G3 VS. TL3....whats your opinion?

[clipse]

You knew this was goin to come up sometime.

If you had the choice and was going to buy one to stick to protected 17500's in which would you pick and why. Looks like both are about the same price.

Thanks,

clipse

 

[Strauss]

I think I would pick the TL3. I like the slimmer body, and the TL3 will out-throw the 9P. Either one is upgradable, with the P91 200 lumen bulb for the 9P, or the H-1499 bi-pin bulb for the TL3(~225 torch lumens).

You can't go wrong with either one. If you like the lego idea, stick with the Surefire. If it is gonna stay the way it is, I say go for the TL3. I find the TL3 carries easier, for whatever reason.

I have both, and I like my TL3 more. Now that I have a turbohead on my 9P, it beats my upgraded TL3 hands down in output and throw......put it isn't pocketable anymore. I consider my 9P with turbohead to be almost a whole new light.....

This is just my opinion, and I'm sure you will get many different responses. The lights are very close in comparison, you have posted a good question

 

[cratz2]

I'd defaintely lean towards the TL-3. Slimmer and father throwing. Actually out of all of my lights, my TL-3 is in my top 5 most used.

On the other hand, if you really don't need the throw and would rather have a wider hotspot, then the G3 might be a better choice. I'd also expect the G3 would be a bit easier to operate with gloved hands.

I've never owned a G3 though. I've had several G2s and a Maxfire with brighter lamps.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I'd rather have the TL-3. With its well designed clip the TL-3 fits better in the pocket, has better throw, has adjustable spot to flood focus, & has a spare lamp inside the flashlight. To me, the TL-3 is the clear winner, especially since they cost the same amount.

With the Cree LED around, incandescents are starting to look weaker by comparison. My 1 cell P1D-CE key chain light puts out more light than all but a handful of Surefire's line. Some people like the color of incandescents better, but I'm not one of them. I think the main advantage incandescents have is throw. Throw is where the TL-3 shines.

I'm sure some will disagree. The Surefire will be better for some people. These are different lights, designed for different purposes. I'm saying that for my purposes, the TL-3 is a better match.

At these prices, the real answer is buy both.

You knew this was goin to come up sometime.

If you had the choice and was going to buy one to stick to protected 17500's in which would you pick and why. Looks like both are about the same price.

Thanks,

clipse

 

[mossyoak]

if i couldnt modify it i would go for the tl3
but if i could i would pick the g3. turbo heads, extenders for batteries, and led heads. it just much for versatile.

 

[clipse]

DANGIT. I'll have to get both it looks like. Though, I'll probably get the TL3 first.

 

[Strauss]

DANGIT. I'll have to get both it looks like. Though, I'll probably get the TL3 first.

Sounds like a good plan to me Make sure you pick up some 17500's....rechargable and will pick up the lumen count a bit.

 

[clipse]

Sounds like a good plan to me Make sure you pick up some 17500's....rechargable and will pick up the lumen count a bit.

That goes without saying. The only reason I'm contemplating these lights is fir the 17500 usage.

 

[Supernam]

I love my TL-3 w/ 17500's. The polymer body of the SF G series is sort of slick even with it's waffle print. I also like the pocket clip with lanyard loop on the TL-3.

 

[mdocod]

If I were in that price range I'd pick up a light compatible with 18500s instead of 17500s.

Go With a Wolf-Eyes 9AX.

1500mah vs 1100mah... basically the same size flashlight.

 

[leukos]

I vote G3 because I prefer a polymer light that has interchangeable lamp assemblies (incase a bulb explodes in the field). And there are quite a few options now from Lumens Factory and other makers.

 

[jayflash]

I have the modified TL-3 and a G2 with P60 & P61 LA. The TL-3 goes with me often when I'm in the woods because I need throw at some points. The hot spot is large with good spill compared to a normal TL-3 and I wonder if the G3 may be similar?

Both are great lights and if I didn't already have the TL-3 I'd buy the G3. I prefer the Nitrolon and body of the G2/G3 and the Turbo head option adds versatility. The G2/G3 are of my very favorite lights.

 

[Paul5M]

Go with G3 for outdoors because it's plastic, light weight, and better shock-resistance :thinking:

 

[zehnmm]

Considering the price and relatively small size, the TL-3 is a worthy choice. I run mine mostly off of 2 of AW's protected 17500's, with 3x CR123's as backup. Get about 55 min. or so of runtime. Throw is excellent.

But, there is one drawback on the TL-3 that has been documented in these forums. Many TL-3's, mine included, are susceptible to the bulb getting stuck in the rubber gasket in the head, and thereby disconnecting it. I even sent mine back to the factory for a repair. It still does it here and there and is a PITA, particulary outdoors.

FYI, I have a Wolf-Eyes Rattlesnake M100X. It costs more, is bigger, but is a great light. Others have posted about other WE products and I heartily second what they have said.

In conclusion: in true CPF style, get all of 'em!

 

[Art Vandelay]

I've never had that happen. I tighten my TL-3 to the tightest possible beam, and I leave it like that forever. When does it happen, and what are you doing when it happens?

Considering the price and relatively small size, the TL-3 is a worthy choice. I run mine mostly off of 2 of AW's protected 17500's, with 3x CR123's as backup. Get about 55 min. or so of runtime. Throw is excellent.

But, there is one drawback on the TL-3 that has been documented in these forums. Many TL-3's, mine included, are susceptible to the bulb getting stuck in the rubber gasket in the head, and thereby disconnecting it. I even sent mine back to the factory for a repair. It still does it here and there and is a PITA, particulary outdoors.

FYI, I have a Wolf-Eyes Rattlesnake M100X. It costs more, is bigger, but is a great light. Others have posted about other WE products and I heartily second what they have said.

In conclusion: in true CPF style, get all of 'em!

 

[zehnmm]

Art: I have had it happen a number of times, nearly always when adjusting the head for the beam pattern. Just like you stated, the best way to avoid the problem is to find a beam pattern you like and then leave the head alone. I do that for my usage.

However, the light has in the past also been used by my wife as a bedside-bump-in-the-night light and she sometimes forgets and turns the head. Because of that, I let her use my Wolf-Eyes M100X.

 

[Strauss]

My friend had that exact problem with his TL-3, and fixed it by bending the pins in a way to help "hold" the bulb in socket better. My TL-3 does not have that problem

 

[Kinvu]

Ok so I'm really new to the flashlight game but I'm in the market for these two or an incan in general for outdoor use. Is the TL3 really 2x as bright as the G3? And some mentioned if they did get the G3 that they would also upgrade it with a turbo head, which is like a 100 dollar add on, if it's gonna cost that much don't I have other options to spend the same kinda money on? Sorry for so many Q's. Thanks.

 

[paulr]

The TL3 and G3/P90 are about the same brightness (lumen output). The TL3 throws further because it has a narrower beam. That is not better or worse, it's just a different design intention. The G3/P91 is close to 2x as bright as the TL3 but with less than half the runtime.

The TL3 is not really an adjustable focus light like a Maglight. It uses a replaceable bi-pin bulb instead of an integrated, prefocused lamp/reflector assembly like the G3. When you replace the TL3 bulb, small manufacturing differences and tiny position differences can affect the beam, so the adjustable bezel lets you tweak that a little. But there's not much range of adjustment and it's not something you'd normally mess with while using the light. It's more like a setup adjustment that you'd do occasionally after a bulb change.

 

[Strauss]

The TL3 and G3/P90 are about the same brightness (lumen output). The TL3 throws further because it has a narrower beam. That is not better or worse, it's just a different design intention. The G3/P91 is close to 2x as bright as the TL3 but with less than half the runtime.

The TL3 is not really an adjustable focus light like a Maglight. It uses a replaceable bi-pin bulb instead of an integrated, prefocused lamp/reflector assembly like the G3. When you replace the TL3 bulb, small manufacturing differences and tiny position differences can affect the beam, so the adjustable bezel lets you tweak that a little. But there's not much range of adjustment and it's not something you'd normally mess with while using the light. It's more like a setup adjustment that you'd do occasionally after a bulb change.

Couldn't agree with you more on that one.