Preface
The original review can be found on TLR's website: Click Here
After introducing their G20 XHP70 the year before, Klarus has now introduced an updated version - the G20L with a newer LED (XPH70.2) and a larger head to incorporate the larger & deeper reflector for more throw.
A 'thrower' single 26650 (non-proprietary) battery operated flashlight.
What's there not to like..right?
Read on to find out our take on this flashlight!
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- Packaging with its magnetic opening flap looked impressive for a flashlight.
- The threads and o-rings were mildly lubricated. Threads were rather smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The side and tail electronic switch requires a firm and deliberate press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- Holster provided is of decent quality and should withstand day-to-day abuse without issue.
- Battery compartment holds the provided non-proprietary 26650 5000mAh battery with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. Larger capacity 26650 batteries should be able to fit without issue as well.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED: XHP70.2 P2 bin
- Battery Format: 1 x 26650 ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with Klarus 26650 5000mAh battery):
- Low (15 lumens / 150h)
- Mid (160 lumens / 19h)
- High (650 lumens / 4h 30min)
- Turbo (3000 lumens / 45 min)
- Max Beam Distance: 300m
- Beam intensity: 22,500cd
- Waterproofness: IPX-8 Standard (2m)
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 150mm (length) x 34.5mm (body diameter) / 49mm (head diameter)
- Weight: 168g (excluding batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Klarus 26650 5000mAh battery
- 1*Micro-USB Cable
- 1*Spare O-rings
- 1*Lanyard
- 1*Holster
- MSRP: ~$110
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for a Bug-Out Bag (BOB) light as it is relatively straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the side or tail electronic switch on the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
From OFF:
- 1 Click - Side Switch (last brightness level used - last mode memory) & Tail Switch (LOW mode).
- 2 Click - Direct access to STROBE; 2 Click again for SOS or 1 Click to switch OFF [Side/Tail Switch].
- HOLD (~3 sec) - Direct access to MOMENTARY TURBO [Side/Tail Switch].
- HOLD Side & Tail Switch (till light flashes 2 times) - LOCKOUT mode is enabled; 3 Click Side/Tail Switch (light flashes twice) - LOCKOUT is disabled.
- Battery Capacity Indicator - Side Switch will glow one of the following colors after first activation of light
- Green (70% ~ 100% battery capacity)
- Orange (30% ~ 70% battery capacity)
- Red (10% ~ 30% battery capacity)
- Flashing Red (less than 10% battery capacity)
From ON:
- 1 Click - Mode change per every click (light cycles through LOW, MID, HIGH & TURBO).
- 2 Click - Direct access to STROBE; 2 Click again for SOS or 1 Click to go back last mode [Side/Tail Switch].
- 3 (or more) Click - Direct access to STROBE; 1 Click to switch OFF or hold down to switch modes.
- HOLD (~2 sec) - Light will switch OFF.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use for a BOB or dog walking/hiking usages and for possibly an extended period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels well balanced in a medium sized hand (not head/tail-heavy). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The knurling on the light enables the light to be sufficiently "grippy", even with wet hands/gloves.
It fitting in the holster snugly as well as being able to tail-stand perfectly without the slightest wobble is very much desired. However if the lanyard is attached, the light will no longer be able to tail-stand perfectly.
Charging Process
With the provided Micro-USB Cable, the battery was charging at ~1.18A which is substantially lower than the stated 2.0A charging rate. Swapping to another generic Micro-USB Cable boosted the charging rate to ~1.6A. This proves that the provided Micro-USB has higher resistance in its wires.
The light is capable of operating on LOW & MID modes even when charging (at the expense of a slower charging rate).
The RED indicator depicts charging in progress and GREEN indicator depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the fairly deep Orange Peel Reflector. Hence even with the larger sized LED used, the beam is still sufficiently “throwy” for recognising items in the near to mid-range distance.
The beam has a rather distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a fairly wide usable (perfectly round) spill. It also help that the XHP70.2 led is perfectly centred in this sample. There are some slight rings in the beam (no dark “donut” in the beam) when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (LOW: 1″, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB, MID: 0.6″, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB, HIGH: 1/3, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB and TURBO: 1/6, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
LOW (15 lumens):
MID (160 lumens):
HIGH (650 lumens):
TURBO (3000 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
It would be nice if Klarus would incorporate a MOONLIGHT mode to one that is at moonlight level (sub-lumen or 1 lumen) for those bedtime runs or during which having 15 lumens is way too bright for the night-adjusted eyes.
However, since this light is primarily targeted for those looking for a "throwy" & floody light, it is understandable why Klarus omitted this mode.
Tint & CRI
Klarus did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LEDs used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 5500K and 70CRI ballpark.
There are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is cool white whilst the corona and most of the spill possessing a neutral white (slight yellowish) tint; and the extreme end of the spill having a ring of slight blue-ish purple tint. This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on Turbo.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
Mechanical lockout is not possible for this light. However, electronic lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
See above "UI (User Interface)", on how to activate and deactivate LOCKOUT.
When LOCKOUT mode is activated, any button presses will cause the red LED on the Side Switch button to flash 3 times.
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own EDC or to gift to our loved ones out from one's pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a possible YES if the tint shift & the inability to mechanically lockout the light is not an issue for your usage.
Klarus dual switch setup is rather ingenious in having direct access to LOW, last mode used and MOMENTARY TURBO; and thus making the UI straightforward and even intuitive to use. Its inbuilt Micro-USB charging system ensures that the provided (non-proprietary) 26650 battery can be charged up easily with any 2A charger available which helps create a strong selling factor for this light.
However, as mentioned earlier, we look forward to the day that Klarus incorporates a way to attach the lanyard but still retain the ability tail-stand perfectly.
If this light will be used for BOB, dog walking or hiking, it is always recommended to bring along a headlamp. May we suggest the Zebralight H600w Mk III we recently reviewed - floody and super efficient runtimes especially on the lower modes.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by FastTech for this review. No other compensation was provided.