Nitecore MT2C Pro Flashlight Review
The Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight features high output and throw and just two modes! High is first, making this a great handheld tactical weapon light. Read on!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight product page.
Versions
There’s just one version of the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight specifically. Nitecore did just release a “1” version of this light – the Nitecore MT1C Pro flashlight. I hope to get my hands on one of those soon!
Price
With the cell and everything seen in this post, the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight sells for a very reasonable $59.95.
What’s Included
- Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight
- 3600mAh 18650
- USB to USB-C charging cable
- Lanyard
- Spare 0-ring
- Manual etc
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
I’ll call this a “fairly simple” light mainly because it has just two output levels. It is reasonably a tactical flashlight, and most likely intended as such, because the highest level is first. Low is only accessible after high. That makes perfect sense for a weapon light.
The build quality is very good. When considering the price of around $60, the light is certainly built to that level of expectation – it’s a quality light.
I don’t know much about tactical grip and how you’d hold the light for weapon usage, but it seems to have sufficient grip for those scenarios.
The contact point in the head is just a button – sort of a surprise for a tactical light. Usually, you’d expect springs on the head and tail of a tactical light.
That said, the spring(s) in the tail are very beefy and also have quite a bit of travel (around 1cm).
Size and Comps
Dimensions L-4.63″ x W-1.06″ x H-0.84″
Weight 4.02 oz
If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or just go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Retention and Carry
Nitecore includes a screwed-in pocket clip on the MT2C Pro flashlight. This clip uses three screws, which is slightly unusual but that does mean it’s an even more robust connection than two-screw clips! The pocket clip has holes where the included lanyard can be attached.
The lanyard can be attached safely on the clip (because it’s a screw-in clip) but there’s also a complete ring around the tail of the light where the lanyard can be attached, too.
The lanyard is a very simple type.
Power and Runtime
Nitecore includes a 3600mAh Nitecore-branded 18650. It’s a button top cell
The cell goes into the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight in a normal orientation – positive end toward the cell. Do you see how far the cell sticks out in the photo below? The cell can be pressed in (compressing the spring) to below the rim of the cell body. That’s over 1cm. I mention that just to demonstrate how much travel the spring has.
You can also use two RCR123 or two CR123 cells if you want. Output is lower and the runtimes are generally lower, too.
Below are a couple of runtimes – that’s all the modes this light has! There’s a massive stepdown on the highest output. That’s disappointing but you have to expect it a little bit – 1800 lumens from a light this small is really a lot to ask from a heat management perspective. The steady output of around 600 lumens for over two hours is much more reasonable.
Charging
The Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight itself does not have charging but the included 18650 cell does. There’s a USB-C charging port on the positive end of the cell.
Nitecore includes a USB to USB-C charging cable. As usual, Nitecore’s cables are great!
Below are a couple of charging cycles.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1800 | 2h15m | 1641 (0s) 1219 (30s) |
6.63 |
| Low | 50 | 28h | 56 | 0.08 |
Pulse Width Modulation
Neither mode uses PWM. Low (right) has a bit of a wiggle, but it’s not PWM and you won’t notice it during use.
For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. Also, here’s the light with the worst PWM I could find. I’m adding multiple timescales, comparing them to the test light will be easier. Unfortunately, the PWM on this light is so bad that it doesn’t even work with my normal scale, which is 50 microseconds (50us). 10ms. 5ms. 2ms. 1ms. 0.5ms. 0.2ms. In a display faster than 0.2ms or so, the on/off cycle is more than one screen, so it’d just (very incorrectly) look like a flat line. I wrote more about this Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight and briefly explained PWM.
User Interface and Operation
There’s just one switch on the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight. It’s a mechanical forward clicky. The switch cover is flush or below the edge, so tailstanding is possible.
The action is quite deep, but I’d say “good for tactical.”
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Tap | Momentary High |
| Off | Click | High |
| Off | Double tap | Momentary Low |
| Off | Tap click | Low |
| On | Click | Off |
| On | Tap | Doesn’t change anything |
It’s a very simple user interface!
LED and Beam
Nitecore has used a UHi 20 LED in the MT2C Pro flashlight. This is a type of emitter Nitecore has used a good bit lately and it provides great throw and high output.
That emitter is coupled with a smooth and fairly (or “comparatively”) deep reflector.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
There are only two modes on the MT2C Pro. High is first (as below) and it has reasonable CCT (at 5800K). CRI is low, at around 65. Low is warmer, at around 5400K but also moves well into the positive Duv realm (meaning it’ll look green.)
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. These photos are taken around 18 inches from the door.
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Summary and Conclusion
I love the simplicity offered by the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight. Throw from this UHi 20 emitter is very good. Output is also impressive! CRI (low) and CCT (cool, greenish) do have some room for improvement. I also love that Nitecore is offering an 18350 version of this light. What a great combo! Even the cost of the Nitecore MT2C Pro flashlight is reasonable! Nice work, Nitecore.
The Big Table
| Nitecore MT2C Pro Flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | UHi 20 |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $59.95 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| High Runtime Graph | Low Runtime Graph |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | Mechanical |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | USB-C (on cell) |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | – |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1800 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1219 (67.7% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 44.92 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 520 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 1920lux @ 5.244m = 52799cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 459.6 (88.4% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 5400-5800 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | NitecoreStore.com |
| All my Nitecore 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 I like
- Very simple user interface
- Reasonable cost
- Very good throw
- Good build quality
What I don’t like
- Low CRI
- Positive Duv
- Just two modes (not super great for EDC)
Notes
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