Thrunite TC12 v2 Flashlight Review

Thrunite has released the Thrunite TC12 v2 flashlight, a flashlight featuring a Cree XP-L emitter and a dual switch interface. Read on for testing!

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Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Thrunite TC12 v2 flashlight product page.

• TC12 V2 is a compact and practical USB rechargeable EDC LED flashlight, which combines TN12 2016 and TC10 V2 characteristics, ideal for military, army, law enforcement, firefighters, police, emergency, security, hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities.
• The TC12 V2 adopts one CREE XP-L V6 LED and can make output up to 1100 lumens – more than enough to cover everyday use.
• Equipped with ThruNite ITC technology and a virtually unbreakable aircraft-grade aluminum body

Features

• Micro USB Rechargeable EDC LED flashlight with intelligent overcharge protection.
• Adopt the latest CREE XP-L V6 LED to make max output up to 1100 lumens.
• Adopt a common micro USB charging port for easy use everywhere.
• The stainless steel side switch makes the operation more sensitive and convenient.
• Six modes for available: Firefly, Low, Medium, High, Turbo, and Strobe.
• Silent Momentary-on “forward clicky” tactical tail switch for signaling or brief lighting.
• One key to Strobe for signaling or blinding the bad guys’ eyes, TC12 V2 is more than an EDC.
• ThruNite ITC (intelligent temperature control) technology to prevent possible light damage from overheating.
• Smooth reflector for far beam in search, hunting, law enforcement, and military applications.
• The reversed polarity protection system prevents damage to the light.
• Ultra clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
• Aircraft-grade aluminum body structure with knurling for a firm grip.
• Premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish.
• Memory function to set any mode (except Strobe) for immediate use.
• More compact than other rechargeable LED flashlights on the market.

Specifications

• LED: CREE XP-L V6 LED with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.
• Runs on: 1×18650 battery (included).
• Working voltage: 2.75V-6.0V.
• Charging current/voltage: 5V, 1A.
• beam intensity: 14399cd.
• Max beam distance: 240m.
• Power interface: 1 * micro USB charging port.
• Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (2 meters).
• Impact resistant: 1 meter.
• Working Temperature: -40℃-80℃.
• Dimensions: 140mm (length) x 25.4mm (body diameter).
• Weight: 87g (excluding battery).
• Accessories: Holster x1, Spare O ring x2, Lanyard x1, Pocket Clip x1, 18650 3400mAh Battery x1, USB Charging Cord x1.

Versions

There are really two versions of this light: cool white and neutral white. There are a number of packages listed on the site, but those are really just different shipping locations.

This is version 2 of the TC12. V2 adds about 100 lumens on the top end, but really doesn’t seem to be otherwise very different from the first version.

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Short Review

Very nice, full-featured and complete package workhorse light.

Long Review

The Big Table

Thrunite TC12 v2
Emitter:	Cree XP-L NW (V6)
Price in USD at publication time:	–
Cell:	1×18650
Runtime
LVP?	?
Switch Type:	Mechanical
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	micro-USB
Chargetime
Power off Charge Port with no Cell?	?
Claimed Lumens (lm)	1100
Claimed Throw (m)	240
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	610lux @ 4.497m = 12336cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	222.1 (92.5% of claim)^
All my Thrunite reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

• Thrunite TC12 v2
• Micro-USB cable
• Lanyard
• Manual
• Nylon pouch
• Spare o-rings (2)
• Spare micro-USB covers (2)
• Spare tailcap rubber boot
• Spare rubber under-metal-button piece
• Pocket clip (pre-installed)

Package and Manual

This Thrunite TC12 V2 ships in a cardboard box, held closed by a stretchy plastic band.

The ends have some text, and that’s where you’ll note if you have the CW or NW version.

It’s a very nice cardboard box, and easy to open. The light is in a very thin plastic bag, in a foam surround. Under the light is the full package of goodies.

The manual is short but gives the needed info.

Four languages are available.

Build Quality, Disassembly, and Durability

There’s nothing exceptional about the build of this light, but it is well-built. I truly believe this is a workhorse light and seems very tough. The TC12 V2 has the type of anodizing I like: it seems thick and is glossy but not annoyingly glossy. (Do you know how some glossy ano looks cheap? This is not the cheap kind of glossy ano.) The knurling is probably the most immediately noticeable aspect when holding this light. Very grippy. It’s an unusual combo of not aggressive, but very grippy. The clip is removable and stiff. There’s a hex-head that prevents rolling if you don’t have the clip-on. This is a three-part light – head body tail – I like that. Ensures I never get a cell stuck in the light. And finally, there are some anodized, very thick square-cut threads – my favorite. There was a fair bit of lube on the threads on the tail side of my light.

Not so much that I removed any, but close.

The tailcap can be disassembled by unscrewing the retaining ring. Clearly, it can be done, and Thrunite knows/supports this, as they include an extra rubber boot. I did not get the head apart. The driver appears to be press-fit or somesuch – anyway, it’s a side clicky, so ingress would probably be made through the switch at first.

This light just feels like a great beater. Something to toss around, beat up, and abuse. The cell that’s included has very little play, and there are thick springs on both ends.

Size

The quoted size is 140mm (length) x 25.4mm, and that’s very nearly longer than I can comfortably pocket. The clip leaves about 1 inch sticking out of the pocket. It’s a fair bit longer than a convoy S2+, but also thinner (at least in parts).

So I did pocket carry this, but it’s definitely longer than my preferred carry. For a bag, or a holster, or some other carry? Absolutely, great choice.

On some money.

And a slew of other lights and things you probably know.

Retention

A clip comes attached. And it’s a snug, stiff clip.

It’s also kind of, technically, reversible – in that, you can reverse the body tube, which will give you bezel-up carry. But the tube itself has only one installation point for the clip.

That’d put the clip in a strange place on the light, so you’ll probably want to use it as received.

There’s a lanyard and not one of the over-featured junk variety. It’s a solid, simple lanyard. It’s intended to connect to the tailcap, but it could also go through a hole in the pocket clip.

And finally, a pouch is included. Surprisingly, it’s a rather soft pouch but still made of tough material.

Power

A single 18650 powers the TC12 V2, and Thrunite is kind enough to include a high-quality 3400 mAh protected cell.

The voltage range of the light also allows for using two CR123 cells. There’s reverse polarity protection built in, too.

A huge bonus of this light is built-in charging. Thrunite provides a USB to micro-USB cable, and the TC12 V2 will charge regular 18650s (not proprietary!). The port is under a rubber boot.

The boot is connected to a ring that encircles the light. Thrunite includes two extra of these covers (!!).

Two runtimes terminated at different voltages. Turbo at 2.84V, and High at 2.98V. The test on charging using the TC12 V2 began at 2.78V and charged the cell to 4.18V, at which point the light was trickle charging the cell. Charging was at approximately 1A.

I prefer this for onboard charging… I don’t need “fast charging” or 2A or even 3A onboard charging. Just something consistent that keeps my cells healthy and gets them charged overnight. 1A will do that.

There does seem to be a touch of thermal management, as can be seen on the runtime. When the light gets to around 53 °C, the output is reduced, and the temperature subsequently comes down. But the output isn’t variable: once it steps down (seemingly because of temperature), it stays hooked.

User Interface and Operation

There are two clickies on this light – a rubber one on the tailcap, and a metal one on the side.

These are both great clicky. The tail has momentary capabilities, which is welcome, but it is only momentary to the last-used mode. I’d rather something more consistent (like, always turbo?).

State	Action	Result
Off	Tail Click	On
Off	Tail Half Press	Momentary (mode memory)
Off	Side Click	No action

LED and Beam

This light has a Cree XP-L NW with a smooth reflector.

Beamshots

These beamshots always have the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.

Random Comparisons and Competitive Options

There are a slew of lights like this one, but as far as a dual switch with charging, this Thrunite is basically your only option. Furthermore, this one includes everything you need. So if you’re starting with nothing, then this is a great choice.

Conclusion

What I like

• Responsive clickies (particularly the side clicky)
• On-board charging
• Indicating switch
• Momentary option

What I don’t like

• Long enough that it’s not comfortable in my pocket
• Momentary is of the current mode, not a specific mode
• I wish the branding were the other way around. Seems upside down. Obviously, this is a trivial complaint.

Final Thoughts

I hate to describe this light with such limited vernacular. But this light is a fantastic workhorse light – great for putting in a work bag or whatever.

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Notes

• Thanks to Thrunite for providing this light for review. Thrunite has a persistent coupon at their site: THRUNITE, for 5% off.
• This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!
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