Nitecore P16 TAC, the precise tactical flashlight
The manufacturer calls it the "ultimate lighting tool for tactical and hunting applications"; marketing exaggerations aside, the Nitecore P16 TAC tactical flashlight has got more than one string to his bone
The Nitecore P16 TAC comes with all basic accessories
At the end of our recent string of reviews of Nitecore products, a special mention is paramount for one of the latest products of this Chinese-based company, maybe less famous than it'd deserve given the overall high quality of its products: the Nitecore P16 TAC tactical flashlight.
Like many of the Company's own products, the Nitecore P16TAC is a general-purpose flashlight offering several features that classify it as a real all-rounder, apt to satisfy the needs of pretty much any user as an EDC light as well as for technical, outdoors, private security, and law enforcement.
Given how, in many Countries, private security personnel and law enforcement officers do resort to personal purchase to procure high-quality gear, it's always useful to have a clear picture of what the market currently has to offer in terms of accessories that can make the difference in terms of tactical and operational purposes without breaking the bank. Under this point of view, Nitecore products are almost unbeatable.
The MODE selection button is just behind the flashlight head
The Nitecore P16 TAC is built around a 1-inch (2,54 cm) machined, black hard-anodized lightweight aluminum alloy tube with slip-proof, checkered contact surfaces; it is 5.94 inches (15,1 cm) long overall, features a 1.5" (4 cm) diameter bezel and weighs barely 136 grams (4.8 oz) without batteries.
Other features include a removable, reversible, titanium-coated steel belt clip and two protective wings for the rubberized activation button on the tail cap dubbing both as lanyard rings and as a tail stand.
Both the bezel and the tail cap are well-tightened and secured by O-Rings against water and elements; the Nitecore P16TAC flashlight is IPX-8 certified for water resistance up to 2,5 meters (8.2 ft) in depth, and is impact-resistant up to 1,5 meters (4.9 ft) in height.
The battery compartment features an impact-resistant system to ensure stable performance: the battery can not get loose by repeated recoil shock, which makes the Nitecore P16 TAC flashlight perfect for long-lasting performance as a weapon-mounted light.
The flashlight comes with a pocket clip and a lanyard
The battery compartment accepts one single 18650 battery or two CR123
1.000 lumen out of a single Cree XM-L2 U3 LED
The bezel hosts a single Cree XM-L2 U3 LED with a 50.000-hours service life, installed on a crystal-treated alloy reflector; the PDOT technology, a Nitecore patent, allows the company to engineer and offer some of the higher-performance reflectors on the market.
The front lens is manufactured out of optical mineral glass and is multi-coated; a crenulated front metal ring holds it in position and allows the use of the Nitecore P16 TAC as an emergency glassbreaker or as a blunt self-defense tool.
The Nitecore P16TAC is powered through a single 3400mAh, rechargeable 18650 battery; it is compatible with commercial disposable CR123 or rechargeable RCR123 batteries if need be, but performance will downgrade.
Unlike other entries in the Nitecore catalogue, the P16TAC does not feature an integrated charging port, so the battery will have to be removed and a separate battery charger will be necessary for recharging.
The Nitecore P16 TAC features a rubberized tailcap button for momentary or constant activation, and a bezel button allows to navigate between four standard output modes: 1 lumen (Ultra-Low); 60 lumens (Low); 240 lumens (Mid); and a staggering 1000 lumens (High) offering a peak beam intensity of 22000 Candela and a maximum beam throw of 300 meters (328 yards).
The battery life will vary from mere 75 minutes on High mode to 600 hours in Ultra-Low mode. The bezel button will also allow to navigate and select between three special high-power emergency modes: a tactical strobe; a locator beacon; and an SOS signal.
The P16TAC also features an intelligent memory feature that will keep the user's favourite output mode always readily accessible.
The flashlight with its belt holster
Several optional accessories are available separately
The Nitecore P16 TAC is compatible with several accessories, sold separately, which include several belt lanyards and bezel filters; some of those – including a tactical remote activation button, a Picatinny-compatible gun mount and a battery charger – are issued with the P16 TAC in the "Hunting Kit" setup.
