Nitro
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,347
My Tiablo A8 Q5 just came today. Perfect timing, a day before my B-Day. 
UPDATE:
For those of you that don't know this light, Stefan did a great review here, so I won't repeat his info. The difference with this light is it has the Cree Q5 bin, which is brighter then the A8. The A9 also has the same emitter, but with a different driver. The A8 Q5 is better used with one 18650, and the A9 is better used with RCR123's or CR123A's. Also, this light has a Momentary FOWARD Clickie with ONE brightness level, like a Mag.
Now, let me say the A8 Q5 is amazing. It is much brighter then all my other LED's, 120P, P3D R100 etc. It's also brighter then my stock TL-3. The throw is incredible, easily more then the TL-3. Though I still like the TL-3 color better for the woods, the A8 Q5 has a pretty nice tint, and is fine in streets. I expected a bright hotspot with very litte spill, but I was wrong. The A8 Q5 has plenty of spill.
I haven't done beamshots yet. (To busy playing.
), but I did do some LUX measurments. However, I'm surprised by my readings. Though consistent, I think my meter is reading low. I have the cheap meter from DX, which as been known to read on the low side. I may invest in a better one. On to the readings @ 1m.
NovaTac 120P = 1800 lux
Fenix P3D R100 = 2500 lux
SL TL-3 Stock = 8500 lux
MRV SE Q5 = 12,500 lux
Tiablo A8 Q5 = 15,500 lux
Mag60 3D = 20,000 lux
Aspheric 50mm = 28,000 lux
ROP HI 2C = 28,000 lux
Mag85 3C = 32,000 lux
Aspheric 52mm = 35,000 lux
The CC > 200,000 lux
The MB > The CC
I would have thought the A8 would be more like ~20,000, considering Stefan got 21,000 with his A9. And my Aspheric is only getting 28K, but Stefan is getting ~58K with his, granted he has a different driver. That's why I think my meter is reading low.
Overall, I'm very pleased with this light. I just wish I knew how it compares to Stefan's A9. I'm waiting on the MRV SE Q5 to arrive in a few days, so I can compare it also. I'll do some beam shots next.
UPDATE: 9/19/2007
I just got the MRV SE Q5 and I took some lux measurments, posted above. It looks like my meter is reading low, time for a new one. I'd have thought the Tiablo would have done better against the MRV, but at least it's more. The MRV does have a nice beam pattern though. It's good for a Throw/Spill mix. I'm using the SMO reflector, and I haven't tried the OP. One thing I don't like is the MRV switch. Is it me, or is this switch difficult to press? I definitely like the Tiablo switch better.
Also, I got a 52mm Aspheric lens w/Anti Reflective Coatings. I'm not sure if it's the size or the coatings, but it made a big difference. See the lux reading I'm getting now. The big thing I like about this light is, there's very little spill to blind you. Unlike the MRV and Tiablo, you can keep your night vision, while targeting something far away. For a gernal light it's not useful, but for a pocket thrower, it's great. When LED's become smaller and more powerful, this light will be incredible. I can only imagine this lens in front of an R4 bin Cree
I'll try to do some beamshots of these lights over the weekend, along with something else.
UPDATE:
For those of you that don't know this light, Stefan did a great review here, so I won't repeat his info. The difference with this light is it has the Cree Q5 bin, which is brighter then the A8. The A9 also has the same emitter, but with a different driver. The A8 Q5 is better used with one 18650, and the A9 is better used with RCR123's or CR123A's. Also, this light has a Momentary FOWARD Clickie with ONE brightness level, like a Mag.
Now, let me say the A8 Q5 is amazing. It is much brighter then all my other LED's, 120P, P3D R100 etc. It's also brighter then my stock TL-3. The throw is incredible, easily more then the TL-3. Though I still like the TL-3 color better for the woods, the A8 Q5 has a pretty nice tint, and is fine in streets. I expected a bright hotspot with very litte spill, but I was wrong. The A8 Q5 has plenty of spill.
I haven't done beamshots yet. (To busy playing.
), but I did do some LUX measurments. However, I'm surprised by my readings. Though consistent, I think my meter is reading low. I have the cheap meter from DX, which as been known to read on the low side. I may invest in a better one. On to the readings @ 1m.NovaTac 120P = 1800 lux
Fenix P3D R100 = 2500 lux
SL TL-3 Stock = 8500 lux
MRV SE Q5 = 12,500 lux
Tiablo A8 Q5 = 15,500 lux
Mag60 3D = 20,000 lux
Aspheric 50mm = 28,000 lux
ROP HI 2C = 28,000 lux
Mag85 3C = 32,000 lux
Aspheric 52mm = 35,000 lux
The CC > 200,000 lux
The MB > The CC
I would have thought the A8 would be more like ~20,000, considering Stefan got 21,000 with his A9. And my Aspheric is only getting 28K, but Stefan is getting ~58K with his, granted he has a different driver. That's why I think my meter is reading low.
Overall, I'm very pleased with this light. I just wish I knew how it compares to Stefan's A9. I'm waiting on the MRV SE Q5 to arrive in a few days, so I can compare it also. I'll do some beam shots next.
UPDATE: 9/19/2007
I just got the MRV SE Q5 and I took some lux measurments, posted above. It looks like my meter is reading low, time for a new one. I'd have thought the Tiablo would have done better against the MRV, but at least it's more. The MRV does have a nice beam pattern though. It's good for a Throw/Spill mix. I'm using the SMO reflector, and I haven't tried the OP. One thing I don't like is the MRV switch. Is it me, or is this switch difficult to press? I definitely like the Tiablo switch better.
Also, I got a 52mm Aspheric lens w/Anti Reflective Coatings. I'm not sure if it's the size or the coatings, but it made a big difference. See the lux reading I'm getting now. The big thing I like about this light is, there's very little spill to blind you. Unlike the MRV and Tiablo, you can keep your night vision, while targeting something far away. For a gernal light it's not useful, but for a pocket thrower, it's great. When LED's become smaller and more powerful, this light will be incredible. I can only imagine this lens in front of an R4 bin Cree
I'll try to do some beamshots of these lights over the weekend, along with something else.
Last edited:
