surefire T1a or 4seven mini 123

[JCD]

Ferrari or Yugo? Tough choices indeed.

That's a little harsh. A DX light = Yugo.

4Sevens = Euro Ford?

Perhaps a little harsh, perhaps not. I understand Quarks to be on par with Fenix, and I don't consider my Fenix lights to be "real" lights. Of course, it's possible that my perception of Quarks is inaccurate; maybe they're far superior to Fenix.

 

[strinq]

What the MiNi has going for it over the Titan is that it's cheap and brighter. That's about it.

Not true, check my post.

 

[Dude Dudeson]

Six Q Mini 123's can be had for the price of a Titan, and 4Sevens product is not DX...

I know what I'd choose......

 

[Splunk_Au]

I've always wanted to get the T1A but after seeing the possible switching off issue and cflickering on the low levels, I think you would definitely be happier with the 4sevens light. Nothing worse than paying a premium costs and having to worry about malfunctions.
oh btw u can see what im talking about here http://light-reviews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=548

 

[paulr]

Perhaps a little harsh, perhaps not. I understand Quarks to be on par with Fenix, and I don't consider my Fenix lights to be "real" lights. Of course, it's possible that my perception of Quarks is inaccurate; maybe they're far superior to Fenix.

I have a 123 mini in neutral tint. It's not a crappy light but I think it's not as well built as the Fenixes I've had. There is a lot of slop in the threads, it's a simple knurled design, etc. It costs less than the Fenix so it's still a good value. That said, I spent some time looking at pics of the original T1 titan (not so much the T1a) and thought that the keychain post was ugly and that the light itself was awfully big for a cr2 light (the T1a is supposedly about the same size, and uses a 123).

It's a matter of taste but I really don't care much for the Q-mini's low-med-high interface. I prefer the med-low-high of the Fenix LD10 by a long shot. I wish Fenix would make a 123 light with that same UI.

 

[kengps]

Just an observation about the Mini 123. Last night I used the older one (which I haven't used in 2 months) and couldn't believe how tight it was compared to the new one. So I swapped battery tubes and now have 2 perfect mini's. So as an alternative to the Titan I would second the idea another poster had of buying 6 mini's for the price of a Titan and you should be able to swap parts, and tune them to get at least 4 or 5 good ones. Gift a couple and you'll have a perfect set of mini's.

 

[kengps]

It's a matter of taste but I really don't care much for the Q-mini's low-med-high interface. I prefer the med-low-high of the Fenix LD10 by a long shot. I wish Fenix would make a 123 light with that same UI.

They do. PD10

 

[photonstorm]

As another member suggested get both and see which one you prefer.

The UI from the Titan may be so good that you overlook the difference in brightness. Just depends on your values.

For me the Quark MiNi is a winner and you can get the whole family for the price of one Titan, but YMMV.

 

[shao.fu.tzer]

I love my Quark 123 mini... I like Surefire lights to be sure, but I couldn't see paying so much for a questionably better UI and tougher construction. Plus, the mini is just soooooo tiny... Gotta love it... Mine is almost as bright as my M61...

Shao

 

[insanefred]

I own neither, but I look at it this way... I prefer the concept of supporting a business that is more involved and willing to take chances to make darn good flashlights for what they cost for its core fans and enthusiasts. Hint I am talking about 4sevens.

 

[woodrow]

I would like the T1a, but have had (and HATED) a very blue tinted SF led before. Luckily I only paid $80 for it. (but have spent over $300 for a SF before) To spend $300 and get a blue tinted light would not make me happy at all. There are many other simi custom lights that could be had for $300. Between these two choices I would go with 4sevens.

 

[DM51]

If you decide on the T1A, get it DaFAB-ed, and then you will have a true keeper.

 

[rolexconfuse]

Well I dropped by the store and got the T1A, they don't have the mini123 so I can't compare the 2 of them.

I did compare the T1A to my Olight T20 205+ version. And I'm a still a bit torn.

Titian T1A,

Smaller = so tiny, it's smaller than a roll of life savers. Truly a pocket edc flashlight. Heck I don't even need to take it out of my pocket when I get home,

light = very smooth flood beam, no hot spot, it's very nice. The tint isn't so bad, it is a bit on the cooler side.

UI - pretty much can operate it with 1 hand. Holding it in my hand isn't an issue

It's an awesome light I'm still torn, I love the size, the UI, the handling but the expensive price and low brightness really keeps coming back to haunt me.

 

[nbp]

Use it for a couple days. I think you'll be surprised at how adequate that ~70 lumens is for EDC purposes. Practice using the minimum amount of light necessary for a task, it's fun :) And yes the beam and UI is fantastic. Very functional EDC light.

 

[rolexconfuse]

Use it for a couple days. I think you'll be surprised at how adequate that ~70 lumens is for EDC purposes. Practice using the minimum amount of light necessary for a task, it's fun :) And yes the beam and UI is fantastic. Very functional EDC light.

That's what I'm going to do, I'm going to use it for a few days. I'll see if the UI, size, and usage really makes it feel like it's worth $240.

 

[polkiuj]

That's a little harsh. A DX light = Yugo.

4Sevens = Euro Ford?

If a Surefire is a Ferrari, then the 47s must be a Turbocharged F1 engine in a Euro Ford body since it makes THAT much more power.

For the price difference, I think the Titan is not really worth it. Unless you can score a unit for cheaper then it will be worth the price.

If you carry more than one light, the brightness is not gonna hurt you. 80 is a lot of lumens.

 

[rolexconfuse]

I carry the olight t20 in my bag with me when I go to work but the problem is lot of times I don't remeber to take the light out. So it kinda defeats the purpose of having it as an edc if the light is not on me but in the bag. I also wanted to have a second light for emergencies. I'm going to see if 80 lums is enough and allows to me do what needs to be done.

 

[strinq]

Just buy the Quark mini 123. After all, what's $35 since you splurged $240 on the Titan.
Pretty sure you'll be :thinking: this is worth 6X more?
:D

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Well I dropped by the store and got the T1A, they don't have the mini123 so I can't compare the 2 of them.

You're not going to find 4Sevens lights in the stores. For the time being they're available pretty much exclusively through 4Sevens.

Though I wonder, if you did have an opportunity to compare the lights, I wonder if you would have still walked out with the Titan?

 

[JCD]

Though I wonder, if you did have an opportunity to compare the lights, I wonder if you would have still walked out with the Titan?

For me, the aggressive knurling on the Quark is a deal breaker for a pocket carry light. I might as well carry a file around in my pocket to destroy anything else I put in with it. The Titan appears to be far better engineered as a pocket carry light.