Tiablo A8 vs A9

[tsask]

A new Tiablo A8 arrived from BatteryJunction today. I already had the 18650 cell charged! I compared it to my former user of the 18650 cell my Tiablo A9. I am now using RCR123s in the A9.
I apologize for no beam shots, yet I must say I like the A8 MUCH better.
The beam is brighter and the center hotspot is more pleasing. Knowing what I know now I would not have bought the A9. It also flickered and cuts off when using the freshly charged RCRs:shakehead. Anybody else compare the two lights? The A9 and A8 both do what they are supposed to do, LED thrower tight beam, yet the A8 IMHO seems a little better.

 

[Zenster]

You should do a search, but the short story is that the A8 is optimized for use with 18650 rechargeables while the A9 is optimized for use with primary CR123's.

You're simply seeing the results of that.

I bought my A9 specifically for use as a backup light with CR123's because I already have plenty of other everyday lights that use rechargeables.
I'm very happy with the A9 and how it works with CR123's.

 

[DKTVPN]

You should do a search, but the short story is that the A8 is optimized for use with 18650 rechargeables while the A9 is optimized for use with primary CR123's.

You're simply seeing the results of that.

I bought my A9 specifically for use as a backup light with CR123's because I already have plenty of other everyday lights that use rechargeables.
I'm very happy with the A9 and how it works with CR123's.

Well, his post is not very clearly about which one uses which batteries. I think he's using RCR123A for his A9 with flickers, not 18650.

 

[Steve L]

They are basically the same lights, using different drivers. The A9 using CR123s or RCR123s is the brightest followed closely by the A8 using an 18650 or CR123s followed by the A9 using an 18650. Edit: The A8 will not work using 2 RCR123s.