This review of the Tiablo A9S is an update to the one done for the A8 because they're very similar. Differences between the A9S and A8 are listed at the end of each section.

The Tiablo A8 is available with a number of different options. There's a plain or crenellated bezel, and smooth or textured reflector. You can choose either ones upon purchase, or if you'd like to have all of them, simply email them with your request. As mentioned, the bezels and reflector are interchangeable. The smooth reflector give a tighter beam with more throw, while the textured one results in a smoother beam with less throw. The threads and coating on the head is well done. There're rubber o-rings between the lens and bezel, and bezel and head. The o-ring at the lens actually glows in the dark, but due to it's placement, it's actually obscured by the bezel when viewed from the front. You will only be able to see it when looking at an angle. One aspect abut the head which could have been improved is the lens. Not it's quality, but instead, the way it's being held in place. When you remove the bezel to swap reflectors, the lens comes loose as well and might drop out if you're careless. It would have been nice to have a retaining ring which screws in after the lens to keep it in place.

Unlike most lights which have their emitter modules placed in the head, the A8 has it's emitter/electronics fixed onto the battery tube and is not meant to be removed. Construction of the body is very well done and evenly coated in a matte type 3 anodizing. There's a band of diamond textured knurling about 2.5cm wide which goes around the middle of the battery tube with 2 flat faced machined on either sides. The knurling used was of the smoother variety and doesn't provide as much grip compared to the more aggressive types seen on other lights, but the 2 flat faces do help though. The battery tube fits even the largest protected 18650 cells without problems, and flat-topped cells will work fine too as there's a button on the "+" contact point. Knurling on the battery tube with the tail cap is clean and smooth, I didn't experience any grinding or cross-threading throughout the tests. There's an o-ring placed between the head and battery tube, and another 2 o-rings at the tail end.

The tail cap has a band of knurling about 1.25cm wide, same texture as the knurling on the battery tube. It houses a 2-mode reverse push button switch which means you can't momentarily turn it on. Right at the end, the button is covered by a rubber cap which has a checkered texture. The button protrudes from the tail cap, so the light is unable to stand on it's end, but does provide easier switch activation. The switch mechanism is moderately stiff with good tension. Upon clicking, the switch gives good tactile feedback.

Construction differences between A9S and A8.

1. The band of knurling on the battery tube is narrower.

2. Rear end of the battery tube has a hexagonal rubber grip which also serves as an anti-roll feature.

3. Tail cap is able to tail stand, and there're holes for lanyard attachments.

4. Available in natural or olive drab finish.

The A8 can be a versatile light if purchased with both smooth and textured reflector to compliment it's low/high modes. With the smooth reflector installed, the beam produced has a very tight and intense hotspot. As with most other smooth reflectors, artifacts are present in the beam such as the common yellow ring, but this is really insignificant compared to the intensity of the spot and does not affect practical use. With the textured reflector installed, the beam is nice and smooth with no detectable artifacts. The hotspot is also slightly wider, but still narrow. Not ideal for close up applications but great for long or mid-range work. The color temperature on my sample is on the cool side with a slight violet tint.

Operating modes:
"Off" > "Low" > "High"

The cycling of modes are done via full clicks like the LumaPower lights, and not half-presses like the Fenix models. The low level is achieved via resistor in the tail cap, so there won't be any flickering as opposed to using a PWM circuit. One last thing to take note is that when using fresh CR123 cells, the light will not turn on on high mode. As the manual stated, you will have to slightly run down the cells on low mode for about 3 minutes first.

Output differences between A9S and A8.

1. Output is brighter, due to the high Q5 bin XR-E emitter used.

2. The electronics is now able to run on 16340 cells in addition to 18650 and CR123. Also, low mode is instantly available with 2x 16340 or CR123 cells without the need to run them down for about 3 minutes on high.

The Good - Solid construction quality. Very intense hotspot with smooth reflector installed. Good switch with tactile feedback. Good power regulation with 16340 or CR123 cells. Long runtime with 18650 cells.

The Bad - Lens tends to fall out when swapping reflectors. Glow in the dark o-ring at the bezel not clearly visible due to it's placement. Poor regulation with 18650 cells.

The Relative - Uses a reverse push button switch which means it's unable to be momentarily turned on. Tint on my sample has a slightly violet tint.

Head with smooth reflector installed.

Head with textured reflector installed.

Bezel (front view).

Bezel (side view).

Bezel (rear view).

GITD rubber o-ring.

Lens.

Smooth reflector (front view).

Smooth reflector (side view).

Smooth reflector (rear view).

Textured reflector (front view).

Textured reflector (side view).

Textured reflector (rear view).

Head (front view).

Head (side view).

Head (rear view).

Body (front view).

Body (side view).

Body (rear view).

Tail cap (front view).

Tail cap (side view).

Tail cap (rear view).