfect combination. It has a big, easy to find switch on the end that works with gloves so you can turn it off when chatting to mates (don’t underestimate how useful this is!) and even comes with a wrist lanyard so you can use it as a proper torch if needed. It is very low profile when nestled into a helmet vent too so dodging under trees and undergrowth presents no problems.
Having tried it, I’m getting one myself so I’ll have wire free lighting on both my bike and my head. The best bit is that having got my new Exposure MaXx-D from Wiggle (finally – review soon) plus a spare bracket so I can swap it between my Orange and my On-one, I’ve found that the TrustFire torch actually fits the Exposure Joystick adaptor (as you can see in the pictures of the TrustFire TR-801 on Flickr), so I can even attach it to either of my bikes too. Ironically, the Exposure mount costs more than the torch!!
Highly recommended and I don’t often say that. One other thing — there’s two versions of this lamp, one with a simple on/off switch and one that offers 5 light modes (Hi > Mid> Lo > Strobe and SOS). I’ve been trialling the simple on/off version but having control of different output settings seems to be the way to go.
Note that Lithium 18650 batteries and a Lithium charger cost extra. Even so, very very cheap when you compare to an Exposure Joystick MaXx for £180. All in, reckon on around forty dollah!
See beam shots of the TrustFire TR-801 Cree Q5 LED torch in our MTB LED Night Light Test and Beam Shots article.
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
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Ronnie says:
Liked the post so I have been searching for other options but this looks to be the best price around. The recomendation is to use protected cells rather than the one you have linked and to buy two to avoid over discharge.
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Posted on November 26, 2008 at 9:58 am
Matt says:
Good point about using protected cells, I’ve updated the link. Thanks for the tip Ronnie.
I’ve continued to use this light and reckon it’s pretty much spot on.
The Exposure mount would be the ideal but the velcro works pretty well, there’s plenty of velcro straps and mounts in B&Q so you should be able to get something to suit most helmets.
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Posted on November 26, 2008 at 10:47 am
Muddymoles says:
Milestone
Christmas looms, so wish lists form. But first, Happy Birthday Dave!!
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Posted on December 1, 2008 at 10:42 am
Muddymoles says:
Exposure Lights MaXx-D (for Daddy) 4 LED light review
What’s it like living with and using the Exposure MaXx-D 4 LED light? Find out in this detailed review.
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Posted on December 22, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Konafan says:
Interesting post. The Fenix TK11 will also press–fit into the mount for an Exposure Joystick MaXx. This is a good option for the Fenix, see my pic on Konafan.
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Posted on December 30, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Muddymoles says:
MTB LED Night Light Test and Beam Shots
A review of popular MTB LED night lights with beam shots including Ay-Up!, Exposure MaXx-D, Lumicycle LEDSys3 and LEDSys4, iBlaast and more.
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Posted on September 15, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Gavin S says:
Any comments on the best/easiest/cheapest option for a generic helmet mount.
Twofish Lockblocks?
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Posted on October 5, 2009 at 11:02 am
Dave says:
Hi Gavin,
The lockblocks should work but DealExtreme offer a much cheaper alternative to those.
By far the best/easiest is an Exposure Helmet mount but that is also the most expensive.
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Posted on October 5, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Related: Ride report: Friday 20 March - Holmbury and Pitch Hill night ride | Rides | Muddymoles: Mountain biking (MTB) in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley
Related: MTB LED Night Light Test and Beam Shots | Reviews, Lights | Muddymoles: Mountain biking (MTB) in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley