Tiablo A1 Mini-Review: Now w/pics

[uh1c]

Received my Tiablo A1 from Tiablo in China today. Initial impressions by a newbie. SEE PIX BELOW.

Well packaged for shipment.

Comes in small logoed box with instructions and 2 extra o-rings.

Empty 3/4 inch hole in foam-I have no idea what if anything was to go into it.

AAA, One output level, twisty. OP reflector.

Battery + terminal is to be installed toward head.

Threads slightly rough but not grinding. Seems lightly lubed with small amount of a thin oil.

Clip is easily (with care) removable and reversible.

2 small holes in base lip for a tiny keyring. Center post on base (like a Hyrashok) does not seem to serve any function but I'm no engineer.

Light weight, slightly longer & fatter than L0D-CE. (Barely worth mentioning)

Tail stands.

GITD ring (gasket?) around inside of lens.

Good anodizing, I spotted no flaws.

Eyeball meter: Brighter than L0D-CE on turbo. Brighter hotspot, less spill. I have to wait until dark to check it better.

Body appears to be same thickness as L0D-CE.

No odor from flashlight.

I cannot take acceptable pictures for posting to save my life despite my Canon A700.

Runtime: on fresh generic alkaline AAA: gradually dimming output to about 2-5 lumens: 3hrs

Water/Dunk test: 3 minutes in 5 gallons of tap water while turned on: No leaks. Works fine.

I like it!

 

[monkeyboy]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review. Any chance of size comparison pictures against other lights? This should be pretty straight forward to photograph.

 

[uh1c]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review. Any chance of size comparison pictures against other lights? This should be pretty straight forward to photograph.

You're welcome Sir Monkey! Pixs? Ha! Straight forward for most folks, but it took me forever to get my avatar right.

Edited: OK, you got me. ...pix below

 

[Rzr800]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for posting this; as I ordered mine today from your comments. Just bought the 'special' LOD Q4 @ 75 lumens not even a week ago...now we're pushing 110 not a few days later. I realize that these are only production AAA lights that probably don't garner much comparitive 'buzz' in the forums...yet that is one heck of a jump, imo, for an EDC light.

Hoping that this pans out with no beamshots or anything to go on but your gracious time and effort above (thanks again).

 

[Bordermeister]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

I also got mine today, unfortunately I did not have the oportunity to take a quick photo - However:

I really really like this light. I have just shelved my Fenix LOD CE. I really like the one level twisty. For me it is a great light. I took it for a 1 hour walk in real darkness in the park by the creek with my dog, aside from the 'what the' moment it provided a great beam for walking. I cannot believe that this much light comes from one AAA battery (for 3.5 hours). I had a Zebralight on and this light and didn't need anything else (tonight).

It had great colour rendition and a very nice floody beam. I kept my CL1H and DBS off for the walk - they usually get a fair bit of use.

This was a very impressive light for me, miniscule size and impressive output.

It comes with a very nice HA III coating and seems smaller than the Tiablo site pictures when you handle it.

I have now retired my LOD CE, but still want to use it as it is also very nice - BUT not up to the quality of this light for me.


I really would love a meter to test this, but when I turned it on, I had to do the brainless test of how bright is this really, so after a quick flash into the eyes - followed by many minutes of blinded tunnel vision - I figured it is pretty bright.

I am now trying to figure out how many to order for Christmas presents for people I know will apreciate a light like this.

PS - did I mention how bright this is for a AAA flashlight........


Cheers
Mark

 

[Rzr800]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

"...I have now retired my LOD CE, but still want to use it as it is also very nice - BUT not up to the quality of this light for me....
I am now trying to figure out how many to order for Christmas presents for people I know will apreciate a light like this.
PS - did I mention how bright this is for a AAA flashlight........
Cheers
Mark

We just purchased (10) LOD Q4s thinking the same thing;so I can't thank you both enough for these reviews. It really is nice to know that you didn't waste $50.00 on something sight unseen. :thumbsup:

 

[NascarRebel]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Pretty sweet !

 

[uh1c]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thank you for your kind words.

These are the pictures I have taken. I am not a photographer, obviously!

I'm open to suggestions for improvement.













The battery is an AAA.
The Arc is a AAA-P with thumb drive, L0D-CE and Fenix P2D (with E=grip brand anti-slip tape). Picture of included instruction sheet too.

The black band around the A1 light is XTREME tape to allow my dry hands easier one hand operation.

Thanks for the impetus to post pixs...maybe I can try beam shots later.
Hey; what can I say, I'm into lanyard and keychain carry for small lights.

Happy Holidays!

 

[Lite_me]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Do you twist the head or the tail to light?

 

[uh1c]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Do you twist the head or the tail to light?

That is tough to answer. :naughty:
The only shear point is in the middle of the light so turning either head or tail would be the right answer.
But a picture is worth a thousand words: I'll add an exploded photo above.

 

[uh1c]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

...

 

[Valolammas]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review and info! I was going to ask whether it has holes for a keyring, but your pics already answered that. I'm soooo going to order a couple of these!

 

[Lobo]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review, looks to be a sweet light. Interesting that there are so many (well, 2 that I know of) AAA-lights released now. I wonder how the Lumapower Avenger compares to the Tiablo A1.

 

[Rzr800]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

]Interesting that there are so many (well, 2 that I know of) AAA-lights released now. I wonder how the Lumapower Avenger compares to the Tiablo A1.

I'm anxious to read about any comparison also; as it was a tough choice for me. I liked the looks of the Avenger and the value considering the two options included; yet I wanted a simpler keychain EDC for the wife than the LOD Q4 we just got for her. I think that she might appreciate the simple one power setting over even the simpler (as compared to the LOD) two mode Avenger.

 

[uh1c]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review, looks to be a sweet light. Interesting that there are so many (well, 2 that I know of) AAA-lights released now. I wonder how the Lumapower Avenger compares to the Tiablo A1.

I have an Avenger on order. It is supposed to ship soon. I'll try to post a comparison (with pix ) when I get it.

This Tiablo has had me change my EDC setup. A1 now on keychain, L0D-CE from keychain to neck lanyard. AAA-P from neck lanyard to honored place on the shelf.

 

[NA8]

Waiting for the big shoot out reviews to come.

 

[Illumination]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for the review, looks to be a sweet light. Interesting that there are so many (well, 2 that I know of) AAA-lights released now. I wonder how the Lumapower Avenger compares to the Tiablo A1.

Interesting that Tiablo A1 allows only NiMH and Alkaline while Lumapower Avenger allows those plus 10440...

Not sure that one is better than another. I suspect regulation will be better on A1 and the A1 on Alkalines or NiMH will be brighter than the Avenger on the same. I also suspect top brightness on the Avenger (using LiIon) should be brighter than the A1 using NiMH or Alkaline.

Need some comparisons!!!

 

[uh1c]

Ersanada :wave:has provided yet another outstanding comparison with lots of high quality pictures. This may answer you (our) questions.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182720

 

[Illumination]

Ersanada :wave:has provided yet another outstanding comparison with lots of high quality pictures. This may answer you (our) questions.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182720

Thanks!

 

[WadeF]

Re: Tiablo A1 Mini-Review

Thanks for posting this; as I ordered mine today from your comments. Just bought the 'special' LOD Q4 @ 75 lumens not even a week ago...now we're pushing 110 not a few days later.

I have yet to see anything coming out of my Tiablo A1 t make me think it's 110 lumens. While the hot spot is slightly brighter than my Fenix LOD Q4, it has a much smaller beam, much less spill. Based on what I'm seeing, I'd say the output is about the same, if not less, than the LOD Q4. On the LUX meter the A1 is only about 100 LUX more than the LOD Q4. The LOD Q4 is most likely 75 emitter lumens. I'm thinking the A1 is only putting 40-50 lumens out the front at best. Setting my Fenix lights that are rated for around 80-100 lumens (on high) are much brighter than the Tiablo A1, and over twice the LUX.

So I don't know where they are getting this 110+ lumen number. That would required 350mA, or slightly more, to the Rebel1000 emitter, and some early testing is showing the actual current reaching the emitter is probably more around 200mA.

Now, the tint is great, and it's still a great light, and the output is great for a 1.2-1.5v AAA. However, I don't want anyone to be disappointed and get this light expecting to see 100-110 lumens coming out of it. Unless a bunch of us have duds.

Another example is the Tiablo A1 vs my Surefire E2e which is rate at 65 lumens out the front. The E2e has a noticeably brighter hot spot and WAY more spill, and the spill is brighter from the E2e. The Tiablo A1 maybe more like 40 lumens out the front.

Edit:

I set up my bounce box, and took some readings.

Bounce angle #1

Tiablo A1: 136 LUX
Fenix LOD-CE Q4: 188 LUX

Bounce angle #2

Tiablo A1: 155 lux
Fenix LOD-CE Q4: 205 lux


I tried bouncing off the cieling of the box, with the senor laying on the "floor" of the box for angle, or position, #2. For position 1 I shined the light across the floor of the box and onto the wall, so the sensor wouldn't be picking up a hot spot above it, and the light would be more diffused. They both produce about the same results, the Fenix reading 50 lux higher.

So it would seem the Fenix LOD-CE Q4's total output is about 30-35% more than the Tiablo A1.

So if the Fenix is rated for 75 lumens, which is most likely emitter lumens. So doing some fuzzy math, I'd guesstimate the Tiablo to be putting around 40-45 lumens out the front, and that's probably on the high end. I'll have to try this some more with other lights to see how they compare.

So I don't know where Tiablo is getting the 110 lumen figure from. They should rate this light at 60 emitter lumens, 40 out the front, or something around there.

I'd be curious to hear from other Tiablo A1 owners who can do some bounce tests and take readings and compare lights to see what lumen estimates they come up with.