If you’re looking for a good flashlight, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Many modern “tactical” lights come with all kinds of accessories, such as SOS and LED functions. Let’s be clear. This isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, the Olight Perun 2 comes with five light levels and a rechargeable battery. If you’re conscientious about what you buy, you can find a great value.
That said, not all flashlights are created equal. Some are tough and durable, while others can’t take a beating. To find out which ones are best, you need to take a deeper dive. Today, we’re going to look at the Olight i3T EOS Titanium and the Olight Warrior Mini. These are both powerful, effective flashlights designed for real-world use. But there are important differences between the two. Which one is the right choice for you? We’re about to take a closer look, and find out. Let’s get going!
Olight i3T EOS Titanium
The Olight i3T EOS Titanium is a small-sized flashlight that’s purpose-built for everyday use. The body has a double helix design, with a metallic grip. Even if you’re looking for a lightweight flashlight, you’re looking at a solid option. But of course, different lights have different designs. The most attractive part of the i3T’s design is its simple, push-button operation. The base has a simple button, which alternates between 5 and 180 lumens. This versatility allows for a variety of purposes. For instance, you can use your smartphone to keep in touch with family members.
On a similar note, you can carry the Olight i3T in a single pocket. The clip will easily mount on an ordinary pocket, whether it’s single or double-stitched. This means it doesn’t matter how it’s attached. Your light will attach in any configuration.
The maximum brightness of 180 lumens is moderately bright. It’s not enough to light up a large, outdoor area. But for indoor use or for smaller spaces, it’s more than good enough. You won’t have any trouble enjoying a family card game or cooking a meal. Moreover, this limited brightness allows for excellent battery life. That’s something you won’t always get from brighter, faster-burning bulbs.
Battery Performance
The i3T EOS Titanium has a maximum light output of 180 lumens. This is comparable to an ordinary LED flashlight. You can illuminate a poker game or a family outing without any issues. Of course, this will depend on the quality of your everyday lighting. But if you want a bit of extra illumination, you’re covered. You can opt to upgrade the battery to a 10440 Lithium Ion and it will give you an added boost in battery life and 100+ extra lumens.
With the pre-installed alkaline battery, the i3T EOS will run for 21 minutes at maximum power. At lower power, it will run for a full 16 hours. Low power mode is limited to five lumens, which isn’t really much. You can root around in a backpack or look at other close-range objects. Other than that, you’ll need to use the higher setting if you want to do anything useful. Still, it’s nice to have this “emergency” mode, particularly if you’re camping.
Regardless of your setting, changing the battery is easy. The i3T EOS is powered by a single AAA battery, which you can buy from any store. So when you run out of juice, it’s easy to pop in a new battery. Carry a couple of spares, and you’ll have enough juice to last for days. You can even opt to upgrade to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery if you’d like.
Extras
The i3T EOS Ti EDC Titanium Flashlight is IPX8-rated for water-resistance. This is the highest water-resistance rating available. It goes beyond mere resistance to moisture. An IPX8-rated device can withstand full submersion for over 30 minutes. The exact rating is unclear, because IPX8 simply means that the device exceeds IPX7 specifications. So we know it can be submerged for at least 30 minutes, at more than three meters. In other words, no matter how the i3T EOS Ti EDC is abused, it will stand up to the challenge.
On the downside, there’s no SOS function, strobe function, or other option. For that, you’d need a more advanced flashlight, like the SuperCap 2 Jump Starter. Advanced editing means watching live videos, as well as pre-recorded ones. The more you work, the more features you’ll be able to enjoy! To be fair, this is only a useful feature if you need a jump starter. If you only need more battery life, you’re already covered. But if you need everyday performance, you may want another option. For instance, the Warrior Mini Red High End EDC Flashlight offers over 150 lumens of light output. If you want the most possible battery life, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything more powerful.
Olight Warrior Mini
The Olight Warrior Mini is a compact-sized LED flashlight that’s designed for everyday use. Originally available in red, it’s now available in all colors, although the red variant is now out of use. In total, there are six brightness settings, ranging from 5 lumens to the maximum of 1,500 lumens. To be fair, the maximum, 1,500-lumen setting is a bit bright. For most everyday purposes, it simply won’t be necessary. In that case, consider the base model Warrior Mini with no switch options. It can toggle between minimum and maximum wattage, without any extra features. All in all, it’s your best choice if you’re looking for a heavy-duty flashlight.
With all of that being said, it’s good to have options. If you need a brighter light, why skimp? Spend a few extra bucks, and get the light you need. Anything less, and you’re selling yourself short. For most people, using the brightest possible light is going to be the best option. If you need less, just reduce the voltage accordingly.
The housing is constructed from anodized aluminum, and is rugged enough to take a beating. Bumps, dings, and bangs are no obstacle. If you drop it on the sidewalk or another hard surface, it will keep on shining. Like the i3T EOS Titanium, it’s controlled with a rubberized button on the base. Pressing the button turns it on and off, while tapping the button cycles through brightness settings.
Battery Performance
The Olight Warrior Mini performs better than most of its contemporaries. At full power, it works for over 90 minutes. At higher powers, you can get even more energy. For instance, at Level 2, the battery will run for 120 minutes, or more than 2 hours of runtime.
At Level 5, you get even more impressive performance. The battery will run for 45 days, so you don’t have to worry about long-term performance. Keep in mind that this is a similar ultra-dim mode to the i3T EOS. This setting is not terribly practical, but it has its niche uses.
The Olight Warrior Mini has an internal rechargeable 3,500mAh battery. It comes with a charging cable, and will fully charge in less than an hour. This makes it quick and painless to top off. On the downside, you can’t just pop in a new battery when it dies. So if you’re going for a long trip without access to power, the i3T EOS Titanium is a better choice.
Extras
The Olight Warrior Mini has a water-resistance rating of IPX8. This means it can be submerged at more than three meters, for longer than 30 minutes. Rain, puddles, and other sources of moisture are no issue. If you need even better performance, consider the Tacklife KP200 and its three charging ports. But it’s still an excellent choice for a single-purpose user.
Most impressively, the Warrior Mini offers up to 1,500 lumens of total output. Regardless of what kind of conditions you’re experiencing, you’ll have plenty of light. This is true whether or not you have the most possible power output.
The downside of both the Warrior Mini and the i3T EOS Titanium is that they don’t have any bonus features. Battery life is limited to what you see on the box. There’s no extra performance, and there are no bonuses for long-term use. The light is what it is, and extra features are nonexistent. To be fair, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The longer the battery life, the better your performance! You can either enjoy this feature or not, depending on your needs. But any change of pace is liable to work to your disadvantage.
The battery housing is metallic, and has an aluminum finish. It’s comfortable to hold, even if your hands are raw from regular use. Under heavy-duty use, it’s soft and comfortable. To be clear, the finish is metallic regardless of your needs. If you want a shiny, high-gloss finish, you might want to look elsewhere. That said, a high gloss doesn’t always guarantee the best quality. The Warrior Mini’s finish is designed to reflect under all circumstances, bright or dim. Even if the ambient light is totally dull, you won’t have any problems. This is a matter of personal taste, but it’s something you should be aware of nevertheless.
Final Verdict
As you can see, both of these flashlights are well worth your investment. The i3T EOS Titanium is a powerful light with excellent low-light performance. Meanwhile, the Olight Warrior Mini is a more powerful device for people with higher demands. Which option is best for you will depend on your specific needs. But regardless of your choice, you’re looking at an excellent option.
The main difference between the two is their brightness. The i3T EOS Titanium’s 180 lumens are suitable for around-the-house use. That said, if you need to light up a wide area in the outdoors, you’ll want a brighter light. The Warrior Mini’s 1500 lumens will be sufficient for just about any job. Of course, both these lights are well-built enough for outdoor use. It’s just a matter of how much light you need.
The other difference is how the lights are powered. The i3T EOS Titanium has a shorter-lasting battery, but it’s a simple AAA cell that can be replaced. The Olight Warrior Mini will last for 90 minutes even at maximum brightness. However, it has to be plugged into a wall outlet for recharging. This can be inconvenient if you don’t have access to a power outlet.
Meet Derek, “TechGuru,” a 34-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, Derek enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.