Tiablo A8 Q5 WC 250+ vs. Tiablo A9 Q5 WC 250+

democopy · Sep 17, 2007

Trying to figure out a nice thrower w/runtime.

Seems to me from what I read in the specs that the Tiablo A9 Q5 WC 250+ is the light with better runtime/throw.

Why then is the A8 Q5 WC 250+ same price?

I obviously am missing something?

Help me out here?

A9 Q5 WC 250+

High output: 1A at maximum 256 Lumens for about 3.5 hours
Low output: 300mA at 60 Lumens for 8 hours
Supports three sizes battery, one 18650 Li-ion battery, two pcs CR123A or RCR123A battery

Tiablo A8 Q5 WC 250+

High output: 1A at 250 Lumens for 2 hours runtime
Low output: 400mA at 100 Lumens for 8 hours runtime
Support battery sizes Two 3.0V CR123A batteries or one 18650 Li-ion battery

How does the MRV SE Q5 WC 250+ stack in here?

2 X CR123A :55 to 50%
2 X RCR123A 650mah :25 until cell protection shut off light
1 X 18650 3:05 to 50%
on high listed Low multiply by ~3

Runtime appears to be 1.5 less on high?

Been reading since Saturday, searched everything I think, obviously missed something or is the stock A9 the best of the three?

Your help would be appreciated

Steve L · Sep 17, 2007

For the Tiablo's it all comes down to which battery you are going to use. The A8 for an 18650, The A9 for CR123's or RCR123's. I went with the A9 becaue it's the brightest out of the Tiablos and the most versatile(3 battery types-18650,CR123,RCR123)

Nitro · Sep 17, 2007

Steve L said:
For the Tiablo's it all comes down to which battery you are going to use. The A8 for an 18650, The A9 for CR123's or RCR123's. I went with the A9 becaue it's the brightest out of the Tiablos and the most versatile(3 battery types-18650,CR123,RCR123)

To take this further. I bought the A8 Q5, because I use 18650's. With one 18650 in an A8 you'll get maximum (flat) output for 90mins.

daveman · Sep 18, 2007

The bottom line is, buy the A8 if you'll be using 18650s most of the time; buy an A9 if you'll be using cr123s most of the time.

Also, if you would use the search function, you would've found at least 2 other threads discussing the exact same thing.

PayBack · Sep 18, 2007

Nitro said:
To take this further. I bought the A8 Q5, because I use 18650's. With one 18650 in an A8 you'll get maximum (flat) output for 90mins.

Yeah for me that's why I'm going for the A8. On 18650's the A9 still has a longer runtime IIRC but not at full power. After about 30 mins it drops below the A8 and keeps going down from there.

daveman · Sep 18, 2007

PayBack said:
Yeah for me that's why I'm going for the A8. On 18650's the A9 still has a longer runtime IIRC but not at full power. After about 30 mins it drops below the A8 and keeps going down from there.

You do know that the A9 on "full power" (running 2 CR123s) is brighter than the A8 running a 18650, right? The A9 also has regulated output for almost 2 hours on CR123s too.

PayBack · Sep 18, 2007

daveman said:
You do know that the A9 on "full power" (running 2 CR123s) is brighter than the A8 running a 18650, right? The A9 also has regulated output for almost 2 hours on CR123s too.

Yes I do. However I intend to use 18650s as the difference isn't enough to justify the higher running costs (for me) and thus my preference for the A8. I would only be using 123s as a fall back.

paxxus · Sep 18, 2007

I have the A9 and use 18650's. If you like a now-you-see-it-now-you-dont, drop-like-a-stone type of regulation it seems like the A8 it the way to go with 18650's.

Personally I like a dimming light instead (within reason). My old Fenix P1 has excellent regulation and I had it in my car, but not anymore. Suddenly it just went from full brightness to off without warning as the battery got used, so I couldn't really rely on it despite (or in fact because of) its technical merits in terms of regulation. It depends on your preferences.

I did a runtime test on the A9 with a 18650 and three hours into the test is was still very significantly brighter than my NovaTac 120. Just to get a perspective on things. I don't agree that use of 18650 automatically determines the choice between A8 and A9.

I can't belive how far LEDs have come. I remember when I got the P1 how impressed I was with the brightness, now it seems dim compared to the Tiablo.

Steve L · Sep 18, 2007

I noticed on the A9 there is a bigger difference between low(lower low) and high using an 18650 in place of 2 RCR123's.

robo21 · Sep 18, 2007

So, are protected RCR 123's safe to use in the A9?

PayBack · Sep 18, 2007

paxxus said:
I have the A9 and use 18650's. If you like a now-you-see-it-now-you-dont, drop-like-a-stone type of regulation it seems like the A8 it the way to go with 18650's.

Personally I like a dimming light instead (within reason). My old Fenix P1 has excellent regulation and I had it in my car, but not anymore. Suddenly it just went from full brightness to off without warning as the battery got used, so I couldn't really rely on it despite (or in fact because of) its technical merits in terms of regulation. It depends on your preferences.

I did a runtime test on the A9 with a 18650 and three hours into the test is was still very significantly brighter than my NovaTac 120. Just to get a perspective on things. I don't agree that use of 18650 automatically determines the choice between A8 and A9.

I can't belive how far LEDs have come. I remember when I got the P1 how impressed I was with the brightness, now it seems dim compared to the Tiablo.

Now you see it, now you don't, shouldn't be a problem, as then you fall back to your backup light

Also my P1D CE must be a bit different as before it dies completely, it's brightness drops to the point where all three levels = low. That's about when I replace the battery.

Anyway, I will admit my preference for the A8 is based purely on runtime plots I've seen posted elsewhere. It seemed from that, that within 30-40 minutes the A9 was dimmer than the A8 on 18650's. I have yet to see beamshots etc of the two over time so those graphs are all I have to go on. Also I have 4 18650's so my plan was to carry spare batteries. My A8 was going to be a backup light for a HID so I wanted maximum throw/brightness. If it dies I just chuck in another 18650 for another 90 mins of throw. (oh and if anyone knows a good way to carry spare 18650's rather than just in my pocket I'd like to know

)

svander07 · Sep 18, 2007

I have the same question as above about portable battery storage for 18650s and rcr123s.

I also have the A9; a solid choice while being able to use all battery options. Still want to know if Tiablo will support upgraded emitter sections of the light, so you can screw the reflecor and battery end right to it.

robo21 · Sep 18, 2007

PayBack said:
oh and if anyone knows a good way to carry spare 18650's rather than just in my pocket I'd like to know

How about something like this?

.

speedman · Sep 18, 2007

robo21 said:
How about something like this?
.

Perfect.... Where can I pick one of these up? I'm going on a long trip at the end of the month, and this would fit the bill. Also do you think I will have a check in problem with airport security wearing this? Thanks, Larry Craig...

fordwillman · Sep 18, 2007

To answer Robo21, yes RCR123's are fine in an A9. I use them with great results. Love my Tiablo A9 Q5!

robo21 · Sep 18, 2007

speedman said:
Perfect.... Where can I pick one of these up? I'm going on a long trip at the end of the month, and this would fit the bill. Also do you think I will have a check in problem with airport security wearing this? Thanks, Larry Craig...

Um, Senator Larry Craig? Shouldn't be a problem if your carrying batteries. No other toys though.

robo21 · Sep 18, 2007

fordwillman said:
To answer Robo21, yes RCR123's are fine in an A9. I use them with great results. Love my Tiablo A9 Q5!

Thanks, that's the reply I've been waiting for! :twothumbs

PayBack · Sep 19, 2007

robo21 said:
How about something like this?
.

Nope I have one, and it's full of 12 gauge shells with no room for batteries

Ashallian · Sep 19, 2007

To answer Svander07;

Kai's selling battery cases for 2x123's.
Got one in my pocket right now. Spares for my edc:thumbsup:

Cnote · Sep 19, 2007

daveman said:
The bottom line is, buy the A8 if you'll be using 18650s most of the time; buy an A9 if you'll be using cr123s most of the time.

Also, if you would use the search function, you would've found at least 2 other threads discussing the exact same thing.

What is the runtime for an A9 on 18650's, a lot less?

Tiablo A8 Q5 WC 250+ vs. Tiablo A9 Q5 WC 250+

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Similar threads