asdalton
Flashlight Enthusiast
Having reviewed the lackluster performance of the TT 2D, I am happy to report that the TT 3C is much better. The extra battery seems to make all of the difference.
Body /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
This light is a little bit longer than the 2D, but I was surprised to find that it is considerably smaller than I had expected. There isn't any wasted space in this flashlight. The TT 3C is noticeably lighter than the 2D, and the 3C fits better in the hand, too. For comparison, it is much narrower than the Lightwave 3000 or the Trek lights.
Like the 2D, the 3C is built like a tank. The walls are thick, and there is strong knurling on the barrel, bezel, and tailcap. The plastic lens is the weak point, but the raised rim will protect it to some extent.
I had ordered the black finish because the titanium color was not in stock at the time. Although I still prefer the latter, the black finish looks good, too. It does appear to show dirt more readily, though, especially particles that get trapped in the knurling.
As on the TT 2D, the switch on the 3C is easy to find and use. The flashlight comes with a lanyard attached, but you can remove this if you want.
LED mode /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The first click of the switch activates three of the six LEDs. These are bright and surprisingly white--not as white as the Trek lights, but comparable to the Lightwave models or the premium Eternalights. This is definitely a setting that you could use in a darkened room or tent, and if anything it may be too bright for some purposes.
The second click of the switch activates all six LEDs. This really does double the output of light, and the total brightness is on par with what you would get from a 7-LED flashlight with slightly used batteries. This setting gives more than enough light for walking around in the woods after dark.
I should mention that the six LEDs of the TT 3C beat the ten LEDs of the TT 2D hands down.
Xenon mode /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
This part is better than the incandescent mode of the TT 2D in so many ways. First of all, it's about twice as bright. It puts my cheap 2D krypton lights to shame, as it should. Second, the focus is much better. The wide focus is smoother, and the tight focus is tighter. It's not as tight as you would get from a smooth reflector, but it gives a pleasantly soft hot spot. I prefer to just leave the light at its narrowest focus, since I will use the LEDs if I need a flooding beam.
Conclusion /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Buy this flashlight. This would be a respectable light even if it were only an incandescent light or only an LED light. But it has both, and it kicks ***. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif You will be hard pressed to find a more versatile flashlight for the same price.
Body /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
This light is a little bit longer than the 2D, but I was surprised to find that it is considerably smaller than I had expected. There isn't any wasted space in this flashlight. The TT 3C is noticeably lighter than the 2D, and the 3C fits better in the hand, too. For comparison, it is much narrower than the Lightwave 3000 or the Trek lights.
Like the 2D, the 3C is built like a tank. The walls are thick, and there is strong knurling on the barrel, bezel, and tailcap. The plastic lens is the weak point, but the raised rim will protect it to some extent.
I had ordered the black finish because the titanium color was not in stock at the time. Although I still prefer the latter, the black finish looks good, too. It does appear to show dirt more readily, though, especially particles that get trapped in the knurling.
As on the TT 2D, the switch on the 3C is easy to find and use. The flashlight comes with a lanyard attached, but you can remove this if you want.
LED mode /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The first click of the switch activates three of the six LEDs. These are bright and surprisingly white--not as white as the Trek lights, but comparable to the Lightwave models or the premium Eternalights. This is definitely a setting that you could use in a darkened room or tent, and if anything it may be too bright for some purposes.
The second click of the switch activates all six LEDs. This really does double the output of light, and the total brightness is on par with what you would get from a 7-LED flashlight with slightly used batteries. This setting gives more than enough light for walking around in the woods after dark.
I should mention that the six LEDs of the TT 3C beat the ten LEDs of the TT 2D hands down.
Xenon mode /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
This part is better than the incandescent mode of the TT 2D in so many ways. First of all, it's about twice as bright. It puts my cheap 2D krypton lights to shame, as it should. Second, the focus is much better. The wide focus is smoother, and the tight focus is tighter. It's not as tight as you would get from a smooth reflector, but it gives a pleasantly soft hot spot. I prefer to just leave the light at its narrowest focus, since I will use the LEDs if I need a flooding beam.
Conclusion /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Buy this flashlight. This would be a respectable light even if it were only an incandescent light or only an LED light. But it has both, and it kicks ***. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif You will be hard pressed to find a more versatile flashlight for the same price.