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Titanium or Aluminum

Discussion in 'Flashlights & Other Illumination Devices' started by Fate0n3, Jan 4, 2013.

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    Fate0n3 Loaded Pockets

    I am looking at getting a V10r (like the look of the light more then the V11r, especially the adjustment ring). Anyways the huge question is Titanium worth the extra? I want to carry this and wanted some real life experiences with Titanium vs Aluminum. I have read that titanium scratches easily. (i have quite a bit of Ti stuff but none are abused or mistreated so there are no scratches) Is there any huge disadvantages to a Ti light? I like the shiny look of Ti, but who doesn't lol.... Anyways guys I know this was just discussed with the TEC fob but figured there might be more that plays into this with the lights. I know weight is quite a bit more from what I have read with Ti.

    Thanks everyone pics are welcomed also.
    Fate0n3, Jan 4, 2013
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    • In Omnia Paratus

    stax Uber Prepared

    Aluminum is lighter and dissipates heat better.
    stax, Jan 4, 2013
    #2
    patrat, Ollie243 and KAMM like this.
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    Valolammas Tea-powered admin

    Heat dissipation is important in an LED light, so I prefer aluminium. Weightwise, I don't think it matters much for such a small item.
    Valolammas, Jan 4, 2013
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    Dusty Loaded Pockets

    Titanium is expensive too, Aluminium as mentioned dissipates heat better and weighs less. Personally, I wouldn't bother with Titanium unless it is going to be subjected to much abuse. It would take an awful lot of abuse to make it worthwhile at that........
    Dusty, Jan 4, 2013
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    defuse kit Uber Prepared

    I had the opportunity to pick up the titanium one, so I did! It rocks my socks. I'm moving away from 123's, so it's been sitting on my shelf while I figure out if I should sell it or keep it, but it's still a great light.

    The Ti looks real nice and the whole thing is buttery smooth. I can't tell you why you should pick it over the aluminum one, but I can tell you that if you do get the Ti, you'll be quite happy :)
    defuse kit, Jan 4, 2013
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    zebedee Loaded Pockets

    Get one of each, that's what I did :D
    zebedee, Jan 4, 2013
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    MangeD700, stax and KAMM like this.

    echo63 Uber Prepared

    Buy Both :)

    my wife has a V10R in Aluminium (with XML)
    and i have the Ti one

    seriously, whichever one you get - you will be happy - they are both great lights

    my Ti one has a lot of scratches, from being slid in and out of a Kydex holster - but it actually looks nice, kind of a nice matte brushed look.
    the wife's Aluminium one sits in the bottom of her handbag, and is still has all its anodize
    echo63, Jan 4, 2013
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    Fate0n3 Loaded Pockets

    Thanks everyone for good advice and info. Yea Ti looks super shiny just wasn't for sure how well the finish holds up. I hate to pay all that extra for a Ti and in a week or so it look bad. I had never thought about aluminum distributing heat better. Choices choices keep the advice and info coming

    Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
    Fate0n3, Jan 4, 2013
    #8

    mlehto Loaded Pockets

    My new Ti Preon 2 scratched up faster than anything I have ever put in my pockets!

    If I was to buy another I wouldn't waste my money on the Ti.......
    mlehto, Jan 4, 2013
    #9

    Ollie243 Loaded Pockets

    Id go Aluminium and don't worry about "abuse" mine got dropped out of an upstairs window at least 3m high and hit the concrete paving stones still works a dream.
    Ollie243, Jan 4, 2013
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    Blerv Uber Prepared

    Ti is rarely coated, if anything it's textured to minimize scratches. Hard anodization is quite tough to chip from aluminum. As a raw material Ti is much tougher and harder than alum. Unfortunately heat properties, weight, and cost are much higher.

    I've yet to buy a Ti light. If going for cosmetics I prefer Brass/Copper personally. Typicially I'm cheap so Alum is a dream :p.
    Blerv, Jan 4, 2013
    #11

    indigo_wolf AKA Breezy

    Yes... Ti scratchs.... Aluminum scratches too. When I first got my Preon it was the bare Ti version before 4Sevens did the Satin finishes. It showed off scratches & finger prints like a shameless exhibitionist :oops: .... it was also as slippery as a buttered eel. Some quality time with some Scotch Brite fixes that right up.

    [IMG]

    Don't think I took pictures of it, but I did the same with my Olight TC10/15. Both look and feel much, much better now.

    Eventually, HA Aluminum will also scratch and you won't be buffing that out anytime soon.

    Heat and money are probably going to be more the issue.

    My 4Sevens Mini-CR2 Ti and Olight TC10 Ti warm up quite a bit when run full-tilt for extended periods of time. The V10R will probably get pretty warm too. I suspect the V11R in Turbo/"China Syndrome" mode would probably be a MUCH bigger concern at 500 lumens.

    If the cost difference doesn't put you off, do what makes you happy. If you were looking at the V11R, I would add "How often/long do you expect to be in Turbo mode?"

    ATB,
    Sam

    P.S. Or get both. ;)
    indigo_wolf, Jan 4, 2013
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    Blerv Uber Prepared

    IMHO the V11R seems a good light for Ti. It's quite cool looking so you might as well go bling.

    Performance wise I'm not a huge fan of the magnetic ring. Maybe you should get something like an aluminum Eagletac with a XM-L as well? The D25LC2 runs a single 18650 with a turbo of 741 lumens.

    I just don't see getting two lights that are essentially the same besides the material. People are different though :).
    Blerv, Jan 4, 2013
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    Fate0n3 Loaded Pockets

    Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I def agree with you Blerv no reason to own 2 of the same lights. My main reason is I don't believe in shelf/drawer/safe queens. If a person is scared to take it out and beat on it, then it isn't worth my time. My biggest fear has been confirmed with how easy Ti scratches up. I did some research and have had people say no more then sliding a light in and out of jeans has put marks on there light. So I am either going to look for a good V10r Ti+ in good condition for a good price or go for a regular v10r.

    I wasn't into the magnetic ring either Blerv but it always seems like brightnesses jump quite a bit on most lights. I own the S10 Baton, Nitecore EC2, and Maelstorm G5 and all leave me wishing there was a little more light levels, which is what made me want to try one of these out. My main complaint is there is not much between moonlight and low.
    Fate0n3, Jan 4, 2013
    #14
    Blerv likes this.

    Blerv Uber Prepared

    You alone can place the valuation :). Most bling-ites would argue scratched Ti is still FAR more cool than aluminum. Thermal nerdy properties aside I would probably agree with them. At the least I could see the perspective.

    I figure you win either way. I have a brass light which is inferior to aluminum on nearly every level too. In the end...it's brass and that makes me grin. Lol.

    Have fun; enjoy the benefits of your decision.
    Blerv, Jan 5, 2013
    #15
    Valolammas likes this.