The the Concept 2 combines a high output of 6,500 lumens with a super small form factor with two-stage (camera shutter) style UI (one of my fav interfaces) while also sporting the sleek and smooth appearance of the “concept” series. Thanks to Nitecore for sending the sample for testing!
Link to manufacture product page: https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/concept2
Overview
Overall, I like the light a lot and love the output and the small form factor. I also like the UI except there isn’t a shortcut to ultra low which seems valuable for a very high output light. What I don’t particularly like is that the body does not have enough grip, even the C1 had a little knurling.
Quick Specs
Features
Included
I was surprised that the package doesn’t have all the standard runtimes table and such but it has the basics on the back..
- C2 flashlight (w/ built-in battery pack)
- Wall charger adapter (wall outlet to barrel pin)
- Holster
- Lanyard
- Spare switch cover
- Spare charging port cover
- User manual
- Warranty card
Options
This is the only version but still waiting for Nitecore to release a neutral tint in quad format.
Price
Current price is about $200 USD (buy links at the very end of the review)
Look & Feel
Outside
Overall, the light is very smooth except for the the minor heat fins on the head. I’d prefer a little more grip than what’s offered; perhaps some could be along the chamfered edges; you could even purchase some stick-on rubber grips. Other thoughts: this light can actually fit in a reasonable jean pocket, switch is very tactile and easy to find, solid tail stand, and pretty tight lanyard hole. Still waiting for a para cord sized lanyard hole.
Inside
The light is not meant to be opened but you can get at the insides thanks to the allen screws on both the head and the tail, you can. The tail cap is just a cover and is not part of the electrical path. I only took off the tail cap because I wanted to see if it was possible to rotate it so the clip to another side of the light, you can! Besides that there is no internal rattling,
Accessories
The standard package comes with a few accessories chiefly a nylon holster, with hook & loop closure, and a deep-carry, sturdy, screw on pocket clip.
The holster has 3 attachment options, belt-through, over the belt, and d-ring. The holster flap is a little long so you need to pull it tight. My main grievance is that the light can only go in, and easily out, with the pocket clip facing the back of the holster.
The pocket clip is very sturdy but is oriented to the wrong side for a typical draw with the right hand.
Optics
LED specs
The light uses four XHP35 HD LEDs made by CREE.
Beam Profile
The light has a 18 degree FWHM beam angle. This is the angle at which light output has reached 50% of maximum.
With a high-output light like this, 1% of output (65 lumen) is generally usable light, therefore you could consider the total spill beam angle to be about 90 degrees.
Currently, these readings are strictly sensor recorded, and are not adjusted based on human perception of light.
Tint
The C2 is cooler than the Nichia 219B in the Nitecore MT06MD Penlight
Also, here’s a comparison shot with the BLF Q8
Output Levels
Here’s a run-through of all the different output levels:
Ultralow->Low->Mid->High->Turbo
Outdoor Beamshots
All the pictures below are taken with the light in TURBO.
Power
Battery
The light has a built-in, non-serviceable, 12,400 mAh battery split up into 4 cells. Usually the reason for this is for increased performance but also helps reduce the body length.
Indicators
The power switch has an indicator light that can indicate the battery voltage and can notify of the light being locked out. It also blinks rapidly when the battery is almost depleted.
Charging
It takes about 5h 20m to charge the light. The light uses a barrel pin connector to charge the batteries and a wall adapter is provided. The power supplied is 12V at 1A, which is what I measured, but summing the current I reached a much lower mAh capacity, but after talking with Nitecore, I found out that there is a switching circuit which ups the current, to my guess of 2.5A.
Performance
Runtimes
The light lasts about 45 sec on Turbo before steping down to 12% output at 1m 20s. When the light is blasting at turbo I do hear a faint noise.
Temperature
A max body temp of 133°F and out-the-front temp of 252°F was observed for starting in TURBO which can probably catch something on fire.
PWM Check
There appears to be no significant PWM on any constant mode. For comparison, the third graph shows PWM varying from 0 to 120 lx on the LOW mode on the Nitecore R25 flashlight.
Strobes
Strobe frequency is about 18hz.
Flashing/Beacon
Frequency is 1 flash every 2 seconds.
User interface
The “camera shutter style” or 2-stage switch is a pretty versatile interface and one of my favorite and works OK but sorely lacking a shortcut to ultralow. More thoughts:
- No shortcut to ultralow or low means you have to cycle through turbo!
- Lock-out should have been a triple click which would’ve freed-up the long-half press for direct ultralow
- When battery gets to about 3.6v (according to the indicator), turbo is no longer available main mode cycle but momentary turbo can be initiated with a push and hold
- No drop-and-find mode
- For whatever reason, the battery check isn’t instant with a single half press; I have to half-press or half a second or sometimes a double tap, before the battery check comes up
Comparisons
There’s lots of quad LED lights out there but I can’t recall seeing such a compact and square one. Nitecore’s TM28 is about the same output but is a bigger body. For fun here’s a comparrison pic of the C2 with the very popular BLF Q8 which has almost the same output but is a much bigger body, and next to the Nitecore MH23 which is a comparable length.
Conclusions
Highlights
- Great output in compact body
- Fun UI with momentary turbo from off and on
- Deep-carry, sturdy, and removable clip
Comments
- Would prefer USB-C connector
- No shortcut to ultralow!
- Faint noise on turbo
- Righties might want to move the pocket clip to the opposite side
- Would like a bigger hole for a paracord lanyard and metal bead, but might be able to connect to the pocket clip
- Body is too smooth
- Beam has a strong flower pattern spill
Purchase
The current price for the light is about $200 USD and if you appreciated my review and would like to support me, feel free to check out this product on amazon using my affiliate link (does not cost you more, amazon gives me very small % of their profit):
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2NhpsBO
Thanks for Reading!
Notes
Disclaimers:
- CivilGear Reviews received this product from Nitecore for testing and providing an honest review.
- CivilGear Reviews was not paid for writing this review.
- CivilGear Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com