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MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube

ch Offline Etherealicer

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MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
on: January 01, 2016, 04:12:07 PM
Thought I compare those two key-chain lights as they are similar in shape. If you have another small USB-rechargeable-keychain-light please add them here...

Note in the picture with the light-beam the MecArmy is on the right side.

Nitecore Tube
Smaller and lighter than the SGN3, the Tube has a plastic body.
The tube has a great user interface one click, 1 lumen output, double click 45 lumen... once on, pressing the key allows for variable output.

Pro
+ Light and small
+ Brand known for quality products
+ Excellent user interface

Con
- Made of plastic (that might be personal though, it's also parts why the Tube is so light)
- Light has a cold, bluish hue


MecArmy SGN3
Considering the plethora of functions the interface is surprisingly simple
Single click medium, another click high, another click low light.
Press and hold and it switches to UV, another press and it switches to red
UV mode only has on and off
Red has on / signaling and off
The interface has a 3 minute memory (it will go back on with a single click to the last mode within 3 minutes, after that it will come on with the light again on medium).
The SGN3 white light has a nice reflector, resulting in a very nice even beam.

Pro
+ Compact metal body
+ Many functions (white light / UV / red light)
+ Great user interface
+ Warm white light
+ Very even beam

Con
- UV a bit too weak for my taste (can be used to check bill but barely)
- Much heavier than the Tube


Conclusion:
Personally, I have a light preference towards the SGN3 mainly due to the metal body. The red light and UV are neat additions, that I probably won't use much.

sgn3-04.jpg
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sgn3-05.jpg
* sgn3-05.jpg (Filesize: 121.4 KB)
sgn3-06.jpg
* sgn3-06.jpg (Filesize: 60.31 KB)
sgn3-07.jpg
* sgn3-07.jpg (Filesize: 26.93 KB)
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nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #1 on: January 02, 2016, 07:30:16 AM
Nice comparison, thanks.   :cheers:


no Offline Grathr

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MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #2 on: January 02, 2016, 09:32:41 AM
Very helpful comparison. :tu:

I have the nitecore and Im quite happy with it. Cheap too. How do they compare in price?
Also, is the UV light in the mcarmy good enough for charging lume in a watch in the dark?
-Knívleysur maður er lívleysur maður.
 "A Knifeless man is a lifeless man" old Faroese proverb.


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #3 on: January 02, 2016, 10:39:08 AM
UV Light
UV light is very weak, you can barely check the UV-markings on a bank bill. I couldn't tell you if this is enough to charge a watch. I will try it out on my only watch with luminous goo.

Price
I paid 42.90$ for the SGN3 and I paid less than 6$ for the Tube. As I said before, I trust NiteCore as a brand (Not from experience but from reputation. I don't really know MecArmy) but in this instant, the SGN3 feels better built with its reflector and metal body if this is worth the 7x price you have to judge for yourself, for me it is.
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #4 on: January 02, 2016, 11:10:53 AM
Nice comparison mate. :cheers:  The SGN3 looks good, but I'm not sure I'd want to pay that much for one.
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cy Offline dks

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #5 on: January 02, 2016, 12:27:38 PM
in the picture the amount of light they produce looks similar, though the tube's beam looks floodier
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bg Offline N_N_R

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #6 on: January 02, 2016, 12:35:13 PM
Nice comparison :tu:


ch Offline Etherealicer

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #7 on: January 02, 2016, 12:39:02 PM
in the picture the amount of light they produce looks similar, though the tube's beam looks floodier
They should be, the SGN was on low (5 lumen) and I tried to have the tube at a comparable level.

As for the beam, I think that this is reflector vs. no reflector... distance to the wall was 20cm so rather short. The SGN does better at longer distances and has a nicer hue to it.
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cy Offline dks

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #8 on: January 02, 2016, 12:45:24 PM
I assumed that they were both on high and was surprised by how equal, volumewise, they were.

The tube is designed to be simple and floody. I gave a few as presents and they are loved.
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gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #9 on: January 02, 2016, 12:50:05 PM
Nice comparison mate. :cheers:  The SGN3 looks good, but I'm not sure I'd want to pay that much for one.

:imws:

I think the lightness due to the construction and the price are two of the positives about the Tube, and why after trying one, I bought another two. While the above comparison is a very interesting read, it makes me think I made the right choice. I wouldn't feel any benefit of the extra expense on the other one


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00 Offline WWW

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #10 on: January 02, 2016, 02:08:29 PM
  The McArmy do offer a wee bit more like a real emmiter rather then a 5mm blue tint one, the UV and red and the metal body may be important to some. I just don't think it is worth the 40 some bucks they ask for.

  If it had a 365nm UV, I would perhaps consider it, as it is there is more bulk and weight and is too much money if compared to the tube. But is good to have options.

  Thanks for the comparo sir!!!


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: MecArmy SGN3 vs. NiteCore Tube
Reply #11 on: September 11, 2017, 12:33:30 PM
I find that the MecArmy reveals markings on Euros, Passports, Tax strips, ID cards and Credit cards easily, you just had to hold it closely. And it feels great at hand.
Overall it is a very nice EDC light.


 

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