Sent for review by FastTech.com
For review I have the Klarus XT2CR a 1600 Lumen EDC able flashlight with two modes of operation , Tactical and Outdoors . And right off may I suggest that the outdoor modes are the choice modes for most people . The XT2CR came set to tactical out of the box and initially I was left some what confused by exactly what Klarus was trying to achieve with the mode of operation ( Tactical ) . The XT2CR has two switches at the back of the tailcap , the main switch and a mode switch . Pressing down on the mode switch in the Tactical mode short cuts to strobe and the only way to stop accidental activation is to unscrew the tailcap . ( Lock out the tailcap ) There does appear to be mode memory , but its the strangest mode memory ! and only seems to work for Low , though a few times I got the light to go into medium ? ( Very strange ) But then there is no mention of mode memory in the instructions ?
User Interface :
You have two switches in the tailcap . The main switch ( a forward clicky ) and a mode switch . The main switch turns the light on or gives you momentary function with Turbo output . There are two modes of operation , Tactical and Outdoor .
Tactical = 3 Light levels ( Turbo - High - Low and strobe function )
Outdoor = 4 Light Levels ( Turbo - High - Medium - Low and SOS function ) .
Changing Mode = Instruction manual sux’s for this one : Hold down the mode switch , a green light will come on to indicate battery condition , keep holding down the mode switch . The green light will go out , then after a while a red light will come on and start flashing = Now press the main switch and you have changed from Tactical or Outdoor to the other mode of operation .
Two Switches - Its interesting that Klarus has gone with two switches , but it is one way to have your cake and eat it . With a forward clicky switch once you have selected a light level you must turn off the light and then using the momentary function select a new light level and turn the light on again . Yes this is the burden that people that like the forward clicky normally need to put up with . No longer , now you can have your forward clicky and just use the mode switch to change light levels .
Changing Light Levels
Tactical = Turn the light on and press the mode switch - just a quick press will do it . ( Turbo - High - Low )
Outdoor = There are two ways to do in outdoor mode . Press the main switch to turn the light on and then press the mode switch . This way the light starts in Turbo - Low - Medium - High .
If you don’t want to start in Turbo … Press the mode switch and hold for two seconds . Now the light starts in Low - Medium - High - Turbo … To exit either momentary the forward clicky or hold down the mode switch for 2 seconds .
Short Cuts :
Mode switch = Strobe in Tactical mode . Low in Outdoor mode .
Strobe = Mode switch in Tactical mode , instant from the light being off or a few seconds to activate with the light on . ( Only available in Tactical mode )
SOS = Mode switch held down for 4 seconds when the light is on ( only available in Outdoor mode )
Turbo = Always VIA the main switch .
Performance :
Tactical Mode
Himax 18650
Turbo - 790 Lumens / High - 395 Lumens / Low - 19 Lumens
Solarforce V3 18650
Turbo - 1165 Lumens / High - 394 Lumens / Low - 19 Lumens
SONY VTC4 18650
Turbo - 1630 Lumens / High - 394 Lumens / Low - 20 Lumens
Outdoor mode
Himax 18650
Turbo - 790 / High - 392 / Medium - 93 / Low - 17
Solarforce V3 18650
Turbo - 1170 / High - 393 / Medium - 94 / Low - 18
SONY VTC4
Turbo - 1635 / High - 397 / Medium - 95 / Low - 18
There is quite a bit of sag on Turbo , whether it is voltage or heat related or quite possibly both as there is quite a bit of heat pumped out by the Cree XHP35 emitter . Also from the output figures we can see that the Klarus XT2CR really wants high performance batteries if you want to see maximum output . Anything short of really impressive batteries will most likely result in a performance loss . Checking for parasitic drain , I measured some 4.59mA .
Conclusion :
The Tactical mode just confused me in the sense that I could not really understand what Klarus was trying to do ? On the other hand the Outdoor mode was to me some what brilliant . Two different ways to turn on the light , from polar opposites ( Low - Turbo ) and SOS hidden away . ( Would I have done it this way - No ) Yes you can EDC the XT2CR , yes it’s well made , has a sturdy clip and the UI is easy to use and live with . Performance is very much dependent on the battery chosen ( so chose a good one ) and I found the light levels easy to live with .
Tactical mode - I just don’t see it ?
The holster - ? Light does not fit it that well .
Outdoor mode - Love it !
Belt / pocket clip - Sturdy and functional !
Beam profile - Flood with lots of power !
Smooth reflector
Nice hard anodizing
Well machined - Threads etc
USB port for recharging - In a car - caravan - boat - anywhere you have a USB adapter or powerbank .
Parasitic drain = 4.59mA measured .
I can dream - Yes I would have done it differently … First the mode switch would do nothing but change modes , I would have gone with about 6 light levels . Adding Moon mode 1-2 lumens , and something after 400 lumens , maybe 800 lumens . Also would have added mode memory and no short cuts to anything , no flashy modes . Just go with a easy to live with , easy to use light with mode memory , the forward clicky and mode switch . ( Now that’s Tactical )
Anyways I can not only live with , but actually enjoy the Outdoor mode ( It’s trick ) and I do really like the light levels . But there is this slight nagging feeling that there is a light level or two missing from the package . Klarus has certainly made a trick or is that flash - flashlight that they probably hope will appeal to people that like trick stuff . Unfortunately the Tactical mode left me unimpressed , but to counter that the Outdoor mode of operation is impressive if perhaps a little complicated or confusing to newbees . Certainly the user manual could use a little revision when it comes to choosing which mode of operation you want to go with .
What you have is a well made powerful flashlight with perhaps more options than the average person would need . ( Is it too trick ? ) There are so many flashlights built to this form factor now that the market might be a little flush with choices and I can’t help but feel that perhaps Klarus was just trying too hard to make this light appealing to everyone and in doing so , perhaps they lost some direction .
In the Outdoor mode of operation I think the Klarus XT2CR ticks most of the boxes for the majority of people and I found it easy to live with and impressive in performance . The light has given me no problems or concerns in regard to quality and because my personal feelings I will forgo giving the XT2CR a score , my opinion is some what negative to the Tactical mode of operation and quite frankly other people might just love it . Bottom line is - No problems detected - a well made and powerful flashlight with a very nice beam profile ( for me ) that really pushes light out , especially in Turbo .
