TA30 review : updated, it was not a breakdown

hyperloop

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EDIT: 17th June 2009
It was NOT a breakdown as i thought it was, after my week long trip to Israel, i came back and threw in 3x RCR123s and the light fired up fine. I may be having some issues with one of the 14500 cells that i own and have finally bitten the bullet and bought my 1st ever multimeter to test the 14500 in question.

Will try to get some outdoor beamshots this weekend and post 'em up

EDIT: for details of my TA30 breakdown, go to post #22

Hi all, I was selected to be one of the reviewers even though i don't have much technical expertise (if any), what you will be getting is a hands on, real world review which I will post once i have had some time to test the light out.

I just wanted to get things rolling with answers to some queries that i saw in another review (think it's the only other one so far).

Edit: This light was received today less than 6 hours ago

1st impressions:-

1. This light is going to cause some serious damage if used as a baton, the teeth on the bezel are hard thick and sharp, definitely not something you're going to want to put in a pocket (it's too long anyhoo) or in a pack if you've got stuff you don't want getting scratched.

2. STURDY, I am going to try and see if i can go check out some scrapped cars to test the assault bezel on a car window, if not, i might just go check this on a brick wall somewhere. The light is hefty and gives a strong sense of security if you have it on your belt or just have it handy (please let's not get into the flashlight as a a defence tool etc issues, this is just a personal opinion). The body is nicely knurled but not too aggressive i have a Hugsby B2 Xenon and that baby is what they had in mind when they said 'make the knurling aggressive, something that Conan would have liked', well, they succeeded. If you have soft hands, the Hugsby may chafe skin off but the TA30's knurling is well balanced, just feels that it won't slip if your hands are wet (I tried this in the shower with soapy hands, so the waterproofing bit is answered too).

3. Ease of use: tailcap is a forward clicky, the clicky is easy to activate, with about 1-2mm of travel before the light comes on and a further 3-4mm before it clicks. There is a distinctly audible click sound so you might want to be aware of this if using this light in quiet environments for tactical purposes. The alternative is to lock out the tailcap with the clicky in the 'on' position which will eliminate any noise from activating the light.

4. Changing modes: The interface is not possible (at least in my case) to be used one-handed unless you have hydraulic fingers. With the light facing forward and in low mode, the dial/wheel has to be turned clockwise to go to medium-high-strobe (very fast and disorienting). However, the twisting action is not (IMHO) gritty but it takes a wee bit of effort to turn it but nothing major in my view, i would not want a dial that turns so easily that a slight flick of my fingers changes mode, travel between modes is about 4-5mm and there is a distinct feel and slightly audible click when modes are changed, i.e. you will definitely feel it when you change modes and there is no worry about the 'seating' (if that phrase is correct) of the dial, it doesnt slip nor does it flicker, i can change modes from low to strobe in less than a second and can feel the 3 distinct clicks when it changes modes and so far have done at least 50 consecutive mode changes from low - strobe without the action sticking or getting looser.

5. The killer question that i saw: can it use other cells? the answer is a resounding YES IT CAN. I have tried this with 2x17500s, 3xRCR123 (3.6v) and 2x14500s, it works fine on all these combinations but i have yet to do a output comparison using different cell configurations.

Please note this is not my full (amatuerish) review but are just my initial impressions, i will be doing my best to live up to Fenix's expectations and provide as detailed though not too technical a review over the coming weeks as i use this light (it will be travelling in my daily work bag along with spare RCR123s, 14500s, i dont own 17500s yet the ones i used belonged to a friend.)

Will be posting pictures of the TA30, indoor and outdoor beamshots and will try try to do a comparison with some of my other lights from my meagre collection. Please be patient and thanks again to Fenix and their local agent for selecting me to be one of the testers of this finely crafted piece of a lighting tool, this is a keeper in my book!

Edit: 17 May 2009:
If this light was meant for potential tactical situations, perhaps some system where it is possible to switch to 'turbo' i.e. more than high or to strobe, directly instead twisting the selector ring might be helpful.

In fact, it would be pretty useful for anyone, i can imagine if i am on low mode, trekking through a forest, TA30 in one hand, walking stick in the other, backpack on my shoulders etc and am using it in low mode to not spoil my night vision but suddenly hear some noises that make me nervous, i'd have to drop my walking stick, or if its one of those fancy ones with a wrist lanyard, let it dangle, and use that hand to turn the selector ring on my TA30. Seconds that i may or may not have to spare.

So, IMHO, if there was a way to get an instantly accessible 'turbo' (more than high) or strobe for emergency situations, that would make this a great(er) light than it already is/
 
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hyperloop

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

UPDATE: it's been a long week at work, finally got some time to take a few pictures. The pictures come first, then the title / comments.

Also, the shots of the TA30 taken here are taken with the TA30 running on 2x14500s (fresh). My charger for my RCR123s died on me (thankfully i had a separate charger for my 14500s)

For the comparison shots, the beamshot of the TA30 will always be the one the right

5ea28ae5.jpg


Left to right:
Led Lenser P5, Jet III Pro ST, Hugsby B2 with DX R2 single mode drop in (2xRCR123), Aurora WF600 Q5 (2xRCR123), TA30

As you can see the TA30 is the longest of the lights.

a37cf778.jpg


TA30 on its own

a16ebc12.jpg


Close up of the mode changing ring.

511f0c10.jpg


Control shot of the wall, its about 3.4m (approx 10')

79e058e3.jpg


Jet III Pro ST on minimum (advertised as 2 lumens IIRC)

880ccd19.jpg


TA30 on low

1d8960ac.jpg


Comparison of Jet III (min) - TA30 (lo)

3516428d.jpg


Jet III Pro ST (50%)

b8019256.jpg


TA30 - medium

347febe9.jpg


Comparison Jet III (50%) - TA30 (medium)

As you can see, the Jet III's hotspot is larger and appears 'whiter' than the TA30.

6fe19ff2.jpg


Jet III (Max - advertised 225 lumens)

8e60fe63.jpg


TA30 (High - advertised 220 lumens)

7b876663.jpg


Jet III (max) - TA30 (high)

The output for the Jet III on max and the TA30 on high appear to be nearly identical (dont think i can tell the difference in 5 lumens) but the TA30 appears more focused while the Jet III Pro ST's hotspot looks 'softer' if that is the word (remember, i aint no technical person)

Some other comparisions

764f1504.jpg


Aurora WF600 (Q5) on 2xRCR23s in high mode - TA30 on high

As is clearly seen, the hotspot on the Aurora is much smaller than the TA30 (which is as it should be as the reflectors are vastly different in diameter)

8c547cf7.jpg


Hugsby B2 with DX single mode R2 drop in - TA30 high

The R2 drop in appears much cooler in tint than the TA30, hotspots appear nearly identical.

The shot below was the surprise of the evening (for me at least)

d6916319.jpg


LED Lenser P5 (Soshine, 1.2v, 2500 mAh nimh cell) - TA30 (high)

I got the LL P5 on the same day i picked up the TA30 isnt the comparison amazing? (ok, i love my P5 but then again i love all my lights)

Next: outdoor beamshots (thanks for being patient)

EDIT spent half an hour walking around where i live looking for a place to take some outdoor beamshots but *sigh* singapore is light polluted, so this is all i can come up with so far.

(below): control shot - take note of the extremely high amounts of ambient lighting - the wall that i am aiming for would be about 100 metres away.

bccaa1f9.jpg


(below): TA30 on high (2x14500s) note how tight the hotspot is

7f2a7534.jpg


(below) TA30 on medium - barely noticeable but i think it would be much nicer in dark conditions (which i will hunt down)

7078fb4c.jpg


(below) Aurora WF-600 on high (note this is my thrower as it has a huge reflector)

005df13c.jpg


(below) Jet III Pro ST on max - see the diffuse hotspot but for something coming from such a small form factor, its nice. Also note that i zoomed in a bit for this shot and the next.

e9dfbc2d.jpg


(below): DX-R2 single mode drop in

c4ca23e1.jpg
 
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jefflrrp

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

Thanks. I've been looking for reviews of the TA30. So many lights. So little time.
 

Redshift

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

As another person selected for the trial run, I'd have to agree with all of your initial impressions. One thing I did notice however is that the brightness adjustment/strobe seems to get easier as you break it in. Not changing by itself easy, but one handed operation is possible with some effort. Cool to hear about the battery compatibility, I'm gonna have to order some 17500's now!

I just got finished with the unboxing and initial photoshoot myself, I can't wait to get this thing into the woods and see what it can really do.
 

Vox Clamatis in Deserto

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

One thing I did notice however is that the brightness adjustment/strobe seems to get easier as you break it in.

Yep, I noticed the same thing:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/posts/2921896&postcount=158

However, after leaving the light in a drawer for a couple of weeks, it seems very tight and difficult to operate again. WD-40 time maybe? Actually, I do have NyoGel but I'm not sure if I can apply it to the mechanism without messing things up.
 

jirik_cz

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

5. The killer question that i saw: can it use other cells? the answer is a resounding YES IT CAN. I have tried this with 2x17500s, 3xRCR123 (3.6v) and 2x14500s, it works fine on all these combinations but i have yet to do a output comparison using different cell configurations.

Which batteries did you try? From my experience Ultrafire 17500 doesn't fit. Only AW 17500 does fit.
 

bigchelis

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

Which batteries did you try? From my experience Ultrafire 17500 doesn't fit. Only AW 17500 does fit.

I too got the TA30 for review. I used AW 17500 black color cells, but I don't have any blue Ultrafire 17500's to try.
 

HKJ

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

Which batteries did you try? From my experience Ultrafire 17500 doesn't fit. Only AW 17500 does fit.

Yes, the tube is a bit small in diameter, but when it can use 16340 there is no reason for 17500.
I am also one of the Fenix reviewers, but I bought my own light, before I received the one from Fenix and has already published my review on my own website (But it is in Danish).
 

hyperloop

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

Which batteries did you try? From my experience Ultrafire 17500 doesn't fit. Only AW 17500 does fit.

The 17500s belonged to the Fenix agent, didnt get a chance to check the branding but in any event, i would use AW's 17500s, safer in the long run.
 

jirik_cz

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

Yes, the tube is a bit small in diameter, but when it can use 16340 there is no reason for 17500.

There is a couple of reasons to use 2x17500 cells instead of 3x16340:)

1) 2 cells are cheaper than three
2) it is easier to charge two cells
3) 17500 have better runtime

Btw. did anyone published any TA30 runtime graphs yet ? :cool:
fenixta30runtime.gif
 

HKJ

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

There is a couple of reasons to use 2x17500 cells instead of 3x16340:)

1) 2 cells are cheaper than three
2) it is easier to charge two cells
3) 17500 have better runtime

1) Not really, check price from AW, 3xRCR123 are cheaper.
2) Yes, but not much.
3) I wonder about that, 3xRCR123 has a little bit more energy, maybe the efficiency of TA30 is better with 17500?
 

jirik_cz

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

RCR123 have only around 550mAh real capacity, so 3xRCR123 doesn't store more energy than 2x17500. 17500 are probably rated closer to the real capacity.

3xRCR123 have around 6Wh
2x17500 have around 8Wh
 

HKJ

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

RCR123 have only around 550mAh real capacity, so 3xRCR123 doesn't store more energy than 2x17500. 17500 are probably rated closer to the real capacity.

3xRCR123 have around 6Wh
2x17500 have around 8Wh

AW is listing RCR123/16340 as 750mAh and 17500 as 1100mAh, with 3.7 volt this gives: 8.3Wh and 8.1Wh

I have not measured if his rating are precise, but assumed that they are very close to the real values.

Using LiFePO4 is another case, they only have 500mAh and 3.2 volt, but there are no reason for using them, TA30 can work with 3x16340 cells.
 

jirik_cz

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

AW is listing RCR123/16340 as 750mAh and 17500 as 1100mAh, with 3.7 volt this gives: 8.3Wh and 8.1Wh

There has been many tests of 3,7V RCR123 cells that showed that their real capacity is around 500-600mAh (for example here). No matter how high capacity manufacturer claims. 750mAh for RCR123 is exaggerated value.
 

HKJ

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

There has been many tests of 3,7V RCR123 cells that showed that their real capacity is around 500-600mAh (for example here). No matter how high capacity manufacturer claims. 750mAh for RCR123 is exaggerated value.

Thanks for the link. If the 17500 has the real capacity on them, this will give an advantage to them.
 

Franklight

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Re: Review: TA30 (initial)

I too got the TA30 for review. I used AW 17500 black color cells, but I don't have any blue Ultrafire 17500's to try.

Good! This might have just help me decide on getting some AW 17500s.

Hyperloop, Thanks for the nice review.
 

hyperloop

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Re: TA30 - review, indoor & outdoor beamshots - more to come

Now some outdoor beamshots up but ambient lighting conditions are too bright to be useful, will update with better ones.
 

richardcpf

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Re: TA30 - review, indoor & outdoor beamshots - more to come

Hyperloop would you call this a throwy flashlight? I consider buying it but I want a Fenix with lots of throw.
 

hyperloop

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Re: TA30 - review, indoor & outdoor beamshots - more to come

Hyperloop would you call this a throwy flashlight? I consider buying it but I want a Fenix with lots of throw.

Hi richard, though not in the class that we would normally call 'throwers' i.e. lights with large diameter reflectors, this light throws easily 150 - 200 feet (i am being conservative here) as can be seen from the beamshot i took of the TA30 on high facing the opposite building with a LOT of ambient lighting.

There is another review here with some nice beamshots.

Hope that helps
 
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