olight i3E EOS

Hi, I'm not a flashlight expert but I'd like to have a small cheap flashlight to EDC. Sorry for my English, I'm Italian. Something that I can easily buy online, let's say below 20 EUR. I've seen Thrunite Ti3, but some people online say there are defective items... Then I've seen olight i3E EOS , really really cheap. Defects are no multi mode, no clip and no tail stand but... - maybe I won't use multimode - some clips on the thrunite seems to easily break (I've read it on product reviews) - even with flat bottom, tail stand would be unstable so I can do without it But if cheap would mean wasted money, I'd rather wait for a better item... Should I buy the i3E EOS or get a multimode one?

Hi, i3e is a good little light but i3s is a little more but much nicier, tail stand and multimode.

i3s is unavailable right now in the store :-( what do you think about thrunite ti3 and/or t01? Some reviews say they break easily, but maybe reviews are untrustworthy ... Not sure about multi mode... Most times I use a flashlight outdoor so I'll need more output (but then thrunite t01 has 120lm for the same price of the i3e) but having more options is always good... The only reason to prefer the i3e could be reliability, but who knows???

I have purchased an I3E EOS for a friend. Good quality construction. I have the stainless steel version of the Ti3 and the quality and build was at least equal if not better.

I have an i3s. Imo it is an excellent choice.
I have a Ti3 Titanium. for me the low and Medium are too low, but the High is higher than the i3s. I dislike the somewhat green tint of the Ti3 Titanium, and the threads are terrible. I think the Stainless version is a better choice.
I have a Maratac AAA. All the modes are brighter than the i3s.

I prefer the modes on the i3s. I mostly use Medium and Low. I seldom use the High mode.
If using the High Mode is a priority for you, I suggest the Maratac AAA. I personally Love the Copper version.


I dont carry clipped to a pocket, so I reverse the clips to use on a hat


this maratac clip has been shortened, to allow tailstanding when the clip is in hat mode.


this is what the stock maratac clip looks like


regarding the pocket clips, mine do not break, but it is easy to twist them off if I try to twist the head of the light while clipped to a hat. I use glue on the clip, and two hands when twisting on a hat.

I keep the I3E EOS on my keychain and it's really only there as a backup or emergency light (if my primary flashlight fails or runs out of battery)...

Pros:

-Very compact! Doesn't take up much space on keyring or in pocket...
-Super bright
-Mine has not been getting scratched easily
-Inexpensive/Affordable

Cons:

-Short runtime
-Only one mode
-Cool white beam doesn't yield much color detail

This light was $10 (USD)... For that price, I think you can't go wrong... I use mine sporadically in short bursts and really don't have to change the battery much at all... While I do own some nicer AAA lights, I like to keep this one on my keychain because it's one of the smallest AAA lights and I don't care what happens to it (whether it get scratched up by my keys or even lost)...

wolfgaze said:

This light was $10 (USD)... For that price, I think you can't go wrong...

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great feedback

fwiw, there IS also a Copper i3E and it is almost 50% brighter than the Aluminum. It also weighs twice as much and costs twice as much.

i3E aluminum High 90 lumens $10
i3E Copper High 120 lumens $20
i3S aluminum High 80 lumens $20 3 modes

I've almost decided for the Thrunite T01 ... seems a really recent model, single mode, 125 lumen for 40 minutes 10 EUR like the i3E , but more lumens Cost less than the Ti3, and being less "complex", should be more reliable (???) Again, since in my typical usage I often need full light, I'll avoid to cycle firefly-low-high every time... Short runtime, but OK for when you just need much light for some minutes... Carring a spare AAA should ensure more than 1h, if I need longer runtime maybe there are more adequate flashlights. I plan to buy amazonbasics white batteries (should be rebranded eneloops...) At least, 120lm from a 10 EUR AAA light should not be wrong 16 EUR is not much more, but then there are much better lights in the 20-30 EUR range, and so on...

pg123 said:

I've almost decided for the Thrunite T01

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here is a review to add to your info
Thrunite T01 short review
and another
Thrunite T01 review

note
The T01 does not include a pocket clip (not that it really matters, just pointing it out).
And, runtime specs can be misleading because they dont mean the light stays at its maximum brightness for the whole runtime… the light dims as battery power drops.

There is a runtime chart in the second review that shows the light drops to 50% of initial brightness in about 45 minutes, on eneloop. Alkaline batteries drop to 50% in 15 minutes.

I agree carrying a spare battery is a good way to extend battery life. I do that too as Im a big fan of AAA lights, and rechargeable NiMh (eneloop). I think your plan to use rechargeable is excellent. You will probably want some sort of spare battery carrier.

I actually keep a second light in my pack, as a spare battery carrier. That way, if the main light is lost, or damaged, I have a working backup light, instead of just a battery … welcome to the slippery slope..

I carry an i3S EOS daily and I think it's a great little light. Paired with an Eneloop it's been a constant and faithful companion since the day I received it.

(I did get rid of the crappy little keychain attachment, however.)

Very useful modes and everything I really need out of a pint size flashlight.

I had already looked those reviews. Quite sad for the pocket clip, I've already read about it, but maybe I'll find something to replace it...

Regarding runtime, I think that 40 minutes at full brightness are enough to solve many little problems, and such a light is something you put somewhere just in case, not something you can "depend on it till morning".
As you say, if you absolutely need a flashlight you need a backup too.
I have also a nextorch headlamp, specs 30 lumen for 9 hours or 5 for 105 hours , 2aaa , less light for longer runtimes... this 125 lumen should be a complement for when you need much light

Many battery carriers are really overpriced and keep 4 aaa, maybe I'll find something smaller and nicer for 2 aaa... suggestions?

(I hope I'm not going too much OT)

Blues said:

I carry an i3S EOS daily and I think it's a great little light. Paired with an Eneloop it's been a constant and faithful companion since the day I received it.

(I did get rid of the crappy little keychain attachment, however.)

Very useful modes and everything I really need out of a pint size flashlight.

Click to expand...

Blues, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the i3E EOS was a single mode light? (Mine is)...

Do you perhaps have another Olight model instead?

pg123 said:

40 minutes at full brightness

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dont confuse 40 min runtime with max brightness
with Eneloop, at 30 minutes Thrunite T01 is at 90% brightness, at 40 minutes the light is at 60% brightness

wolfgaze said:

Blues, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the i3E EOS was a single mode light? (Mine is)...

Do you perhaps have another Olight model instead?

Click to expand...

Wolfgaze, look at my post (which you quoted) again. I have the i3S EOS model. Easy to miss.

Blues said:

Wolfgaze, look at my post (which you quoted) again. I have the i3S EOS model. Easy to miss.

Click to expand...

Oops, my bad... Thanks

I've place my order for a Thrunite T01 Neutral White and a 8-pack of amazon basics white AAA ...
I'll find something to use as a clip / small holster / spare battery carrier ... Thank you all for your opinions !!!