[Review] Nitecore TINI (keychain, 380lm, usb)

Very tiny :smiley:
Thanks for review.

The TINI started shipping last Wednesday (Nov 22nd), arrived at my home in Oregon today:

30% off until Sunday at midnite - so it’s $21 with free shipping!

code is: blackfriday2017

There are 3 torx screws (6 in total) that allow you to disassemble the flashlight. To avoid losing the warranty we do not recommend to do this.
Yeah right……
Nice little light. I’d get one if I didn’t have so many already.

They are their own worst competitor.
I can’t see an upgrade from the TIP.

Hadn’t seen this review yet.
It’s very very cute.
I like the (relatively) big optic, the asymmetrical design and the tiny size.

But (there’s always something to complain, isn’t there…) the chrome trim is just chromed plastic, which will likely chip or rub off in time…

It should end up being cheaper than the TIP though, since the optics are a lot cheaper on this TINI.
Just one TIR optic in stead of an aluminium bezel, an AR coated lens and an aluminium reflector.
The battery is smaller too, and it uses 2 screws less. :wink:
But, the plastic is chrome plated and there’s a cover for the USB port.

I’ll probably buy one when the hype is over and the prices are lower.
Maybe sooner, because it’s very cute.

There seems to be a trend towards built-in batteries that are not easy to replace :frowning:

All Matchbox lights have a integrated battery, not for replace, I think that are not lights for 5 or 10 years of use… I see this as pure EDC for perhaps 1 or 2 recharges per week. If the light runs fine for 2 or 3 years is a good investiment for me.

Thanks SO MUCH for that Pat! Grab this super deal at A-A folks. Ends tonight.

I received the MINI today. It didn’t contain any accessories, just the light. For you MINI owners, does it come like this with just the light?

I must say, I’m pretty impressed with this tiny light even though Nitecore stresses in it’s ALL METALLIC construction which Neil found out it’s not.

This thing is a featherweight. I guess Nitecore used all that plastic to give it it’s very light weight. Like others have stated, it really wouldn’t stand up to keychain rigors. I would prefer that everything was actual metal even if it added a few grams of weight and a slightly higher price.

It really is amazing how much light this tiny thing produces and to me, the low mode is fine. Thanks to saypat, at $21.00, it was a worthwhile purchase to add to my mini light collection.

Where did you order? Did your box look like the second picture below? Below is what was in my box, ordered directly from Nitecore, except the charging cable, which was a $2.95 accessory. I later realized the TIP charging cable works on the TINI - so I didn't need the charging cable after all, but now have two.

Can you take a picture of where the emitter is? I am curious about how a swap would go

Terry, thanks for the pictures. I bought mine through andrew-amanda.com. It had a Nitecore box but different from yours. I don’t have the box as after I charged up the light and checked all functions, I pitched it.

I did get the keychain clip as I discovered it inside the instruction pamphlet after I posted the above. I see that the charging cable was a $2.95 extra so I did get everything Terry did.

Usually charging cables are almost always included but I have several extras so not a big deal but may be to a novice who doesn’t have one with the micro “in” end.

Maybe the TINI isn’t a technical upgrade from the TIP but the upgrade is in it’s teeny, tiny size and featherweight. This thing really is TINY and I really like it!

I certainly agree they do seem to compete with each other.

I own about a dozen TIP, with the intergrated clip, it is much more versatile with more battery capacity and CRI option.

However as a pure keychain light the MINI is noticeably better, smaller, lighter, better beam pattern, etc.

After being on my neck for a quarter the light started failing. The mode change button works intermittently, sometimes it notices a click sometimes it doesn’t. I guess it will fully break soon. Or that I’ll get too annoyed and will stop using it.

I’ve seen another member complaining about their lights dying because of button issues, though I can’t find that now. Anyway - seems there’s a design problem.
I’m very disappointed with that.

Anyway - I guess that there’s no easy way to repair it, is there?

I already own a TIP SS Tropical, and I absolute love it! Some time ago I discovered the Tip Cu, I guess I have to control my unnecessary spending…

Mine become defective after few months of use. First it stays on all the time but at a level lower than 1 lumen. Now it doesn’t work at all.
I am disappointed since I tough Nitecore was a reputable company.
Robert

I had two TIP CRI lights… both were failures. 1st was DOA. 2nd went dead after 3 weeks. Shameful customer service. Their “solution” for the problem was in the next release, the 2017 model, where they simply have a clip that covers over the buttons. They couldn’t manage a real usable lockout, so they resorted to that. I get it that these are the cheaper models of their lineup, but that means more sales of them and thus exposure. You have to make sure your easily afforded lights are great quality, as they serve for lead-ins on buying other more expensive lights by the brand. Well, the failure did the opposite for me. No more Nitecore, unless I get one as a gift.

I thought maybe I’d go for a TINI, but there are enough drawbacks, plus I’m not convinced of the quality control… so I went to another brand.

I got my
Itsy bitsy, teeny weenie,
Ev-er-y day carry TINI.
That I put on my keychain today.

It’s just an
Itsy bitsy, teeny weenie,
Ev-er-y day carry TINI.
So in my pocket, I know it will stay.

From my house to my auto.
In my auto to the store.
From the store to my front door.
With a flashlight evermore.

Cha-cha-cha.