Surefire T1A - worth the price?

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
7,702
I'm just curious, it looks like a bada$$ keychain light. I don't have money to drop on it now...but maybe I'll put it on my christmas list.... :D

http://www.surefire.com/The-T1A-Titan

Apparently you can adjust down to as low as 1 lumen.

ETA: >$200 is a lot to pay for a keychain light though....
 
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As the old saying goes "ya get what ya pay for" now the question is how much do you want it.
 
It looks like a really nice light, but the price is really steep, at least IMHO. I would think that, assuming you don't mind a bit bigger light, they have better deals with some of their other models. But if you want a BAMF key light, then I'd say this is your dream come true.
 
knifenut1013 said:
As the old saying goes "ya get what ya pay for" now the question is how much do you want it.
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Haha, I guess right at this moment, not enough :D

De4thStr1ke said:
It looks like a really nice light, but the price is really steep, at least IMHO. I would think that, assuming you don't mind a bit bigger light, they have better deals with some of their other models. But if you want a BAMF key light, then I'd say this is your dream come true.
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Yeah, that's what I thought too. Fenix seems to have some nice offerings in this size range (but at a way more affordable price), so I was just wondering if this Surefire is using some brand new hardcore techology or something that warrants the steep price. Wish I had money to through around, then I'd just get it for the hell of it. :)

I still need to do my research :o, just wanted to save time to see by seeing what others know about it. I'm a big fan of the keychain lights, you always have a light when you need it. I'll keep my eye on this one, mabye someone will have a sale....
 
rksoon said:
Yeah, that's what I thought too. Fenix seems to have some nice offerings in this size range (but at a way more affordable price), so I was just wondering if this Surefire is using some brand new hardcore techology or something that warrants the steep price. I still need to do my research :o, just wanted to save time by picking up key points.

I'm a big fan of the keychain lights, you always have a light when you need it. I'll keep my eye on this one.
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I personally own two Surefire's, and I love them. I've never owned a Fenix, but only hear positive things about them. The Surefire brand is quality stuff, with a quality price. And the fact that you have to use special batteries is a little annoying. But I still carry a Surefire with me all the time, with the second at the house, and I love 'em. I don't know as they have any new tech, just a really good implementation of existing stuff.

As far as keychains go, I keep a cheap Inova light next to my SAK for when I don't need a ton of illumination.
 
I own one Surefire currently (G2L) and was looking to pick up another (E2DL) for my edc backpack. I definitely agree, the Surefires are quality, love my G2L. Have a fenix too (L2D Q5) that is also awesome, but fills a different role (hiking/outdoor light). From what I've handled, I tend to prefer the Surefires for their durability and fit and finish, but from what I've read, it seems that they lag behind Fenix and other companies in technology (nitecore, etc.).

I'll look around a bit more, I'm sure there's something on CPF on this light. :thumbup: I have Fenix E01s on all my keychains right now, but would love to try something that is able to put out more than 10 lumens. Thanks for the input!
 
I have no problem paying top dollar for quality equipment and even have a decent collection of Surefires but the T1A seems like a bit much...

I've got a Fenix LD01 on my keychain. 80 lumens on high 10 lumens on low. And for the price of the T1A, if I break my LD01, I can buy 3 more...

The Nitecore EZAA is another option running on a single AA, putting out 130 lumens and also around $50.
 
Thanks JHerman :thumbup: I've had my eye on the LD01, that'll probably be the one I'll go with if I pick up a "better" keychain light any time soon. Definitely need to check out that nitecore though, thanks :)
 
rksoon said:
Thanks JHerman :thumbup: I've had my eye on the LD01, that'll probably be the one I'll go with if I pick up a "better" keychain light any time soon. Definitely need to check out that nitecore though, thanks :)
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No prob. The amount of light from that tiny fenix is really amazing and you'll hardly notice it on your keychain. The nitecore is slightly larger tho. Very similar output to the D10 but smaller in both length and diameter.
 
It depends on what your values are. Some folks buy things because of the brand name and some folks buy things for their function no matter where they were made or who made them.

Surefire is made in the USA, although I question if the LEDs and circuitry are made here. You pay a lot for their engineering and advertising.

I have several Surefire G2s with the LED. They function well and I like the plastic housing because it doesn't feel cold. (BTW, they have been dropped, kicked and otherwise abused and still work fine.) I have owned several other Surefires over the years and had no complaints about them.

I also have a small 3W LED Cree light that I bought on eBay from a dealer in Hong Kong about a year and a half ago. ($20 shipped) It uses one AA battery and works great. The quality of the aluminum parts is just as good a SF (GASP!) The LED and circuitry are designed by CREE, a USA company.

I also have tiny flashlights by Stream Light (Made in China), Pelican (Probably made in China) and several others. They all work fine.

So, you pays your money and takes your choice. Some folks wear Rolex watches. Mine is a Casio. Some folks buy cheap Italian Sharps rifles. I buy Shiloh Sharps. Some folks are happy with Becker. I like Busse. Whatever. :rolleyes:
 
Actually IMO Sure Fire is a way over hyped light, I have owned many,many flashlights over the years including 20+ surfire lights.....I think you would be better off and money in your pocket ordering something else, Fenix are very nice, many others out there cheaper and IMO better lights for the money.
 
I hear ya Uffda. I tend towards the function over the brand, thus my owning both Surefire and Fenix lights (and looking at others. I'm no light guru yet though, so I'm starting with the most well known). Same goes for my knives (Barkies, RATs, Fallkies, Moras, Spydercos, Benchmades, HI...yada yada).

I need to do more research over at CPF and other places to determine for myself what exactly I'd be spending the money on.

Thanks :thumbup:
 
coltsfan said:
Actually IMO Sure Fire is a way over hyped light, I have owned many,many flashlights over the years including 20+ surfire lights.....I think you would be better off and money in your pocket ordering something else, Fenix are very nice, many others out there cheaper and IMO better lights for the money.
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:eek: Them's fightin' words, pardner. :D
 
rksoon said:
I'm just curious, it looks like a bada$$ keychain light. I don't have money to drop on it now...but maybe I'll put it on my christmas list.... :D

http://www.surefire.com/The-T1A-Titan

Apparently you can adjust down to as low as 1 lumen.

ETA: >$200 is a lot to pay for a keychain light though....
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IMHO No it isn't. Surefire makes some good stuff but they think just a little too much of their products as far as their pricing goes. I have a 6P LED that I love and it is a great light, but there are better lights for the money. Looking at this particular light you are interested in I can't see how it's worth it. I have a Nitecore that produces 130 lumens for nearly 2 hours on one 123 lithium. It has 100 brightness settings with their digital dial and can run at about 3 lumens for around three days straight. It's the size of a 12ga shotgun shell and it only cost around $60.00 to $70.00 and has a lifetime warranty. It does more than my surefire can for around the same price and it does it well. I give credit to surefire, they've been on the cutting edge of light technology for a long time and have come out with some inovations. But I think now you're more often paying more for the name since many other light companies have caught up in the technology department.
 
coltsfan said:
Actually IMO Sure Fire is a way over hyped light, I have owned many,many flashlights over the years including 20+ surfire lights.....I think you would be better off and money in your pocket ordering something else, Fenix are very nice, many others out there cheaper and IMO better lights for the money.
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Good to have another perspective, thanks coltsfan. I don't know enough about lights yet to agree or disagree, but I'll keep it in mind. I can only speak from my own experience, by my Surefire G2L rocks (especially because it's affordable relative to other surefire offerings). It and my Fenix L2D are the best flashlights I've ever purchased so far.
 
Oh if you want to check out Nitecore here is a site that is their only North American distributor. www.4sevens.com

Really good folks and the nitecore line is simply one of the most bangs for my buck I've run across in my little flashlight addiction. I like fenix as well but from what I've read they lumens they advertise aren't always what they deliver. Still great product though and worth the money they charge.
 
Infi-del said:
IMHO No it isn't. Surefire makes some good stuff but they think just a little too much of their products as far as their pricing goes. I have a 6P LED that I love and it is a great light, but there are better lights for the money. Looking at this particular light you are interested in I can't see how it's worth it. I have a Nitecore that produces 130 lumens for nearly 2 hours on one 123 lithium. It has 100 brightness settings with their digital dial and can run at about 3 lumens for around three days straight. It's the size of a 12ga shotgun shell and it only cost around $60.00 to $70.00 and has a lifetime warranty. It does more than my surefire can for around the same price and it does it well. I give credit to surefire, they've been on the cutting edge of light technology for a long time and have come out with some inovations. But I think now you're more often paying more for the name since many other light companies have caught up in the technology department.
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Infi-del, good stuff to chew on, thanks :thumbup: This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Which Nitecore is that by the way?

ETA: Just saw your post, thanks! I keep hearing about Nitecore, just haven't really looked at their offerings yet.
 
I got the EX10 R2 Edition. It was like $65.00 bucks or something. I think it actually puts out about 145 lumens. The regular EX10 puts out 130. The dimmer is so cool. You press and hold and the light dims or brightens. So you can choose if you want a little light or a lot of light. And as with any light the less light you're throwing the longer your battery lasts. So it gives you options. I keep mine on my keychain. It's very durable has a metal reflector with orange peel texture, and throws quite an impressive beam with good flood spill for a light it's size. About twice the size of a streamlight keymate (Which isn't big) and is about 50 times the light. And no anoying puck watch batteries to try and track down online. If you buy one and don't like it, I'd probably buy it from ya LOL. I've had mine for a while now and it still amazes me. And keychain lights get pretty beat up. My Nitecore has held up really well.

I was at a friends party a week ago and dropped my keys in his pool by accident. We spent about 20 minutes trying to fish them out because I wasn't wearing swim clothes and the water was about 60 degrees LOL. Sank to the bottom of the 8ft section. No ill effects. The light just takes abuse and keeps coming.
 
While not as small as that Surefire, I'd probably go with an ITP C7T. Using a single AA battery, it can put out 190 lumens with the CREE Q5 diode, while also being fully adjustable to as low as 6 lumens. For the price, it seems like a real winner.
 
Aw crap...looks like I'll be buying another light sooner than I thought.... :D

That kinda functionality at $65 (or $50 for the one JHerman mentioned) sounds awesome for a light that'll fit on your keychain :thumbup:. Now I need to resist the impulse to buy a new toy straight-away.... :D
 
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