Double review: Nitecore MT21C and EC22: XP-L HD V6, 1000 lumens, beamshots, compare

kj75

Enlightened
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Sep 10, 2012
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892
Location
The Netherlands
I've seen (and tested) already a couple of Nitecore flashlights in the 1000-lumens class. There are many lights of different brands in this range, so it's a hard to show something new here. But Nitecore did! The EC22 has an unique interface, that makes it the "easiest" flashlight that I've seen ever. The MT21C is the first angle-light made by Nitecore, with a strong magnet built-in the tail. Both put out 1000 lumens, but have a new XP-L HD V6 inside and are powered by one 18650 or two CR123A's. In this review I will show the details of both, give my opinion about these torches and will show you how those two perform in the dark. Of course, I will compare the lights to an equal light in this class. Enjoy reading and watching!

again two new lights made by Nitecore, MT21C and EC22
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same output, but different applications
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both powered by the HD-version of the XP-L V6 led
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angle light and simplest interface ever
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two new additions in a very popular class
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Let's have a look at the specifications of both lights, given by manufacturer:

MT21C
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EC22
TixPjPDfZhVlodscwnChp0Uqz9Y3pTo7fsi9mg_TCRgOF9CgDq0EGfQ5Lg_7fsc9My1DYtHBdDFYfp_hHId9UxN0amAWf_FA1hd-mnA1Sj69hxRpcwEjJn7uL1kehLCUjSQsKXh_


And the output- and runtime specs:

MT21C
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EC22
ld381DVUO_137c2aoEldd8sexecj6_zq50L5qZc_nOExT1z0PYSe4WXKudKP9TpVnaCQVuU1fjvS36vCvNiUKaya5Z_s1I_e7m66dEO4ljNEl0qMbSNlFpiij3HAoSAIhkq10AeE





Package:

I received both lights a couple of weeks ago; the MT21C was brand new, so it came without box. I got the light including clip and battery. The EC22 came in the well-known carton, we've seen a box like this many times in the past years. But it still looks good and attractive, although is it still a bit crampy. The EC22 came also including 3200mAh 18650-cell; please check or your local dealer will provide a battery. Furthermore, in the box we find all we need. You can check your dealers' webpage to check what's in the original MT21C-box, it will be like the EC22. Like always, a complete package, you don't need to purchase something extra. Below some pictures that show the carton of the EC22 and what's in, and the MT21C and some parts!

the MT21C-sample came without box, but with battery and spare parts
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the EC22 comes in the same box that we often see provided by Nitecore
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main colors are yellow and black
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the specs on the back
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unboxed: ready to go!
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Impressions:

As the photos in my introduction-chapter showed, both are medium-sized flashlights in the single 18650-class. I think it won't surprise you that the EC22 and MT21C have many similarities: several parts are the same and interchangeable if you want. Despite that, the manufacturer has given them their own looks and style. The lights feel durable, I have to say that Nitecore is still improving the overall-quality on their products. Happy with that! Both come in matte-black, the job on the anodizing is done well, same for the laser engraving. The fine knurling ensures good grip; the clips (that can be clipped on reverse too) could be stronger. Striking detail on the MT21C is the head, that can be adjusted 90 degrees. This feature, that I never saw on a Nitecore before, can transform the MT21C into a L-shaped (work)light. Turning the head works smooth; personally, I would like to see a "lock-function" here on the head to avoid accidentally turning into another position. Beware that the grease that on the hinge won't dirt your clothes. The head in be adjusted in five positions. There's a loop added to head that gives the opportunity to hang the light on a nail (or something like that) if used as a worklight. The switch is made of metal, that makes it more durable than the rubber ones on previous models. Around the button, there's a rubber ring that can light up in blue to inform you about that actual battery-voltage. Striking detail on the EC22 is the metal "bloom-button" that can be found on the head: this is the special feature of the light; and also the only option. Both lights have the same head-diameter, same reflector and also the same emitter. I couldn't detect any shortcomings here: no dust, no flaws in the reflectors and perfectly centered XP-L HD V6-leds. On the rears we see some differences: the MT21C has a smooth cap with a strong magnet built-in, the cap of EC22 has some cut-outs and holes to ad a lanyard and isn't magnetic. If needed, you can add a lanyard on the clip of the MT21C, but it can't be fixed on the light directly. When we disassemble both torches we got three parts in total; the thread are machined and lubed well, like we're used of a Nitecore. Having a look into the caps' inner we see that the finishing of the magnetic cap of the MT21C looks some better. Also the inners of the heads are different, but both are finished well. Only button-tops can be used, or two CR123A-batteries. Resuming this chapter, my personal feelings about the overall quality of the two are positive. Build-quality and finishing on the two is done well. To show you more about the lights, I took a bunch of pictures that show more about the lights and the details. Please scroll down to watch!

this is the first angle-light made by Nitecore
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the MT21C with 90 degree adjustable head
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there's also a loop integrated in the head
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fine knurling, laser-engraving well-done
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a smooth and rather undeep reflector
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the special feature on the EC22 is mentioned on the box in big letters
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stable standing, both on head….
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and tail
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powered by one 18650, also an option to feed it with two CR123A-cells
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same emitter and reflector for the EC22
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the clip could be stronger
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the "bloom-switch" is the specialty of the EC22
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the MT21C in three parts: smooth running and lubed threads
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looking into the MT21C-head, only button-tops can be used
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a close-up to the tailcap of the MT21C
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well-machined; good finishing
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the XP-L HD V6 led is perfectly centered
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the metal switch has a power-indicator built-in
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beware for your clothes: a greased hinge
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smooth tailcap on the MT21C
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a different heads' inner on the EC22
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a look into the cap of the EC22
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same length, but both lights have their own looks and options
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no difference in heads and used emitters
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(almost) no manual needed on this simply flashlight
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using the loop makes this light a good option for camping too
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clip it on where you want on every metal surface
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the adjustable head of the MT21C in action
25kr70y.jpg



User interface:

Both lights have normal proportions for a single 18650-flashlight. Not super-compact, neither to big. Not a problem to wear them in your coat or pants-pocket. The MT21C is clearly the heavier one of the two. Thank to the styling with sleeves in the head, the fine knurling on the body and the clip, both have good grip and are easy to control by one hand. For EDC, the EC22 has the best papers here because it weighs less.

The MT21C is controlled by the rather big switch that can be located easily, even if it's completely dark. About the switch: I miss the location beacon on this light, this was to me a lovely feature on a lot of Nitecores. So, please bring this back in future.. If you insert the battery (a 18650) or batteries (two CR123A's) and you tighten the cap, the indicator will flash rapidly to show the accurate voltage. For example: Three flashes > short pause > eight flashes means 3.8 volts. I'm still a big fan of this feature! A long press turns the light on and off, there no memory for last used mode on the mode. On this light not a very big problem to me, because you have direct access to ultra-low and turbo on this light. If on, tap to cycle through the five normal output modes; this works smooth and without problems. If you press and hold for more than two seconds the light will turn on in turbo mode, after a split second ultralow. (I mean here that the light always will turn on in ultra-low after you press and hold the button for about one second). A new option is momentary-turbo: I you keep the switch down for more than 2,5 second, the light will stay in turbo mode until you release the switch. Very nice option which I really appreciate. The special modes can be activated both from on and off: Triple-tap to turn on strobe, single tap to cycle through the other modes:beacon and SOS. Good to have a direct strobe mode that you can reach anytime you need it, but I hope you'll have enough time to triple-tap in case of emergency..

The integrated power indicator in the button keeps you informed about the voltage constantly. If the voltage drops below 50 % the indicator will blink once per two seconds; if the voltage is low / critical the indicator will blink quickly. Good improvement of Nitecore, I missed a good feature like this until now.


The EC22 has the most easy interface there is: Rotate the switch clockwise to turn it on and to choose the desired brightness, turn it counter clockwise to until you can hear a click to turn it off. Need some more light? Turn it clockwise until the maximum output is reached. To bright? Turn the switch (that can be controlled best by your thumb) counter clockwise until you hear a click. No fixed output levels, you can fully adjust the light to your needs. The switch can be found easily if its complete dark too. Simple and effective!

Summarizing, I have to say that I like the renewed interface by Nitecore that the MT21C, especially the momentary-option. The interface of the EC22 is the most basic I've seen before, but it works without issues and can be an ideal solution for those who want a flashlight that doesn't need any practice on its interface.


Modes:

The MT21C has five normal output modes, in order of ULTRALOW > LOW > MID > HIGH > TURBO. The spacing between the levels is good, but I would like to recommend (and to see) a sixt level between ULTRALOW and LOW. Direct modes are ULTRALOW (normally it will start in this mode always) and instant-TURBO. Special modes are STROBE > BEACON > SOS. Because the special always start with STROBE, we can name this the direct one. The MT21C has a VOLTAGE-indicator and also LOW-VOLTAGE warning. To LOCK-OUT the light you need to release the cap or head a little. The light is also equipped with ATR: Advanced Temperature Regulation, which means that the output will be dimmed it the light gets overheated. If the temperature is ok again, the light will go back to full output. So, the MT21C is a complete flashlight, almost all wished option are on board.

About the EC22 I can be short: One option here: ON or OFF, output adjustable to your needs, but no memory and special mode at all. Only extra function is that has can be LOCKED-OUT by releasing the cap or head. This is all… but that was the intention of the designers of this simple flashlight.


Size comparison:

For comparison, I picked a light in the same class, also powered by a XP-L led; difference is that this is not a HD-version. So, interesting to see those ones side-by-side. I'll take these three also with me when I will go out for the beamshots; I'll show you the results later in this review!

18650-cell, Thorfire TK15S, Nitecore EC22 and Nitecore MT21C
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Nitecore EC22, Thorfire TK15S and Nitecore MT21C
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Nitecore EC22, Thorfire TK15S and Nitecore MT21C
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the heads: Thorfire TK15S, Nitecore EC22 and Nitecore MT21C
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the tails: Thorfire TK15S, Nitecore EC22 and Nitecore MT21C
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Tint:

The tint of both lights is equal, as expected. The tint of the spot is coolwhite and seems to have a bit green in it. In the spill we see some blue. Overall, the tint looks good to me, not to cool, neither to yellowish or greenish. As you can see on the photo below, the tint of the Thorfire TK15S has much more yellow in it.

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Beamprofile:

I was really surprised when I did my first test on a white wall with those lights. I asked me what that words "HD" would bring to a led. I can tell you that the Nitecore brothers have a large an equal hotspot, that turns quickly (there's only a slight corona) into a very wide spill. This will create a large, but rather concentrated beam at shorter to medium distance. This beam is total different to XM-L2 (U2) that we saw on lights like these for some years ago. See also my beamshots later in this review who show what I mean. Both beams are free of flaws, I couldn't detect PWM at any mode.



Beamshots:

I've told you enough about the lights and how they work. High time to see how they perform in the dark! Starting the beamshots-session as usual indoors. The lights on a tripod, and pointed to a white wall. Distance from the torches to the wall about one meter. Only GIF's here, otherwise it will take to many space.
Camera settings: ISO100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 1/125 sec, 35mm

MT21C
344bocz.jpg


Here's the wallshot of the EC22 in seven steps, from ultralow until turbo.

EC22
1088ffc.jpg



Going outdoors now! I pasted the MT21C on a metal surface this time. Below you can see the five normal white output modes, again a GIF here.

Camera settings: ISO100, WB daylight, F/2.7, 4 sec, 35mm

MT21C
25s6ct1.jpg


Now, it's the EC22's turn! The animation below shows the brightness of the EC22 from ultralow to turbo, in six steps:

six output modes of the Nitecore EC22
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A shoot-out now with both Nitecores! As you can see, the output is about the same, which is not a surprise I think.

the MT21C against the EC22, both on highest mode
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Below I'll show you how the other one that I showed in this review, the Thorfire TK15S, will perform against the Nitecore brothers. The picture below shows what I referred to in the chapter "beamprofile": the concentrated beam of the Nitecores against the more equal beam of the XP-L emitter that the TK15S has.

the MT21C against the Thorfire TK15S, both on highest mode
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the EC22 against the Thorfire TK15S, both on highest mode
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Conclusion:

Both lights are welcome additions to the flashlight-world. The overall quality is good, like we're used of this manufacturer. An angle-light like the MT21C can be a handy solution for many applications; you have many options with this light: paste, clip or hang it where you need. The EC22 is a good option for those who want a super-simply flashlight. This light is designed to give light and nothing more. So, it's not meant for those who want to play around with a flashlight. Both lights have an impressive and big beam that is more concentrated as the average light in this class.

Personally, I prefer the all-round MT21C out of these, but I'm a "flashaholic". If you go for a flashlight and do not want not more than that, the EC22 may be your pick.



Nitecore MT21C and EC22 provided for review, with thanks to Nitecore!

 
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