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 P20A2 attempts to bring greater versatility to this champion in tactical lighting.

EagleTac P20A2

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 P20A2 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 P20A2, EagleTac has gone a step further by taking advantage of the increased efficiency available from Crees new XP-G, producing an even more impressive 230 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. Though the output is reduced compared to the CR123A powered version, this AA powered light still puts out very respectable illumination due to these advancements.

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.

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 P20A2

Conclusions

EagleTac has once again produced a high quality light that pushes the envelope in terms of output. Combine that with the P20A2’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.

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.

4Sevens has breathed new life into the AAA cell by offering the Preon series of lights. More than a collection of individual flashlights, the Preon Series offers something akin to a buffet of options allowing you to truly make the light your own.

4Sevens Preon Series

Meat and Potatoes

Aluminum or Titanium? How many cells? Clip, keychain, smooth? Twisty or clicky? Pick your color. These are the decisions that have to be made if you choose to go with a Preon. Built on a base of the slim AAA cell, the Preon is large light performance in an unassuming package. The use of a durable, solidly attached, deep-carry clip with the twisty Preon I makes for a light so easily pocketable and unobtrusive that it is nearly possible to forget you are even carrying it. There is now no excuse to not have a light with you at all times.

The Preons play host to the same winning user interface as the Q-MiNi lights. A simple Low-Medium-High sequence with 4 special modes hidden away where they won’t be accidentally activated. It is a good UI for a light that might be loaned out to the uninitiated since it only takes a few seconds to learn the basics. The three levels have been well spaced and carefully chosen to give noticeable increases in output or significantly better efficiency. Producing 70 lumens for almost an hour from an AAA cell is no mean feat, and increasing that to 160 with only one more cell is simply astounding.

The use of the XP-G in such a small textured reflector creates a beautiful smooth, floody beam that is perfect for close to medium distance illumination. There is a spot to spill transitional corona that further increases its usability. This light does use PWM to accomplish its multiple modes, however due to its extremely high frequency (2.6 khz I believe) this is completely a non-issue during use.

Preons with their XP-G's

4Sevens proprietary matte finish anodizing for these lights is still being touted as type III, and after several weeks of torture testing I find I am inclined to agree. One of these Preon I’s was assigned the dreaded keychain duty for the duration of my testing. The only noticeable wear was at the point of contact between the body and the split ring used for attachment. The remainder of the body survived the incessant jangle and repeated drops quite admirably.

Constructive Criticism

Though the unique anodizing of the Preons does help to provide extra tackiness to the grip, it is still the dead middle of an arid winter here in the midwest. Between the lack of knurling and stiffer threading I was often left struggling for purchase when attempting one handed operation using the twisty interface. Even some subtle shaping would serve greatly to alleviate this trouble without even needing to resort to the standard rhombic knurling, thus still setting this light apart from the pack.

If the twisty is a little too difficult, the clicky option suffers from the opposite affliction. The protruding button of the clicky tailcap standard to the Preon II is so easy to push that accidental activation was the rule of the day. The frequency which I felt my pocket heating up from this light was quite surprising. In fact, I can confidently say that the interior of my pockets saw more of this lights runtime than I did during its time in the spotlight. Either stiffer springing or a more protected button is needed to reclaim this setup from a “shirt pocket only” designation in my book.

Tailcap options

Conclusions

The fact that an AAA based light can compete with and even outperform most 2xCR123A based lights from only a few years past highlights the incessant march of technology. To do so in such a simple, yet elegant form however, is just shooting for extra credit.

4Sevens Preon Series

Provided for the duration of the review by 4Sevens.com