DQG Spy 10180 – Quick Review
Additonal Photos:
Pros
Smallest 10180 that I've found –
weights next to nothing
Simple UI – tighten for low, tighten
further for high
No PWM – at least none that I can
notice
Floody beam useful for close quarters
Good knurling
Tritium on the tail
Can tail-stand easily
 |
| Knurling |
Cons
Minor issue – a few sharp edges at
the tail, near the grooves for the split ring
Need to take a little care when
changing batteries, I find it it relatively easily to cross-thread
the threads.
Beam is pure flood with no hotspot –
brightness fades off quite quickly with distance
Tritium seems quite exposed – I'd be
a little worried it might break with keychain duty. I might try and
encase it with some Norland 61, if I get a chance.
Difficult to operate one handed, as
it's so small
 |
| Tritium feels a little exposed. Some sharp edges at the tail end. |
 |
| Wide pure flood beam |
Versus the Quantum DD
-The DQG spy is significantly smaller
and lighter than the Quantum DD.
-In terms of usability, I prefer the
DQG Spy over the Quantum DD. I find with the QTC in the Quantum DD,
you have to tighten it with a fair bit of force to get it to max
brightness. The lack of decent knurling, compounds this issue
further, as it's harder to get good finger support to tighten the
light firmly.
-The tritium you can install into the
Quantum DD, is longer in length. And since it is larger, it's also
potentially brighter. Also, you can install two pieces of tritium in
the Quantum DD without affecting tail-standing ability. With the DQG
Spy, if you install a second rod of tritium, you potentially lose the
split ring attachment.
-I feel the Quantum DD has a more
modern futuristic look. I feel the DQG spy is more utilitarian in
appearance.
-DQG has a wider and a “pure flood”
beam. My version of the Quantum DD, is still a fairly floody beam
but has a slight hotspot in the centre.
-Quantum DD comes with a charger. You
have you source your own charger with the DQG Spy.
 | |
| Size comparison: Modamag Drake, Quantum DD, DQG Spy, Streamlight Nano, Egear Pico Lite |
Other thoughts:
There is also a brass version that is
available for even cheaper! The DQG Fairy. Basically, it has the
same 'guts' as the DQG Spy, but with a different exterior.
Personally, I feel it looks rather plain, so I'm going to give this
one a miss.
On my wish list, I'd like to see a
version with a reflector or a more focused TIR optic. This will make
the flashlight a little more longer, but I'd be happy to accept the
trade off. The floody beam is actually quite useful for keychain
duties, where it's mostly used to illuminate objects at close
quarters. But realistically do we need a keychain light to blast 120
lumens, but only lasts for >10mins at this level? The reason why
we (or at least I) have have such an overpowered keychain light is
the blast the socks off the “unilluminated”, with their piddly
5-15 lumen button cell light/mag solitaire/iphone LED. A more
collimated beam with a brighter hot spot, looks more impressive than
a floody beam, particularly if your lighting up an object more than a
few metres away.
Ideally, my perfect 10180 flashlight,
would be something like the Modamag Drake, but without the PWM, a
better looking exterior and an updated LED emitter .
 |
| Added to my current keychain duties |
 |
| Everyone loves a knife and light combo right? With the Spyderco Bug. |
Dimension: 27mmx12.5mm
Netweight: 6 gram
Material: Titanium Alloy
Emitter: CREE XP-G2 R5 1A CW / 4C NW
Battery: 10180 Li-ion (included)
Mode: Low (20mA)>High (300mA)
Brightness: 200Lumens on High; 10Lumens on Low
(Editors note: According to some reviews High mode is actually only around 120 lumens)
Runtime: 10-15 minutes on High ; 4-5 hours on Low
Switch: Head Rotate switch; Tighten for on; Loose for Off
Come With Yellow / Orange 1.6x5mm Trit on the tail
This light can install 2 pcs of trit on the tail
Links:
Where to buy:
Other reviews/threads:
