TEC-S323 Isotope Fob Review
With the recent addition of the diminutive “DQG spy” to my current keychain setup, I've been finding my usual Tec Accessories S3 glow fob, a little too large in comparison. Looking around for a smaller alternative that is still encased in metal, brought me to the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob, also made by Tec Accessories.
I've been out of the loop with these sorts of things, but the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob appears to have been released around a year ago. It is a metal housing built to hold a 3x23 tritium vial. The dimensions of the Tec Accessories Isotope promise to be slightly smaller, thinner and lighter than the TEC-S3/A3/T3 glow fobs.
Specifications:
(Taken from the manufacturers website)
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Bead Blasted
Outside Diameter: 5.0 mm [0.197"]
Overall Length: 31.5 mm [1.24"]
Split Ring Hole Size: 3.0mm [0.118"]
Total Assembled Weight (without tritium vial): 1.8 grams [.06 oz]
Total Assembled Weight (with tritium vial): 2.0 grams [.07 oz]
Cost: $23 (not including the tritium)
Packaging and Accessories:
The packaging is pretty plain from the Tec Accessories. Everything comes in a ziplock bag. Included is a small container with a small split ring and 3 rubber plugs. You only need one plug for the installation of the tritium, so the others are spares. Another small cylindrical plastic container holds the metal housing and keeps it safe whilst in transit. A card with basic instructions is included.
Please note that the tritium vial is not actually included, if purchased directly from Tec Accessories. You need to buy the 3x23mm tritium separately, or alternatively Merkava from cpfmarketplace sells the Isotope preinstalled with the tritium. Merkava is one of my regular sources for tritium, but there are a few others also on cpfmarketplace forums.
Instructions:
Pretty simple to put it together... no need to mess around with any glue or adhesives. Put the 3x23 tritium vial into the metal housing. GENTLY ease one of the rubber plugs on top of the tritium. Place split ring through the appropriate hole. I tend to use a pair of fine pliers to open the split ring. With the rubber plug and the split ring in place, the tritium vial is very unlikely to ever come out by itself.
Pros:
-Smaller than the TEC A3/S3/T3 glow fobs
-Simple to install
-Feels well made
-It's subjective, but I like how it looks
-Once again subjective, but I think tritium in a metal housing looks more classy than a plain plastic tube
-Reasonably priced compared to other custom metal housings
Cons:
-Not covered by a plastic shell, like the TEC S3/A3/T3. This means it's smaller, but also potentially less protected if something hits it through one of the gaps in the metal housing. However as of this stage, google does not find any reports of broken tritium in the Isotope
-Even though the TEC “Isotope” has been designed to maximise visibility, I feel that the tritium is slightly more visible in the TEC S3/A3/T3. I feels this is the case, because the plastic shell provides more “spacing” from the tritium to the metal housing.
-Tritium definitely not as visible when compared to a plain acrylic housing.
Conclusion
I suspect the Tec Isotope Fob will be a permanent addition to my current keychain. I like how it looks, and the smaller size better suits my keyring setup. My only possible concern is whether the housing provides enough protection for the tritium. It would take a very unfortunate knock to break the tritium, though. I guess we'll find out with time and usage...
Links
Information on tritium and TEC Isotope Fob:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/PDF/TA_S323_vials.pdf
Manufacturer's Webpage:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/TEC-S323.TEC-S323-Isotope
Forums to buy 3x23 tritium and preinstalled Isotope:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?108-WTS-Other-Personal
With the recent addition of the diminutive “DQG spy” to my current keychain setup, I've been finding my usual Tec Accessories S3 glow fob, a little too large in comparison. Looking around for a smaller alternative that is still encased in metal, brought me to the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob, also made by Tec Accessories.
I've been out of the loop with these sorts of things, but the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob appears to have been released around a year ago. It is a metal housing built to hold a 3x23 tritium vial. The dimensions of the Tec Accessories Isotope promise to be slightly smaller, thinner and lighter than the TEC-S3/A3/T3 glow fobs.
Specifications:
(Taken from the manufacturers website)
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Bead Blasted
Outside Diameter: 5.0 mm [0.197"]
Overall Length: 31.5 mm [1.24"]
Split Ring Hole Size: 3.0mm [0.118"]
Total Assembled Weight (without tritium vial): 1.8 grams [.06 oz]
Total Assembled Weight (with tritium vial): 2.0 grams [.07 oz]
Cost: $23 (not including the tritium)
Packaging and Accessories:
The packaging is pretty plain from the Tec Accessories. Everything comes in a ziplock bag. Included is a small container with a small split ring and 3 rubber plugs. You only need one plug for the installation of the tritium, so the others are spares. Another small cylindrical plastic container holds the metal housing and keeps it safe whilst in transit. A card with basic instructions is included.
Please note that the tritium vial is not actually included, if purchased directly from Tec Accessories. You need to buy the 3x23mm tritium separately, or alternatively Merkava from cpfmarketplace sells the Isotope preinstalled with the tritium. Merkava is one of my regular sources for tritium, but there are a few others also on cpfmarketplace forums.
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| Packaging |
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| Contents |
Instructions:
Pretty simple to put it together... no need to mess around with any glue or adhesives. Put the 3x23 tritium vial into the metal housing. GENTLY ease one of the rubber plugs on top of the tritium. Place split ring through the appropriate hole. I tend to use a pair of fine pliers to open the split ring. With the rubber plug and the split ring in place, the tritium vial is very unlikely to ever come out by itself.
Pros:
-Smaller than the TEC A3/S3/T3 glow fobs
-Simple to install
-Feels well made
-It's subjective, but I like how it looks
-Once again subjective, but I think tritium in a metal housing looks more classy than a plain plastic tube
-Reasonably priced compared to other custom metal housings
Cons:
-Not covered by a plastic shell, like the TEC S3/A3/T3. This means it's smaller, but also potentially less protected if something hits it through one of the gaps in the metal housing. However as of this stage, google does not find any reports of broken tritium in the Isotope
-Even though the TEC “Isotope” has been designed to maximise visibility, I feel that the tritium is slightly more visible in the TEC S3/A3/T3. I feels this is the case, because the plastic shell provides more “spacing” from the tritium to the metal housing.
-Tritium definitely not as visible when compared to a plain acrylic housing.
 |
| Nite Glowring, tritium in acrylic casing, Tec S3 Glow Fob, Tec Isotope Fob, DQG Spy |
Conclusion
I suspect the Tec Isotope Fob will be a permanent addition to my current keychain. I like how it looks, and the smaller size better suits my keyring setup. My only possible concern is whether the housing provides enough protection for the tritium. It would take a very unfortunate knock to break the tritium, though. I guess we'll find out with time and usage...
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| My keyring setup |
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| Wife's keyring |
Links
Information on tritium and TEC Isotope Fob:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/PDF/TA_S323_vials.pdf
Manufacturer's Webpage:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/TEC-S323.TEC-S323-Isotope
Forums to buy 3x23 tritium and preinstalled Isotope:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?108-WTS-Other-Personal
