woodrow
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi!
My Tiablo MA6 arrived today from Batteryjunction. Here is a pic of what it came with:
I was expecting the light to be HAIII natural...so I was very happy to be surprised with HAIII black. Batteryjunction only sells the lights with both reflectors, which is nice, because I have chosen to leave the OP in, but had I bought the light with only one reflector, I would have chosen the smooth one.
As to the light itself. I simply has a "balanced" feel. Not like the Fenix T1, which is so bezel heavy. This light just feels good in your hand. It is not a tiny pants pocket edc light, but it will fit in the front pocket of a pair of dockers with ease. Tiablo did a nice job with the form of this light.
The light comes with 2 switches. A multilevel/multimode short push reverse clicky switch, and a forward clicky. The multi stage switch has two modes.
Mode One: The light always comes on in high. Push the button again within 2-3 seconds, and you go to medium, then low, then off. Leave the light on for a few seconds at any level, and the next click turns it off.
Press and hold the switch down for 3 seconds, and the light will go to mode two.
Mode Two: The light comes on low. Quickly push again and you go to medium then high...then strobe and sos. Sorry, I did not play with the strobe or sos...I am glad you can lock them out.
I think it is nice, that people who want their light to come on high first...can make that happen...or people who want their light to come on low first...will also be happy.
Next there is the one stage forward clicky. This is what I have on the light now. Just full on with momentary well back into the push. I like this better than the Fenix T1's momentary right before it clicks on. This switch turns the light into a "true" tactical light
for the purists out there. Plus the clip ring gives you a good hold when using the light with a gun.
Now, how does it perform?:
I am taking some lux #'s from the great review at lightreviews.info. : http://www.light-reviews.com/tiablo_ma6/review.html
First, after using this light, it seems like its biggest competition is the D-mini SE Q5. Neither of these two lights are in the DBS/Tiablo A9 class of lights since they are much smaller, but they are both multi-level Q5 lights designed to illuminate objects at decently long distances. Lets say 50-150 yards. Of course, my throw lights always come during a full moon, so outdoor beamshots will have to wait till later.
The #'s:
Tiablo MA6 / D-Mini SE Q5 (from DiscoverEDC)
on 2x123a on 1xrcr123a
Throw with smooth reflectors
16060lux / 8330lux
Throw with OP reflectors
12520lux / 5370lux
Give or take a little, because these were taken with different meters, but still, the Tiablo has a D-mini sized spot...but much brighter.
Here are the two lights side by side. Notice that the Tiablo has the larger reflector.
The D-mini is a inch and a half shorter than the Tiablo, but the Tiablo's narrower body tube negates some of that difference.
Here are some beamshots. The white restroom door is 29 yards from the camera and lights. Camera is locked at f/2.8 at 1sec. ISO 64 WB at Daylight.
First at 37mm:
Tiablo MA6 2x123a's smooth reflector
the D-mini 123a (fresh) primary, smooth reflector
Now at 150mm same lights and settings
Tiablo
D-mini
Now at under 2' from wall. Left Tiablo/Right D-mini
Final beamshot for now, the Tiablo MA6 with its OP reflector, vs. the D-mini with its smooth reflector. Garage wall is about 18'. Purposely underexposed at 1/10" Tiablo is on the right..D-mini on the left.
If you are considering a small throw light, IMHO the the Tiablo wins over the D-mini SE in every way for the same amount of money. It is just as easy to edc, and has waaay better runtime. (unless you add the 18650 tube...but mine has been flakey with the digital...and then the D-mini is the bigger light) The Tiablo also has about 30% brighter spill than the D-mini Q5. There are not many smaller lights that are going to compare to the throw abilities of the MA6/
I will do outdoor beamshots hopefully at the gun range once the moon goes away.
Final reviewer opinion:
If you want a under $100 well made throw light with superb fit, finish and balance... give this light serious consideration. Multi-level or momentary tactical switches, and over 12K lux throw with the Textured reflector. All in a nice handy light. As far as I am concerned, this light is a winner.
edit... I was able to take some 15 yard beamshots because the rock wall in my back yard blocked the moon. All camera at f/2.8 at 1"
First a control shot.
D-mini SEQ5 Smooth reflector
Tiablo MA6 Smooth reflector
Fenix T1 OP
I am really impressed with the Fenix T1's beam for 30 yards or less. I look forward to getting the smooth reflector version. I think it should be a great light.
See later posts for 115 yard outdoor beamshots. More will be added when the moon is not a factor.
My Tiablo MA6 arrived today from Batteryjunction. Here is a pic of what it came with:
I was expecting the light to be HAIII natural...so I was very happy to be surprised with HAIII black. Batteryjunction only sells the lights with both reflectors, which is nice, because I have chosen to leave the OP in, but had I bought the light with only one reflector, I would have chosen the smooth one.
As to the light itself. I simply has a "balanced" feel. Not like the Fenix T1, which is so bezel heavy. This light just feels good in your hand. It is not a tiny pants pocket edc light, but it will fit in the front pocket of a pair of dockers with ease. Tiablo did a nice job with the form of this light.
The light comes with 2 switches. A multilevel/multimode short push reverse clicky switch, and a forward clicky. The multi stage switch has two modes.
Mode One: The light always comes on in high. Push the button again within 2-3 seconds, and you go to medium, then low, then off. Leave the light on for a few seconds at any level, and the next click turns it off.
Press and hold the switch down for 3 seconds, and the light will go to mode two.
Mode Two: The light comes on low. Quickly push again and you go to medium then high...then strobe and sos. Sorry, I did not play with the strobe or sos...I am glad you can lock them out.
I think it is nice, that people who want their light to come on high first...can make that happen...or people who want their light to come on low first...will also be happy.
Next there is the one stage forward clicky. This is what I have on the light now. Just full on with momentary well back into the push. I like this better than the Fenix T1's momentary right before it clicks on. This switch turns the light into a "true" tactical light
for the purists out there. Plus the clip ring gives you a good hold when using the light with a gun.Now, how does it perform?:
I am taking some lux #'s from the great review at lightreviews.info. : http://www.light-reviews.com/tiablo_ma6/review.html
First, after using this light, it seems like its biggest competition is the D-mini SE Q5. Neither of these two lights are in the DBS/Tiablo A9 class of lights since they are much smaller, but they are both multi-level Q5 lights designed to illuminate objects at decently long distances. Lets say 50-150 yards. Of course, my throw lights always come during a full moon, so outdoor beamshots will have to wait till later.
The #'s:
Tiablo MA6 / D-Mini SE Q5 (from DiscoverEDC)
on 2x123a on 1xrcr123a
Throw with smooth reflectors
16060lux / 8330lux
Throw with OP reflectors
12520lux / 5370lux
Give or take a little, because these were taken with different meters, but still, the Tiablo has a D-mini sized spot...but much brighter.
Here are the two lights side by side. Notice that the Tiablo has the larger reflector.
The D-mini is a inch and a half shorter than the Tiablo, but the Tiablo's narrower body tube negates some of that difference.
Here are some beamshots. The white restroom door is 29 yards from the camera and lights. Camera is locked at f/2.8 at 1sec. ISO 64 WB at Daylight.
First at 37mm:
Tiablo MA6 2x123a's smooth reflector
the D-mini 123a (fresh) primary, smooth reflector
Now at 150mm same lights and settings
Tiablo
D-mini
Now at under 2' from wall. Left Tiablo/Right D-mini
Final beamshot for now, the Tiablo MA6 with its OP reflector, vs. the D-mini with its smooth reflector. Garage wall is about 18'. Purposely underexposed at 1/10" Tiablo is on the right..D-mini on the left.
If you are considering a small throw light, IMHO the the Tiablo wins over the D-mini SE in every way for the same amount of money. It is just as easy to edc, and has waaay better runtime. (unless you add the 18650 tube...but mine has been flakey with the digital...and then the D-mini is the bigger light) The Tiablo also has about 30% brighter spill than the D-mini Q5. There are not many smaller lights that are going to compare to the throw abilities of the MA6/
I will do outdoor beamshots hopefully at the gun range once the moon goes away.
Final reviewer opinion:
If you want a under $100 well made throw light with superb fit, finish and balance... give this light serious consideration. Multi-level or momentary tactical switches, and over 12K lux throw with the Textured reflector. All in a nice handy light. As far as I am concerned, this light is a winner.
edit... I was able to take some 15 yard beamshots because the rock wall in my back yard blocked the moon. All camera at f/2.8 at 1"
First a control shot.
D-mini SEQ5 Smooth reflector
Tiablo MA6 Smooth reflector
Fenix T1 OP
I am really impressed with the Fenix T1's beam for 30 yards or less. I look forward to getting the smooth reflector version. I think it should be a great light.
See later posts for 115 yard outdoor beamshots. More will be added when the moon is not a factor.
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