Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsBright, Durable, Magnetic, TYPE C!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2022
Bright light with a pretty good UI. I'll try to break this down into sections for easy reading, but please forgive my ramblings. I've been using a Streamlight Stylus Pro (2xAAA) for years, and probably still will for around-the-house stuff, but this Thrunite has become my go-to EDC. For the few weeks I've been using it, I have no complaints. It took me a little while to get used to a side-switch, as the Stylus Pro has a tailcap switch, but I'm getting there.
UI: The light remembers the mode you left it in last (low, med, high), and just turns on to that level. You can hold down the switch and scroll through the levels, and double tap for turbo mode. You can also hold down for firelfy mode (great for avoiding searing your retinas to a crisp during, say, a stargazing trip), and triple tap for strobe mode (a good way to sear those retinas if you're not careful). All the earlier lights from other manufacturers that had 37 different modes you had to scroll through every single time you used them is why I stuck with my single-mode Stylus pro for so long. The T1s's UI is probably the best compromise of having multiple modes.
MAGNET: I still miss the tailcap switch, but the upside of having a magnet where I'm used to having a switch is worth it for me. This has helped a lot by sticking to the inside of my car hood during impromptu fluid top-ups, as well as unloading carloads of stuff from my trunk during a recent move. It even stuck to the top of a U-haul we rented and greatly supplemented the firefly-in-a-Mason-jar domelight that's usually in the back of those trucks. The magnet is fairly strong, easily holding the weight of the light even on painted metal surfaces. As long as there's a flat metal area that's the same diameter as the light, it's not going anywhere.
DURABILITY: This magnet feature also leads me to another big plus for this light. I know some folks complain that it's got a plastic lens, but it's been pretty darn durable. It has seen its fair share of drops on concrete already, with no visible scuffing except on the pocket clip. The durability really came through when I accidentally slammed the trunk of a 2008 Honda CR-V on it multiple times. I had mounted the light on the metal outer lip of the hatch (pointing at the ground when open) to help me unload during a move. It was 3am, I was tired, and completely forgot that it was there and still on. I closed the trunk, which obviously didn't shut due to a metal flashlight jamming it open lens-first between two metal body panels. I kept slamming it shut, assuming that a cardboard box was propping the hatch open and would give a little if I shut it hard enough. On slam #4 or so, I realized that the light was still there and removed it. No damage to the lens, not even any scuffing on the anodizing. It didn't even turn off. It just left a nice circular T1s-diameter dent in the CR-V trunk lid...
In summary, I think this was money well spent for my uses. The only item that I think needs any improvement is the pocket clip, but these two-way clips from all brands seem to have the same issue of not really sliding into the pocket easily with one hand (lens side down). The one-way clip on my Streamlight doesn't have this issue, but I think the pros on the T1s really outweigh this one con. As for other options, I considered the Olight Baton 3, but didn't want to pay that much and wanted a non-proprietary battery. I also like the idea of just using my iPad/laptop/everythingelse Type-C charger instead of carrying around yet another proprietary cable, no matter how cool wireless magnetic charging is. But if you're ok with the battery and have already invested in the Olight ecosystem, that may be an option for you. It also may be worth taking a look at the Streamlight Microstream USB. It's not Type-C (not much in this size range is), and it puts out less lumens, but it's slimmer and around the same price. Hope this helps you make a decision!
