DQG Tiny 26650 “3th” Flashlight Review
Here’s the DQG Tiny “3th”, a 26650 cell flashlight using multiple (7) Cree XP-G2 emitters. This aluminum light has a side e-switch, too.
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the DQG Tiny 26650 “3th” flashlight product page.
| DQG | Tiny 26650 |
| Emitter | Cree XP-G2 (7) |
| Lumens Range | >2000 Lumens |
| Luminous Flux | 2500LM |
| Color Temperature | 6500K / 4500K |
| Feature | Anti-Roll Rugged Design, Constant Current Circuit, Cooling Slot of High Efficiency, Lightweight, Reverse Polarity Protection, Stainless Steel Bezel, Tail Stand |
| Function | Camping, EDC, Exploring, Hiking, Household Use, Night Riding, Walking |
| Switch Location | Side Switch |
| Mode | 4 (Turbo; High; Middle; Low) |
| Battery Type | 26650 |
Versions
There are two colorways and two emitter tints for this light. So, four total options. What I have here is the “Gray” and “4500K” version. And this is the “3th” (3rd) iteration of this light, but older versions are different, of course. (Fewer emitters, metal side switch, and probably other differences.)
Short Review
I honestly didn’t expect to love this light, but it’s truly fantastic and a very fun light. It’s also so, so warm and bright.
Long Review
The Big Table
| DQG Tiny 26650 | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Cree XP-G2 (Seven emitters, 4500K, TIR) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | – |
| Cell: | 1×26650 |
| Runtime | |
| LVP? | ? |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| On-Board Charging? | No |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2500 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | – |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 1040lux @ 3.5m = 12740cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 225.7^ |
| All my DQG reviews! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.
What’s Included
- DQG Tiny 26650
- Two spare o-rings
- Box
Package and Manual
A Tiny light in a tiny package! This box does not abound in packaging or text or anything. It’s basically a light, and two loose o-rings in the box.
I kind of like this because the shipping package itself will protect the light, and I won’t be using the box for anything else. So the box is easy to get rid of (no emotional reason to keep [hoard] it), and that’s one less thing to clutter.
Regarding the manual…. I didn’t actually have a manual in my package. Normally, that wouldn’t be a huge issue, since manuals are usually available in pdf form on the web anyway. But I haven’t seen this manual. Nonetheless, the user interface is fairly simple, so a manual isn’t a huge problem. Technically, I suppose most of the manual is on the label on the box anyway.
Build Quality, Disassembly, and Durability
This is the smallest 26650 light (and the same can be said about the 18650 Tiny), and also such an inexpensive light, but the cost has to be covered somehow. The build quality on this light is just “ok”. It works well, and it’s easy to handle and maneuver; it does not have a high-quality feel. I suspect most people interested in this review will already know this fact. That said, this 26650 has performed flawlessly. There are no springs in this light!
Each end just has a padded donut.
Different length cells work because the tailcap threads are unanodized. So just screw the tailcap down as far as it goes, and the light will work. The o-ring is far enough out that the light maintains a seal. Even so, I’m not sure how much water I’d trust this light in. It does have o-rings where it should have o-rings, but I don’t believe it’d push my luck in this regard.
There are some nice looks to be laser etched branding on the tailcap.
The knurling is diamond cut and not flat top.
Not too grippy, but it is grippy. The body tube is reversible.
Possibly my favorite feature is the small (2mm) band of glow tape just inside the bezel. This glow is picked up by the TIR and spreads nicely.
I absolutely love it.
A nice thing about the way this light is built (both in its form factor and level of quality) is that it is ridiculously easy to take apart.
Everything essentially unscrews. Tailcap, head, bezel… all just unscrew. That said, I’m not really sure how to remove the driver. Possibly the MCPCB is pushed out – I don’t see any screws holding it in. The 18650 Tiny is potted in, and that’s actually what holds the MCPCB in place.
Since this light has no springs on the head or tail, I would probably not play baseball with it. But it’s held up to the rigors of my testing.
Size
It’s named “Tiny,” and it does live up to that name. It’s much smaller than my other single 26650 lights, the Klarus G20 and Eagle Eye X7. Here it is beside the G20 and some others.
Emitter shot.
Retention
There’s no pocket clip, no magnet, no pouch, and no lanyard included, but there is a large cutout on the head for a lanyard to fit.
This is a somewhat novel location, and I like it just fine. You’ll have to source your own lanyard, though!
Power
The Tiny is powered by a single 26650. I purchased a cell specifically for this light as it wants 70mm or shorter cells. It also wants unprotected cells. The cell I bought is a 5200mAh green unbranded cell, but upon receipt, I noted that it’s a “Vappower” brand.
The Vappower 5200 mAh is great for this light; highly recommended. There isn’t much room for wider cells either.
The runtime was tested on Turbo, and the light shut off with a cell voltage of 2.94V. Since this is an unprotected cell, the light itself seems to have low voltage protection. A note about the runtime test: I didn’t know if the light had LVP, so I pulled the cell around halfway through the test. At that point, the cell was at ~3.6V, so I let it run longer. Upon placing the cell back in, output went back to almost its original high output!! Then the drop and level out was as before.
User Interface and Operation
There’s a single side switch on the Tiny.
It’s small and quite grippy, and also just the right amount of clicky (very positive, but still fairly quiet).
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click | Medium |
| Off | Double Click | High |
| Off | Triple Click | Low |
| Off | Long Click | Turbo |
| On | Click | Off |
| On | Hold | Mode cycle (M>H>L) |
| On | Double Click | Turbo |
Did you notice that every mode is available from off? I did. The DQG product images didn’t. But I did. That’s just what I do for you guys.
LED and Beam
The emitters, all 7 of them, are Cree XP-G2.
They are under a PMMA TIR optic.
PMMA is just the type of plastic used for the TIR (ie, I’m not sure why they want that info in the product listing. It’s just a TIR.)
Bonus side shot of the domed emitters.
I can’t describe how warm this beam is. I have a 4000K 219c in my Manker U11, and this Tiny is much warmer. It’s rated at 4500K, but I’d be seriously surprised if it’s not much warmer. That said, it’s still very nice. It’s just a wall of light, and I’m satisfied that it’s a warm wall instead of a cool wall. That said, the “cool” version of this is rumored to be on the warm side, too. So if you’re on the fence, consider the “cool” version, and you’ll probably end up in the 5000K range, which is very pleasant anyway.
The beam shape is very nice too. For what it is (a 7 emitter light), the beam can be quite tight – it gets some light downrange. It’s a thrower by no means, though. My sphere isn’t calibrated, but the numbers with a 4.2V cell are as high as I can recall offhand. (!!!).
Another thing I like to do with this light is just take the bezel and TIR out and have a 7 emitter mule. Since it has 7 emitters, it’s not good for playing shadow puppets with the kids, but it is quite muleish anyway, and great fun in that configuration.
Beamshots
These beamshots always have the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options
There is just nothing else out there like this light. I couldn’t even find another XP-G2 26650 light, and of course, not one with 7 of the things. And for “tiny,” this wins as the smallest…. There’s a Fenix light with an optic, but it’s a zoomie with a TIR: The FD40.
Conclusion
What I like
- The size. It’s absolutely great. It’s the light that makes me think the new Tesla 2170 might make a pocketable flashlight after all….
- The beam. I just love TIR’s and this one with 7 emitters works so well.
- Glow tape around the bezel! It’s not much tape, but it puts out a lot of light after charging.
- The user interface is great – every mode is available from off.
- Bezel off mule is super fun.
What I don’t like
- The 4500K is a little warm.
- The build quality game could be stepped up.
Final Thoughts
On the outside (before receiving this light), I was completely “meh” about it. I had to purchase a cell, I was afraid it’d be low quality, but. BUT. I absolutely love this light. It’s not over-complicated, it does what it is meant to do
Notes
- This light was provided by GearBest for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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