Bushnell TRKR 150 Lumens – T150L 1x AA Flashlight

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Hey all,

I’ve been eyeing the previous version of this light, the T140L, for the last year’s time so out of random boredom today I decided that I was definitely going to get one on a grocery run. They had a single one on the peg, and this version which I’m assuming is a 2016 upgrade model. There was also only a single one of these on the peg.

When comparing the two the only differences I could find, aside from 10 lumens difference to raise it from 140L to 150L, was a different model serial number (the T150L is Model #20216) and minor changes to the placement of text on the package.

It’s a sturdy feeling construction, though something of a tall light compared to the rest of my 1x AA lights. In fact, it’s the tallest I have at 4 5/16″, but it still feels very compact. Thanks partly due to the deep carry clip it still manages to disappear in my pocket. The body lacks any knurling or similarly helpful grip texture but the thick ridges running the length of the body manage to provide decent grip, plus the pocket clip is fixed into position due to a notch that keeps it held in place. The clip itself isn’t removable without taking off the tailcap, after which it will slide off, making it one of the sturdiest clips I’ve experienced without it being screwed on. Despite that it doesn’t bite on the pocket much and slides on/off very smoothly, but with enough grip that I haven’t worried about it sliding off accidentally.

Compared with a Sipik SK68 clone and a TEC Accessories inchworm.

The head tapers outward from the body to accommodate extra LEDs between the bezel and the reflector, one trio of LEDs are red and the other trio are blue. Since this is a “tracker” light you get the primary mode, the red mode to retain your night vision, and the blue mode to ‘track blood.’ I haven’t made a brutal mess of any living creatures recently so I can’t say whether the blood tracking works or not, and I opted to not bleed myself for the sake of review. They don’t seem to claim it’s a UV light but rather that the blue should simply highlight the red spectrum of blood. The reflector itself is fairly deep, narrow and smooth so this light gets really nice throw for a small light. The beam is a very pleasant cool white provided by an unspecific Cree LED and the 150 Lumens claim feels very accurate compared to my Sunwayman V11R, Niteye MSA10 and Spark SF5.

All of the light modes are easily accessible by clicking quickly to cycle through them, which includes either full flicks or momentary half clicks – which was a welcome feature. Typically on cheap lights (and even on some high-end ones) momentary ‘On’ doesn’t exist, but it’s readily present here. It complements well with the raised rubber tail-click that is super easy to find by tactile sense alone. You can cycle through the three light modes doing momentary clicks and just continue pressing in for a full click on the one you want. The light lacks a memory mode so it will always default to the primary light. There aren’t any low, mid or high modes for any of the light options. Just on or off for all three types; the lumens ratings stated by Bushnell are 150 for the primary, 13 for red, and 4 for the blue. The bezel has a mild case of tacticool scalloping but it’s hardly noticeable, and is actually useful since you can easily see whether the light is on with a decent glow coming out the bottom when stood on its head.

The internal body has ribbing to keep the AA firmly placed inside, which is backed up with a very strong spring. You definitely have to keep pushing down on the cap in when screwing it on. The cap also has an o-ring at the base so it should be water resistant, though there isn’t any information (on the package or instructions) for ANSI rating details, it does list that this light is FL-1 rating and should be alright with impacts up to 1 meter. So if you’re really tall make sure you only drop this light with your hand held as far down your side as possible. Or don’t drop it, that’s the option I strive to maintain. How well the light will hold up to general usage I’ve yet to tell, having only had it a day, but I’ll be using this as my EDC light for awhile so I look forward to determine its longevity. The instructions, and packaging, only talk about using alkalines or NiMH batteries without any mention of 14500s, so I’m guessing they’re a no-go. I typically use ‘Duraloop’ NiMH anyway.

Pros:
– Good quality body and emitter
– Inexpensive and easily available at Walmart
– Bright orange raised tail button makes it easy to operate
– Red lights are adequately bright for small areas
– Sturdy pocket clip

Cons;
– No tail-standing
– Niche blue lights seem silly
– Head is a little bulky (I’d like to see a non-“TRKR” version)
– Probably can’t take 14500s

Overall, I have to admit that I was delightfully surprised at this light. I wholly expected to be only amused by it and not find it adequate for EDC, but this feels just as solid as my mid-range lights. Honestly, my most disappointing light has been the Niteye MSA10 which I got heavily discounted for $22 on Black Friday but the Bushnell is easily a better light compared to that despite its normal cost of $20. I think the original model Bushnell started with was 125 Lumens a couple years ago, so they’ve been developing this up for a bit and have certainly hit a competitive point. My one greatest disappointment is that the light can’t tail stand which is a preference but not a requirement for my EDC lights. Most likely I’ll be putting this in an EDC bag, which ultimately I recommend it for, rather than pocket carry.

Just to note, this is a different light then the T100L, which is also a 1x AA and Bushnell says is 152 Lumens. That one has a slightly different design and lacks the blue mode (which makes it sound more appealing).

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