Yesterday was the birthday of my son-in-law and he became the proud owner the greatest torch in Worcester – to say he is impressed would be a reckless understatement! He always admired and deeply desired my old Bullseye, but he was completely blown away the power of the T217 Hunter! I attach a photo that he sent to me last night – the house that is so clearly lit up is over 200m away, and the beam isn't even perfectly aimed at the centre of the house! Jaco van Niekerk, Somerset West.

I already own a "throwy" torch which has always impressed me and everyone else who had seen it in action. After I received the T217 Hunter, I proudly aimed my old torch at a big Bluegum tree about 100 meters away and, as expected, it lit up every detail, or so I thought. However I then pointed my new T217 Hunter at the same spot... and it was like I walked into a dark room and switched on a bright electric light! I really don't have the adjectives to describe how impressed I am with my new Hunter – let's just say I am VERY, VERY impressed! Jaco van Niekerk, Somerset West

When I tested my Hunter it was a case of WOW, I cannot believe how far it shines – I haven't been able to find anything far enough away for the beam to not light it up completely! I've had an opportunity to compare it to my dad's ******* and I'm very impressed. Although my dad's torch seems a bit brighter up close, the Hunter focuses its light into a much more intense dot and seems like it will be able to throw the beam a lot further. I'm also very impressed by how much lighter and easier to handle my torch is compared to his, while being nearly as bright and shining further. Raimund Bosch, Lynnwood Pretoria

Dean is most pleased with his T217 Hunter – the best birthday gift I’ve given him yet. He pulls it out regularly to 'go check things out' (I think he just wants to play) and he’s angling for a bush holiday even though we have a 3mo old at home! He hasn’t had an opportunity to really put it through its paces yet but he’s very happy so far. Thank you very much for the info and advice you gave! Juliette Dowie, Kokstad

We recently replaced the T70 Hunter Mk3 with the T217 Hunter Mk4, which shines a third further and has internal battery charging among other improvements. The reviews below are for the old version and those above are for the upgraded model.

I have a farm in the Southern Cape where we often go out at night to hunt jackal, which are a big problem for sheep farmers. Every time I switch on my Trustfire T70 Hunter on high or max my neighbours are astonished – it makes their torches look like candles! Jean du Preez, Durbanville, CT

You can be sure every torch on the market is the "Best Ever!" or "The Only Torch You'll Ever Need!"... until someone kindly directs you to the TorchGuy. We may have an idea of what we want, but until we understand lumens, candela and spill-beams, selecting the perfect torch is a nightmare. Thank you, Mark, for putting in the effort to research, test and offer comprehensible explanations so we can make informed decisions. As a tour operator doing night game-drives and checks at waterholes in national parks I selected the T70 Hunter. It's a fantastic torch and exactly what I needed! Great beam, just enough spill-over, fantastic reach, and surprising battery run time at full beam! I really found the Best Ever torch! Jaco Powell, Cape Fox Tours, Kimberley

Thank you for the excellent torch you recommended. We used it last night and were really impressed – we even saw a serval cat before she hid away. I'm planning to go out again on Saturday night to take pictures of owls with my new T70 Hunter. This torch gives a wide spill-beam and a bright hot-spot on a subject, as per your pictures. I am very happy with it and I think it's well priced for what it can do. Lydia Wolmarans, Boksburg

The T70 Hunter torch is a precision instrument, optionally supplied by the Torchguy with high quality Li-Ion batteries and charger. I find it very useful to see why the dogs are barking on my plot at night, and it can blind an intruder instantly. My wife agrees that it contributes to our safety as we live in a remote area. We enjoy caravanning, where the torch can be useful on a low setting. The service and backup from the Torchguy is superb. I will surely demonstrate and recommend this product to all my friends. Egmond Coetzee, George

I want to share my real-life experience with the T70 Hunter I ordered from you. We are fortunate to stay close to the KNP border, near the Crocodile river. I was told by a friend of a buffalo carcass lying on the bank across the river. My wife and I went there after dark, so it was difficult to spot the buffalo about 200m across the river between bushes, but when I turned on the torch I was overwhelmed by its power! It provided enough light for my camera with a 600mm lens to focus and take a picture – absolutely amazing! In the picture you can see a leopard, hyena and crocodile. Thanks to your advice, and the capability of the T70, I could photograph this once in a lifetime event. Andries Botha, Malelane (via Whatsapp)

We recently returned from a trip to Botswana where the T70 Hunter had the guides' jaws on the floor with its powerful beam! An American guest at the same camp brought out this MASSIVE torch that must have weighed a good few kilograms and proudly told me that it has the same strength as the lights on a jumbo jet! I whipped out my Hunter, which in comparison was as light as a feather, and blew that 747’s beam straight out of the sky!! Philip Benson, Howick

Wow, I can't believe what my eyes have just witnessed – this is one hell of a great torch! When I went out for a security drive on the farm last night I was in for a surprise – the Hunter exceeded my expectations! The throw is phenomenal on all the settings and its handling is great – overall it's just a wonderful piece of equipment! I am so impressed with its looks and functionality, and very glad you recommended it to me. Bennie Celliers, Ventersdorp

I recently purchased a T70 Hunter for use at Mjejane Private Game Reserve overlooking the Crocodile River. It delivered everything it promised, illuminating game activity brilliantly at least 200-300 meters across the river from our balcony. An additional set of Keeppower Li-Ions is a must, so you are prepared for a longer-than-usual night drive. I am definitely purchasing another Hunter as a gift for my brother-in-law, who was also super impressed with this torch – he definitely sees other uses for it relating to home security. Keith Kenneth, Bryanston

I test drove the Hunter last week in Kruger. It really is a brilliant torch and just what I was looking for. It shines across the Crocodile River with ease from Marloth Park and also gives a wide enough light area (i am sure there's a better term then that!) for closer viewing. We had the privilege of tracking a leopard on foot as it walked down the river bed and the torch was just perfect. We also did a night drive in Kruger and it was by far the best performing torch on the vehicle! I was asked quite a few questions about where I had got it from. Overall, I'm very happy! MJ Strydom, Blairgowrie

We’ve just returned from the Kgalagadi where we were SO impressed with the T70 Hunter. It is everything you said it would be, and we had some fantastic sightings at Nossob Hide as well as KTP and Urikaruus. The brightness was awesome, but what really made a difference was the spill area that allowed us to not shine the light in the animals' eyes to get the picture. Thanks so much for this little gem!! We have a few friends who should be contacting you shortly. Glenn Isola, Kommetjie

We purchased T70 Hunter torches for the security guards on our farm. The torches give them added security as they can see far into the distance. We had an issue with the one torch, but Mark went the extra mile to sort it out quickly and efficiently. I really appreciate his brilliant after-sales service and advice. Karen Cherry, Atlantis

I have been purchasing torches from the Torchguy since 2015 and have never regretted a single one. As a security company we use a lot of flashlights, day and night, and they are handled continuously over 12 hour shifts, so you would think we'd need to replace them often? Not with the Torchguy!! Each and every torch has survived four or more years of intensive daily use! Dealing with Mark, who has an extensive knowledge of the products he sells, has been an absolute breeze. He responds immediately to my orders, keeps me up to date on tracking parcels, supplies instructions on using the torches, and follows up to make sure we've received them and are happy. Mark, thank you for your hard work and dedication – I would recommend you 1,000 times over to anyone wanting a torch. Lisa Myburgh, Security Group, Empangeni

I am very impressed with the T70 Hunter. Your advice was spot on – the right advice at the right time! With regards to its beam, I was actually pleasantly surprised. My expectation was that the beam would be narrow and pin-point in relation to a more conventional flooder, but the reality is that it “floods” more than I thought while still maintaining the central illumination. In the scenario for which I am using it – to check a large area of open ground up to the tree-line about 200 metres away – it fits perfectly. I can easily see the tree-line with accuracy (on the whole ridge) but it also gives a bit of a wider view – again, I could not have asked for a better solution. I will try to take a couple of pictures on a dark night later in the month with the Hunter and a normal, over-the-counter spotlight. Not sure if this will do it justice though. Again thank you for the assistance (and the very fast delivery). I actually already referred one of my friends to you to order a T70. Jaco de Jager, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria

I bought my brother a T70 Hunter for his birthday, and I managed to give it a pre-birthday test run last weekend in the Timbavati Game Reserve. It was really impressive so he will be very chuffed – if and when he eventually gets his present. Gavin Thom, Edenvale

I don't have many thrower flashlights so the T70 hunter fits nicely into my collection. It's a very nice torch, I must say. Even though the beam profile is primarily for distance, it still gives a very useful spill. It also feels great in the hand, whether you hold it the traditional way with your hand around the body, or the tactical way with the thumb on the switch. I would have thought it might be a bit heavy to use in this way, but no, it's nicely balanced. José Murta, Kempton Park

Thank you Mark for the personal service but especially the expert advice – helping us choose exactly the right torch (less expensive than the one we thought was right) which suits our needs perfectly. Janice and Mick McConnell, Scottburgh

I received my T70 Hunter for my 40th birthday – a group gift from my family – and I'm so pleased with it! The beam, which is more like a small sun, blasts across the plains and is able pick up wildlife at huge distances. It's also great for self protection, with a strobe that would likely stop a charging buffalo, or at least confuse it. The "low" setting is perfect for working at the braai, "mid-low" is ideal for walking around a campsite and "mid-high" is certainly brighter than any well-known brand of torch I've ever used. The other night we checked the brightness of the Hunter against our headlights on high beam and there was no comparison – the T70 outshone the vehicle by a long way and showed up road markings and the ever-present potholes with ease. For anyone living and working in the bush as I do, who needs a reliable and powerful beam, this torch is unbeatable and I highly recommend it. Thanks Mark for all the info and genuine advice – service like this is so rare these days. Ryan Mengel, Safari Guide and Field Guide Trainer, Hoedspruit

We just got back from our Kgalagadi trip. Man, this T70 Hunter is seriously next level. You don't fully appreciate what it is capable of when you test it in the city, but in the pitch dark with no city light interference it lit up the bush like I was in control of the sun! We were lighting up animals in the distance, 15 minutes before they walked past. Even my neighbour was commenting – nobody had anything that could compete. It made such a huge difference to our trip experience. Seriously, if anyone wants a torch for long distance game viewing at night... this is the one! One set of batteries couldn't make it through a full night and early morning at full power, but you did warn me :-)). Thanks a mil for your excellent advice and service. Peter Spies, Kloof

Since the easing of the lockdown restrictions I managed to sneak off to the bush and was very excited to finally stretch the legs of my T70 Hunter, where I was so happy with its performance! Part of my trip was with guides on night drives and they all commented on how much better my torch was than the spotting torches they had at their lodge. I used level two of the four brightness levels for searching and ramped the torch up to four when we found something. If it wasn't for the T70's impressive throw we would never have been able to identify some of the night creatures we saw, let alone find them in the first place. I regularly recommend this torch and the TorchGuy to my like-minded mates. Lloyd Zacharias, Sandton

The torches have arrived and they are working fantastically! I have already used mine on some conservation duties in the middle of the night and it worked wonders. Thanks so much! Gino Cinquina, Thornybush Nature Reserve, Hoedspruit

We were on a farm in Dullstroom last week, working from a different location, and found some time to test our new toy. We were really impressed – the distance and clarity is far better than our previous torch, although I don't think the cows and buck were as happy about it as we were! My dad and mom came up for the weekend and the torch received their nod of approval too :) We are looking forward to taking it to the Kruger in October and really putting it to the test. Thanks again for your service and help Mark, I am sure we will have many happy hours with the Hunter! Gary Holme, Sandton

Most irritating torch I’ve ever owned. I’ve spent two nights hunting high and low but I still cannot find an object far enough away that the Trustfire T70 Hunter Mk3 is not able to light up. I'm going to have to get in my car and drive far, far away and try again. More seriously though, insane! That’s the only word to describe this torch. It feels like you have one of those helicopter searchlights in your hand. I can't wait to try it out on our trip to the Kgalagadi next month. It’s going to be… insane. Thanks so much to Mark for all the advice, guidance and excellent service. He got me the torch I was hoping for. Peter Spies, Kloof

The Trustfire T70 is an amazing torch that is perfect for the game viewing at night on the farm as well as for security. It has an immense range and will almost always come out top when you and your buddies are comparing torches. I also really like the narrow beam profile and find the torch very easy to use with the simple on/off switch at the back and the front switch for cycling through the brightness levels. What I also find particularly useful is the battery-life indicator – I really wish that more torches had this feature. Brent Bowker, Grahamstown.

I received my T70 Hunter on Friday, thank you – it performs just as I hoped it would. I do lots of bird photography and at night I clip a torch to the side of my camera. With the Hunter I can now take pics from further away without having to drop shutter speed and raise the ISO too much. The light spill to the sides is sufficient to find the bird quickly – I'm very happy with it. Can't wait to get out at night for more bird pics! Hugo Voigts, Port Shepstone

When I stepped outside to test out my new T70 Hunter I was blown away how bright it was! We live on a farm in rural KZN and it lit up our garden as if it was daylight! I then shone the beam over to my Dad’s place, some 300 metres away, and lit up the tall gum trees that surround his house – only to disturb a huge flock of Hadedas that had settled in for the night! They got the fright of their lives and, with a cacophony of squawks (we all know how loud Hadedas can be!!) took off to find shelter elsewhere! This torch made a lasting impression on us all!! Philip Benson, Karkloof

After toying with the idea of a torch upgrade for a while I finally took the plunge on the T70 Hunter MK3, after some solid advice from TorchGuy. Once I charged it up I took it for a test drive in the garden, my only disappointment was that my garden was nowhere near big enough to really let it stretch its legs. Figuring that I would start scaring people in neighbouring suburbs I decided that I had to wait until I did a bush trip to test it properly. During loadshedding, shining it at the ceiling makes a powerful light, certainly bright enough to host a dinner, as we did, and it saved our dinner party! My wife normally rolls her eyes when I get excited about my gadgets, but even she thinks one (and the SC31 Detective I bought with it) is cool. Lloyd Zacharias, Sandton

The Trustfire T70 has turned out to be as good as you said it would. It is a gift for my youngest brother who turns 70 this coming Friday and is heading off to Botswana for three weeks. I know he will be delighted with his present. Darryl McLeod, Bryanston

Last weekend I attended a Voortrekker camp where I was in charge of a group of 52 grade-five kiddos. On Saturday night the whole group from grade four to grade seven played a lantern-stalking game until rain spoiled the fun. I have to say that, despite their huge assortment of torches, my T70 Hunter really gave me an unfair advantage. In short, I highly recommend the T70 – you just cannot go wrong. Massively powerful on max. and battery life is good. Andries Visagie, Sasolburg

I only got time to test my torch last night and all I can say is – WOW!! I never thought a torch this size could give out so much power!! I am amazed, to say the least!! I want to thank you for your service – it's rare these days to find someone with knowledge and passion all together. You have a client for life!! Tienie Jacobs, Witbank

Thought I'd let you know that I've found a name for my T70 Hunter – henceforth it shall be known as “Bliksem”! Why Bliksem, you might ask? Any bliksem who comes looking for trouble will first be blinded by either the killer beam or the equally deadly strobe and will then be bliksemed by me, using the torch. Maybe not what it was intended for, but a task it is well capable of achieving. Allan van Riel, Plumstead, Cape Town

I gave the T70 Hunter a try last night. It’s fantastic! Possibly blinded a few animals for life, but it works brilliantly!! Dan Stevens, Mavela Game Lodge, Mkuze

I've been testing the beam distance for my new T70 Hunter – but I can't find a tree far enough!! I don't have another torch to compare it with, but I like the four brightness levels and the spill is adequate even on low power. Thanks Mark. Johan Zanoli, Kleinbrakrivier

With regards to feedback on the torches, these T70 Hunters score ten out of ten! I am absolutely delighted as they are exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for your service. Alan Taylor, Nelspruit

I have only used the T70 Hunter Mk3 indoors over the weekend, as it was raining most of the time. The improvement in brightness vs the old Hunter is obvious. The controls are easy to understand and operate. Dewald Steyn, Lichtenburg

I'm doing armed response so I need a torch I can trust, which is easy to handle and has a really long beam. Over the years I have bought many torches and they keep improving but this new Trustfire T70 is the best so far – I don't think there is a better flashlight on the market today anywhere near this price. Torches with names that end with "fire" did not have a good reputation in days gone by but I am really impressed with the quality of this T70, which is very powerful and not too big to handle easily. In my work I flash the beam on and off all the time so I like that this torch always comes on at full power and doesn't get dimmer as the batteries run down. Also, the coloured light in the switch tells me when the batteries need to be replaced. The low and medium settings are great for close-up work where the high beam would be too strong. This Trustfire is a lifesaver for me – I don't even need to use my gun because it is so bright that it chases everyone away! Anyone who needs a torch for security will be very happy with the T70 Hunter. Chris Schoeman, Boksburg

I just want to tell you how impressed I am with the Trustfire T70 – wow, such a lot of light from a relatively small torch, and the strobe feature is to say the least blinding! Indeed, this is one hell of a torch and extremely good value for the money. I have shown it to a couple of my mates and they are equally impressed by its performance. Thank you for your excellent service – I'm sure you will have me buying another torch in the not too distant future. Ruwayne Swartz, Gonubie

I received my Trustfire T70 today and was eager to try it out. For a relatively small torch I am particularly impressed by the concentration of the beam and the distance it is able to illuminate. I spend a lot of time travelling to remote places and this little machine will definitely fill a gap in my collection of torches. I carry a number of LED lights that are powered by C, D, AA and AAA standard battery cells and I look forward to testing the lifespan of lithium ion cells by comparison. Thanks again for your very efficient service and feedback during the purchase and delivery of the T70 – I am sure I will be investing with you further as one can never have too many flashlights! Mark Drysdale, Rivonia

This new Hunter is really very impressive – a beautiful long beam which is still broad enough to light your way over rough ground. Intimidatingly bright, it would certainly be one in the eye for any would-be mugger! And I like the battery status indicator. While I agree that the tail-switch is easier to find in the dark, I feel Trustfire have missed a trick by not allowing the torch to be turned on and off at the side-switch. Patrick Reynolds, Cato Ridge

I received my new T70 Hunter in good time and condition, thank you. I tested my new toy last night... a big difference and upgrade compared to my old 7G5PL Hunter. I noticed a much clearer, longer beam with a slightly bigger spill, which suits my needs. I look forward to testing it in the bush after lockdown. As always, thank you for your efficiency and advice. Kevin Roome, Queenswood, Pretoria

During lockdown there were few pleasures better than online technology shopping – which raised the question, can you ever have enough torches? If you want daylight at night you simply can't, so I added the T70 Hunter to my expanding collection. Then, on a dark night at the farm in the Swartland I pitched the Hunter against another torch with three times the lumens and supposedly the same beam distance, only to find the Hunter was the clear winner in terms of throw!! Steve Grounsell, Melkbosstrand

There's only one thing to say about the T70 Hunter – it's bef@k! You certainly read my requirements well, Mark, this is a machine of note. I looove love love that eternal tunnel beam – there were animal eyes twinkling doer-and-gone. At last I have a clear beam to the other side of the dam, approx 700 metres away, which is a first for me. Keep up the good work Mark, your service is exemplary. Mark Drysdale, Rivonia

What an excellent flashlight this T70 Hunter Mk3 is – I'm so happy with it! I've been a Reverend in the notorious South of Johannesburg for the last 30 years and I'm also the first responder on the church alarm – I often get there long before the security company shows up. Not everyone that visits the church comes to pray (some come to prey) so it's very important to me to have a PROPER torch, and to have a powerful strobe is even better! This torch give me a quality light and lasts long enough on high beam for a thorough search of the premises, and to use the strobe if necessary – in a spirit of collaboration, of course! Thank you once again for an excellent product – it's a bright light in a sometimes dark world! Rev André Kloppers, Glenvista.

The T70 is a built-for-purpose thrower and it does it exceedingly well. I tested it out on some cattle whilst camping at a wedding last weekend - at well over 300m it allowed me to identify them clearly and get a running commentary of oohs and aahs from the crowd. In short, I am truly satisfied with my purchase and would happily recommend the Torchguy to any of my friends or family. Martin Mulder, Pretoria

I've now had a good chance to test the T70 Hunter in the field, and I'm very impressed. What a great torch! I did four different night drives (about 6 hours in total) in a game reserve over the long weekend, on a single charge of 3500 mAh batteries. I used level 3 brightness for spotlighting and then upping it to level 4 for viewing. That worked really well; level 3 was sufficiently bright for general lighting and didn't run down the battery too much. The torch is fantastically easy to handle. It has certainly changed my night bird and wildlife viewing for good, thanks! Michael Mills, Go-Away Birding, Nelspruit

With an ANSI throw of 1,000m the Hunter is an absolute beast! I think it has the perfect amount of spill to go with an extremely concentrated beam. The build quality is as good as any torch I have encountered and it feels solid in the hand. I like the tail switch to turn it on, and the side switch to adjust the mode. The side switch is also very easy to find in the dark. Anyone looking for a good thrower need look no further than the Hunter. Gareth Wooding, Northcliff, Jhb

Very happy with the torch. On bright if three people stand in a row facing me it will shine right through the first two and onto the third person! Dave de Winnaar, Hillcrest

I was looking for a long range torch when the T70 from TrustFire was recommended to me. The workmanship is solid and it has great range and good handling. It's a genuine thrower and, even though I have not yet been able to test it fully, I do believe the specification of up to 1,000 meters range might be accurate in ideal conditions. Operation is simple – it has a tail-switch to activate the torch while the side-switch is used to change between the five modes (high, high-medium, medium, low and strobe). The service has also been excellent and any questions I've had have been answered the same day I emailed. TO, Gordon's Bay

The T70 Hunter is a mean wolf dressed like a sheep. When I first got to light up this candle, oh boy, did my hair blow back! Surfaces 400m away get enough light to show shadowy movements – and warn intruders that there's some serious shit around town! My wife used to follow my movements with a spare radio, now she just follows the beam to its origin on the home-facing hills during a call-out to know where I am. Last night we had another call-out and I must admit I grabbed the T70 and forgot my BP vest (sub-conscious priorities?). At one stage I spotted four friendly torches behind me about 250m away. I shone the Hunter at them and, you guessed it, they switched their torches off and followed The Light! The T70 would make excellent standard issue for neighborhood watches – you cannot ask for a better package. Diether Etzel, Kommetjie Region, Cape Town

The T70 Hunter is a great tool to have when spotting very distant objects or simply overwhelming any mediocre light source at a braai. The controls are simple and quick to access. Kyle McLaren, Pretoria

I asked the Torchguy about upgrading a torch I bought from him about five years ago. Mark explained the differences between the Trustfire T70 Hunter and my old torch and, based on his feedback, I ordered the Hunter. As was the case previously – and like many other customers will have experienced – the service was brilliant and, within a few days, the torch was in my hands. My initial reaction was very positive – the old torch was large and quite heavy while the Hunter is much more compact, lighter and very easy to hold. There is not much to say about the various options, but the buttons work perfectly and are ergonomically designed. But that's where my happiness stopped! Living in the suburbs, there is a limited opportunity to truly test a torch like this. When I first switched it on I thought the beam might knock over my precast concrete wall – it was like I had Darth Vader’s lightsaber in my hand – but my sadness grew as I realised I would have to wait three weeks to put it through its paces in the Kruger National Park, which is why I bought it! However it's now just ten days until I move to the dark side, and the excitement is slowly growing. Thanks Mark for the superb service – I will continue to recommend you as the go-to torchguy in SA. Stuart Galloway, Sandton

I had a flashlight from a different brand and was looking for a similar torch with the same or greater throw. After searching the net I came across the Torchguy and chatted to Mark about which torch would best suite my needs. He suggested the T70 Hunter – which I love! It's not too big but gives a proper throw, which is perfect for patrolling the farm at night. Mark Mason, Nelspruit

I am very impressed and delighted by the T70 Hunter – the throw and accompanying clarity is incredible. I've been trying to find the ideal torch for watching game, and spent some hard-earned money on several popular brands only to be disappointed, but I finally found what I've been looking for with the Hunter. I used it every single night at Ngwenya and often couldn't wait for darkness! I really enjoy the four different brightness levels – the lower settings are very useful to view animals that are closer, and I could see them clearly without having to blind them. The solid feel of the Hunter is also very impressive – you know you're dealing with quality. The batteries you recommended were also great and lasted well. Thanks for your detailed advice and recommendations. Luis da Cruz, Weltevreden Park, Jhb

Just returned from the KNP. The T70 Hunter is amazing, brilliant, a game changer. Darryl Mayers, Waverley, Jhb