I just did a little quick and dirty comparo.
- in a dark environment, the M3T is too bright for close up work; the T1 is too bright on High, but not on low.
- at 10', they are similar. The M3T throws yellowish incan light with a football shaped hot spot; the T1 is typical whitish blue of an LED.
- at 30', the T1 has slightly more spill; the M3T a hotter hot spot. But at 0 - 30 feet (or more), the is not a whole bunch of difference
- at 60', the M3T is definitely brighter; maybe 2x as bright to the eyeballs
- at maybe 120 yards, the M3T is the obvious winner; the T1's weaker and broader beam dissipates at that distance, whereas the M3T lights up the front of a house.
So, from 0 to 40 feet or whatever, there is some difference but not a whole lot; as the distance increases, the difference becomes more substantial. There is the obvious size difference as well. The T1 can be EDC-ed on the belt, whereas it would not be so easy with the Surefire. Just got back from Red Lobster with the T1, Victorinox Swisstool Spirit and Glock 23 on my belt under an untucked shirt. The M3T would not have fared so well under there.
right on