Review: CandlePower Tech TrailTorch TT3000
Updated: October 15, 2015
For this season, the runtime has been improved to 2:25 and the price has been lowered to $299. Given the incredibly light and bright head unit already on this light, these are very welcome changes indeed.
CandlePower Tech is a group of craftsmen that strive to build some of the brightest and smallest lights around. They believe in very bright helmet lights that have a very big and even beam pattern. With a 100 gram light head with 8 LEDs, the TT3000 is a very powerful little device that is ideal for the helmet but can be mounted on the bars too. The battery is 265 grams so it may need to go on a backpack or jersey pocket.
The light uses a standard GoPro mount so it is instantly compatible with a host of mounts, including helmets with this interface.
The light heads are very smart to use the universal GoPro compatible mount, thus it is ready for an array of helmets with built-in mounts. And the plethora of GoPro or third party mounts can be used with this light. Construction is first rate on these lights so expect these systems to last a very long time.
At the end of the day, it’s really all about the beam pattern, and the CandlePower Tech TrailTorch TT3000 delivers with a wide, long beam that is very even. There’s no hotspots or artifacts in the pattern. It’s clean and the throw is excellent. At high speed, this light really delivers as you can see a long way, yet the periphery is lit up as well. The beam pattern is more rectangular rather than round and that’s a good thing. That means the optics have been designed to point the light at the trail to make use of all this available light.
Beam Pattern Photo
We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photos were taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. These photos feature many objects and a distinct background to analyze detail and beam pattern. Compare all Beam Patterns here »
Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens
Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 3000 Lumens. Compare all Lumen Tests here »
Strengths
- Extremely high, hand-made quality
- Light output is bright and competitive with products in its price range
- Beam pattern is bright, wide and square-shaped
- Very good heat dissipation and excellent electronics that manage heat well if necessary
- Very good connectors
- Made entirely in the US
- Battery case is one of the most rugged we’ve ever seen.
Weaknesses
- Not up to 3000 Lumen claims
- Can get hot and step down in brightness
The light and packaging are very compact. It even includes a head strap for the ultimate, camping/caving setup.
Specifications
- Price: $299
- Claimed Lumens: 3000 Lumens
- Time on High: 2:15 Hours
- Features: GoPro compatible mount
Overall Rating
4.5 out of 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers
This is a very well made product from CandlePower Tech and we would like to see more products from this company. If you want one of the brightest helmet lights around, this is a great choice.
For more information visit www.candlepowertech.com.
This article is part of Mtbr and RoadBikeReview’s 2015 Lights Shootout. To see all the bike lights tested CLICK HERE.
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