Re: Nitecore "Tiny Monster" TM11 (4x18650, 3xXM-L) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, VIDEO
Saying that light is a rip-off of the TM11 is like saying GM copied Ford or this printer copied that printer and so on and so on. A lot of flashlights look similar but still one can pick and choose what catches their fancy. From what I have read about the other light it sounds like a good deal and the beam shots also look good. As for modes on a flashlight, is more better? I'm happy with high and low, don't really have a need for strobe or SOS. If one light is not high or low enough I have another that will do the job but if I can save a few bucks even on a budget light then sweet, I am not made out of gold nor own any.
I have over half a dozen nice lights now, probably more then I really need but I use them all. I need them to locate things, glowing rocks, glowing sticks, fire tacks, tags and so on, sometimes from a great distance, my latest acquisition was the Thrunite TN31, great thrower.
Anyway I am in no rush to order anything at the moment and keeping tabs on the other light which they talk alot about on another forum, so far so good, so we shall see. It is nice though to own very nice flashlights. I appreciate your input also.
Not really...in a cosmetic sense, they make it LOOK like the light they want you to compare theirs to.
INSIDE, the lights will be different. Some can look great on the outside, all the cues we associate with sturdy construction are there, etc.
The DX/el cheapo clone lights tend to VASTLY overstate the lumen output...so, you see an ad for a 2k L light from nitecore, and one from skyray saying its 2k L too...and, if you measured the output, the skyray's 2k L might be 750 L, or might be 1500 L, or might be 2500 L, you won't know...they tend to be all over the map.
The circuit might be regulated, or protected, or potted, or, it might SAY it is, but it isn't, and so forth.
To make cost lower, generally, you use cheaper parts...and the cheaper parts can improve performance in some ways, like a direct drive light might be BRIGHTER when you turn it on....but dim as the cells drain, vs a regulated light's constant output....
...so for a short burst, the cheapo can make good numbers....but, like the tortoise and hare...the better light will pass its performance as the direct drive light's beam dims, but the regulated light's out put keeps chugging along at the same pace.
If you just NEED a short burst, sure, that works. If a dimmer out put after a few minutes won't work for you, well, then that's not a good light for the job.
I've tried a lot of lights, and some I consider to be novelties or toys...fun for sure, but others I consider to be tools. The tools are reliable and can be counted on to do he job. The toys are to play with...but not trusted with anything critical.
There's a time and place for either of course...hence my having both...but, the TM11 is more like a tool.
