Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Flashlight Review - Tiablo A10 R2 WC

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
I just received the Tiablo A10 R2 WC from Tiablo.

My first impressions is that the A10 is built tough. The light feels very solid. The A10 has very agressive knurling on the battery tube.

The battery tube has very thick walls. It looks like the inside of the battery tube has a brass sleeve inserted.

The fit is excellent. Threads are smooth. The A10 uses some thick o-rings, none of those thin "el cheapo" o- rings. I give the grade A.

The finish is excellent. No flaws in the Black Type III Hard Anodize. The logo are done very good no "blotching". I give the grade A.

The UI wasn't very hard to figure out. The stock A10 uses a reverse clickie. It's 2 stage variable adjustment or Tiablo calls it "Infinite Brightness". The first stage you can adjust the beam from high to low or low to high.

After you click on then click again and hold down the rear clickie for about 3 seconds. The light drops into a low beam and automatically goes into "Infinite Brightness". 1% to 100%, at these levels the light goes to 0%-----100%---50%----1% during this process, the light will flicker twice at 50% output and flicker three times at 100% output. After 100% the light goes the opposite way to low.

Anytime you want to stop a certain light level desired you click once and the A10 will stop at the level and remember that level.

The second click, setting or level you can adjust the level from fast flicker, slower flicker, SOS, low to high, then high back to low. To get into this adjustment mode hold down the rear clickie for 3 seconds. There looks to be a fast blink between SOS then to low to high and a fast blink between high to low. When I was checking the level sequence on my light the fast flicker was starting to get my a little dizzy and a little disoriented. The first light with strobe to do this to me. Maybe it's due to fact I only slept 5 hours last night and just got off work.

When you remove the battery the A10 defaluts to high on the first setting and fast strobe on the second setting.

The beam on my A10 has a nice white hot spot followed by the characteristic ring, mine is yellow in color.

Comparing the hot spot to my Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S  the A10 has a smaller hot spot.

The spill on the A10 R2 is not as bright as the Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S.

The A10 gets a slightly higher lux readings compared to my DBS V2 Q5 3S @ 1 meter. When using AW's Protected 18650 vs AW's Protected RCR123' the lux number gets slightly higher lux readings but not by much.

In my beam shots at 96", the stepped down exposure, the Tiablo A10 R2 WC looks like it beats the DBS V2 Q5 3S.

At a distance it's very hard to tell wins the title of the "throw king" but it look like the DBS V2 Q5 3S edges out the Tiablo A10 R2 WC at longer distances 146' or 44.5 meters and 210' or 64 meters in my beam shots. It maybe due to the larger hot spot of the DBS V2 Q5 3S vs the smaller hot spot of the Tiablo A10 R2 WC. Maybe if I run the the 2 AW's Protected RCR 123's in the A10 the the edge may go to the A10.

The A10 uses a GITD o-ring behind the lens.

There are issues with the pill specifications. ma and draw to the R2.

My A10 is getting the battery current draw numbers as follows, AW's Protected 18650 - 1.02A. AW's RCR123's - 1.03A.

Voltage 2.75V to 8.5V


Pros

Excellent build quality, machining and finish.

Uses thick battery tubes with a brass insert.

Uses thick o-rings.

Comes with a spare o-rings, lanyard and GITD rear rubber clickie cover.

Will tail stand.


Cons

Specs are not as advertised.

No holster.


TA10004Small.jpg


TA10039Small.jpg


TA10040Small.jpg


TA10017Small.jpg


TA10011Small.jpg


Comes with lanyard, o-rings and GITD rear switch rubber cover.

TA10006Small.jpg


Uses R2 WC

TA10035Small.jpg


TA10036Small.jpg


Rear view of the R2 WC module.

TA10010Small.jpg


Reflector size. Width - 5.267mm,  Length - 50.17mm

TA10007Small.jpg


Lens size. 5.275mm. Thickness 2.45mm

TA10008Small.jpg


Agressive knurling on the battery tube. Uses thick o-rings.

TA10009Small.jpg


Has a brass sleeve inserted inside the battery tube.

TA10012Small.jpg


Inside view of the rear clickie.

TA10015Small.jpg


Rear reverse clickie. A forward clickie is being sent to everybody who purchased the light.

TA10016Small.jpg


TA10018Small.jpg


TA10021Small.jpg



Size comparsions.

Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10037Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10038Small.jpg


Reflector

Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10019Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10020Small.jpg



_______________________________________


I also took lux readings of the lights shown above. These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected Black 18650's and AW's Protected RCR123's which were fully charged.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 21300 lux @ 1 meter

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 2 RCR123's - 21730 lux @ 1 meter

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 - 20,767 lux @ 1 meter


________________________________________


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650  @ 96"

TA10023Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96"

TA10024Small-1.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650,     Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96"

TA10025Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650,     Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96"  Stepped down exposure

TA10026Small.jpg



-------------------------------------

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 32'

TA10031Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 32'

TA10032Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 32'  Stepped down exposure

TA10033Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 32'  Stepped down exposure

TA10034Small.jpg



-------------------------------------------


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10029Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10030Small-1.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10027Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650  @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10028Small.jpg
 





Joined
Nov 22, 2008
Messages
1,267
Points
38
Is the 3 hour operating time for the 1 Cr-123 batt? Or is the extension adapter needed?
Also...How long is the "short-time use" mentioned when using the extension with 2 18650's?
Looks nice either way! I'd like to see one of these tested along side the Wicked Torch.
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
ColdStl said:
Is the 3 hour operating time for the 1 Cr-123 batt? Or is the extension adapter needed?
Also...How long is the "short-time use" mentioned when using the extension with 2 18650's?
Looks nice either way! I'd like to see one of these tested along side the Wicked Torch.

The extension is not needed for the 2 CR123's.

There still is an issue with running 2 RCR123's. Tiablo still has not replied on CPFMP about this problem.

There still is speculation on how we are trying to read the mA. I read my current draw from the batteries rear tailcap off. Some do it with switch removed tail cap on. Or they read the mA fron the Cree itself.
 
Joined
Nov 22, 2008
Messages
1,267
Points
38
That was an impressive video! I especially like the disoriantating(?) strobe feature too.
It's nice to see there are so many options now-a-days with these high powered flashlights. (Surefire is too damn expensive).
I carry a Hellfire X-11, and commissioned Darkhorse to make a heatsink for it that allows me to interchange the lamp assembly or LD setup whenever I desire. It is a monster weight-wise and doesn't have anywhere near the operating time of some of these LED tactical lights (like your Tiablo), but it is still a powerful light.

(?)= I wish there was a spell check feature on here ::)
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
6,129
Points
0
great review, as always. keep it up man!


I've received a 25W halogen flashlight, if i have any time i'll review it :)
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
I took these beam shots to see if shooting the beam a flatter surface will help to see which light throws farther.


Beam shots taken against buildings. At this time distance unknown.



Tiablo A10 Q5 WC

TA10045Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10043Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC

TA10044Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10046Small.jpg



The next beam shots are stepped down in two groups.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC

TA10047Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10048Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC

TA10049Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10050Small.jpg
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
I just received my battery extension tube.

No forward switch yet.

The battery tube looks just like the tube shown in the CPFMP Tiablo A10 Thread.

My tube came with a slight "ding" on the edge of the tube that connects to the A10.

The Type III Hard Anodize black color of the extension battery tube is slighty shiner than the rest of the A10.

Once the extension is connected to the A10 the light becomes very long.

I read in the CPFMP Tiablo A10 Thread that this extension tube is made for the MCE but I ran 2RCR's and it seemed like I had no problems. I will just wait to use the extension tube when I get the MCE upgrade.

TA10058Small.jpg


This side connects to stock A10 battery tube.

TA10053Small.jpg


This side connects to the rear clickie assembly.

TA10052Small.jpg


This baby is huge!

TA10054Small.jpg


TA10055Small.jpg


TA10056Small.jpg


Size comparison to a Maglite 2D.

TA10057Small.jpg
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
Before I give you my lux numbers for the forward clickie, BTW they weren't impressive to me.


----------------------------------


I want to show you a jig I bulit to take my lux readings. I made it out of scrape oak plywood. The flashlight sits on two pieces of wood parallel to the flashlight.

The flashlight is little over 1 meter from the other piece of oak plywood that sits perpendicular to the flashlight. I account for the thickness of my lux meter.

TA10063Small.jpg


The hot spot of the beam will hit the piece of wood perpendicular to the flashlight. BTW this is a beam shot hot spot of my Olight M20 R2.

TA10064Small.jpg


It's very easy me to find the hot spot of the beam.

This is how I always take my lux readings. It's very easy and fast to do. Just charge the batteries and off you go.


__________________________________


Left, Single Level Forward Clickie, Right, 2 Level Reverse Clickie

TA10061Small.jpg


Left, Single Forward Level Clickie, Right, 2 Level Reverse Clickie

TA10062Small.jpg



__________________________________


These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected Black 18650's and AW's Protected RCR123's which were fully charged.


These readings are the 2 level reverse clickie.

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 21,300 lux @ 1 meter

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 2 RCR123's - 21,730 lux @ 1 meter

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 - 20,767 lux @ 1 meter


This is the lux reading of the 1 level forward clickie.

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 22,910 lux @ 1 meter


Not very impressive IMO. My beam shots below tell the story.

All beam shots below used freshly charged AW Protected 18650's.

The Tiablo A10 R2 WC is using the 1 level forward clickie.


________________________________


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650, Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96"

TA10059Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650, Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96" Stepped down exposure

TA10060Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650, Right, Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 96" Stepped down exposure. This is the stepped down version of the 2 level reverse clickie.

TA10026Small.jpg



--------------------------------------

All beam shots below are using the Tiablo single mode forward clickie.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10067Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10068Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10065Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10066Small.jpg



--------------------------------------


Beam shots taken against buildings. At this time distance unknown.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC

TA10069Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S

TA10070Small-1.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC Stepped down exposure

TA10071Small.jpg


DBS V2 Q5 3S Stepped down exposure

TA10072Small.jpg
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
These are revised readings with a new R2 WC module

I just took a lux reading with the Tiablo A10 R2 WC using 2 AW's Protected RCR123's.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 2 AW Protected RCR123's - 30,109 lux @ 1 meter


Previous lux readings with the new R2 WC module.

The revised numbers.

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 24,317 lux @ 1 meter (2 level switch)

Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 27,115 lux @ 1 meter (1 level switch)


(1 level switch) an increase of 4,205 lux from original module. 1 AW Protected 18650

(1 level switch) an increase of 8,379 lux from original module. 2 AW Protected RCR123's

(2 level switch) an increase of 3,017 lux from original module. 1 AW Protected 18650
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
I just received a Dereelight R2 1S WC and a Dereelight R2 1S WH pill from FlashCrazy.

I took 2 separate lux readings lux readings of each R2 pill to make sure the lux numbers weren't different. I did that because I did not get a higher reading than I thought I would.

I had a R2 WH 3SM pill from before and I got higher readings but the pill does not reach that high lux number anymore. Alan from Dereelight sent me another board but I never got around to installing it. The reason I never installed it was that pill had a green tint to it's beam. The lux reading was in the 21,000+ range. I think it was a little higher than the new R2 pill. I like the the tint of new R2 pill, much more yellow.

My lux readings are.


Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WC, 18650 - 20,001 lux @ 1 meter

Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH, 18650 - 21,500 lux @ 1 meter

Dereelight DBS V2 Q5 3S, 18650 - 20,767 lux @ 1 meter


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 - 27,115 lux @ 1 meter (1 level switch)



I have taken some out door beam shots with the Tiablo A10 R2 WC vs the Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH. I choose the DBS V2 R2 1S WH because I got higher lux readings than the Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WC.

The Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH has a much warmer tint (yellow) than the Tiablo A10 R2 WC (whiter).

I only got an increase of 737 lux with the DBS V2 R2 1S WH vs the DBS V2 Q5 3S. I was hoping the lux number would be higher with the DBS R2's.

The DBS V2 R2 1S WH and the DBS V2 R2 1S WC will only work with an input voltage of 2.8V - 4.2V, so you can only run a single 18650. Output Range: 1.2A.


Tiablo A10 R2 WC @ 96"

TA10104Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH @ 96"

TA10105Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Right, Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH @ 96"

TA10106Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo A10 R2 WC,     Right, Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH @ 96"  Stepped down exposure

TA10107Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10110Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10112Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10108Small.jpg


Dereelight DBS V2 R2 1S WH @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10109Small.jpg
 

erns

0
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
350
Points
0
I just received the Tiablo ACE MCE module.

The fit is excellent. No problems with the threads. I give the grade A.

The Type III Hard Anodize black finish is excellent. I give the grade A.

The beam color is very white. I do notice the + in it's hot spot at longer distances. At about 2 feet while white wall hunting the + isn't very noticeable because the beam is so bright it "floods" out the + in the hot spot. When you start to get the light in closer than the 2 feet you can really start to see the + in the hot spot.

The MCE is very similiar to a P7 beam. It's very floody and it's hard even with an OP reflector to get out the + in the beam. I have this problem with a modded Maglite 2D P7 SMO B Bin that holds 3C batteries built by Wayne from ElektroLumens. I guess it's not bad for a light using a SMO reflector. The only P7 light that I have does a good job of no + in the hot spot is my Lumapower DX1 P7 C Bin.

I do know that results of the beam, hot spots, holes in the beam and brightness will vary with each light each somebody purchases.


The Tiablo ACE MCE came shipped in this box.

TA10098Small.jpg


TA10086Small.jpg


The ACE module.

TA10093Small.jpg


TA10095Small.jpg


TA10090Small.jpg


TA10089Small.jpg


Rear view of the MCE module.

TA10091Small.jpg


TA10101Small.jpg


TA10102Small.jpg


Received another extension tube.

TA10085Small.jpg


At least it doesn't say "Strong Light".

TA10092Small.jpg


Left, ACE MCE reflector,     Right, A10 R2 reflector

TA10100Small.jpg


Left, ACE MCE reflector,     Right, A10 R2 reflector  (The MCE reflector has a smaller opening). ACE Reflector diameter for MCE 6.92mm. A10 Reflector diameter for R2 6.96mm.

TA10096Small.jpg



-----------------------------------------


Size comparisons.

Left, Tiablo ACE MCE,     Right Lumapower DX1 P7

TA10087Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo ACE MCE,     Right Lumapower DX1 P7

TA10088Small.jpg


Tiablo ACE MCE

TA10094Small.jpg


TA10102Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7

TA10097Small.jpg


TA10099Small.jpg



_____________________________________



These are the lux readings I got. I am using a Meterman LM631 Light Meter measured at 1 meter. I waited 2 minutes before taking the readings. I am using AW's Protected Black 18650's.

Both light use 2 Protected 18650's.


Tiablo ACE MCE - 15,920 lux @ 1 meter

Lumapower DX1 P7 C Bin- 7940 Lux @ 1 meter


__________________________________



Tiablo ACE MCE @ 96"

TA10074Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 96"

TA10073Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo ACE MCE,     Right, Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 96"

TA10075Small.jpg


Left, Tiablo ACE MCE,     Right, Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 96"  Stepped down exposure

TA10076Small.jpg



Tiablo ACE MCE @ 32'

TA10077Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 32'

TA10078Small.jpg


Tiablo ACE MCE @ 32'  Stepped down exposure

TA10079Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 32'  Stepped down exposure

TA10080Small.jpg



Tiablo ACE MCE @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10115Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10116Small.jpg


Tiablo ACE MCE @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10113Small.jpg


Lumapower DX1 P7 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10114Small.jpg



_________________________________________________


Tiablo ACE MCE @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10115Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 146' or 44.5 meters

TA10110Small.jpg


Tiablo ACE MCE @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10113Small.jpg


Tiablo A10 R2 WC, 18650 @ 210' or 64 meters

TA10108Small.jpg
 




Top