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Light Reviewers
Manufacturer Specifications
Cree XP-G R5 LED (50,000 hour lifespan)
Reflector: slight orange peel
MSRP: $69.50 USD
Dimensions
-Length: 133mm
-Diameter (bezel): 25.5mm Diameter (body): 22.0mm
-Weight: 77 grams (excluding batteries)
- Digitally-regulated circuit maintains constant brightness
- High efficiency DC-DC engine (PWM / PFM)
- made from T6061 aircraft grade aluminum
- Tactical push-button tail cap switch for momentary-on
- 2-way removable pocket-clip
- Smart UI 2.0 with 2-modes (Constant Ultra + 3 levels) selected by twising the head
- Anti-Roll
- Crenelated (Scalloped) Bezel serves as an impromptu striking surface in a self-defense situation or tactical purpose
- Supports a wide range input voltage from 2.4 to 12V; with 2 x CR123A, RCR123A or 1 x 18650
- AR coated lens for excellent beam transmission
- User Replaceable LED module for future upgrades
- User Replaceable LED module for future upgrades
- Tail Stand Capability
-O-rings that protect the light at all potential points of water entry
- Tactical Lock
- Thread Lock Design
- Coating: Type III Hard Anodized
Output Modes
-Ultra: 450 emitter lumens, 2 hours with 2xCR123 (370 lumen with 1x18650)
-High: no brightness/runtime published
-Mid: no brightness/runtime published
-Low: 5 lumens, 500 hours
-Waterproof: IPX-8, 2 meters
(From manufacturer’s website)
The Lumapower TRUST 2 arrived in a nice and durable clear plastic container which doubles as a nice storage and carrying container as well. As for included accessories, the Trust 2 comes packaged with an extra tailcap (black) and two O-rings. The clip comes attached to the flashlight and is a very sturdy one. There was no lanyard included.
Design (body):
The design of the Lumapower TRUST 2 is the standard cylindrical metal tube which is slightly tapered around the center of the flashlight body. The head on this model is the same diameter as the rest of the body, as opposed to many flashlights in this 1x18650 category which have an increased diameter around the head in order to house a larger reflector. The diameter of the head is about 24 mm.
The total length of the body is approximately 135 mm, as compared to the size of one 18650 battery which is about 670 mm. On the head there are three areas which are slightly knurled (each area being around 10mm wide). The thinner, central part of the flashlight body is smooth and is where the clip is found, and the other knurled area is found around the tailcap (about 12mm wide). The clip is attached to the flashlight by means of a hollow circle which goes around the body of the light and is tightened by the tactical ring. It can be removed if that is what the user prefers.
There is also a tactical ring around the flashlight which is found right next to the clip attachment ring. This tactical ring is on the smaller side and does not protrude outwards as much as the tactical rings on other flashlights. I prefer this setup because it makes the flashlight more ergonomic and sleek, but if you use gloves and have larger hands, this may be an issue. This tactical ring is also good for anti-roll characteristics. These tactical rings make the flashlight easier to hold and switch modes with one hand but it can also be removed if you don’t need it.
The aluminum on the Lumapower TRUST 2 seems to be very high quality and it is very sturdy. Having said this, however, the flashlight is much lighter than the normal 1x18650 flashlights. It only weighs 76.5 grams (manufacturer claims are accurate at 77g.) without batteries. Over the years, I have come to prefer flashlights that are all metal. Fenix has recently begun incorporating plastics into its flashlights but these new plastics are, as of yet, unproven. I am happy that this light from Lumapower remains all metal. This is more durable and is a plus when taking the heat sinking capabilities of the flashlight into account.
The threads on the Lumapower TRUST 2 were a major surprise for me as I do not believe that Lumapower mentioned much about them in their product review and manufacturer specifications. But the threads are in fact squared which was a huge plus in my book. The square threads make screwing and unscrewing the tailcap much easier and they inevitably prolong the life of the flashlight because there will be minimal thread wear. This also helps maintain the water-tight seal over time. Lumapower has informed me that the threads are not annodized in order to give the flashlight proper electrical conductivity which is necessary for the operation of the different modes. While on the topic of threads, the flashlight threads came very well lubricated direct from factory.
Balance: The Lumapower TRUST 2 has a very good feel to it when being held in the hand. Since the flashlight is mostly an even diameter throughout the length of the body, with only a slight tapering in the center, it is not top heavy which means that it won’t have a tendency to point downwards. In fact, when the battery is installed, the center of balance is almost perfectly centered (insert picture here) As can be seen with another 18650 light, the center of balance is compromised because of the larger head with respect to the body. If someone is intending to use a flashlight in a tactical grip for an extended period of time, the balance is very important because an uneven balance will tire out your hand/fingers faster.
Design (head and reflector):
The Lumapower TRUST 2, as stated previously, has a head and reflector which are the same diameter as the rest of the body of the flashlight. Many other manufacturers increase the size of the head in order to make the reflector larger, thus increasing the throw of the light. One could say that the TRUST 2 will therefore have less throw than a comparably sized 18650 light with a larger reflector. In my tests, this is true, with the Dereelight CL1H V4 out-throwing the TRUST 2 by a small margin. (Although the Dereelight also has a smooth reflector and is geared towards throw to begin with). The TRUST 2 reflector is slightly orange-peel textured and is seems that Lumapower intended for this model to be an even mix of flood and throw.
LED/Beam:
The Lumapower Trust 2 uses a Cree XP-G R5 emitter. Lumapower claims this flashlight can reach up to 450 lumens at the emitter but keep in mind that this is only when using 2xCR123 batteries. The maximum output using 1x18650 battery is 370 lumens. In tests with other flashlights which are ANSI rated for output, I would say that the output out the front with 1x18650 is closer to 300 lumens. Still quite bright for one 18650 battery but if you are expecting 450 lumens out the front, then you might be disappointed. The tint of the LED is like all other Cree R5’s, a bit on the cooler white side. Replacement of the LED seems fairly straightforward and the board provides the LED with approximately 1.43 amps which leaves ample options for future, more powerful LED bins. The Trust 2 also accepts a wide range of input voltages between 2.4 volts to 12 volts.
The beam is a nice mix of throw and flood. There are no artifacts on the beam. The hotspot is well defined and there is a smooth transition between the hotspot and the outer corona of the beam.
User Interface:
The Lumapower Trust 2 utilizes the “smart UI 2.0 system” which is essentially a mode of selection enabled by tapping and clicking the tailcap button as well as rotating the bezel. The UI on this light is definitely advanced and takes a bit of time to get used to and learn. There are 2 modes of output: General mode and Ultra mode.
General Mode:
The first mode is the general mode which is accessed by loosening the bezel a very small amount. In this mode, you can access three different brightness levels by tapping the tailcap quickly and then clicking all the way when the desired level is reached. The sequence is Lowà Medium à High (repeats after end of sequence). This mode also offers a tactical mode lock which is accessed by making 4 half-presses, or taps, when in the desired brightness mode. This will essentially lock the brightness level to whatever level you are on when you half-pressed 4 times. The flashlight will always turn on at this level until it is unlocked. In order to unlock the mode lock, you simply make another 4 half-presses.
Ultra Mode:
Ultra Mode on the Lumapower Trust 2 makes the flashlight very easy to use, without mode changes and mode locks. This mode is accessed by simply tightening the head all the way. There is only one mode, ultra (max power), in this mode. There is also momentary on in all modes.
The Trust 2 also comes equipped with a tail lock system which will deactivate the tail-switch if you loosen the tailcap ¼ turn. Thus the flashlight will not turn on even if the tail-switch is pressed. Although I don’t believe that the Trust 2 can be easily turned on by accident, this is always a nice feature to ensure that the flashlight won’t turn on by itself when inside your pack.
As talked about previously, the high mode on the Trust 2 is advertised as being 450 lumens but it does not seem to be this high, at least with 1x18650 battery. I would say that 300 lumens is closer to what actually comes out the front. The Lumapower Trust 2 also includes a very low low-mode which is, in my opinion, very important in a light. Night adapted vision takes a while to get back if you blind yourself at night, so a very low mode is almost a requirement for me. Lumapower advertises the low mode as being 5 lumens, but I believe that it is even lower than that. I would say it’s closer to 2 or 3 lumens, when compared to other flashlights. Overall, a very useful mode.
One huge benefit with the Lumapower Trust 2 is that finally, there is no strobe or SOS mode. I have argued for this for quite some time, as I don’t believe most manufacturers have completely eliminated these modes. It’s great that Lumapower has gotten rid of them since I believe that they are, quite frankly, useless 95% of the time. A hidden strobe or SOS mode is fine with me, but complete elimination is fine as well. I do no miss these modes at all and its very nice not having to cycle through these modes when trying to change brightness levels.
Batteries:
The Lumapower Trust 2 has a very wide input voltage, between 2.8 and 12 volts. This means you can use an 18650, 2xCR123, 2xRCR123A, 16340, etc. This makes the light very practical as you don’t really have to worry about battery types and burning out the LED or overheating the light.
Conclusion:
The Lumapower Trust 2 is overall a very nice little flashlight that puts out a good amount of light. The balance is about as good as I have seen and the UI is very easy to learn yet also gives you many set-up options depending on your preferences. I like the low-mode and also how easy it is to go from low mode to full power without even needing to switch through modes or touch the tail-cap, simply by tightening the bezel. The relatively small weight of the flashlight makes it very pocketable and thus very comfortable to wear/carry. It is also very ergonomic so it should fit in a pocket easily. It would have been nice to have an included lanyard and a holster but since it’s a standard size, it should easily fit into other holsters for 1x18650 lights. The beam is flawless and is a nice mix of throw and flood. 500 hours on low mode is a great thing to have in an emergency situation.
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