Inova T1TMB-HB T1 Lithium Powered LED Flashlight

I had the Inova X1 (the T1's mini counterpart) as my every-day-carry flashlight for about a year, before losing it a couple weeks ago. I loved the X1, but disliked that it can't be clicked on. It could only be constant on by twisting the rear cap. This would be ok if the temporary-on rear button was easy to press, but it was too small and stiff to keep on if you didn't have a perfect grip. My every day flashlight is an all-purpose flashlight, but needs to be able to be employed in a tactical capacity alongside my concealed carry handgun, so easy of use with a less-perfect grip is important.ErgonomicsThe T1 is considerably larger and heftier than the X1, for those shopping the two against each other. I'd say the T1 is about as big as a flashlight could be, while comfortably fitting in your pocket. Any larger and it would fit, but not so well that you don't notice it.BrightnessThe T1 is the perfect size to grasp in your hand in a tactical grip (light down, button nearest your thumb) and the texture applied to the metal housing it great. I would say that the higher of the two brightness settings is perfect. Any brighter and it's really too bright for day-to-day use, as you'll just go around blinding yourself every time you shine it on something white. I also really like how much dimmer the low setting is. If I just need to see in a drawer or look around if the power goes out, the low setting is dim enough that you'll never hurt your own eyes, but bright enough to do the job. Props to Inova for selecting these two brightness settings.FunctionI like the way the click button works. Depress it lightly for temporary on and click it for constant-on. For strobe, you do a light press, immediately followed by a click, and it will strobe at full brightness. For low power, simply do this more slowly. Every time you turn the light on, it defaults to full brightness, regardless of what you used last (the wonder of circuitry, rather than mechanical toggling). This is definitely the way it should be, since if you need the full brightness, it's much more likely that you need it urgently (vs the lower setting). The click feel is very positive and I'd say the pressure to click on is neither too light, nor too heavy. There's quite a bit of travel to get it to the click position, but I think that's a good thing as it makes it easy to use temporary-on without accidentally clicking it on. The specs list a lock-out feature. This just means you can twist the cap half a turn to render the light unable to turn on.Twist-OnIf you're a fan of using a twist cap over a click button, that is an option with the T1. Just click it on, then turn the cap 45 degrees to turn it off. Then when you twist the cap tight it will turn the light on. The reason I said 45 degrees is as follows. When you twist the cap 15 degrees from fully tight, the light will turn off. Between 15 and 75 degrees (from having the cap fully screwed on) you will still be able to use temporary-on by applying pressure to the button. In this condition you get the full functionality of a twist-on/temporary-press flashlight.BeamIt sort of goes without saying with most modern LED flashlights, but the beam is perfect. Completely smooth. At 10ft the inner beam is about 2.5-3' in diameter and it blends smoothly into the outer beam, which is quite broad, as you would hope. Beam color is on the colder/bluer end of the spectrum for high end LED lights. It's not cheap-o blue or anything. Just a cold color temperature. I compared it to my Streamlight TLR-1s weapon light and the TLR-1s was a little warmer (for what that's worth).BatteriesSome people are mixed about the 123A batteries. I'm glad they force you to use Lithium batteries. So many people get a AA or AAA flashlight and use standard batteries in it, rather than Energizer Lithium. Some people are under the impression that 123A batteries are hard to find or overly expensive. Okay, if the zombie apocalypse happens, they will be much harder to find than AA, but you can get them at Walmart as long as the world hasn't ended, and they aren't overly expensive when you compare them to lithium AAs. I just picked up a 12 pack of Streamlight CR123As on Amazon, for this and my two weapons lights (each takes 2 123As). That should last a while and is $18.50 for 12 123As, vs $20 for 8 Energizer Lithium AAs.ValueAwesome value. The SureFire competitor is over $90 and is bulkier, while being a few lumens dimmer. I think the T1 is amazing value, and it's a shame Inova isn't more widely known, as they make fantastic flashlights. The T1 is powerful, ergonomic, and very nice to use, while looking a little less "gun-fighter" than SureFire lights (better for those in white collar careers).Pros:Brightness (bright without being too bright)ErgonomicsProfessional and clean lookConstruction qualityBeam qualityRun time to Lumen ratio in both settingsValueCons:Cheap lanyard (I used some 550 paracord with a Two-Strand Diamond knot instead)

The Inova T1 flashlight is by far one of the best flashlights I've ever owned. It is powered by two CR123 batteries and is extremely bright. It's exactly one inch in diameter and four and a half inches long. It has a one-button operation. You press once for bright, twice for low, and two quick presses give you the strobe. The top with the one-button operation screws off to insert the batteries. The screw is rather long with an o-ring so I would guess that it would probably work well when wet. A wrist lanyard is included and just loops through a small hole near the button end if desired. It is black in color and is made out of machined aircraft aluminum. I would definitely order another.

This is a great light! The value you get is amazing. Very bright, rugged construction, great features, etc. This light would compliment a home defense gun that does not have a rail. The brightness and the strobe light function would work to disorient any intruder. It also has "silent on". Meaning, the button on the rear of the light does not have to be pressed in all the way for the light to come on. But if you do, then there will be a "click".

I bought this light for my daughter going off to camp. Her words "dad, this light is amazing." It is extremely bright. Only possible downside, be aware that the flashlight takes a slightly non-standard battery - one you may not necessarily have in your cabinet but one that is easily purchased on line or at the local store.

This is the third version of the T1 I have purchased. Note that the latest version yields 211 lumens on high. The previous generation is 120 lumens. BOTH are sold on Amazon, so check the description closely. I really need a good flashlight on my person due to work. Pretty sure this is the best on the market for my needs. As i get the next best version, my family is happy to get the old ones.

Great product and fast shipping.

great flashlight, but a little pricey!

Very bright hi intensity, still bright low intensity. Has a strobe mode that would definitely be handy in emergencies. I really like this little light. Takes special batteries though. Even still, I'd consider buying another light from this company.