Hi, I have both xt12gt / ut02 and haven’t had any problems except the buzzing noise for a few seconds from the xt12gt when I turn it on turbo.
I’m gonna be straight with you. I’d get a refund for it. I would not buy my XT12GT again, to be honest.
The PWM is not really noticeable at all. But every once in a while, I click it on and the light is yellow with a fully charged battery (the supplied and other batteries) and that loud whining noise is present. When it does this, output drops and the light gets very hot. And the light dims considerably after start-up. You can see this when you point it at targets, but just barely.
Now again, the light throws like crazy—waaay better than any C8. The switches are fine, but defaulting to high mode and not offering mode memory at this price-point is unforgivable. No matter what battery I use, the random flickering continues throughout the runtime on high mode, no doubt due to the driver trying to keep the voltage up or something.
It’s a nice, lightweight light and is impressive to see (more so than it is to use). All in all, I wouldn’t but it again. Just saying’. Don’t let these guys get too flashahol’ed up to be objective in their recommendations—and it happens to all of us sometime.
Note: I also have the Utorch UT02. It’s great except that the step-down is gradual, which makes you think: “Where’d my throw go?” after the five-minute mark. I really notice it. It’s another light I wouldn’t buy again, although it is well made.
Hi Rusty
You always call it as you see - love that about you
I was tossing up between Xt12GT and the UT02 and I settled for the UT02, hopefully it turns out well
I’ll get out of this topic and create a new one based on something RJ brings up ….“would you Buy it Again?”
I was looking for a EDC thrower, when I found your Youtube review.
At the time of your review, I was looking at these lights. All good candidates to consider, I thought. The (X) number on the right (highest cd), your review (and price) helped me decide.
I ordered the light on 2/10/17. Hopefully it will be here soon. Great review, Mate!
Nitecore P12GT | Max Output 1000 lumens | Max Beam Distance 320m | Max Beam Intensity 25700 cd (5)
Nitecore MH25GT | Max Output 1000 lumens | Max Beam Distance 452m | Max Beam Intensity 51100 cd (2)
Nitecore MH20GT |
Nitecore TM03 | Max Output 2800 lumens | Max Beam Distance 289m | Max Beam Intensity 21000 cd (6)
Proprietary Bat
Olight M23 | Max Output 1020 lumens | Max Beam Distance 436m | Max Beam Intensity 47500 cd (3)
Javolot
Klarus XT11GT | Max Output 2000 Lumens | Max Beam Distance 402m | Max Beam Intensity 37700 cd (4)
KLARUS XT12GT | Max Output 1600 lumens | Max Beam Distance 603m | Max beam Intensity 90902 cd (1) Highest Candela $62.00 (Purchased @ GearBest.com)
yout XT11GT figures are wrong with the new HD LED that has a dome
The TM03 is an enourmous powerful light, but it gets so hot it suffers from a huge stepdown that kicks in fast
if you dont like thermal or timed stepdowns most of the lights from those companies wont fit
The XT12GT also steps down way too early, the host get not hot at all, idk why they step down at 50°C when they have a DTP star
with a DTP star and good heat transfer a head temperature of 70°C on an not hard overdriven light is safe
@Lexel, I am new to these lights. I always used Surefire. My graph of information, that was found on the manufacture website, or I had to look elsewhere for the tested info. Many of the manufacturers, there was nothing.
I wanted a light with long throw. It was my understanding that with the right reflector and high candela, this made the best beam for spotlight. It was also my understanding the XT12GT steps down to 1300 lumen.
I’ll admit I have LOTS to learn!!
The best (most dependable) thrower is the Lumintop TD16 with XP-L HI. I’ve used it on the job since August of last year. It really measures up in every aspect, hands down! No issues of any kind. 920 lumens and 50kcd, too.
Get it and don’t look back!
If you need ridiculous throw, then sacrifice some on the size requirement and go all-out for the Olight M2X, now with XP-L HI:
Done!
I want all the throw and candela I can get, running all it has with a single push of the button, for the longest amount of time. I prefer something that is adaptable to a rifle without hideous bulk.
Now that I bought the XT12GT, I’m already getting disappointed. The light is not even here yet!!
Yes, but you are going to get to a point where you have to make a compromise in what you want.
Right. I knew there would be a wall of reality where output falls off due to emitted heat.
I’m trying to NOT become a flashlightaholic. Gimme your best shot so I can leave happy
I will look into this one. Thank you for pointing it out
Thanks for the suggestion, Rusty Joe.
My second purchase is on the way from GearBest. $32.99 w/code TD16GB
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_261758.html?wid=21&lkid=10337389
Ah yes, the addiction is rooted deep!
But uh, that is the XM-L2 U2 version you ordered. It’s great and bright, but won’t throw like the XP-L HI version, just FYI. I have both and the U2 version is around 1,210 lumens, but that HI version (920 lumens) is where the real range is at. Just saying’.
Either way, you will love it!
Crapola
CANCELLED
I guess I need to pay attention.
Thanks for pointing that out to me before it got dispatched. sigh
Someone is polluting the TD16 XP-L Hi reviews, posting links w/codes for the incorrect light. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keGa8E350iY
They are making an effort of posting on all video reviews
Here’s the link I used: https://www.amazon.com/LUMINTOP-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Tactical-Protector/dp/B01DOU8AYU
I thought I was getting a great deal, the other light. It was in my current budget.
I will have to wait for a better price. As my wife peers over my shoulder
My apology for sending the OP’s review subject way off topic
Its all good its a forum 
Well the XT12GT has the kit to be rifle mounted like the pressure switch. As for performance i wouldn’t call this a dedicated thrower its kind of in between. Output does drop but output will drop on all lights.
I think you will be happy with the XT12GT see how it goes and then decide if its enough. You could just go with a modded C8? If you had a C8 running this power it would also have to step down because of heat. Klarus could have made turbo last longer seeing as the XT12GT doesn’t really get warm. But its a consumer grade flashlight people dont want a piping flashlight in there hands. Us as a hobby we dont mind a hot flashlight.
I have a Lumintop TD16 when i got it. It was a good flashlight now i wouldn’t rate it very highly considering it sits pretty much as a standard flashlight right now. Also i am having issues with the side switch.
I love the XT12GT but seeing people getting sucks but when saying that many people bought this flashlight so maybe the issue inst that bad. Not many flashlight sell this much so seeing a few issues here and their isn’t to bad.
What the XT12GT can offer is good output, light weight, inbuilt charger, okay throw. Durability is a bit up in the air seeing as its using a boost driver.
How much throw do you need?
What output where you aiming for?
I think my biggest erk is relative to ordering these lights from over seas.
If there are issues, factor in a wait time to get anything resolved. It’s the price we pay getting better prices.
Not compared to a reputable brick and mortar store where issues could get dealt with first hand.
My interest in flashlights are mainly around rifle mounted to light up distant targets.
Handheld EDC also comes to play here for the outlying area where I reside.
Spooks (trespassers, thieves) in the night, Coyotes, and other predators looking to have my pets as their next meal.
What I am wanting from the EDC/Tactical realm, is instant on/HIGH with as much throw and longevity I can get from an 18650/2xCR123a battery.
On-board recharging is a plus. More preferred, yes. Though not a must have. As long as the light has the above mentioned, It would satisfy.
Like anyone (I don’t have a prosperous money tree) I’m wanting to spend my money well, once. At the best possible savings!!
I don’t mind if the light gets HOT. It’s doing its job.
Recoil of a gun will break a lot lights
The Klarus XT12GT driver is not potted and has a quite big inductor, definately not suited for weapon mounting
This is a photo from a dead XT12GT light I got for teardown and parts
Some lads on here make Convoy C8 with different emitters running direct drive. Basically a C8 with a XPL-HI running direct should be able to throw just as far if not further then the XT12GT. The run times will be worse.
If you want a flashlight that throws far and puts out huge a amount of light but wasn’t going to be rifle mounted go with Convoy L6 or Throfire S70. Around 4000 lumens and 600 meters of throw.
I think for a hunting light a linear driver or a direct drive is probably the best bet.
Some drivers you can program to turn on turbo from start.
I have wondered why light manufactures and builders have not built lights more durable to withstand recoil. There are only a handful to succeed.
Why is that? You mention potted. (Remember I am uneducated) Are lights made to withstand recoil, bumps and drops that difficult to design?
I would think a more solidly built flashlight would be a trend in design. Is what you are saying, the more expensive (non-boutique) lights are better suited, or no?
I have searched on the internet many times for designers/builders that build specific designs. I find very few, if any, but very well known names in the industry.
My thought is, why? I would think, because there are so few who have the market narrowed, that designers and builders would try to take a bite out of the pie.
With only a few in the industry, there is plenty of room for newcomers to potentially compete and reap benefits.