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Tube Death

us Offline theonew

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Tube Death
on: September 14, 2016, 06:22:12 PM
After only seven months on my keys, I was a little surprised to find that my Nitecore Tube didn't want to activate. I shook it a bit and gave it a few taps and it came on briefly but flickered out as I moved it around. Not good. Opening it up confirmed my suspicions that a wire from the battery had come loose from the controller board. Too tiny inside for me to deal with, I put it into a parts box, where it may one day be resurrected as some kind of frankenlight.

I then went on to the Nitecore website, not planning on making a warranty claim as the thing cost less than a six pack of beer and I've never had a six pack last anywhere near seven months :D, but thought I'd drop them a line for their only quality control data. But when I got to their website I got distracted by their new product, the TIP. This looks pretty darn cool and even if the specs are somewhat exaggerated looks to be my new EDC light :tu:
 


us Offline kaput

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #1 on: September 14, 2016, 06:33:27 PM
Whoa. 360 lumines in that thing! How much?

The thumb" looks like cool comparison to the tube" too.
multi-tools—folding contraptions fixed with all kinds of doo-dads


us Offline theonew

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #2 on: September 14, 2016, 06:37:18 PM
Looks to be about $30 but it just came out so the price may settle a bit.


us Offline kaput

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #3 on: September 14, 2016, 06:40:48 PM
Looks to be about $30 but it just came out so the price may settle a bit.
Sold  :tu:
multi-tools—folding contraptions fixed with all kinds of doo-dads


us Offline metasyntax

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #4 on: September 14, 2016, 07:50:24 PM
The TIP sure looks awesome. I probably would have jumped on it already, except that I've got enough small lights, and I'm sure there will be something better out soon anyway. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the Tube came out. At the very least, I'll wait for neutral tint.
May it be as the Pattern has chosen.


us Offline theonew

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #5 on: September 14, 2016, 08:14:15 PM
The TIP sure looks awesome. I probably would have jumped on it already, except that I've got enough small lights, and I'm sure there will be something better out soon anyway. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the Tube came out. At the very least, I'll wait for neutral tint.

Well I have a good excuse since my Tube died. My wife was there when it happened and said, "Awwww, your little flashlight died :cry:"


us Offline sawman

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #6 on: September 14, 2016, 08:50:46 PM
Mine doesnt want to accept the micro-USB cable for some reason..... I've tried to adjust it gently with a pen knife but it's a royal pain to connect the charger.

I gave up on it but not with malice - I bought a Nitecore MT06 to replace it. Wish me luck!
SAW


us Offline metasyntax

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #7 on: September 14, 2016, 09:30:58 PM
The TIP sure looks awesome. I probably would have jumped on it already, except that I've got enough small lights, and I'm sure there will be something better out soon anyway. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the Tube came out. At the very least, I'll wait for neutral tint.

Well I have a good excuse since my Tube died. My wife was there when it happened and said, "Awwww, your little flashlight died :cry:"

For sure, you gotta take those opportunities as they come! If you get one, let us know what you think about it!
May it be as the Pattern has chosen.


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #8 on: September 14, 2016, 10:02:29 PM
The TIP sure looks awesome. I probably would have jumped on it already, except that I've got enough small lights, and I'm sure there will be something better out soon anyway. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the Tube came out. At the very least, I'll wait for neutral tint.

Well I have a good excuse since my Tube died. My wife was there when it happened and said, "Awwww, your little flashlight died :cry:"

For sure, you gotta take those opportunities as they come! If you get one, let us know what you think about it!

+1 about your thoughts and that is the best time to get stuff as well :D


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #9 on: September 14, 2016, 10:48:54 PM
Hehe, just ordered a TIP, a 360 and a THUMB :D
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #10 on: September 14, 2016, 11:09:17 PM
Very interesting looking light. :tu:  I hope the quality justifies the price.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


us Offline kaput

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #11 on: September 15, 2016, 04:48:34 AM
Hehe, just ordered a TIP, a 360 and a THUMB :D
Fantastic. What day will they arrive? When will the review be up? And how can we thank you? Lol  :D  :tu:  :salute:  :cheers:
multi-tools—folding contraptions fixed with all kinds of doo-dads


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #12 on: September 15, 2016, 10:56:26 AM
Hehe, just ordered a TIP, a 360 and a THUMB :D
Fantastic. What day will they arrive? When will the review be up? And how can we thank you? Lol  :D  :tu:  :salute:  :cheers:
USPS tracking is not working :ahhh
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us Offline kaput

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #13 on: September 19, 2016, 09:00:22 AM
:whistle:                                                         :D
« Last Edit: September 19, 2016, 09:01:56 AM by kaput »
multi-tools—folding contraptions fixed with all kinds of doo-dads


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #14 on: September 27, 2016, 08:16:18 AM
The 360 arrived today... as soon as I have the gang together I will shoot some images.
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nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #15 on: September 27, 2016, 01:24:37 PM
 :popcorn:


us Offline sawman

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #16 on: September 29, 2016, 12:04:58 AM
Mine doesnt want to accept the micro-USB cable for some reason..... I've tried to adjust it gently with a pen knife but it's a royal pain to connect the charger.

I gave up on it but not with malice - I bought a Nitecore MT06 to replace it. Wish me luck!
Follow-up:

My MT06 is terrific so far however there was a QC issue in the one I got for my wife. I guess they have some bugs to work out.
SAW


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #17 on: September 29, 2016, 06:14:07 PM
Teaser... :D
teaser.jpg
* teaser.jpg (Filesize: 149.46 KB)
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #18 on: September 29, 2016, 07:34:11 PM
:popcorn:
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #19 on: September 29, 2016, 09:29:38 PM
Oh man. I need one one of those.
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us Offline mrynnr

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #20 on: September 29, 2016, 09:31:31 PM
Everything on that pic is :tu: WOW!


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #21 on: September 29, 2016, 11:15:07 PM
Currently charging all those lovelies. I will also throw in the JETBEAM MINI-1 into the pot for comparison and use the OLIGHT I3E EOS (120 lumen) as benchmark.
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nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #22 on: September 30, 2016, 12:18:04 AM
Benchmade!!   :like:   :like:


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #23 on: September 30, 2016, 08:50:23 AM
It wouldn't be the internet without people complaining.


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #24 on: September 30, 2016, 11:29:37 AM
Size Comparison
From left:
OLIGHT I3E EOS, JETBEAM MINI-1, NiteCore (NC) Tube, MecArmy SGN3, NC TIP, NC THUMB, NC T360
group_01.jpg
* group_01.jpg (Filesize: 100.63 KB)
group_02.jpg
* group_02.jpg (Filesize: 67.83 KB)
group_03.jpg
* group_03.jpg (Filesize: 73.31 KB)
group_04.jpg
* group_04.jpg (Filesize: 88.24 KB)
It wouldn't be the internet without people complaining.


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #25 on: September 30, 2016, 01:27:55 PM
Overview
From various websites.

T360: That should be "Comes with a headband"
overview.jpg
* overview.jpg (Filesize: 73.38 KB)
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ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #26 on: October 07, 2016, 06:45:59 PM
Not sure anyone is still reading :D. Anyway, found some time so lets kick of with the

NiteCore THUMB
Well, how do I put it? There is really nothing I like about the thumb.

Body & Clip: The body is a good deal larger than the thumb and the clip is simply overkill making it even bulkier.
Tiltable Head: At first glance, the tiltable head seems like a good idea, but it feels flimsy. Also, as you can see from the images, you cannot put it all the way to the front
White Light: The Thumb gives a fair amount of light. Because it lacks a reflector the light is primarily good for short distance and mostly to illuminate the path. My major issue is that the LEDs stick out you have to be careful they are not in your field of vision.
Red Light: Ok, that is the major reason I bought the light, As a cyclist and safety concerned citizen I always like to have a clip-on safety light. However, the red light is terrible, it is so weak you can hold it a couple of cm from your eyes without ill effect, seriously it is that weak. You can also see it on the photo with/without flash from my Galaxy Note 3.

Conclusion: Don't buy

Tube 1 : 0 Challengers
thumb_01.jpg
* thumb_01.jpg (Filesize: 129.99 KB)
thumb_02.jpg
* thumb_02.jpg (Filesize: 124.16 KB)
thumb_03.jpg
* thumb_03.jpg (Filesize: 124.4 KB)
thumb_flash_01.jpg
* thumb_flash_01.jpg (Filesize: 225.09 KB)
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ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #27 on: October 07, 2016, 07:27:45 PM
NiteCore T360

Not much to say about this one. The clip is to small to be attached anywhere (to small for the baseball cap) so really, you can only use it with the headband. The base is also curved (to fit on your head) which does not help if you want to attach it anywhere else. As that it does not really need the 360° adjustment. There is a newer version, the T360M with a magnet foot, so you can attach it somewhere and make the light shine wherever you want. Although I think the joint will wear out at some point, after all its just plastic on plastic. Once the joint is worn out you wish you had bought a regular headlamp.
Again the absence of a reflector makes it a short distance light. You also have to be careful with placement, so the light source is not in your field of vision.

Conclusion: Don't buy, a real headlamp is the better choice.

Tube 2 : 0 Challengers
T360_01.jpg
* T360_01.jpg (Filesize: 207.45 KB)
T360_02.jpg
* T360_02.jpg (Filesize: 105.83 KB)
T360_03.jpg
* T360_03.jpg (Filesize: 97.94 KB)
« Last Edit: October 07, 2016, 07:29:55 PM by Etherealicer »
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #28 on: October 08, 2016, 01:58:05 PM
I'm still reading and, based on what I'm seeing, I'm also going to keep my wallet in my pocket. :D
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Tube Death
Reply #29 on: October 08, 2016, 02:53:50 PM
Quick look around suggests the TIP isn't getting much love atm. And yes I know how that sounds. Get out of the gutter.


 

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