Preface Official Specs Versions Price Short Review Long Review What's Included Manual and Packaging Build Quality and Durability Size Retention Power User Interface and Operation Modes LED and beam Tint vs... Beamshots, Runtime, etc table. Comparisons Conclusion What I like What I don't like Up Next Notes
Preface
Thrunite’s just come out with a new version of their “Catapult” series. This is Version 6! I’m interested to put it through some paces, and see how it stands out!
Official Specs and Features
Versions
There is a cool white (CW) and neutral white (NW) version of this light. I’m not sure the NW version is actually available yet, however.
Price
MSRP is $74.99, and that includes a full package – you won’t have to buy anything else!! Here’s a link to the Amazon Store. If you pre-order this light through Thrunite’s official site, you can use the coupon code “20%” for 20% off. That puts this thrower under $60, from the official store!!
Short Review
Initial handling of this light I was kind of like ‘eh’ but after using it some, I actually quite like it. The cell is good, the throw is great, and the build quality is probably better than I expected. I like this one!
Long Review
What’s Included
- Thrunite Catapult V6
- 5000mAh 26650 Thrunite branded cell
- Lanyard
- Charge cable
- Spare o-rings (2)
- Spare button
- Split ring
- Nylon pouch
- Paperwork
Second time I’ve remembered to get a shot of the cell! Woo!
Package and Manual
Slip-fit cardboard box, with branding and “NW/CW” checkbox. This is a CW light.
The manual is fairly simple. I believe it has 4 languages, but folds to you can easily view fully the one you need most.
Build Quality and Disassembly
I am pleasantly pleased with the build of the Catapult V6. In particular I like the hand-feel (can I call it that?) The anodizing is smooth, and comfortable to hold.
The head has a few thick fins for heat dissipation, but it’s not overly finned.
Layout is pretty standard, with the UI switch on one side, and a charging port on the other. The light will of course, head and tailstand easily.
Here’s a breakdown of parts. I couldn’t get the bezel off, but it does have indentations on the inside, which would allow for a spanner or some such to be used to unscrew it.
Note that the cell tube is directional. The anodized threads go into the head.
The body has this interesting pineapple pattern, of “knurling” (not really knurling). I love this pattern – a favorite from one of my very first flashlight reviews – but it’s not all that grippy. What it lacks in added grip, the light’s size and shape make up for. (I find 26650 lights to be nearly ideally sized for my hand.)
Size
Officially 132mm (Length) x 58mm (Bezel Diameter) x 33.5mm (Tube Diameter).
This light isn’t that much bigger than the Emisar D1S. The D1S is a light I think everyone should own, but between the two I like the Thrunite better – at least in build. (I hate the anno on the D1S.) The throw is about the same, too.
Retention
A nylon pouch is included. The light will only go one direction – tail down. The pouch is of normal quality.
Also included is a lanyard, which attaches on the tailcap through the hole below.
Power
The Catapult V6 has a working voltage: 2.75V-4.2V. In my experience the light shuts off at 3.26V (seriously, exactly 3.26V in two runtime tests). That’s great. Might not suck every gram of energy out of a cell, but I like it anyway.
The light doesn’t prefer protected or unprotected, and works with flat or button top cells equally. What it does need is a cell capable of providing very high output. Turbo draws over 8 amps. I can’t recall a single light I’ve reviewed drawing that much current.
I’ve been requested to test lights on both Turbo and at least one other mode. I never knew if that should be in one graph or two, so this time I’m trying two. Here’s Turbo. Note that the output on Turbo stays fairly stable for around 2 minutes, then steps down. After that, the light is generally on “High” for the duration of the runtime, until the light shuts off (LVP).
High proceeds similarly, except does so for a few more minutes. Both runtimes are flat for the first 40 minutes, then begin a gradual decline, before plummeting toward the end. I’d be interested to know what about the cell changes around 40 minutes, to start the decline.
The Thrunite Catapult V6 also has on-board charging. It’s standard micro-usb, with a rubber press-in boot. This feels like a very secure cover.
Charging is an extremely impressive >2A for over 2 hours. The charge graph follows a typical CC/CV pattern, and looks pretty stable. This is one of the things that really made me say “hmm, this really is a solid light” when I was testing. Two amp charging is more than just respectable….
During charging, the switch is red. When charge is complete, the switch is blue. If the switch is purple, this means something is abnormal in charging.
User Interface and Operation
The Catapult V6 has a single switch. It’s a side, indicating, e-switch. The indicator is a small circle in the center.
The switch doesn’t sit too proud, and has fairly low travel, but is positively clicky. It’s not a hollow click though, and not too loud. The switch feels like actual metal, and the rubber part under the switch is replaceable.
Here’s a UI table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click | On (Mode Memory) |
| Off | Hold | Firefly |
| Any | Double Click | Turbo |
| On | Click | Off |
| On | Long Press | Mode Cycle (LMH) |
| Turbo | Double Click | Strobe |
I appreciate the simple nature of this UI, but I do wish the indicating side switch was more heavily utilized. Namely, I think every light with indicating switches should have a battery check feature. Every light with indicating switches. Every of the lights.
Modes
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Mode Measured Lux | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 1700 | 150m | 8.10 | |
| High | 950 | 165m | 2.84 | |
| Medium | 180 | 9h | 0.38 | |
| Low | 22 | 62h | 0.04 | |
| Firefly | 0.5 | 41d | – | |
| Strobe | 1200 | 180m | – |
LED and Beam
Thrunite has a Cree XHP35 HI in CW, in the Catapult V6. There will likely be a NW version, but it doesn’t seem to be available yet. The XHP35 HI is a 12V emitter, with a Vf of around 11.3V – so the light boost the voltage from the single 26650 to 12V for operation.
Tint vs BLF-348
Beamshots, Runtime, and Lux Measurements
| Thrunite Catapult V6 | |
|---|---|
| Emitter | Cree XHP35 HI |
| Emitter Notes | |
| Cell | 26650 |
| Glamour Shots | Beamshots [0.3″, f/8, ISO 100, 5000k] |
| Runtime | Chargetime |
| LVP? | Yes (3.26V) |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1700 |
| Lux (Measured) | 4490 lux @ 5.871 m |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd | 154764.2 |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 786.8 |
| Throw (Claimed) (m) | 750 |
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….
There aren’t many lights that compete directly with the 26650 format. And the ones which do, namely the Manker U21, are overall enough larger that I’d prefer the Thrunite.
Conclusion
What I like
- Output surpasses it’s target throw by tens of meters
- Charging is properly at 2A
- UI is simple
What I don’t like
- UI lacks any real battery check
- Doesn’t seem to be available in NW currently
Up Next
Next week I have more lights, and a bunch of work to do!! I think you’ll like the lights for next week! One is a Lumintop, and one is an Imalent.
Notes
- This light was provided by Thrunite for review. I was not paid to write this review.
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.wordpress.com. Please visit there for the best experience!
- Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. It’s possible to subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!
