Thrunite TC12 V2 Review - Compact 1,100lm EDC with USB recharging

Thrunite TC12 V2 Review

Hi everyone today I’m reviewing the updated version of the Thrunite TC12, a compact EDC with 1,100lm output and microUSB for versatile charging.

The sample was sent by Thrunite and here’s some spec for this light:

  • Micro USB Rechargeable EDC LED flashlight with intelligent overcharge protection.
  • Adopt latest CREE XP-L V6 LED to make max output up to 1100 lumens.
  • Adopt common micro USB charging port for easy use everywhere.
  • Stainless steel side switch makes the operation more sensitive and convenient.
  • Six modes for available: Firefly, Low, Medium, High, Turbo and Strobe.
  • ThruNite ITC (intelligent temperature control) technology to prevent possible light damage from overheating.

It can be bought from their official Amazon store: Amazon.com: ThruNite or their own website: TC12 V2 1100 Lumens 18650 Flashlight

Thrunite is currently offering a 5% discount, using coupon code THRUNITE :+1:

Unboxing

The TN12 ships in a compact recycled box along with lots of goodies:

Lanyard, USB cable, 2x replacement USB port seals, 2x Orings, tailcap switch boot, replacement side switch silicone insert, a protected 3,400mAh 18650 battery, a holster (pictured below), manuals and the light itself.

Build quality, fit and finish:

When I held the TC12 for the first time I immediately noticed how solidly built it was, and the knurling is incredibly grippy.

The other side:

A closer look at the side switch: made from stainless steel it provides a nice clicky feedback when pressed. Unlike other e-switch lights this one has a bit of travel and you will know when it’s pressed or not even with gloves on.

The tail switch is a forward clicky and can tailstand.

Close-up of the mciroUSB port:

Closer look at the clip: it grips hard on the body and won’t snap off easily even if you apply some force.

The knurling on the TC12 is one of the best I’ve seen in any light, the level of grip it offers is amazing.

The threads are thick, squared cut and they came well lubed. Twisting action is very smooth.

On the head side we have a coated spring and negative contact pad.

The front: a perfectly centered XP-L V6 NW LED paired with a smooth reflector and AR glass. It was clean without any dust or imperfection.

Size comparison with EE X2R and Olight S30R III. The TC12 V2 combines the best of both by having dual switch and a direct microUSB port.

Being a bit taller than the Olight S30R III, the TC12 incorporates a momentary tail switch and micro-USB port for direct charging without the need of special cables and batteries. :+1:

The size is great for single hand use and the switch is just in the right place

UI and USB charging:

The UI is fairly simple and I was able to figure it out in the very first use:
-Tail switch controls ON/OFF and allows momentary operation
-Side switch changes mode from low-high
-Press and hold side switch for strobe

That’s it! Simple yet efficient, this is how a dual switch UI should be.

There is a LED indicator to show the battery capacity:
Battery capacity: >20%, Blue light will be ON.
Battery capacity: 10–20, Red light will flash.
Battery capacity: <10%, Red light will on and remind to be charged.

Something very clever about it, the LED indicator remains off while operating in firefly mode, reason for this is it could become distracting compared to the low output, I can see this coming handy when used in close-up applications, like reading books. The LED indicator also displays the charge status, red for charging blue for done.

USB charging test: I tested various USB cables and they all connected fine on the charging port. Maximum charge rate from a 5V source was exactly 1A and charged without problems with a powerbank, wall charger or car charger. The TC12 will not only charge the included cell, but ANY 18650 battery, protected or not, and even flat tops are compatible.

Here’s the TC12 connected to a YZXstudio USB meter:

I did a recharge test from fully empty to full:

Again with a Sanyo GA, the charge time is shorter due to the more efficient cell and shorter CV phase.

-Total time to fully charge the included Thrunite 3,400mAh 18650 cell: 4hr 49min
-However, at 2hr 30min you already get 70% of the capacity (12Wh out of 17Wh)
-The final cutoff voltage was 4.19V

Performance:

First and most important, current draw: difference between a high drain cell and the included trunite 3,400mAh is minimal, with which it can already achieve optimal performance.

The TC12 V2 is rated 1,100 lumens for the CW version, and my NW sample scored an average of 1,020 lumens compared to other lights in my ceiling bounce tests. The throw was measured at 3 meters: 13,940cd

The beam produced by the XP-L V6 and the SMO reflector is a tight spot with very little artifacts and generous spill, easily out-throws a similar sized tube light, e.g. the convoy S2+. My NW tint was very nice at about 5,000k with zero hints of green.

Runtimes figures from the spec:
-Turbo 1,100 lumens/2.2 hrs
-High 472 lumens /3.4 hrs
-Medium 200 lumens /8.7 hrs
-Low 21 lumens /2.5 days
-Firefly 0.5 lumens /49 days

I know we are all tired of very short lasting turbo and lights that massively step down in output after the first couple minutes of operation. I’m happy to tell you the turbo on the TC12 is a true turbo, there is no stepdown as long as the temperature allows it, followed by a slow output decline as the battery is being drained. :+1:

At 1hr 20min it reaches 50% output and after the output have dropped below 10% at 2hr it continued to provide a low level light for a bout 15 minutes before the battery LVP protection kicked in. Pretty much on par with Thrunite spec: 2hr 20min.

Combined Turbo & High using a Sanyo GA

I will also do a non-fan cooled runtime test and another one with a Sanyo GA cell, but so far I’m really impressed by the performance, kudos to Thrunite for a true turbo.

Final words: Over the ~40 flashlights I’ve got, the TC12 v2 is no doubt on the top 5. I’m impressed by the build quality (specially the knurling and the side switch feedback), the fact that it can charge any of my 18650 batteries and offers a true turbo which is missing in almost all of my other stock lights. It is also a very nice touch that they included not only one, but two replacement USB seals!

Thanks for reading and I hope my review has been useful to you!

If you wish to order feel free to visit their official Amazon store: Amazon.com: ThruNite or their own website: TC12 V2 1100 Lumens 18650 Flashlight

Thrunite is currently offering a 5% discount, using coupon code THRUNITE :+1:

Reserved…

Edit, added the following:
-Runtime in high and turbo with a Sayo GA
-Charge test with Sanyo GA

Just saw some youtube reviews (BudgetBugout and Funkyprepper), in which they say their flashlight failed after one drop :frowning:

I just bought it and hope TC12 are drop proof.
there is some tests here

At least Thrunite has a 24 month warranty :slight_smile: