Thrunite gets a lot of positive attention with their flashlight models. I previously didn’t have one to review until recently with the TC20. The TC20 is one of the more recent designs from Thrunite(link is external) and I am glad they were able to send it to me for review. This is a 26650 based light, in neutral white capable of producing 3800 lumens and is microUSB rechargeable at 2 amps. Let’s take a closer look at it.
Full Image Gallery for this Review: https://imgur.com/a/BXRHr(link is external)
Youtube Version of this Review:
Construction
The TC20 is made from aluminum that’s been semi gloss black hard anodized. Machining is good with no sharp edges and everything lines up like it should with any printing, and flats on the body. The tail is non magnetic and slightly recessed. There is a small milled out area to attach the included lanyard as well. The tail cap and about ? of the body tube have a diamond knurling pattern that’s more on the aggressive side without being too aggressive to damage pockets. The head is milled from what looks like a solid piece of aluminum. It has 5 flats milled into the ring around the power button which helps control roll.
The button itself has a positive feel to it and makes an audible click. I believe it’s a metal top, with an LED in the center to indicate battery power level and charge status while charging. The reflector is deep and and has a nice orange peel to it. The glass lens is anti reflective coated. The silver colored bezel is removable and is used to contain the lens and reflector. Threads are large and square cut and unanodized. The spring in the tail cap is a double spring design.
!{width:80%}https://i.imgur.com/LgymZtP.jpg!https://i.imgur.com/LgymZtP.jpg(link is external)
Size and Weight
Length of the TC20 was 118.4mm, Maximum diameter was 42mm, minimum diameter was 33.55mm and weight was 238.7 grams. Compared to my Olight R50, it’s length was 132.4mm, it’s maximum diameter was 42mm, the minimum diameter was 33mm and weight was 258.8 grams.
The TC20 is IPX8 water rated which is great for a microUSB rechargeable light. Parasitic Drain was measured at a low 2.0uA.
LED + Runtimes
This light uses Cree XHP70.2 in neutral white as its emitter. I have tested a couple of other lights with the XHP70.2 and found the color rainbow effect where the tint of the beam is to be uneven. It was most noticeable on the eddges of the beam. However on the Thrunite TC20 this was much less noticeable, at distance outside I didn’t notice it at all. The LED is nicely centered in the reflector as well.
Outputs are good for a neutral white XHP70.2. I don’t have a way to independently verify Thrunites claims but in reading other reviews they appear to be accurate. Turbo is rated at 3800 lumens, High at 1800 Lumens, Medium at 320 lumens, low at 38 lumens and firefly at .5 lumens. Interestingly strobe is rated at 2280 lumens. Throw is rated at an impressive 320 meters.
Runtimes were close to what I expected with this light. Turbo starts to decline pretty rapidly which was a little disappointing, but high held for about 7-8 minutes. At that point the light was producing about 55% of its output and it saw one more decline where it held steady at about 40% of it’s output for about 90 minutes. This is still a significant amount of output for an extended period of time. At the tail end it was a pretty fast decline to zero where the low voltage protection kicked in and stopped output. Turbo to flat runtime was about 110 minutes.
One thing that’s interesting is in the manual it says not to use turbo for more then 10 minutes to protect the light, battery and it’s components. The light does get warm to the touch but never so hot that it feels dangerous to hold or like it could be damaging the light.
Beam Pattern
The beam pattern is pretty even, there isn’t a significant hotspot but there is a small less noticeable one. The beam is primarily flood but has a good amount of throw to it as well. In my outdoor shots you will see how well it really lights up a large area that’s approximately 100 yards in length. It’s a really useful beam in my opinion for general use especially when your looking to light up a large area at one time. See the video for more.
Charging
The light has built in USB charging via microUSB opposite the main mode button in the head of the light. To cover the port there is a beefier rubber cover that can be rotated out of the way. It can charge at a rate up go 2A which helps with charging speed greatly with the high capacity 5000mAh Thrunite button top 26650 battery that is included with this light. The light also works in Firefly, Low, and Medium mode. Thrunite includes a high quality USB cable with the light as well which I recommend using. If you see charging take over 2.5 hours make sure you look at your power source is providing a reliable, clean 2+ Amps.
UI
UI on the TC20 is basic and pretty logical. I like how they have chosen to keep strobe out of the main group of 3 modes (Low, Medium, and High). Turbo is accessible from any mode with a double click. Getting to strobe is slightly more difficult than other lights. You have to first be in turbo by double clicking and then double click again to go to strobe. I like this as I rarely have a use for strobe.
Moonlight mode is only accessible when the light is off by pressing the button and holding until it turns on. This light does have memory mode for the main 3 modes and you can return to it by just clicking the button once quickly. There is no software lockout mode.
The light also has a power capacity indicator in the main button. At 100% power it is a steady blue, at 11-20% power it’s red, at between 1 and 10% power remaining it flashes red.
Packaging
Thrunites packaging is a nicely executed and minimalistic. The light comes in a brown sturdy box with a line drawing of the TC20 and minimal info. It was held together with a clear rubber band. Inside is the lightself protected via foam with the battery preinstalled but using a contact protecting plastic disk that needs removed prior to first use. Under the foam is the USB cable, lanyard, holster, spare orings, side switch cap, and manual.
Comparisons
Compared with my Olight R50 which also has MicroUSB charging, and a 26650 battery the Thrunite TC20 is a shorter more compact design. It’s head is a bit smaller in diameter too. Knurling on the Olight is different, less aggressive. I do like the Thrunites more aggressive feel in the hand. Both fit well in my medium sized hand. The Olight has a beam that has a hotter spot and is designed for a bit more throw. It’s spill is less intense and has a harder cut off. The Thrunite TC20 beam is more even and seems to cover a wider angle. It’s neutral white LED really help bring out the natural color of things which I really prefer. Both are good lights lights, but for me the Thrunite TC20 wins out due to it’s slightly brighter, neutral white LED, and standard battery.
Pro
- Relatively fast 2A charging on the included non proprietary 5000mah 26650 button top battery.
- Neutral White Tint – but it does have some Cree Rainbow
- Simple UI & Good mode spacing with Firefly
- Nice fit in the hand and more compact than other similar lights.
- I like that they include an extra side switch cap in the packaging.
Con
- Cree XHP70.2 has some noticeable color shift across the beam, this has been similar across all of the XHP70.2 lights that I have reviewed, this is less noticeable at a distance.
- No software lockout mode, but mechanical lockout works.
- The holster is pretty basic, but functional.
Conclusion
I like this form factor for a light, it’s a good general purpose size for non pocket EDC uses. It would make for a great camping light or day/night hiking due to it’s runtime and good mix of throw and flood. For me it fits in the hand well without being too big or to small. I really like that Thrunite offers neutral white tints on many of their lights. I quite like this size of light, how well it tail stands and how much light it produces for a good amount of time without getting too hot. Thrunite has a presale running right now where you can save 20% off the cost of the TC20 by buying from their store http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-tc20-3800-lumen-flashlight/(link is external) (Non affiliate).