DQG Tiny 18650
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Further BLF thread: DQG 18650 EDC--World's Smallest 18650 Flashlight
This is a brand new compact EDC 18650 twisty, eagerly awaited by those like myself who pre-ordered it. Well after a bit of a wait here it is.
Claimed specs:
LED: CREE XM-L2 T6 1A CW LED / CREE XM-L T6 3C NW
Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
HAIII Anodised finish.
Reflector: optics lens for T6
Mode: Low>>Mid>Hi;
Head twist ON/OFF
Current: 50mA>500mA>2A; Current Regulation
Max output: 500 lumens
Battery Type:1*18650 (not include)
Size: 90mm(Length)*25mm(head diameter)*22mm(tube diameter)
Weight::38g(not include battery)
Accessories: O rings , Gift box
First up this really is tiny, it’s very very compact. So for this reason I thought I’d use my trusty EagleTac D25LC2 as a comparison light. The EagleTac is over a year old now in my possession and has an XP-G emitter, but we’ll see more about that later on.
First impressions
Afraid this is a bit of a mixed bag. The light on first look appears superb and on paper its brilliant too. And did I mention it’s small? But it’s not perfect. It appears there was an assembly error and an O-ring which should sit below the TIR optic was actually placed in front of it. So removal of the TIR and relocating of an O-ring is the first order of business. Not the end of the world, but this is the first flashlight I’ve had to complete assembly on before getting to use it. And at $30 (introductory price, $35 regular price), it’s not exactly the cheapest budget light out there.
That said, this is no biggy and hopefully future models will be assembled correctly from the off.
When first opening the box you are greeted to finding not just the torch, but a spare large white O-ring and 3 small black ones. On closer examination the light seems void of any of the smaller black O-rings at all, but appears to have places for two of them. An easy fit, but again, this is a new experience for me in having to complete the assembly of the flashlight after having paid for one, rather than a host.
There have been claims of no lube on the threads, but I can say mine was lubed sufficiently and has fairly smooth threads.
The TIR optic with the now correctly located white O-ring:
And the two black O-rings installed:
So once sorting the O-ring fiasco out it was onto having a closer look at the light. The body tube appears only part finished inside, where the anodising stops about half way down and turns to rough machine aluminium.
The inside of the head and pill:
Batteries
Next up is a battery issue. All along there has been much talk about what batteries will or won’t fit with much reassurances. There are also reports that the black anodised version has a slightly wider 19mm battery tube vs the 18.7mm for the Titanium finish one.
All I can say is my International Outdoor (Sanyo) 2600mAh cells don’t fit. They are too fat. Actually this isn’t 100% true, they fit in the top half of the battery tube, but where the non machined and anodised part of the body tube starts it is too narrow to accept the battery.
Flat top cells evidently are a no no with the twisty head requiring button top cells to make contact. All in all the only battery I have that fits is my EagleTac 3100mAh Panasonic 18650.
Even my EagleTac 2xCR123a to 18650 converter won’t fit
Personally I don’t think this is a major issue, 18650 batteries are cheap enough to buy that buying one or two specifically to use with this torch is really not a problem for me. But it may be something to consider when ordering this light.
Size comparison
My EagleTac D25LC2 is a great light to compare too and often seen as a benchmark compact 18650 light in it’s own right. But I think you’ll be surprised how much shorter the Tiny 18650 is by comparison. Although it is slightly fatter and chunkier than the EagleTac.
Pictures say a thousands words…
Overall the Tiny compares fairly well to the EagleTac. The clip is superior on the EagleTac, it doesn’t rotate and simply clips onto things like a shirt pocket more easily. That said the clip on the Tiny does seem sufficient and robust enough and of course is removable should you want.
Interestingly the head of the Tiny will actually screw onto and fit the EagleTac body tube. But the EagleTac Mini head won’t clear the the body tube of the Tiny. This proved very helpful….
Flickering and poor performance
When I finally got round to trying the light out I was initially very disappointed.
Despite the threads feeling fairly smooth (although not as smooth as the D25LC2’s) I found it difficult to activate and change modes. Lots of flickering, mode jumping, tightened on but no light, poor contact and difficult to turn off. In fact it was the worst performing torch I’ve ever bought.
Fear not, for there is a bright side
As I found out earlier, the Tiny’s head fits the EagleTac body. This allowed me to troubleshoot and establish that the poor mode selection, activation and jamming affect of the Tiny, was not the fault of the head. On the EagleTac body it performed flawlessly.
On closer inspection it was evident that the open end of the Tiny’s body tube was very poorly finished, uneven and of varying heights around the tube. I proceeded to sand this with some sand paper to a smooth even finish and good contact area. Once refitted to the Tiny’s head it was plain to see that the finish of the body was the culprit for the poor performance. It now changes modes, activates and no longer feels like the head jams down when in use.
It still is harder to change modes than the EagleTac, but it is now usable and acceptable. Such a shame it was another part of this torch that required me to finish off and complete the construction of it though.
Beamshots
Conclusion
Overall I am pleased thus far with this light. It has a nice beam, a large hot spot and very gradual spill, although to total beam angle and flood is less than that of the D25LC2. I would say it also doesn’t throw quite as well as the XP-G equipped EagleTac, but not by a huge amount.
The Tint is fairly nice, it’s rated as CW which it is, but it isn’t overly cool.
Fit and finish do seem a little sub par. I know this is a budget light, but it’s an expensive budget light and I did expect a better finish. The fact that I had to take sand paper to it to make it even work properly is almost unforgivable. The anodising of the head is also a slightly different colour to the body and the knurling on the head seems to lack anodising or colour on the upper section.
Thermal management seems on par with the EagleTac, they both heat up in a similar timescale. The EagleTac does auto step down after 90 seconds so I’m not sure how the Tiny would fair after prolonged use.
I’m also less keen on the clip on the Tiny. I truly love the deep pocket clip of my EagleTac and like the fact it is screwed on. The clip on the Tiny is thus far showing to be a little stubborn requiring to hands to clip it to my shift or trouser pocket. I also found the clip rotated easily when I first used the light (as it jammed in the on position), now that I’ve solved the contact issue this is of less of an issue.
I do like the TIR optic though and wish more flashlight makers would adopt them.