Acebeam UC3A vs Nitecore TIP3
Quick take: The Nitecore TIP3 costs $0.04999999999999716 less; the Acebeam UC3A is brighter (900 vs 720 lm); the Nitecore TIP3 throws farther (92m vs 85m); the Nitecore TIP3 runs longer on high (160 vs 23 hrs).
| Spec | Acebeam UC3A | Nitecore TIP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $34.95 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Keychain | Keychain |
| Lumens | 900 lm | 720 lm |
| Candela | 1,806 cd | 2,117 cd |
| Beam distance | 85m | 92m |
| Runtime | 23 hrs (low) | 160 hrs (max) |
| Battery | 10440 | Built-in |
| LED | SST-36R 6500K + RGB | 2x quad-core MCT UHE |
| Beam type | Flood | Flood |
| Modes | 3 Stepped + Strobe | 5 Stepped |
| UI | Dual Switch | |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| CRI | 70 | |
| Weight | 2.2 oz | 1.1 oz |
| Dimensions | 2.8 x 1.2 in | 2.4 x 1.0 x 0.6 in |
| Warranty | 10 Year | — |
What owners report
Acebeam UC3A
- ✓900 lumens from a AAA-format flat light
- ✓Removable USB-C rechargeable 10440, with plain AAA as fallback
- ✓Faultless machining, finish and fitment
- ✓Useful magnet and a genuinely fun RGB gradient mode
- ✓Good form factor for pocket and bag carry
- ✗Poor mode spacing — nothing between 4 and 80 lumens
- ✗Extremely soft buttons with easy accidental activation
- ✗The lockout needs an awkward four-second hold
- ✗Clip orientation and protruding screws annoy, and RGB has no memory
- ✗Not worth the $35 MSRP by reviewer consensus; buy on sale