Layman’s Flashlight Reviews

EagleTac, newly crowned king of evolutionary product cycles has upped the ante once again with their Mark II Digital model. Harnessing advancements in both LED efficiency and UI refinement, the T20C2 attempts to bring greater versatility to this champion in tactical lighting.

EagleTac T20C2

Meat and Potatoes

EagleTac has historically been known for their simplistic but useful torches usually offering only two modes; a general use setting, and a full-bore max. At its heart the T20C2 in Mark II Digital garb holds to that formula, while yet adding a few features to sweeten the pot. The Mk II adds a series of hidden modes containing both a useful low power setting and several blinking options. Overall the gist of the light has not changed since only those two primary modes are available when the light is first fired up, but the secondary settings are a welcome addition indeed.

Dropping the original XR-E package for the XP-E in the budget minded 100 series was one of EagleTacs best choices. In my experience, lights with the smaller XP based LED package have inherently cleaner beams and more usable spreads of light. For the T20C2, EagleTac has gone a step further by taking advantage of the increased efficiency available from Crees new XP-G, producing an even more impressive 300 lumens of out-the-front intensity. The beam of this light is an excellent tight spot with a flawless wide transitional corona into the spill. The net result is a very well balanced beam that is useful both at distance and up close.

Of note, though not genuinely important to use, is the method that the light uses to transition between brightness levels. The 20 series does not use the traditional direct output change, but rather invokes a rapid ramp to smoothly and evenly change brightness in less than a second. It is a unnecessary extra that gives this light a touch of class and makes it feel just that much higher quality.

Cigar grip rings have previously been ill-received in my household. In the past, both offerings from EagleTac and other companies have only stuck around for the photo shoots before being removed, likely to never see reattachment again. My complaint has been that they are too harsh and a softer, less angular, rubber grip ring would fit the role better. That is precisely what EagleTac has done. The new cigar grip ring is, aesthetically pleasing, less intrusive, and on my light, going to stay.

Included accessories are the concept that rules the day with these lights. All of them ship with removable clips, quality holsters, interchangeable black or glow-in-the-dark switch covers, lanyards, soft rubber tailstanding rings, and even a very nice screw in diffuser that takes the place of the crenelated stainless steel bezel. Those last two are especially unique because of how well they function exactly as they are intended with very little intrusion. The tailstanding ring doesn’t really get in the way of the switch when in play, and the diffuser creates a flawless hotspot-free beam with almost no apparent depletion in overall output.

A myriad of accessories

Constructive Criticism

As I mentioned, this light remains true to EagleTacs past, being at its core still strictly a two-mode light. With such an excellent quality, long-running low mode it seems a shame to eliminate any chance of activating the light directly into that mode. I don’t know what would be the best possible user interface for three separate modes of activation, but I would like to see some method involving just a further twist of the head to access that. Independent access to all three drastically different uses for this light would increase its real-world effectiveness that much more.

The 20 series are exceptionally well constructed lights. They feel incredibly solid in my hand and look capable of withstanding any abuse you put them through. The one sticking point to that, in my opinion is the clip. The clip does not appear to be altered in any way from the old 10 series and is still a short steel clip held on by nothing more than spring tension. After having become spoiled by the clip retainer rings of other companies, this method just comes up short.

One byproduct, I assume, of the new digital brain of the 20 series is a slight delay between pressing the switch and activation of the light. This isn’t a large gap by any means, but it is noticeable none the less. It almost makes the light feel like you are using a reverse clicky instead of the nice forward clicky that they are known for. I don’t know for certain what it is that causes this behavior, but I would love for it to disappear in a quiet update to this product.

EagleTac T20C2

Conclusions

EagleTac has once again produced a high quality light that pushes the envelope in terms of output. Combine that with the T20C2’s good choice of levels, useable interface, and dare I say it, good looks, and you have a light that you can truly enjoy carrying.

Provided for review by the kind folks at EagleTac.

The M20 Warrior lights from Olight are their entry into the heavily saturated 2xCR123A / 18650 powered tactical light market. Unique however, is the skill with which they pull it off.

Olight M20 Warrior Premium

Meat and Potatoes

The Olight M20 provides you with an initial impression purely of its quality construction. From its beautiful stainless steel bezel ring to its quality square knurling, the M20’s fit and finish is impeccable. The light gives off an aura of extreme durability, both visually and in its solid tactile feel. Ease of (dis)assembly is the order of the day as well, with every part I tried to access fully threaded with o-ring seals (usually double) at every junction. Thankfully the standard anti-roll tactical grip ring is also removable like other similar lights (with an included threaded smooth ring to replace it) because though it assists with the “Cigar Grip” technique, in my opinion it drastically hampers the more common “Ice Pick” method that I prefer. This however is a personal preference and I applaud Olight for allowing each individual user to decide this for themselves.

Tactical Grip Ring

Olight seems to have taken great pains to develop a simple user interface that combines several adjustable output selections while retaining a fully capable momentary forward clicky switch. Normally the inclusion of one precludes the other. The simple loosen and re-tighten the head to change modes allows you to balance your brightness needs with your desired runtime. As usual with an LED light, the lower output levels provide a substantial gain in runtime allowing the M20 to run for very extended periods in its lowest mode.

The beam of the Warrior is quite nearly flawless and is capable of putting out immense quantities of light. Any artifacts have been very adequately smoothed out by a nicely textured reflector. As an added plus, the M20 does not seem to utilize any PWM, even on its lowest output. The beam is focused into an already very tight spot, allowing excellent distance illumination even with the stock textured reflector, but for those who desire even more distance, a smooth one is also available. I have not had the opportunity to try out that extra so I cannot say anything about what concessions will have to be made in beam quality to do so, but knowing the history of the Cree XR-E, I suspect that my personal choice will always be textured.

Textured Reflector

Constructive Criticism

While the UI of the Olight technically falls under the category of a “multi-mode” light, it appears to me to be a more accurate description to call it a “selectable single-mode”. The only method to choose between the widely spaced outputs is to cycle through them in order while the light is on. This is especially annoying if you find yourself needing just a little less light. You are forced to travel up, through the strobe to start again at the bottom. This is not a major concern by any stretch, because of the role that this light is intended to perform, but I personally prefer UI’s where you can somehow pre-select the output before turning the light on, at least to some degree.

Olight has included with this light a large number of light retention options. Standard with the light are the tactical grip ring, a lanyard, pocket clip, and a holster. Most of these are surprisingly useful (excepting my opinion of the tactical grip ring). The pocket clip especially appears durable and stable. The holster however is where I take exception. While the construction appears as high quality as the remainder of the inclusions, the design could stand to be re-thought. The holster is especially wide with strange cutouts at the bottom and in the top flap. My next thought was that the holster looked particularly short for this light and that possibly a mistake had been made. I was proven wrong however when I discovered that the tail of the light is intended to protrude through the flap’s cutout and that the bottom cutout appears to be designed around the bezel window. The only conclusion I can draw from this is that it is designed so you are not “required” to remove the light from the holster before using it. I can see no reason for this and all that results is that the light is far too easy to accidentally activate whilst holstered. Thankfully, just because it’s included doesn’t mean I am required to use it, so I don’t.

Optional Setup

Conclusions

Through my testing of this light, I have been impressed with the quality of workmanship that has gone into it. It may not be the ideal UI for everyone, but it definitely has its niche. I had a couple of issues during the testing, however I attribute those to my own curiosity and plenty of disassembly during the review. In all the M20 Warrior Premium is an excellent light. In my mind, the “O” in Olight must stand for “Options”.

Provided for review by the kind folks at Olight.

The M2 series of lights signifies EagleTac’s entry into the recent boom of small megalights putting out immense quantities of light from mid-size bodies. Generally built around the recent crop of quad-die LEDs EagleTac also offers this option of three individual single-chip diodes in the M2X version.

EagleTac M2XC4

Meat and Potatoes

The M2 series does a fantastic job of rendering first impressions of both quality and a kind of compact immensity. The side by side 2×18650 (or 4xCR123A) battery “tube” is both quite unique in appearance and surprisingly comfortable to hold. It does present itself as fairly top-heavy at onset but this becomes significantly less noticeable after continued use. This overall design presents a compact sturdy tool that shows innovation. EagleTac has in some ways determined to boldly create their own path rather than follow existing design practices. Aesthetically, either you will love the appearance of the M2 series, or you will hate it. Most votes seem to be falling to the former.

The operation of the stock configured M2 series is, in a word, simple. Turn the ring for on, keep going for brighter. And let me tell you, it definitely does get brighter! Three R2 bin Cree XR-Es together are very capable of putting out a blindingly bright spot of light. The manufacturer rating of 800 lumens (calculated at the emitter) seems fairly accurate when optical losses are figured into the equation. The conjoined triple reflector is more than adequately capable of focusing this elephantine output into a tightly constrained beam that projects out over significant distance. As a bonus, this triumvirate of reflectors also serves to better smooth out the beam, assisting in removing most (though admittedly not all) of the dark ring typical to this LED form factor. The resultant profile is very usable over any distance without marked distortion except during intense white wall hunting expeditions.

EagleTac M2XC4

Constructive Criticism

Even with the simplistic method of switching for the M2, some aspects could use help. As things stand currently, the “tactical strobe” mode is far too easy to access becoming an annoyance more often than it will ever prove useful. There is absolutely no tactile tell warning you of the impending disorientation. For that matter the ring has absolutely no tactile feedback whatsoever. This to me is a low hanging fruit. Even a minor click style detent system vaguely similar to offerings by Fenix or Surefire would be a huge improvement. This would be especially helpful for people who choose instead to use the optional clicky switch that was included in all preorders and early adopter purchases. Without some indicator, there is simply no way to guarantee that when you switch the light on, you will get any particular level of light that you may desire.

Speaking of the optional clicky switch, I would like to propose that this little unit could stand a redesign. The plastic used for the replacement tailcap, though it appears to be a well finished, quality polymer, also still looks like it would be too fragile for any serious impact. Plus, the installation of the switch module alters the ergonomics to the point where the light is, to me at least, rather uncomfortable to hold. Add to this some difficulty properly arranging the o-ring in the designated groove, coupled with difficulty extracting the minuscule assembly screws without marring, and I found that I vastly preferred the light with the original flat, tail-stand capable configuration. I quickly returned to this.

M2 Series clicky switch

After my initial “Wow” period with this torch, I did begin to discover something I have since heard others mention as well. Upon first firing the M2X up, there is a brief flash of a higher level before the light settles down into your desired output. This is very reminiscent of something that occurred in older Fenix L2D and P2D models. It has since been corrected there, but it was rather unique to discover the same difficulties cropping up in another manufacturer now. The M2 series of lights are so much brighter, even on low power that this flash is less classified as painfully damaging to night vision and more merely annoying, but I would definitely encourage EagleTac to do away with it if at all possible.

Conclusions

The EagleTac M2XC4 may not have everything hammered out to perfection, but as a general rule it is impressive, both in light of its output capabilities, and its inherent proof that EagleTac is committed to continued innovation. An easy to handle size thanks to it’s side by side configuration, joined with both an ergonomic, simple switching method and enormous output is a winning combination. Their new flagship model is well worth the hype it initially received in this reviewers eyes.

EagleTac M2XC4

Provided for review by the kind folks at: