Everyday carry flashlights are a must. I’ve got my favorite manufacturers and models of flashlights and Nextorch has rapidly moved towards the top of the short list. Nextorch manufactures a line of quality, robustly built lights, many of which deliver high lumen. I got a Nextorch TA30C 1600 lumen light late last year and it’s really grown to be one of my go-tos.
Body construction
The TA30C is a rechargeable 18650 series flashlight. The light’s size is comparable to others in this class. Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, the TA30C is lightweight. The body measures a little under 5 and 3/8th’s inches, at 136mm. Light size is often a big consideration when it comes to EDC lights, and the TA30C’s dimensions make it not awkward for pants pocket clip carry, or carry in an optional holster or aftermarket pouch.
The power source
As noted, the TA30C is an 18650 series flashlight. This means that the light is powered by one 18650 rechargeable lithium ion battery. The light can also run on two CR123A single use batteries.
Nextorch includes their brand of 18650 battery with the purchase of your TA30C light. To charge the battery, you don’t need any proprietary charger or anything clunky. Charging is achieved by removing the battery from the light and it can be plugged directly into a USB C charging cable.
Some might find it to be cumbersome to have to remove the battery from the light in order to charge it. However, not having any external charging ports on the light helps facilitate its watertight integrity. The TA30C is advertised to be, “Water Resistance: IPX8; 2 meters,” and the charging mode aids in keeping the internals dry if exposed to water.
The included battery is advertised to be able to run for 50 hours on low and there’s a battery level indicator on the tail switch.
Brightness of the light and settings
The TA30C has a max brightness of 1600 lumen. That 1600 lumen can be activated while in four different modes. The light has six modes in total.
- Constant on tactical strobe: 1600 lumen
- High: 1600 lumen, 2 hours 30 minutes
- Medium: 330 lumen, 4 hours 30 minutes
- Low: 20 lumen, 50 hours
- Momentary on: 1600 lumen
- Momentary tactical strobe: 1600 lumen
Tail switch and rotary magnetic switch
There are two ways to turn on the TA30C. The rotary magnetic switch and tail switch.
Momentary tail switch
The quickest way to turn on your TA30C is by using the tail switch. The tail switch, when pressed halfway in, will go straight to 1600 lumen. At that point, if a user pushes the tail switch all the way in, it will activate the 1600 lumen tactical strobe. This feature makes it easy to deploy and actuate quickly and with ease.
The momentary tail switch is where I got/get the most use out of the light. A quick pop out the pocket, then activation of the switch via my thumb. I find my light needs getting fulfilled expeditiously using the momentary tail switch.
Rotating magnetic tail cap
If you’re looking to turn on your TA30C and have it stay on in one of the different modes, you can use the “rotating magnetic tail cap.” To be honest, my first impression on this style of power switch did not appeal to me much at first. However, after using the light for about nine months now, the TA30C’s power switching mechanism has grown on me.
The rotating magnetic switch is advertised to be “simple one-handed operation.” I had a hard time mastering that operation, often reverting to using two hands to rotate the switch. After a good deal of practice, I can now easily deploy the light and use my thumb to rotate the switch if I desire to use it in that manner.
Tactical features
What makes this a tactical light? Is this just a marketing gimmick? Not really at all. The light has the right elements to where it can be an effective self-defense tool if needed.
The strobe
The most effective feature for self-defense on the TA30C would be the strobe. At 1600 lumen, the rapidly blinking strobe is enough to disorient anyone. Should someone be coming up and on a user, quickly dispatching the TA30C to temporarily blind and confuse a potential attacker, is a fairly risk free way to self-defend.
In a situation where maybe deploying the light might not have been needed, the harm here is being obnoxious and maybe giving the person some afterimages to deal with. If the user was justified though, it can buy a potential victim of a crime some time to create some distance between a perpetrator and themselves.
The bezel with ceramic beads
The bezel, or front end, of the light is “embedded with [three] nano-ceramic beads.” The beads are advertised to be able to break tempered glass. Nextorch states the nano-ceramic beads are “unique and powerful; second only to diamonds in hardness, able to break tempered glasses easily; to satisfy various emergency needs and gain the initiative in self-defense, rescue and tactics.”
Considering the bezel of the light is fashioned with such accoutrement, the TA30C can be used as an effective striking tool. Whether a user needs to break a window to get out of a harmful situation, or give the face of an attacker a crack with the light, the TA30C’s nano-ceramic beads could be a useful feature.
Accessories
The Nextorch TA30C has several optional accessories available for it.
My favorite accessory is the FR-1 tactical flashlight ring. The ring attaches to the light by removing the tail cap and then placing it over the end, interfacing with the pocket clip, and then screwing the tail cap back on. The ring allows for use of the pocket clip and positioning the light so that the ring can be easily looped into with the preferred finger. Not only does the ring allow for a user to maintain a solid grip on the light, it’d also be awful for someone to be punched in the face by it.
Nextorch does cater to law enforcement and the security industry. With that, they have available a whole slew of holster options for their lights. The TA30C is compatible with the hard plastic holster, the V35 Quick-Draw Holster. The holster is adjustable and MOLLE compatible.
My impressions
When I first got my hands on the TA30C I was thinking it was kind of gimmicky. I was dead wrong and learned that quickly.
I’ve had and have been using my TA30C light for about nine months now.
Getting used to the controls and features
The 1600 lumen max brightness makes this lamp a serious contender when it comes to light selection. The momentary on/full press strobe appealed to me, however, it was the magnetic rotary switch that took time getting used to as mentioned earlier.
The tactical ring, as noted, is an accessory that I really like. When carrying the TA30C as an EDC, I’d keep it in my strongside pants pocket, clip it in there, and have the ring parallel to the pocket fabric facing forward. For quick deployment, I’d pop my index finger into the ring and retract the light in that manner. This poised me to be able to actuate the momentary half press or full press strobe function with my thumb.
Where did the TA30C shine most?
I took my TA30C out in different situations. It was used in an occupational setting, one where using a light is an everyday occurrence and need. I also utilized the light for some outdoor activities. The 1600 lumen light cut through darkness with ease. The place I found the most use for the TA30C was during travel.
Air travel
Keeping the TA30C as an EDC while traveling made great sense to me, in particular, when traveling via air. I’ve taken my TA30C on airplanes over half a dozen times so far without any issues. I’ll place it at the bottom of my backpack’s front pouch along with my tactical pen, wallet, and phone when going through security. I’ve yet to be challenged or questioned for having the light.
Once on the other side of security in a sanitized zone, I’d put all my things back where they belong; wallet, phone, pen, and flashlights. From that point forward, if you have a TA30C on the other side of security, you’re more well armed then the majority of the people who are around you. Taking a page out of the section talking about the tactical uses, the light can be useful as a blinding/distracting agent, as well as a striking tool.
Car travel
It might be silly to even bring this up, but this is one of those lights that’s useful when traveling by vehicle. Yes, the ceramic beads are considered “glass breakers,” so there’s that element. But then there’s all the other hazards that go along with traveling on the road and why the light is useful.
Again, the tactical elements of the TA30C make it a great improvised weapon. Then there’s the utilitarian feature of being a hell of an awesome flashlight. That’s beyond useful in emergencies and for those when ya need it moments.
Lodging
I’m a huge proponent of keeping a light on my bedside table, wherever I am. While traveling and in hotels, keeping a light handy is a habit I had drilled into me since I was a kid…My dad was in the hotel industry.
Dad explained it to me at an early age, if the lights go out in a 54 floor hotel in New York City and or there’s some kind of other catastrophe, having a quality light is important. I still have his 3 C cell Maglite he used when the Plaza Hotel, where he was the superintendent, flooded in the 80’s after a pipe burst.
I’ve kept the TA30 as a bedside light most of the time while on the go the last nine months.
The quick and dirty
Pluses: Ultra bright. Rechargeable. Lightweight. Nicely sized 18650 series body. All metal tail switch. Moderately priced, under $100.00. Easy to recharge via standard USB C cable.
Minuses: Took a little time getting used to. Might be out of the price range for some people.
Where the rubber meets the road on the TA30C, it’s one of my favorite flashlights. It fulfills a niche in my life and makes a regular appearance as an EDC light, in particular, it’s my travel light. While I don’t lean on the TA30C for all of my lighting needs, that does not mean that it can’t or won’t meet and exceed my expectations, because it does.
Would I buy a Nextorch TA30C? After using one and getting a chance to manipulate the controls, absolutely. Would I recommend a TA30C to a friend or family member? Yes. Should someone I know have the need for an EDC light of this caliber and it has the functionality they’re looking for, I would recommend the light hands down.
Spoiler alert. I also have had a chance to put my hands on the TA30C Max, and have been using it for a couple of months off and on too. It’s the 3000 lumen behemoth big brother of the TA30C.
If you use the code THESQUAREREVIEWS at checkout, you’ll receive 10% off your order and we’ll get a commission! If you prefer, this product is also offered on Amazon.
For a closer look at the TA30C and TA30C Max, check out our booth-side interview from the 2024 Great American Outdoor Show HERE or in the embed below.
