Thrunite TN12 Summary
If you are looking for one of the most reliable LED lights the Thrunite TN12 needs to be at the top of your list. This Thrunite TN12 Review will introduce you the perfect flashlight for just about everybody on your list, as it can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you are going camping, hiking, are walking the dogs, or need a light to carry with you on your nightly walks the Thrunite TN12 will more than get the job done. The TN12 can easily fit into a backpack or pocket, so carrying it with you won’t be a problem. The Thrunite TN12 that we are currently reviewing is the 2014 model, which is an improvement on the model that was released in 2011.
- Weight: 2.89 oz. w/out batteries
- Dimensions: 5.63 inches long and 1 inch diameter
- Lowest Setting: .3 lumens for 1585 hours
- Highest Setting: 1050 lumens for 1.5 hours
ThruNite TN12
Brand
Thrunite is one of the top brands in the flashlight industry. The Thrunite motto is ‘Thrunite, guiding you through the night.’ This motto was created to follow the definition of what the founder and CEO had for the business, which was to help people live better lives by simply offering them quality products at an affordable price. Thrunite was started because the founder believed he could become an expert on LED products, he really felt that LED had a lot of potential, and some many years later he was right. Thrunite is one of those companies that is always trying to better their products. They keep the products that they know are working and add to them as technology improves. It is this approach that allows them to be one of the industry leaders in LED lights.
Flashlight Features
The Thrunite TN12 measures 5.63 inches long and is only 1 inch in diameter, which makes it the perfect size for an everyday carry type of light. If the small size wasn’t enough to convince you, perhaps the lightweight will as it only weighs 2.89 ounces without the batteries. The small and lightweight design allows for the TN12 to be carried in pockets, purses, or backpacks without it being noticed.
- Can be used with a single 18650 battery or two CR123A batteries. No matter what battery type you choose make sure you use quality batteries to get the most out of your new Thrunite TN12. If you opt for the 18650, Thrunite sells rechargeable Li-Ion 18650 that will last for at least 500 cycles. These batteries come equipped with a system that prevents overcharging and overheating, so they are a good thing to consider.
- Firefly Mode – One of the great things about the TN12 is that it features five different output modes. The best part is that each output mode has its own special features, but the Firefly mode is special to the Thrunite brand. Firefly mode only puts out .31 lumens, which is just about as bright as moonlight. This is ideal for people who don’t want to ruin their night vision or blind themselves when they first wake up.
- Comes equipped with spare O-rings, so you can replace any worn O-Ring as needed allowing you to keep your TN12 waterproof up to IPX-8 even as it gets older.
- Comes with a pocket clip, lanyard, and holster to provide you with several different carrying options. The pocket clip also provides a little more grip.
- Dual-switch interface. Tailcap switch powers the light on and off, while the electronic switch in the head of the light controls the various modes. The downfall to the electronic switch is it is not as defined in terms of a click as the tailcap switch; it is a bit on the soft side. At the same time the switch sticks out making it easier to find by touch alone.
- CREE XM-L2 U2 LED has a lifespan of 50,000 hours.
Just looking at these highlighted features, it is easy to see why we rank the Thrunite TN12 as one of the top 18650 flashlights. But, these highlighted features are only a few reasons as to why we like the light so much. Coming in at just under 6 inches the TN12 might be on the small side, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have power. In strobe mode the TN12 with its CREE XM-L2 U2 LED, can reach 1000 lumens, which is more than enough light to blind an attacker or signal for help.
With how small the light is, it makes sense that people want to take it everywhere they go. What this means for the Thrunite TN12 is that it needs to be durable enough to live up to every customer’s expectations. To improve its durability the TN12 features a hard anodized body that is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum and features an anti-abrasive finish. This well constructed body ensures the light is impact resistant up to 6 ½ feet. The LED is protected by a toughened ultra-clear glass. The glass offers an anti-reflective coating and a smooth reflector to provide the perfect beam and throw.
How it works
The Thrunite TN12 is powered by batteries, just like many other flashlights. However, where the Thrunite TN12 stands out from many others is that you have a choice of what batteries you are using. The TN12 can be powered by a single 18650 or it can be powered by two CR123 batteries. Many consumers report that you can achieve a brighter light with the two CR123 batteries than compared to the single 18650. Regardless of what battery you use it is highly recommended that you opt for a good quality battery, the better the battery the better your results. You also need to pay attention to how you position the battery when installing to prevent any damage to the TN12. Batteries should be installed with the positive polarity side pointing towards the head of the flashlight. If flashlight is not going to be used for a period of time, remove the batteries to prevent the battery from leaking and ruining the light.
The UI
When looking at the best flashlights the ones that often rank the highest are the ones that have a simple user interface. In fact, the easier the UI is to use the better the flashlight seems to do in reviews. If you look at the Thrunite TN12 you are going to see that they have actually improved the UI with the newest upgrade.
The 2011 version used a clicky switch that turned the flashlight on and off, while users had to twist the head to access the various brightness levels. The upgraded 2014 Thrunite TN12 now uses a dual-switch UI, quite similar to what users will find on the Fenix PD35.
The UI on the newly upgraded Thrunite TN12 uses the tailcap switch to power the light on and off. For momentary on you simply need to lightly press and hold the tailcap switch. To power it on and off you simply press and release the same switch. Accessing the various modes and brightness levels is done via an electronic switch located in the head of the flashlight. The various modes can only be accessed while the light is powered on. Tactical strobe mode is accessed by pressing and holding the electric switch, to exit strobe a single click is required.
Evaluation
As we all know there is no such thing as the perfect flashlight. Even the top rated flashlights, such as the Thrunite TN12, come with certain flaws. What allows these top rated flashlights to stand out from other lights though is that the flaws are minimal. One of the things to watch out for with the Thrunite TN12 is the heat that the light puts out when it is being used on the higher settings. Don’t expect the flashlight to stay cool 100% of the time because the lights put out heat.
Another issue with the TN12 is the fact that its body is a pretty smooth finish. What this means for most users is that gripping the light becomes a bit problematic, the smooth finish makes gripping it rather difficult. If you have gloves on it is even worse. The best way to solve this problem is to use the pocket clip that comes with the flashlight. The pocket clip prevents the light from easily rolling and provides you with something to grip aside from the body.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we have to say that the Thrunite TN12 is one of the best EDC flashlights on the market. The light is the perfect size to carry inside a pocket, glove box, or even a backpack, so you always have it with you when you need it. What allows the light to stand out when compared to so many others in its class is the fact that with the CREE XM-L2 bulb it provides a wide range of output, more than what you see with similar small sized lights. Not to mention the TN12 offer users a choice of batteries, both of which will fully power the light to its maximum output of 1000 lumens.
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