NEXTORCH TA30C MAX Tactical Torch Review
NEXTORCH TA30C MAX⌗
- Specifications
- Introduction
- Torch in use
- Build quality
- LED, bezel, lens, reflector and beam
- Size and comparison
- User interface
- Batteries and charging
- Performance
- Beamshots
- Conclusion
- Price
- Product page
Specifications⌗
| Brand/model | NEXTORCH TA30C MAX |
|---|---|
| LED | CREE XHP50D-HI |
| Maximum lumens | 3,000 lm |
| Maximum beam intensity | 38,025 cd |
| Maximum throw | 390 m |
| Battery | 1*21700 |
| Onboard charging | No (USB-C battery) |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Modes | 3 |
| Blinkies | Strobe |
| Reflector | OP |
| Waterproof | IPX8 |
| Review date | August 2023 |
Introduction⌗
NEXTORCH kindly provided the NEXTORCH TA30C MAX Tactical Torch for review. It has a CREE XHP50.3 HI emitter and it takes a 21700 cell. The large tail switch allows momentary modes to be accessed while a rotary switch can be used to permanently select a mode.
I previously reviewed the NEXTORCH TA30C and I gave it to a relative in law enforcement for feedback. The Luminus SST40 emitter and the 18650 size is perfect for what he wants to use it for.
I have not been paid for this review nor have I held back my opinions of this torch.
Packaging⌗
The TA30C MAX comes in a white and green box with NEXTORCH branding.
The following was included in the box:
- NEXTORCH TA30C MAX
- NEXTORCH 21700 5000mAh USB-C cell
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Lanyard
- User manual
Optional NEXTORCH FR-2 tactical ring:
Optional NEXTORCH V51 holster:
Torch in use⌗
The NEXTORCH TA30C MAX has been designed for military and law enforcement use.
It has a rotary switch where you can reliably turn the torch on. I found that I can either twist the rotary switch with my thumb and index finger or simply flick the rotary switch with my thumb to turn the torch on.
It also has a big button at the tail end with two sensitivity levels: press lightly for momentary High, or press hard for momentary Strobe.
The torch can tailstand on a perfectly flat surface but it easily falls over.
The torch feels a bit big in my hand.
The optional V51 holster is made of plastic.
The holster can be attached to a belt by flicking down the spring-loaded clip.
The belt clip width can be adjusted by pressing two clips in and by sliding the clip.
The angle of the holster can be adjusted by pulling a clip near the top of the holster and then by rotating the holster.
The optional FR-2 tactical ring is also made of plastic.
The tactical ring can be installed by removing the pocket clip and then by clipping the tactical ring onto the tube. It seems less secure compared to how the TA30C tailcap covers the clip of a FR-1 tactical ring.
The lanyard can be attached to one of the two holes in the tailcap or a hole in the optional FR-2 tactical ring.
The TA30C MAX can be inserted into the V51 holster while the FR-2 tactical ring is attached.
The hole of the tactical ring does not line up with the quick release button in the holster. This means that the tactical ring cannot be rotated to the side while the torch is in the holster.
A fair amount of effort is required to remove the torch from the holster with the quick release button disengaged.
Build quality⌗
The NEXTORCH TA30C MAX is constructed of aluminium. The body has a dark gray matte anodised finish on both the outside and the inside. The torch feels smooth and there are no sharp edges.
The head and the tube appear to be made of one continuous tube of aluminium.
There is plenty of grip on the head, tube and tailcap.
The rotary switch clicks into place while changing between TAC (off), Low, Medium, High and Strobe. The rotary switch feels secure enough to avoid accidentally turning the torch on.
The tailcap is a bit annoying to put back on. I need to carefully put the tailcap on to avoid cross-threading it. The springs are short and there isn’t much play. It would be better if the threads were larger.
It is odd to have to insert the battery backward. Normally a battery is inserted with the positive end toward the head but the TA30C MAX requires the positive end to point toward the tail.
There is a single spring at the head and a single spring at the tailcap. The springs are short and do not allow an unprotected flat top 21700 to fit.
LED, bezel, lens, reflector and beam⌗
The NEXTORCH TA30C MAX has a CREE XHP50.3 HI emitter with an orange peel reflector to provide a throwy beam.
It has a strike bezel with three nano-ceramic beads for breaking car windows. These three beads protrude into the edge of the beam (as seen in the beamshot).
I made a bezel removal tool by drilling three slots into a piece of wood. I was then able to press the torch head against the piece of wood and twist it to unscrew the bezel.
The bezel was screwed down against a hard plastic ring that sits on top of the glass lens. An o-ring was between the lens and the reflector.
I noticed that there were three spots on the CREE XHP50.3 HI emitter when the torch arrived. The spots did not get worse after I performed runtime tests.
It is nice to see that a copper MCPCB has been used and that two screws are helping keep the MCPCB pressed against the head.
I sprayed a q-tip with isopropyl alcohol and I carefully wiped the spots off the emitter. A few marks remained.
CCT, CRI, and duv⌗
I have taken Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) and Colour Rendering Index (CRI, RA of R1-R8) measurements with the torch positioned one metre away from an Opple Light Master Pro III (G3).
The Opple Light Master Pro III (G3) is a relatively affordable tool that torch enthusiasts have been using to get approximate measurements of CCT, CRI and duv.
The CCT is around 6300K. The CRI is around 69.
The Delta u, v is positive (green) on low and less green on High.
The beam produced has the infamous CREE rainbow. The orange peel reflector helps blend the beam a bit. There is a white hot spot, a slightly green corona, and a spill with a hint of purple. The strike bezel has three notches that get in the way of the beam.
| Mode | CCT (K) | CRI (Ra) | x | y | Duv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 6087 | 68.9 | 0.3195 | 0.3428 | 0.0069 |
| Medium | 6264 | 69.6 | 0.3163 | 0.3373 | 0.0056 |
| High | 6722 | 71.0 | 0.3095 | 0.3247 | 0.0026 |
Calculate Duv from CIE 1931 xy coordinates
Dimensions and size comparison⌗
Dimensions⌗
I took the following measurements using a digtal caliper.
| Measurement | Unit (mm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 153.53 |
| Head outside diameter | 38.29 |
| Tube outside diameter | 27.62 |
| Tail rotary diameter | 31.14 |
| Battery length | 76.44 |
| Battery diameter | 21.48 |
Weight⌗
I took the following measurements using a digital scale.
| Weight | Unit (g) |
|---|---|
| Torch | 156.48 |
| Battery | 73.0 |
| Torch with battery | 229.48 |
Size comparison with its competition⌗
From left to right: NEXTORCH TA30C MAX, NEXTORCH TA30C, Acebeam Defender P16 Gray, Olight Warrior Mini 2 Copper
From left to right: NEXTORCH TA30C MAX, NEXTORCH TA30C, Acebeam Defender P16 Gray, Olight Warrior Mini 2 Copper
From left to right: NEXTORCH TA30C MAX, NEXTORCH TA30C, Acebeam Defender P16 Gray, Olight Warrior Mini 2 Copper
User interface⌗
The rotary switch can be rotated anti-clockwise to access: TAC (off), Low, Medium, High and Strobe. The switch may then be rotated clockwise to move the switch back into the TAC (off) position. It does not continuously rotate in one direction. It will stop.
The button can be pressed lightly to enter High momentarily or pressed hard to enter Strobe momentarily.
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Rotate switch to TAC | Off |
| Off | Rotate switch to I | Low |
| Off | Rotate switch to II | Medium |
| Off | Rotate switch to III | High |
| Off | Rotate switch to Strobe | Strobe |
| Any | Press button lightly | Momentary High |
| Any | Press button hard | Momentary Strobe |
Strobe⌗
Strobe has an alternating frequency.
Battery capacity indication⌗
When the rotary switch is turned to TAC (off), a battery capacity indicator will light up in the button for a second or two.
| Colour | Battery level |
|---|---|
| Blue | Capacity ≥ 75% |
| Blue flash | 50% ≤ Capacity < 75% |
| Red | 25% ≥ Capacity < 50% |
| Red flash | Capacity < 25% |
Low voltage protection⌗
The torch does not appear to have low voltage protection built in. I recommend using the included 21700 cell with low voltage protection.
I tested low voltage protection by connecting the head and tail of the torch to a bench power supply and then by lowering the voltage from 4.2V to 0V. The emitter turned off at 2.06V and the current dropped to 394 µA. I expected the emitter to turn off between 2.50V and 3.20V, and for the current to stop.
PWM⌗
I did not notice any visible PWM (flickering).
What I like about the UI⌗
- The user interface is simple to use.
What could be improved⌗
- A lower moonlight mode would be nice.
Batteries and charging⌗
Battery⌗
A button top NEXTORCH 21700 5000mAh cell with USB-C charging was included inside the torch. The cell arrived with a voltage of 3.67V, and it was isolated with a piece of plastic.
I tried to use an unprotected flat top Molicel P42A 21700 but it was too short.
Charging⌗
The indicator LED went red while charging and it went blue when charging was complete.
Power supply: PinePower Desktop USB-C
USB Meter: AVHzY CT-3 (recommended by LiquidRetro)
Room temperature: 10 C
I charged the cell with its built-in USB-C charger from 2.86V to 4.12V. Charging completed after 4 hours 26 minutes. The charging rate was approximately 5V 1.3A.
Power supply compatibility⌗
I tried the following power supplies with the built-in USB-C charger:
| Power supply | USB Type | Protocol | Does it charge? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple 20W Power Adapter | USB-C | PD | Yes |
| Google Pixel Power Adapter | USB-C | PD | Yes |
| PinePower Desktop | USB-C | PD | Yes |
| PinePower Desktop | USB-A | QC | Yes |
| PinePower Desktop | USB-A | Yes |
USB-C to USB-C charging works.
Performance⌗
Specifications from the manual:
| ANSI / PLATO-FL1 | Momentary on | Tactical Strobe | High | Medium | Low | Strobe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output (lumens) | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 520 | 70 | 3,000 |
| Runtime | 2h 45min | 5h | 35h | |||
| Beam Distance (metres) | 390 | 160 | 60 | |||
| Beam Intensity (cd) | 38,025 | 6,400 | 900 |
Lumen measurements⌗
| Mode | Specs | Lumens @turn on | Lumens @30 sec | Lumens @10 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 70 | 86 | 86 | 86 |
| Medium | 520 | 489 | 483 | 483 |
| High | 3,000 | 2,860 | 2,917 | 786 |
Runtime graphs⌗
I used my own DIY lumen tube with a TSL2591 sensor and forked bmengineer’s project RuTiTe to record runtimes.
Note: Lumen measurements may be off by 10% with my DIY lumen tube.
The room temperature was approximately 10 C.
Runtime⌗
Here is a summary of the runtime results:
| Mode | User manual | Runtime result | Turn off | Final voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 2h 45min | 3h 5min 16s | 3h 5min 16s | 2.94 |
| Medium | 5h | 5h 9min | 5h 9min | 2.97 |
| Low | 35h | 24h+ | 24h+ | 3.50 |
“Runtime” is the time until the output reduces to 10% of the output at 30 seconds (as per the ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 Standard).
“Turn off” is the time until my DIY lumen tube no longer detects more than 1 lumen.
“+” indicates that the light remained on after recording had stopped.
I stopped recording after 24 hours for the Low mode but the light was still on.
The runtime results were better than expected and the sustained output is impressive.
Throw⌗
I took lux measurements with a UNI-T UT383BT at 30 seconds. Low, Medium and High were measured at five metres.
| Mode | Specs (cd) | Specs (m) | Candela measured (cd) | Distance (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 900 | 60 | 1,350 | 73 |
| Medium | 6,400 | 160 | 8,450 | 183 |
| High | 38,025 | 390 | 44,950 | 424 |
Beamshots⌗
I went to a local park and aimed the NEXTORCH TA30C MAX at a tree 70 metres away while using High.
Beamshots were taken using a Sony RX100M2 using 3.2", f3.2, ISO 100, 5000K WB.
NEXTORCH TA30C MAX (High)⌗
NEXTORCH TA30C (High)⌗
Olight Baton 3 Pro Max (Turbo)⌗
Olight Warrior Mini 2⌗
Acebeam Defender P16 Gray (Turbo)⌗
Amutorch XT35 (High)⌗
Cyansky P25 V2.0 (Turbo)⌗
Sofirn C8L (Turbo)⌗
Conclusion⌗
The NEXTORCH TA30C MAX is a much more powerful torch compared to the TA30C.
The runtime and sustained output of the TA30C MAX is much better.
The beam produced throws further and wider due to the larger orange peel reflector and the CREE XHP50.3 HI emitter.
But there are some compromises:
- The torch is heavier and larger.
- The battery needs to be inserted backward.
- The pocket clip is not as secure as the one on the TA30C because the tailcap does not hold it in place.
There were three small spots on the CREE XHP50.3 HI emitter. They did not get worse after testing the torch. I was able to clean the emitter but it would be a good idea to request a replacement if you notice something similar.
I wanted to like the TA30C MAX as much as the TA30C. While the TA30C MAX arguably performs better, I prefer the size and feel of the TA30C.
If you are looking for a tactical 21700 torch with a decent runtime and sustained output, then I would recommend the TA30C MAX.
If you want something a bit more compact then I would recommend the NEXTORCH TA30C.
Pros:⌗
- Good build quality.
- Good runtime and sustained output.
- Good beam distance.
- Simple user interface.
- 21700 battery has USB-C charging.
Cons:⌗
- The emitter had three spots on it.
- The tailcap is slightly difficult to screw on.
- The battery must be inserted backwards.
- It does not take a short unprotected 21700 battery.
- The strike bezel interferes with the beam pattern.
- No LVP? (the battery has protection)
Price⌗
The NEXTORCH TA30C MAX is about US$132.99 at the time of writing.
Product page⌗
Buy the NEXTORCH TA30C MAX with a discount code⌗
Promo code: TIM
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