Okay, heres my initial impressions of the new Fenix T1....
Mine showed up today that I ordered from Fenix-Store.com. Serial # US233940. The overall feel of this light is excellent. Very solid and nicely machined. The stainless steel bezel ring is a nice addition in my opinion, as it should naturally cause the light to drop onto the bezel end due to the extra weight of the ring, and I dont think much, if any damage will occur to the lamp assembly if dropped due to the steel ring.
The anodizing on the light is good & bad. The anodizing on the tailcap and battery tube is outstanding, and appears to be equal or superior to Surefire HA finish. However, the anodizing on the bezel is much lighter then the rest of the light, but also appears to be excellent. The anodizing on the section between the bezel and the battery tube where the serial # & the pocket clip is attached, looks poorly applied with several imperfections. This does not concern me at all, but it may concern you.
The checkering on the tube looks nicely & cleanly cut, but the checkering
offers absolutely zero extra gripping benefit, and might as well be smooth. The checkering should be much more aggresive for this lights intended "tactical" usage.
The only other issue so far is the way you adjust the output of the light. You merely have to turn the bezel a few millimeters to switch from high to low (225 high/60 low emitter rating), but it is very awkward to do this function. It must be done with both hands, and the pocket clip is integral with the bezel, so when you turn the bezel to adjust the output, the stainless steel pocket clip rubs on the aluminum battery tube. If the pocket clip was integral to the battery tube instead, this would iliminate this issue. Im suprised that Fenix didnt go this route instead, as im sure they will get alot of complaints about this feature.
The tailcap seems very positive in its operation: Momentary on, Click constant ON, Click OFF. This is all I need and want on any of my duty lights. I couldnt care less about having a strobe feature along with 500 other levels that I will never use. I am not crazy about its "Impact" style design, but it doesnt affect its function at all, so it is a non-factor for me. However, what the hell is up with the ORANGE tailcap button??? Looks odd to me, and it is "glow-in-the-dark" which doesnt make any sense on a "Tactical" light, as I dont want anyone being able to potentially locate me in the dark by means of a glowing tailcap on my flashlight
And they even throw in an extra GITD orange button cover. Just give me a plain black button and be done with it please???
As far as output goes....
This light is super bright. Compared to my 3xCR123 Surefire "Frankenlight" made up of a C3 Centurion body, M2 bezel, SW02 tailcap, and a Malkoff M60 (Q2) drop-in module, the Fenix T1 appears to be noticeably brighter. I would estimate that the T1 is putting atleast 150 true "Out-the-front" lumens on "Turbo", and probably closer to 170. Yes, this light is REALLY bright! On low or "General" I would say it is putting out about 45-50 "Out-The-Front" lumens. It comes with a OP reflector and not the smooth reflector shown in the original pictures of the T1. I am glad it came with the OP instead of the smooth reflector, as it likely puts out more "useful" light for its intended purpose.
Aside from the quirky output adjustment, and the GITD tailcap, I am impressed with Fenix's first real entry into the "Tactical" light market.
Sorry, no pictures as my digital camera has taken a dump, but I hope my review has been of some assistance to those considering this new light from Fenix.
Stay safe,
Nick
Mine showed up today that I ordered from Fenix-Store.com. Serial # US233940. The overall feel of this light is excellent. Very solid and nicely machined. The stainless steel bezel ring is a nice addition in my opinion, as it should naturally cause the light to drop onto the bezel end due to the extra weight of the ring, and I dont think much, if any damage will occur to the lamp assembly if dropped due to the steel ring.
The anodizing on the light is good & bad. The anodizing on the tailcap and battery tube is outstanding, and appears to be equal or superior to Surefire HA finish. However, the anodizing on the bezel is much lighter then the rest of the light, but also appears to be excellent. The anodizing on the section between the bezel and the battery tube where the serial # & the pocket clip is attached, looks poorly applied with several imperfections. This does not concern me at all, but it may concern you.
The checkering on the tube looks nicely & cleanly cut, but the checkering
offers absolutely zero extra gripping benefit, and might as well be smooth. The checkering should be much more aggresive for this lights intended "tactical" usage.
The only other issue so far is the way you adjust the output of the light. You merely have to turn the bezel a few millimeters to switch from high to low (225 high/60 low emitter rating), but it is very awkward to do this function. It must be done with both hands, and the pocket clip is integral with the bezel, so when you turn the bezel to adjust the output, the stainless steel pocket clip rubs on the aluminum battery tube. If the pocket clip was integral to the battery tube instead, this would iliminate this issue. Im suprised that Fenix didnt go this route instead, as im sure they will get alot of complaints about this feature.
The tailcap seems very positive in its operation: Momentary on, Click constant ON, Click OFF. This is all I need and want on any of my duty lights. I couldnt care less about having a strobe feature along with 500 other levels that I will never use. I am not crazy about its "Impact" style design, but it doesnt affect its function at all, so it is a non-factor for me. However, what the hell is up with the ORANGE tailcap button??? Looks odd to me, and it is "glow-in-the-dark" which doesnt make any sense on a "Tactical" light, as I dont want anyone being able to potentially locate me in the dark by means of a glowing tailcap on my flashlight
As far as output goes....
This light is super bright. Compared to my 3xCR123 Surefire "Frankenlight" made up of a C3 Centurion body, M2 bezel, SW02 tailcap, and a Malkoff M60 (Q2) drop-in module, the Fenix T1 appears to be noticeably brighter. I would estimate that the T1 is putting atleast 150 true "Out-the-front" lumens on "Turbo", and probably closer to 170. Yes, this light is REALLY bright! On low or "General" I would say it is putting out about 45-50 "Out-The-Front" lumens. It comes with a OP reflector and not the smooth reflector shown in the original pictures of the T1. I am glad it came with the OP instead of the smooth reflector, as it likely puts out more "useful" light for its intended purpose.
Aside from the quirky output adjustment, and the GITD tailcap, I am impressed with Fenix's first real entry into the "Tactical" light market.
Sorry, no pictures as my digital camera has taken a dump, but I hope my review has been of some assistance to those considering this new light from Fenix.
Stay safe,
Nick
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