Nitecore NRL27 weapon mounted light
Nitecore NRL27 preview review - In a market that offers weapon mounted lights with ever increasing functions, Nitecore's return to simplicity and purpose-driven features is a breath of fresh air.
Nitecore NRL27 rifle weapon mounted light
We have seen it all: WMLs (Weapon Mounted Lights) coupled with lasers, with IR illumination, with warm and cold flood lights, with wide beam and narrow beam projectors, with different power and strobe output… Truth is, every added function increases the mental load on the shooter exponentially, and we all know how difficult it is to perform even simple actions under heavy stress.
We received from Nitecore a preview sample and here it is: the new Nitecore NRL27, a WML for long firearms that takes a step back, a deep breath, and answers the simple, yet difficult question "What do you really need?".
The Nitecore NRL27 with its detachable remote button, recharge cable, adapters and mounting fasteners
With no fancy options, no additional functions, the Nitecore NRL27 does one thing, and does it well: it makes light, a lot of it, but without trespassing into the "nuclear event" kind of lighting that seems so popular today. As if your flashlight not leaving the target's shadow imprinted on the wall means it is not a proper flashlight.
You need enough light to identify a potential target, projected far enough to be consistent with the use of a carbine or PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine), but not so bright that hitting a white wall will blind you.
The NRL27 does this, and it does this in the simplest way possible: push the button to make light, push it again to stop making light; hold the button for temporary illumination. That's all. No complex and tricky controls, just the button.
There are two settings available: a high 2300 lumen setting, with a 520-meter throw, suited for outdoors use, and a low 500 lumen setting, suited for indoors use.
Detail of the operating button with its protective crown against accidental activation and the remote button connection point
The Nitecore NRL27 has an M-Lok interface directly on its body for flush mounting to minimize encumbrance and snagging
The battery pack with the led bar indicating residual charge, and the charging USB-C port
The flashlight with the remote switch attached
Two quick presses of the button switch between settings. This is the only "complication".
Light is emitted by two separate LEDs on separate projectors, that offer better light diffusion, better heat dissipation and a degree of redundancy on a light meant for professional use. The light is anyway protected from overheating by a sensor that automatically switches to low power in case of overheating.
Since you may want to activate the light from a remote position, like the handguard or auxiliary grip, the NRL27 comes with a remote switch that can be set on a section of Picatinny rail via a plastic Picatinny adaptor or can be affixed to any suitable surface with a tab of double-sided tape.
The switch is securely attached to the flashlight body by a press-and-twist connector that allows quick disconnect for weapon disassembly when the light and the switch are installed on different parts (as is often the case).
Simple as it is, the NRL27 is not devoid of cool features that matter.
Detail of the double projector and the battery release button, flush with the torch's body to prevent accidental release
The battery pack can be quickly replaced without removing the flashlight from the gun
The main one is the fact that, differently from most lights, you can easily replace the battery pack without having to remove the light from the gun: just press the release button, slide the exhausted battery off the light, and slide a fresh one in.
The battery pack is a Li-ion sealed unit with an output voltage of 3.6V and a capacity of 6800mAh, offering a duration of 4h 30m on high power setting, and 6h 45m on low power.
Each battery pack has its own USB-C plug to recharge it from any available USB-C power source, and an LED bar activated by touch that shows the remaining power.
Second, the NRL27 comes with very low-profile direct M-Lok attachment and two light, compact and thin Picatinny and 45° M-Lok attachment brackets.
You can choose to install it on whatever kind of mounting point you got on your gun. Compared to other flashlight mounting options, that are often prone to snagging and add considerable side bulk to a gun, the NRL27 offers an extremely low and compact mounting.
The remote switch mounted using the Picatinny adapter
The remote switch fixed to the forward grip with a tab of double-sided tape - it is best to use a cable routing system
The double projector offers better light flooding, better heat dissipation and offers redundancy in case of led failure
Even the Picatinny adaptor is designed so as to keep the thinnest possible mounting profile.
These characteristics came in handy with the cramped front Picatinny rail system of the Steyr AUG A3 used in the pictures.
The flashlight is attached to the bracket by two screws set into the flashlight body, under the battery pack. This makes for easy, secure and very low-profile attachment.
When affixing the light to the gun, you just need to mind the direction the battery pack slides off the flashlight, to preserve the fast replacement feature.
On the one hand, at 240g (a tad over 0.5 lbs.) the NRL27 is a bit on the hefty side, but on the other it offers great output and throw (according to the manufacturer a 15% increase in maximum brightness and 73% in range compared to similar products), and excellent battery life.
The Nitecore NRL27 is IPX6 protected, with a 1m drop resistance, has an aerospace-grade alloy body with military grade Level 3 hard anodizing protecting it from wear and environment.
With its ease of use, great performance, long lasting, easily replaced battery pack, and low-profile mounting options, the Nitecore NRL27 is designed for Law Enforcement, security teams, shooting enthusiasts and competitive shooters, and offers a user-friendly and reliable answer to an often-overcomplicated question.
Important notice: the Nitecore NRL27 WML we presented in this preview is not yet available on the market. For more information stay tuned and check the NITECORE.COM website.
