Review : ThruNite Neutron 2C flashlight (xp-l v6 , usb charging , ramping)

A few words for ThruNite Neutron 2C :

The Neutron 2C V3 micro-USB chargeable flashlight adopts a latest CREE XP-L V6 LED to make output up to 1100 lumens with the combination of an interesting ramping UI .

Overview/Specifications :

  • LED: XP-L V6 with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.
  • Compatible with: 18650 x 1, 18350 x 1, CR123A x 2, 16340 x 1, 16340 x 2
  • Working Voltage: 2.7 - 9.0 V.
  • Output mode/Runtime:
    Strobe(650 lumens /5 hrs)
    Turbo(1100 lumens /2.2 hrs)
    Infinity High(650 lumens /2.7 hrs)
    Infinity Low(12 lumens /130 hrs)
    Firefly(0.5 lumens /49 days).
  • Peak Beam Intensity: 14399cd (max).
  • Max beam distance: 240m (max).
  • Impact resistant: 1 meter.
  • Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (2meters).
  • Weight: 86g without battery.
  • Dimensions: 125 mm in length x 25.4 mm in body diameter.
  • Accessories: Holster x1, Spare O-rings x2, Lanyard x1, Pocket Clip x1, 18650 3400mAh Battery x1, USB Charging Cord x1

First Look :

Flashlight in it’s box , the classic brown Thrunite box , which i have to admit that i really like :

Package Contains :

  • Flashlight
  • Holster
  • User manual
  • “Thank you” card
  • Lanyard
  • 2x O-rings
  • Pocket Clip
  • E-switch rubber “sealing”
  • 2x extra charging port rubber sealings
  • Thrunite 18650 3400mAh battery (inside the light)

A closer look :

Here we have latest Thrunite flashlight , the Neutron 2C . Another all-in-one solution , like the tc12 v2 but i would dare to say with a better UI (that we will discuss later) :

What’s special about this light ? A battery tube that accepts a lot of different battery combinations with the use of a removable extension tube :

Light with the small tube :wink: :

And now length is only ~94mm :

Let’s get in the details now !

Flashlight’s head has a nice minimal design , with the metal e-switch and the charging port on the back side .
Through the e-switch you control the flashlight . Notice also the little led in the center of the switch , which works as a battery/charging indicator :

Back side , with the USB charging port :

Flashlight has a SMO reflector and AR coated lens :

Reflector is deep ! In the center you can see the nice cree xp-l :

The pocket clip which is also removable :

Tube has kind of aggressive knurling , but i think it adds a lot of grip :

The end of the tube is flat , and has a small hole on the side that accepts a lanyard :

Nice , “square” & anodized threads :

Here is a photo of the positive terminal that the battery makes contact :

Flashlight’s Holster :

Holster is designed for Neutron 2C , it’s a pefect fit! :

Battery :

This is the battery that comes with the light :

It is button top , protected , but it has a high discharge rate :

Actual capacity tested : 3430 mAh

How it works (&modes) :

Turn ON/OFF :
Single click the switch to turn the light on and off.

Shortcuts from OFF :
Long press the switch to get firefly mode.
Double click the switch to get turbo mode.

To Change Modes:
When the light is on , long press the side switch to increase or decrease flashlight’s brightness , wherever you want , in the 12-640 lumens range. If the light blinks , it means you’re in the min or max setting , and it will start to ramp in the opposite direction if you don’t stop pressing the e-switch .
Double click from any mode to turbo, another double click to get strobe.

Memory Function :
The light will turn on in the last mode accessed, except firefly, turbo and strobe.

Ramping mode video or gif :

Coming soon…

Battery Indicator :

When you’re in ramping or turbo , the little led in the center of the e-switch works as a battery indicator .

Voltage Above 3.2V 3-3.2V 2.8-3V Below 2.8V
Indicator Color Blue Flashing Red Red Flashlight turns off

Usb Charging / Indicator meaning etc :

When the flashlight is being charged , RED led is on , but after being fully charged, BLUE Led will be on. It takes around 4 hours to fully charge the 3400mAh battery.

Voltage 2.7-4.19V (Charging) 4.2V (Full) Error (Ex No battery inside OR damaged battery
Indicator Color Red Blue Purple

Charging Current : 1.00 A (pic here )
Termination Voltage : 4.19 - 4.20 V

Measurements :

Thrunite 3400mAh battery was used in all measurements

Lumens :

  • Firefly - *< 1 lumen*
  • Ramping min - 12 lumens
  • Ramping max - 640 lumens
  • Turbo - 1072 lumens

Note : Tested flashlight’s performance with an Enercig IMR 18350 and found out that the light performs as good as with the 18650 (but with lower runtimes of course) .

Intensity : 12,7kcd

My runtime tests :

Turbo mode :

Ramping max :

Over 90% of the total output (about 580 otf lumens) for about 110 minutes .

Beamshots :

Wall @ 12m :

Control shot :

Turbo :

Ramping max :

Ramping min (a little over exposed to be seen) :

My flashlight is the cool white version but tint isn’t green , but a tiny bit rosy .

Conclusion :

Here are my thoughts about this flashlight… It is a great light , made with high quality components and a really good anodization (and it has been proven from older beaten up Thrunite lights) . It is a good all-in-one solution if i could describe it in a few words . The flexible ramping UI is very useful , letting the user select the desired brightness without the limit of the 3 or 5 modes , and great shortcuts in moon / last used mode / turbo . It accepts a lot of different batteries combination , which i find really handy … With a bit over 1000 lumens on it’s max setting , a nice tint (my CW tint is rosy without a hint of green) , a nice battery indicator and a fast usb charger inside the light i believe it is a great choice if you look a flashlight that can fulfill most of your needs .

More info can be found in my detailed review :slight_smile:

.
.

Comment if you want me to check something on the flashlight , or tell your opinion . Thanks !

Official Website : http://www.thrunite.com
Amazon US : Amazon.com: ThruNite
ThruNite Neutron 2C : Neutron 2C V3 - ThruNite Official Store

Be sure to try coupon code JULY for 20% off until July 16th .

Reserved for updates

15/7 - Updated Usb charging / Battery indicator / Conclusion

You can use code “JULY” at www.thrunite.com until the 16th of July 2017 to get 20% off, if you don’t mind me saying Mr. giorgoskok… :smiley:

Cool little light. A nice e-switch alternative to the S2, with its 18350 compatibility. The UI is good, the same as the thrunite TH20 headlamp I think. Although the ramping seems slow compared to my lights with Toykeeper’s ramping FW flashed.

I saw it from your thread and i was just trying to see if the code works :smiley:

Added already in the review , thanks !

Personally i like the “slow” ramping , for easier control (finding the suitable brighness) .

Can you reverse the ramping by releasing the switch and holding it again?

Hey that sounds like an iteration of Narsil.

Yes you can .

Perfect! That’s so much nicer than the TC12 then.

I am a big fan of ramping :smiley: , so i was excited since the announcement of this light .

What i really like and i think it will be useful for the average user is they big variety of batteries that it accepts , from 1*18650 / 1*18350 to 2*16340 / 2*18350 etc .

It is working,it is working… :wink:

In your beam images you light up a plant pot. What kind of plant is it and is it native to Greece? Great review.

I hear that the battery rattles in the tube quite a bit…is this the case?

I ordered one. Came out to $39.96 with the discount code. Free shipping too.

Great price, I ordered one too!

Excellent! I plan on using mine with an 18350. I have a few Efest 900mAh’s in stock. I really like that it’s flexible with battery sizes.

Thanks ! Haha i can’t really remember it’s name , but i will reply here when i do :stuck_out_tongue:

.

Also , updated in the first post the output/time diagram , on the highest brightness of the ramping mode . Over 90% of the total output (about 580 otf lumens) for about 110 minutes …

.

With the provided 3400mAh battery , it rattles but only a little . Maybe with unprotected and/or slimmer batteries there is a biggest issue .

The rattling is easy to fix. Just wrap a post-it note around the battery. No more rattle.

This thread died rather quickly. Anyway, mine shipped. I should have it in a few days.