Review: Nitecore MT21A (XP-E2 R2 | 2 x AA)

Thank you for taking the time to review the light for us, very much appreciated!

I just got mine in (actually two :slight_smile: ) and I noticed the strobe mode alternates in frequency every two seconds; a rapid strobe at 21.85Hz and a slower strobe at 12.14Hz. Might be useful to include this info in your review.

The two I got do differ slighly in output (there will always be sample variance) and the step-down timer is different as well. Here are some LBL numbers (lightbox lumens) with my two samples.

MT21A #1
Turbo - 276.1 (0s) / 249.6 (30s) / 201.7 (142s) LBL
High - 124.4 (30s) LBL
Med - 57 (30s) LBL
Low - 9.3 (30s) LBL

MT21A #2
Turbo - 239.2 (0s) / 217.6 (30s) / 176.7 (148s) LBL
High - 122.6 (30s) LBL
Med - 68.9 (30s) LBL
Low - 14 (30s) LBL

Overall in the end I’m pleasantly suprised by this light. Good output and great throw for the 2 X AA format. I wish there was a stainless steel bezel to protect the lens, but for the price I paid I really can’t complain at all.

looking forward to seeing the outdoor shots. Would be nice to see the outdoor shots compared to the MT2A.

Great review; thank you.

Bought one, too...impressive throw for a 2xAA. Very well built as well. The Nitecore MT21A and the Klarus P2A are the top of the heap in the buget 2xAA category.

Thanks again for a very informative and enjoyable review.

Received!
If I have to figure out one rant, reflector is a bit foggy like in Thrunite´s products.
Otherwise 5/5 easily if you like this format!

Now that´s a ringy beam : /

…once he posts some outdoor shots the effect will disappear. The beam on mine is not ringy at all. As was said, if you like the format, this light is an extraordinary bargain.

First of all; Thanks for the informative and in-depth Review of this Terrific light. Mine arrived late on Saturday; I got a Great Deal from Battery Junction(less than 25 Bucks), and I am Very Pleased. I was just about to buy a MT1A(and I Still might) when I ran across the BJ Deal, and I couldn’t be happier. I Love the UI, and, like the, my default is Turbo+Low. The Strobe is different from any of my other lights; I don’t know technically if it’s Better or Worse, but it’s definitely Different. Previously, my only 2AA lights were the Rayovac Indestructibles, which I also like, but obviously for Different reasons. I kept one Indestructible on the nightstand(this MT21A now is my go-to nightstand light) and one in my Truck because they’re too bulky/heavy for EDC. This MT21A could be a Great EDC for me(I’m 6’6”–275lb) as well.

First of all; Thanks for the informative and in-depth Review of this Terrific light. Mine arrived late on Saturday; I got a Great Deal from Battery Junction(less than 25 Bucks), and I am Very Pleased. I was just about to buy a MT1A(and I Still might) when I ran across the BJ Deal, and I couldn’t be happier. I Love the UI, and, like the, my default is Turbo+Low. The Strobe is different from any of my other lights; I don’t know technically if it’s Better or Worse, but it’s definitely Different. Previously, my only 2AA lights were the Rayovac Indestructibles, which I also like, but obviously for Different reasons. I kept one Indestructible on the nightstand(this MT21A now is my go-to nightstand light) and one in my Truck because they’re too bulky/heavy for EDC. This MT21A could be a Great EDC for me(I’m 6’6”–275lb) as well.

Thanks for sharing this review. I just picked up one of these for only twenty bucks (used, but in fantastic condition) on CPF MarketPlace. Very nice light for the money. Love it! This makes NiteCore #3 :) (EA4 and a P25 were the first two really nice).

Edit: I’ve tried sharing a picture (through Photobucket), but it doesn’t seem to be showing, here. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.

Deal alert: Now only $25.12 at GB

Thanks for the heads up the I’ve been looking at this light for a while & it seems a great value at $30 much less $25, but yikes some of the reviews on that retailer:

Anyone here bought from them before?

edit- i dont want to link it in case it seems like im affiliated or something, but it’s $1 more at a much higher rated seller, with a keychain light, not that that’s worth $1.

Nice review, thanks

I am wondering how much time it can run in mode high.
Hava any person tested it?

Great write up, I (my dad) have a MT2A. Very similar in most aspects, must say that it is a good simple UI but I think that hidden blinky and L-M-H (like phantom23 said) would make it a tad better. That is relly my only gripe with the light.

I know this is an old, old thread, (and a great review by the way!), but I was wondering if anyone who still owns one of these has had trouble with parasitic drain?

I pulled mine out a few weeks ago and installed fresh Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA’s, (expiration date of 2023), and used it for a job under the kitchen sink for about 5 minutes. I turned it off and set it on a table. I went to use it again yesterday and noticed the beam was very weak. I checked the freshly installed cells with a multi meter and they were over halfway depleted.

Anyone notice this with yours? I know you can lock out the switch by loosening the tail cap but I hate lights with parasitic drains.

I’m not sure about the MT22A but I have two of the MT2As (similar light) that I keep in the cars with eneloops. I charge the batteries every 6 months and they’re never dead when checked.

Mine’s the MT21a as reviewed here. Maybe mine’s defective but other than the weird battery depletion it works fine.

My mistake, MT21a.

I suppose with a jumper wire and couple of extra hands you could put a DVOM in series with the tail cap and measure parasitic draw.

I’ve had an MT21a for about a year now and keep it around as a mostly unused emergency light. I put energizer nimh batteries in it and charge them once a month to keep them topped off. I don’t lock out the tailcap and they always have a good charge left in them at the end of the month, so if there is parasitic drain its minimal.

Thanks Itinifni but I don’t have the technical knowledge to do that.

Thanks jch10400 for the feedback.

Like the stated in his review, even on turbo this is not a barn burner or anything even remotely close. It was a nice light back in 2014 but oh, has light technology advanced since then.

It’s still a nice light but parasitic drain, at least in my example, makes it a not so nice light.