Surefire Titan T1A Pics & Info

[Sean]

Surefire Titan T1A Review Pics & Info *Update* 90 lumen version

Surefire Titan T1A:
FEATURES

• Virtually indestructible microprocessor-controlled LED maximizes output and runtime
• Bezel switch provides continuous light output from 0 to 70 lumens
• Precision micro-textured reflector produces bright central beam with a gradually diminishing surround beam
• Corrosion-proof, scratch-resistant aluminum body is hard anodized
• Impact-resistant Borofloat® window protects LED and maximizes light transmission
• Coated split ring ideal for attaching to keys or lanyard

UPDATE (January 2014):
It looks like Surefire has discontinued the Titan T1A. I picked up the new version of this light which claims to have a high output of 90 lumens verses the original which had a high output of 70 lumens.
According to my measurements, the new 90 lumen version (at least the one I have) actually puts out 125+ lumens! Very nice upgrade overall! The tint (at least the one I have) is also better. Instead of very cool blue, it's slightly violet in the center with a hint of green in the corona.

Run time test 90 lumen version on high ~1 hour & 50 minutes to 50% (Surefire SF123A exp: 2018):
(hours)minutes)-(estimated lumens)
00:00-126 lumens (estimated)
01:00-124
01:10-124
01:15-124
01:20-124
01:25-120
01:30-117
01:33-110
01:35-105
01:40-92
01:45-80
01:50-66 (~50% output @ 110 minutes)
01:55-54
01:56-ended test

Jetbeam RRT01 on the left and the Titan T1A 90 lumen version on the right.

Pros: Comes in a box with a lanyard and instruction book. Smooth, continuously variable light output operation with a twist of the bezel with detent in off position. One handed operation is not a problem. Light OP reflector. Beam is nice and diffused (kinda like a mini L4). Looks similar to an L1 with an F04 beam diffuser on. Tailcap lug for split ring attachment seems to be more reliable than original Titan attachment. My tests show that the T1A max output is 81 lumens. I was hoping for a bit more (like the 100 lumens the Saint will put out) but its still better than the 70 lumen spec. LED tint is pretty good. Only slightly blue. I was prepared for worse but it is pretty mild. The light output is diffused enough to where this does not matter much. That's saying a lot for someone like me who doesn't like blue LEDs. O-rings provide water resistance, but it is unknown how deep you can go. The body is not knurled but fluted. This seems to work well, especially on a light like this that requires the bezel to be turned. The fluted areas dig nicely into your hand without being overkill.

Cons: Split ring is not attached already. Light powers off after 5 minutes if light is within 0-25% range of the bezel dial (not light output). This does not appear to be a major issue as I first though it would be, since 25% of the bezel dial seems to be less than 1 lumen. I've just finished doing a test with the dial turned at what I would say is roughly 25% and the light output does not even equal one lumen (but it's close). The result: the light did not turn off after >10 minutes. Maybe this should be a pro after all. I did a second test with the light at what I would consider slightly less than 25% range on the bezel dial and it did turn off. The nice thing is they inscribed caution HOT on the bezel so you can line up the hot wavy lines symbol, etc with the flutes on the body so you know exactly where your 25% cut-off is. The bad thing is all the "Caution HOT Surface" is a bit unnecessary (the light gets warm but not what I would call hot) and clutters up the finish a bit.

Overall, I like it more than I thought I would. The beam reminds me of the original L4 The cons I had in mind are not the problem I thought they would be, and the nice diffused light output is exactly what I was looking for in a pocket light.

Run time test on high 1 hour & 48 minutes to 50% (Panasonic CR123A exp: 2018):
(hours)minutes)-(estimated lumens)
00:00-81 lumens (estimated)
01:00-78
01:10-78
01:15-75
01:20-73
01:25-71
01:30-68
01:32-66
01:35-63 ~ 58 flickering/pulsing begins
01:40-53
01:45-46
01:48-40 (~50% output @ 108 minutes)
01:50-36
01:55-30
02:00-25
02:01-ended test

At the 01:35 mark the light begins to pulse, I would guess to notify you the battery can no longer maintain full power. If you dial back the brightness the light stops flickering and works normally. While I guess this could be annoying to some, I actually like the idea that it lets you know the light can't achieve full power. Hopefully this "feature" is on purpose. Battery life seems to be an par with other Surefire single cell lights. Unfortunately, it's not 4 hours that Surefire lists on their website (note: The enclosed instructions state 1 hour run-time on high).

Run time test #2 @ ~45 lumens. 4 hours & 54 minutes to 50% (Panasonic CR123A exp: 2018):
(hours)minutes)-(estimated lumens)
00:00-45.5 lumens (estimated)
01:00-45.5
02:00-45.5
02:30-45.5
03:00-45.9
03:30-45.9
03:45-46.0
04:30-46.0
04:45-44 (light drops out of regulation)
04:46-42=>38
04:47-37=>35
04:48-34=>32
04:49-32=>30
04:50-29=>27
04:51-26
04:52-25=>24
04:53-23
04:54-22 (~50% output @ 4 hours & 54 minutes)
04:55-21=>20
04:56-19
04:57-18
04:58-17
04:59-16
05:00-15
05:01-ended test

Titan T1A & Fenix P1D CE:

T1A on max vs Fenix P1D CE on medium close up (My tests show T1A is 81 lumens and the Fenix is 67 lumens on medium):

Titan T1A max output vs Fenix T1 on low (my tests show 48 lumens):

Titan T1A (on the left) set to 9 lumens vs Arc AAA-P @ 9 lumens (per my tests):

Here's some shots taken at about 20 feet (manually fixed settings):

Fenix T1 on low:

Fenix P1D CE on medium:

Titan T1A on max:

Arc AAA-P:

Outdoor Pics (manually fixed settings):

Fenix T1 on low:

Fenix P1D CE on medium:

Titan T1A on max:

 

[regulator]

Sean - You Da Man! Thanks for the pictures! Thank you for putting this together and nice job. I can't wait to get one. I think this UI is going to be great.

 

[nekomane]

At last! Pics (and very nice ones)! Thank you.

 

[PetaBread]

:goodjob:

 

[DM51]

Fast work getting this up - thanks! Very good photos, providing us with a good look at the light and its capabilities. It looks very neat, with a nice smooth beam.

 

[gunga]

Great stuff!

Glad the 5 miniute shutoff is less of an issue than expected.

I really like this light, just not the $240 price...

:green:

 

[greenLED]

Glad the 5 miniute shutoff is less of an issue than expected.

Ditto. Funny how CPF'ers tend to make a huge fuss over unconfirmed/unverified things that end up being non-issue when the real world feedback comes in. ...and yet, some will continue to complain about it.

 

[MorpheusT1]

Cool,


Now who is gonna do the first emitter swap on this thing?

:naughty:



I want mine with a warm white.


Benny

 

[Splunk_Au]

That's the thinnest tail cap I've seen on a SureFire, hope it stands up to use.
Also it looks totally smooth with no knurling at all, not such a good idea for such a small light.

The blue tint really sucks though, seems like the result of poor heatsinking which causes tint shift.
Or is it generally poor tint selection of leds used for the T1A since other users report the same too?

 

[MorpheusT1]

definatively not poor heat sinking in a Surefire.
I have yet to see this.

I believe its the emitters fault...the Titanium TITAN were like this also.



Im hoping someone can open one up.
If its the same method as the Limited version it should be easy.


Benny

 

[cy]

glad to hear ... the 25% 5 minute turnoff at 1 lumens is a non issue

 

[Flying Turtle]

I wish they didn't feel the need to print stuff all over it. Kind of dilutes the classiness. Wonder if you could order one in a plain wrapper?

Geoff

 

[4EN[sic]]

I like the light and have been waiting for what seemed like forever for it to come out. However, and I would guess I'm not the only one, but I think all the crap inscribed in the top portion looks tacky. Especially for that price. What more do you really need than surefire and .com, and that is already on the side, where it belongs. I just think more black and plain would be classier. That being said, I wish I could afford 2 of them

 

[4EN[sic]]

damn turtle, I think we were typing at the same time! I sure would like to see photos of the two titan versions side by side. That would be hot.

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I sure would like to see photos of the two titan versions side by side. That would be hot.

+1:thumbsup:

 

[The Coach]

damn turtle, I think we were typing at the same time! I sure would like to see photos of the two titan versions side by side. That would be hot.

+1:thumbsup:

Be careful what you ask for...........

I don't have one, I swiped this from a review on another forum.

 

[:)>]

I was concerned about the shut-off and was unsure of its purpose but my guess is that it is meant to stop the battery from being drained in the even the light is turned on accidentally.

If it is 1 lumen or less, I have no issue with it either as these levels are lower than what I would typically use.

I also have to say that I think the light looks great.

Now to get up the scratch to purchase one

 

[AardvarkSagus]

I still am not sure that I see the point of the auto-shutoff. Those low levels are what I use on the Spartanian II when getting dressed in the morning before work, trying not to wake the wife. Excellent also for late night excursions to the kitchen that occasionally take longer than 5 minutes...

Hopefully someday I will get a chance to see for myself whether this is an issue. The rest of the light looks fantastic, I just am not sure I see the point.

 

[cy]

T1A's tailcap is a huge improvement over Titan's unreliable rear end.

seems Titan still holds the title of world's best UI

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

Great pictures, thanks Sean! Looks like you got a low serial number.

That's the thinnest tail cap I've seen on a SureFire, hope it stands up to use.

I thought the same thing, the tailcap is so thin it almost looks like it was pressed rather than CNC machined.

The blue tint really sucks though, seems like the result of poor heatsinking which causes tint shift.
Or is it generally poor tint selection of leds used for the T1A since other users report the same too?

I've seen tint shift due to overdriving on some of my less successful 'experimental' mods. This looks more like a bin issue, the tint doesn't shift much, of course the tint disappears at the dimmest levels as your eyes loose color vision. It will be gone after five minutes then anyway.

I actually like the purple tint on my light after seeing the green alternative on another recent SF.

Im hoping someone can open one up.
If its the same method as the Limited version it should be easy.

Looking inside the head, there are a couple of phillips head screws on the battery side of the pill. Does this look similar to the Original?

glad to hear ... the 25% 5 minute turnoff at 1 lumens is a non issue

Yep, if you don't need the low levels for more than five minutes at a time, it's not an issue.