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/
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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