Eagtac SX30C2 Flashlight Review
Eagtac makes some great lights, including the Eagtac SX30C2 flashlight. This one rocks a Nichia 219c in 4000K, and a dual switch interface. Read on!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Eagtac SX30C2 Flashlight product page.
Versions
There are two packages of this light. One is just the light package (which is what I have here- you can see what that includes below). The other is the “kit” package, which includes a few extras like a strike bezel, holster, extension tube for 2×18650, and diffuser.
It’s also available with a bunch of different emitter options. This is the Nichia 219c 4000K option. There’s also a Cree XHP35 HD, XHP35 HI (CW or NW), and XP-L HI V2 (CW or NW).
Price
I got this one from KillzoneFlashlights.com, and that’s where I’d recommend you get it. They’re an authorized dealer for EagTac. The going price is $99.
Short Review
I like a thrower in Nichia format. I don’t think there are just many of those, and I’m very glad to have access to a production light with this as an option! Otherwise, build quality and the like, I’m very happy with the SX30C2!
Long Review
The Big Table
| Eagletac SX30C2 | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Nichia 219c (4000K CRI92R9050 SW40 D240) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $99.00 |
| Cell: | 18650 |
| Turbo Runtime | High Runtime |
| LVP? | No |
| Switch Type: | |
| On-Board Charging? | No |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 885 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 726 (82% of claim)^ |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 388 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 1367lux @ 5.951m = 48411cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 440.1 (113.4% of claim)^ |
| All my Eagletac 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
- EagTac SX30C2 Flashlight
- Lanyard
- Spare o-rings (2)
- Battery adapter for 2xCR123
- Manual and paperwork
Package and Manual
EagTac uses a cardboard box with a bunch of printing and distinctive coloring. You’ll guess that I like this package for its recyclability. It’s also a “standard” box – the same box used with other lights, differentiated by a sticker. See the sticker below, which covers the specs of the light. Unfortunately, some of the stickers are model generic, so, for example, the “Custom Nichia 219c CRI92 LED” sticker would override the “2000 LED Lumen” rating.
The light is held in place by more cardboard. Again, I like this better than foam, because of the lower environmental impact.
Here are some shots of the manual. It’s all in English and a two-sided fold-out paper. The manual actually services all the lights in this build series (TX30C2 and SX30C2.)
The manual, being that it includes more than just this light and that there are kits available, covers some options that you might not have. Like an extension tube and a diffuser cover.
Build Quality and Disassembly
This is a nicely built light, with the same unusual features as the TX30C2. In particular, I like the tailcap feature-wise, and everything about the light is high quality.
You can just glance at this light and know that it seems different. It’s evolved from a much earlier branch than most other flashlights today. That’s a good thing – you can get a few options in this light that you can’t get elsewhere!
One of the main differences is in the tailcap. There’s a retaining ring, which is a lanyard attachment point. The different thing about that is how it allows you to remove the tailcap. Since this bit of the tailcap rotates freely, it’s possible to unscrew the tailcap without really releasing the grip from the tailcap. That might seem minor, but it’s really a nice thing.
The head is also held on in an unusual way. There’s a set screw, seen below, which holds the head on. I did not remove this screw (but may; I’m interested in what’s in there exactly). But this set screw is very different – I can’t think of one other light with a set screw holding the head on this way. (Not that it’s a better or worse way, but it proves that the engineering is solving problems in a way others aren’t, which sometimes leads to great innovation!)
The light is quite printed, including the model on the head. The model name being on the head is sensible, since the body is shared by other models (one of which I’ll be reviewing later this week, or early next!).
As you can see, there are fins on the head, but not extremely deep. The SX30C2 isn’t driven very hard, though, so there’s no extreme heat to deal with.
The tailcap has a spring. The head end has a spring, too, but it terminates in a button (so it’s a spring, even though it looks buttony below). The tailcap spring isn’t quite as stiff as I’d like, but with both ends having springs, this isn’t a big issue. It’s hard to see that positive connection, but the brass button has a plastic ring around it. Looks like that’d be a physical reverse polarity protection, but it doesn’t seem to be; flat-top cells work fine. (The manual does say “protruded top required,” which would indicate that they do want us to use button tops.)
The tailcap, seen below, has some very useful knurling. As I said above, the little lanyard connection is useful – it spins freely. What I’ve found myself doing is gripping that and squeezing down on the knurling to twist. Then keep the grip on the ring, but loosen the grip on the knurling. It’s a very smooth action.
Size and Comps
Officially, the head diameter is 47mm, and the tail end is 25.4mm. The length is 138mm, and the light tips the scales at 138g without cell.
Below, the TX30C2 (right) is seen with the SX30C2. Note how the bodies are the same, with the heads being the only difference. It’s not possible to purchase different heads to use with the same body. The heads don’t detach that way.
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. Mine’s a custom “baked” edition Nichia 219b triple. A very nice 18650 light.
I don’t know who makes what flashlight, but this similar cutout in the side is too specific to be a coincidence!!
Retention and Carry
The reason I trust the pocket clip for lanyard attachment is that there’s a ring that screws down over the pocket clip, preventing it from sliding off. That’s a very clever solution to clip management, while still allowing for the clip to be removed. To remove the clip, take off the tailcap. Removing the o-ring is not necessary, but it will help. Then unscrew the tiny clip-retention ring (the reeded part – that looks like the side of a quarter coin). This might not remove all the way, but it’ll unscrew enough to allow the friction clip to be removed. Then screw it back down, screw the tailcap on, and you have a clipless SX30C2. (Also note that this means it removes seamlessly!)
The lanyard connects through the dedicated plastic ring on the tailcap (which I’ve already gushed about, above). The lanyard has a little metal spring clip and attaches very securely. Unfortunately, the lanyard that came with this light seems to have been cut just a bit incorrectly and isn’t functional.
It’s also possible to connect the lanyard to the pocket clip. The clip is thick and stiff, and while it is a friction clip, I trust this connection.
Power and Runtime
I have tested this light with an Efest 3500mAh 18650. It’ll also run from 2xCR123, and an adapter sleeve is provided. Any type 18650 will work. Protected, unprotected; flat top, button top.
Here’s the runtime on MAX (which is what Eagtac calls Turbo). I didn’t observe any LVP, and the output once it settled was nice and flat. Unfortunately, this output is a bit below specification.
The output on High is much more level until the cell reaches a certain voltage, then output begins to drop dramatically.
There is no indication from the switch when the voltage is low. There is an indication of cell voltage when the light is turned on. A few seconds after turning on, the switch will blink a number of times. Those blinks indicate the following:
4 Blinks: >80% capacity
3 Blinks: 50-80% capacity
2 Blinks: 20-50% capacity
1 Blinks: <20% capacity
During a runtime, I might say “this light has no LVP,” but in reality, at any point during use, the light could be shut off and turned back on to see what the approximate cell voltage is. Also, the output would be a very good indicator.
User Interface and Operation
There are two switches on this series of lights (which is more than just the two I have, the TX30C2 and SX30C2). Both are e-switches. One (the left one, when holding the light) is black. The right switch is white/clear and has a blue indicating LED under. The two switches are useful, since they offer shortcuts that are more difficult (at least, more difficult to remember) in single-switch lights.
The switches are different sizes, but that’s not noticeable in daily use.
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click Black Button (BB) | Turbo |
| Off | Click (Or Hold) White Button (WB) | Low (1% Output) |
| Any | Hold BB | Momentary Turbo |
| On | Click BB | Off |
| On | Click WB | Mode advance (LMH direction) |
| On | Hold WB >5s | Slow flash |
| Aux Group | Click WB | Aux Advance (Slow flashh>SOS) |
| Aux Group | Click BB | Off |
| Aux Group | Hold WB | Turbo |
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% | – | 726 | 2.31 |
| 2 | 45% | – | 414 | 0.92 |
| 3 | 14% | – | 163 | 0.27 |
| 4 | 5% | – | 58 | 0.08 |
| 5 | 1% | – | 10 | ~ |
LED and Beam
Here’s another special thing about this light! It’s available in a stock configuration with a Nichia emitter. This is a High CRI 219c model. That’s not unheard of in production lights, but it’s a little unusual in this type (thrower). And that’s a good thing – warmer lights make great thowers!
The reflector is deep and smooth, making a nice, tight hotspot and a little (but specific) spill.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options
Here’s a link to a relevantly filtered page on parametrek.com. I use that site a lot! There aren’t any other lights like this one. There are a few Nichia lights there with similar throw, but one achieves that with non-Nichia emitters also on the light. The other two aren’t even in this class, and are also made by EagTac!
I highly recommend this light because of the emitter choice, but also for the other special features mentioned above.
Conclusion
What I like
- Stock Nichia offering!
- Dual switch user interface is very convenient
- Build quality is good
- All the novel build quality features are universally good
- Good throw for a Nichia light!
What I don’t like
- Lack of LVP
- The indicating switch could be more fully utilized
Notes
- This light was provided by EagTac and sent through killzoneflashlights.com for review. I was not paid to write this review.
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!
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