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Tiablo ACE-G & A10-G flash lights

Tiablo ACE-G & A10-G flash lights

Torch technology and development has come on in leaps and bounds. Today we see compact, hand-held designs that push out some serious power, so much so that they can be used as short/medium range gun lamps. With the better stuff pushing 100-150yards without too much trouble! OK nothing beats a proper lamp in terms of out put, but you do have all the hassle of heavy batteries and cables. So something that strikes a working compromise is worth a thought.

Bang up to date we have Tiablo with their ACE-G and A10-G torches, which I have to say looked great even before I turned them on. The build is very much as you might expect with black, hard-anodised bodies, aggressive milling for a secure grip and big heads. Running on CREE 7090 XR-E LEDS, which seems to be the state of the art brand today, these two offer some useful features, such as modular bodies, disposable batteries or re-chargeables and a choice of switching options.

The Nitty Gritty

Tech speak aside, which can be confusing if not down right boring, what we hunters really want to know is how they work. Both models offer the option of extendable body tubes that will allow the fitting of more batteries/cells. In the case of the ACE-G one is supplied, though on the G10-A this is extra.

Features include toughened glass lenses with anti reflection coating, rubber-covered switches, water proof and type-3 hard-anodised T7075 aluminium construction. Weight is 180-grams (single body tube) and measurements are length 175mm, light head 57mm and diameter 25.4”. So dead on an inch, which offers some useful mounting options in standard, 1” scope rings. Reflectors differ slightly with the A10-G showing a longer and slightly angled design with a smooth finish. The ACE-G’s is shorter with a slight, orange peel effect. This did show up different capabilities in the test.

Power-wise both run on either 2 x CR123 batteries (standard body length) or one or two 18650 Lithium Ion re-chargeable or 4 x CR123s (body extension fitted). So you can mix and match body tubes to give more power to increase run time. Plus re-chargeable cells - though initially more expensive - have proved to be more economic in the long run. A charger can also be supplied as part of the package.

Of the two the A10-G is the more technical, as it offers two operating modes (A&B), which are selected by manipulation of the tail cap switch. A is the infinite brightness (high output) setting for normal illumination, B offers SOS, 10 Hz strobe and stand by indicator. This second one comes as a replaceable module which you fit yourself. The ACE-G is a simpler standard light for general use. Space does not allow me to explain all this in detail, so I suggest you go on to InovaTech’s or the Tiablo website for the full SP.

Serious Lumens

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Output is seemingly impressive with the A10-G pumping out 260-lumens for a quoted run time of 3.5 hours. The ACE-G betters this at 700 and offers two run times – 45 minutes with one body tube and three hours with two. Switching options include a touch ON and click ON/OFF tail cap plus there’s a remote pressure pad unit, for gun mounting. On that point InovaTech has sourced a gun mount, from I presume Cluson Engineering as it’s identical to their flexible, G-clamp system that fits onto the scope’s body tube. Items like lanyards and light sensitive rubber switch covers are included, the last being useful as it glows slightly after the torch is switched off so you can see where it is. There is also an integral one around the lens.

Technical stuff aside what we have here were a pair of well built and potentially useful, high power torches, that could be hand held or gun-mounted as required. So how did they do?

Reflections

I took the Tiablos out for a spot of longer range bunny bashing with my 17HMR Ruger All-Weather and S&B 8X56 Klassik scope. Being summer I had to wait until near midnight to see what they could do.

It soon became apparent that the shape of the reflector is critical with the ACE-G though pushing out a lot more lumens showing a wide and reasonably short range beam. Probably a maximum of 75-yards in terms of enough light to ID the target and shoot by. Sure it could throw it further but it was more diffuse and less useful. So this one to me is the general use hand held; a job it did very well. At the gun end this wide spread tended to bounce off any vertical surface – rear of moderator, lens caps etc and throw back into the lens, which did not help.

The A10-G at 260 lumens actually punches out a far tighter and longer range beam. There’s less light spillage and therefore gun-end reflection and I would say that through the scope a maximum effective range of 100/150-yards was achievable with proper target ID and reticule crispness given the conditions. I had it out to 250 yards where it did illuminate, but at that distance quarry ID, brightness, contrast and sight picture where not good enough.

However, and to be fair, this is a torch and not a big gun lamp, so it’s doing pretty well for itself and for rabbits etc. and at sensible 17HMR distances it’s got a lot to offer. But I would not take it foxing unless I knew ranges would not exceed that, as you do need a lot more to ensure you’re shooting Charlie and not anything that just looks like one under the light source.

Overall two well made and presented torches, with some nice features that will offer the night shooter some good kit given you understand their effective working ranges. Prices vary and InovaTech are offering some excellent package deals; for example Option 6 - the A10-G with extension tube, remote switch, gun mount, 2 X Li-ion batteries, charger and 8 x CR123 cells is £245.76, giving a saving of near £60 over separate items. With five more various options there will doubtless be something to suit your pocket.

We Reckon:
Well made and innovative
Flexible power source systems
Keep ranges practical

PRICES:
Tiablo ACE-G £159.95 (inc spare body tube)
A10-G £134.95

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