Willabbott
Newly Enlightened
UPDATE 11/30/07 8:20PM PST: Outdoor beamshots added at a distance of 20 and 50 yards... see post #3
Update 12/3/07: Additional review added by GreenLED, see post #23
So I see a number of reviews are popping up already about the T-1... and I'm a little late to the party.
However I just picked up a model from the post office that will later be sent to be abused by a fellow CPF member (he had it sent to me so I could pick it up for him for a Firearms class he is attending tomorrow)
My review thus far is based on first impressions, and we will have REAL world data tomorrow night (likely posted the following Sunday) The member and I will likely use the light as much as possible at the Low Light/Night Fire course tomorrow (I will try and use it as much as possible, but won't likely have much time to shoot)
My first impressions are based off of almost 10 years experience teaching firearms and related courses to private citizens, Private Security, law enforcement, and military. Including 2 years experience as a Private Security Officer myself. I do not claim to be an expert, or a know it all... I only know what has and does work for me, and what has and does work in the field based on my experience, and the experience of the many number of fellow instructors and students I've talked to about what has and hasn't worked for them in combat, and life.
First impressions are as follows.
This light is BIG... it's not your typical Fenix light, think 6P/G2. In fact the light is somewhere around 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch longer than a Surefire G2/6P. The head is approx 1/8 of an inch larger than the Surefires... and it's of course got some mass to it.
The finish seems good, what you'd expect from Fenix, there is some wear starting from the clip rubbing on the body, this is a demo unit from Fenix-Store, so who knows how much handling this unit has had prior to me getting it... I've only had the head off twice... I can't however tell if the wear marks are in fact wear of the finish, or what appears more likely is the clip rubbing off on the knurling.
Usability... Remember I'm rating this light for tactical use, which is what is was designed for... unfortunately I have to give point reductions here... The light is not very user friend for it's designed purpose... I'm sorry Fenix, you don't quite get what a tactical light is.
The light has issues in 2 of the 3 preferred methods for using a flashlight with a handgun... for me a light needs to be able to function easily in 2 of the 3, preference for all 3. Though it is usable, as it sits now this would be the last light I would grab for a defensive light.
The 3 techniques in question:
General ergonomics.
I found the light fairly comfortable, however I find the clip sticks up too far, I wish it sat closer to the light, and flatter... it protrudes from the light too far and causes it to be uncomfortable... The tailcap also constitutes much of the grip when used in most techniques, and has NO texture at all... with dry hands I find the light slipping in my hand slightly, and forcing me to tighten my grip, which in turn my hurt depending on the technique, as I drive the clip further into my hand... I'm curious to see how much I'd drop the light trying this with wet hands.
Light Output:
The light is bright... it puts out some serious light, and illuminates well... further testing of the illumination is yet to be determined... I'll be curious to try it tomorrow, as often lights over 100lumens tend to be TOO bright for using in room clearing situations, and I fear this light will be no exception.
The output is great, and it has a decent sized spot... I compared it visually to a P3D Q5 I have sitting here, and the output is noticeably brighter. The spot is slightly tighter as is to be expected with the larger reflector.. However the hotspot as well as the corona have much more light output.. I find this odd, since the output is supposed to be the same... I guess there is still an LED lottery even with Cree, and this shows it. The tint is slightly more purplish than the P3D Q5 I have, but again, output is definitely higher.
General first impression summary...
The light is built like a tank, it's heavy, it's thick, it's beefy.
There are ergonomic issues which prevent it from being easily used for it's intended purpose... most arising directly from the strange tail cap... Fenix apparently feels a tactical light needs the ability to tail stand, and doesn't have a clue about tactical lights... I don't have a tactical light that can tail stand, and it's for good reason, it interferes with the activation of the switch.
Don't take this review wrong I like Fenix lights, and find myself wanting more of them, just as I do with Surefire's and other lights... however I don't feel they've quite figured out how to try and compete directly with a company such as Surefire... The L1/L2T V2.0 with the forward clicky is a MUCH better tactical light than the T-1, in fact my dad (and fellow instructor) will be soon buying one, and I will probably be not too far behind as will other Fenix lights.
For the $76 the T-1 Costs, for a tactical light for the size, I would much rather spend my money on a similarly priced Surefire, Streamlight, or Pentagon Light, all offer a more usable tactical light (or several) for the price range, that will function with much less hassle.
Sorry to be any sort of a downer, I'm sure I will get flamed like mad... this is only my initial first impression from the stand point of the lights primary design and target market. I will have further impressions and perhaps my feelings will change after having a chance to try the light out with a real firearm, and in darker environments.
But as for now, this is my feeling on the functionality of the light as a tactical tool.
Conclusion:
For a general utility type light, I feel the output and quality of output is great for it's size... The closest I came for output was the ROP Lo, which did outperform, but it was the closest I came... the ROP low is however still a 2C sized maglite which is a good deal larger, and more difficult to carry. The T-1 has some great benefits for a longer range light in a small package... however based off the fact it is being marketed as a tactical light, I fear it fell a little short for it's intended market.
Interesting side note:
I goofed around for a bit, and found the head of the T-1 threads onto the tailcap side of a Surefire G2 Body... it maybe something interesting to see an adapter made by Leef or someone else to put the T-1 Head onto a 6P or similar body, or perhaps even that of an E series
Update 12/3/07: Additional review added by GreenLED, see post #23
So I see a number of reviews are popping up already about the T-1... and I'm a little late to the party.
However I just picked up a model from the post office that will later be sent to be abused by a fellow CPF member (he had it sent to me so I could pick it up for him for a Firearms class he is attending tomorrow)
My review thus far is based on first impressions, and we will have REAL world data tomorrow night (likely posted the following Sunday) The member and I will likely use the light as much as possible at the Low Light/Night Fire course tomorrow (I will try and use it as much as possible, but won't likely have much time to shoot)
My first impressions are based off of almost 10 years experience teaching firearms and related courses to private citizens, Private Security, law enforcement, and military. Including 2 years experience as a Private Security Officer myself. I do not claim to be an expert, or a know it all... I only know what has and does work for me, and what has and does work in the field based on my experience, and the experience of the many number of fellow instructors and students I've talked to about what has and hasn't worked for them in combat, and life.
First impressions are as follows.
This light is BIG... it's not your typical Fenix light, think 6P/G2. In fact the light is somewhere around 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch longer than a Surefire G2/6P. The head is approx 1/8 of an inch larger than the Surefires... and it's of course got some mass to it.
The finish seems good, what you'd expect from Fenix, there is some wear starting from the clip rubbing on the body, this is a demo unit from Fenix-Store, so who knows how much handling this unit has had prior to me getting it... I've only had the head off twice... I can't however tell if the wear marks are in fact wear of the finish, or what appears more likely is the clip rubbing off on the knurling.
Usability... Remember I'm rating this light for tactical use, which is what is was designed for... unfortunately I have to give point reductions here... The light is not very user friend for it's designed purpose... I'm sorry Fenix, you don't quite get what a tactical light is.
The light has issues in 2 of the 3 preferred methods for using a flashlight with a handgun... for me a light needs to be able to function easily in 2 of the 3, preference for all 3. Though it is usable, as it sits now this would be the last light I would grab for a defensive light.
The 3 techniques in question:
Harries.
For the Harries, the light works fine, the switch is a little difficult to activate, depending on hand and thumb placement, however it is usable, and passes the test for this technique.
For the Harries, the light works fine, the switch is a little difficult to activate, depending on hand and thumb placement, however it is usable, and passes the test for this technique.
Cigar.
Unfortunately the first failure, it appears currently impossible to activate the light with the cigar technique... though other lights such as the E2D prove very difficult they can be used in this technique, all be it they aren't perfect, but usable... the T-1 unfortunately as of right now has not been able to be activated once using this technique...
Unfortunately the first failure, it appears currently impossible to activate the light with the cigar technique... though other lights such as the E2D prove very difficult they can be used in this technique, all be it they aren't perfect, but usable... the T-1 unfortunately as of right now has not been able to be activated once using this technique...
Side by Side
I see a trend here... though not as bad as above... the light is usable, however it's fairly difficult to activate. The light can be used, however for the best reliability the light technique needs to be modified to using the tip of the thumb to activate the light, my preference is to use the knuckle area of the thumb, and it's kind of difficult to do.
I see a trend here... though not as bad as above... the light is usable, however it's fairly difficult to activate. The light can be used, however for the best reliability the light technique needs to be modified to using the tip of the thumb to activate the light, my preference is to use the knuckle area of the thumb, and it's kind of difficult to do.
General ergonomics.
I found the light fairly comfortable, however I find the clip sticks up too far, I wish it sat closer to the light, and flatter... it protrudes from the light too far and causes it to be uncomfortable... The tailcap also constitutes much of the grip when used in most techniques, and has NO texture at all... with dry hands I find the light slipping in my hand slightly, and forcing me to tighten my grip, which in turn my hurt depending on the technique, as I drive the clip further into my hand... I'm curious to see how much I'd drop the light trying this with wet hands.
Light Output:
The light is bright... it puts out some serious light, and illuminates well... further testing of the illumination is yet to be determined... I'll be curious to try it tomorrow, as often lights over 100lumens tend to be TOO bright for using in room clearing situations, and I fear this light will be no exception.
The output is great, and it has a decent sized spot... I compared it visually to a P3D Q5 I have sitting here, and the output is noticeably brighter. The spot is slightly tighter as is to be expected with the larger reflector.. However the hotspot as well as the corona have much more light output.. I find this odd, since the output is supposed to be the same... I guess there is still an LED lottery even with Cree, and this shows it. The tint is slightly more purplish than the P3D Q5 I have, but again, output is definitely higher.
General first impression summary...
The light is built like a tank, it's heavy, it's thick, it's beefy.
There are ergonomic issues which prevent it from being easily used for it's intended purpose... most arising directly from the strange tail cap... Fenix apparently feels a tactical light needs the ability to tail stand, and doesn't have a clue about tactical lights... I don't have a tactical light that can tail stand, and it's for good reason, it interferes with the activation of the switch.
Don't take this review wrong I like Fenix lights, and find myself wanting more of them, just as I do with Surefire's and other lights... however I don't feel they've quite figured out how to try and compete directly with a company such as Surefire... The L1/L2T V2.0 with the forward clicky is a MUCH better tactical light than the T-1, in fact my dad (and fellow instructor) will be soon buying one, and I will probably be not too far behind as will other Fenix lights.
For the $76 the T-1 Costs, for a tactical light for the size, I would much rather spend my money on a similarly priced Surefire, Streamlight, or Pentagon Light, all offer a more usable tactical light (or several) for the price range, that will function with much less hassle.
Sorry to be any sort of a downer, I'm sure I will get flamed like mad... this is only my initial first impression from the stand point of the lights primary design and target market. I will have further impressions and perhaps my feelings will change after having a chance to try the light out with a real firearm, and in darker environments.
But as for now, this is my feeling on the functionality of the light as a tactical tool.
Conclusion:
For a general utility type light, I feel the output and quality of output is great for it's size... The closest I came for output was the ROP Lo, which did outperform, but it was the closest I came... the ROP low is however still a 2C sized maglite which is a good deal larger, and more difficult to carry. The T-1 has some great benefits for a longer range light in a small package... however based off the fact it is being marketed as a tactical light, I fear it fell a little short for it's intended market.
Stay tuned as more is sure to follow after tomorrows work out at the range!
Interesting side note:
I goofed around for a bit, and found the head of the T-1 threads onto the tailcap side of a Surefire G2 Body... it maybe something interesting to see an adapter made by Leef or someone else to put the T-1 Head onto a 6P or similar body, or perhaps even that of an E series
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