The proven "Nextorch recipe" with the typical ingredients is also found in the TA21, which is waterproof up to two meters: rugged aluminum body with anodised surface coating, powerful LEDs with 1,300 lumens of white light and 150 lumens of red light as well as a lstainless steel bezel with nano-ceramic strike points and metal carrying clip. The operating concept impresses with its simplicity and protects against unintentional handling – the keyword here is "light discipline".
On the rotating light head with its non-slip contour, you will discover the four clearly marked positions; "Lock" (no light emission), "Red" (red LED for IR/red light is activated), "Duty" (the two white light LEDs are activated) and "Tac" (half-press on the tail switch for momentary white light high mode; full press for momentary strobe). After presetting the head ring to "Red" or "Duty", three light intensity modes – "High", "Medium" and "Low" – can be selected using the tail switch. In red light, the light intensity is then 150, 30 and 3 lumens while in "Duty" mode 1,300, 230 and 30 lumens. The runtimes of the rechargeable 16340 battery with USB-C port (or alternatively CR123A) are one hour, 2.15 hours and 20 hours in the white light modes, and 3.5 hours, 5.5 hours and 50 hours in the red light modes.
All-round flashlight in a mini size: the most important details about the TA21 from Nextorch
Due to the distance between the controls, the TA21 requires two-handed operation. However, if you decide on a setting before use, for example "Tac" mode, then there is no need for two-handed operation. In our opinion, this is perfectly acceptable for a tactical all-round compact light for everyday carry. Especially when used in combination with a firearm, however, we would probably recommend the tried-and-tested Nextorch classics such as the significantly larger TA30/TA30C, which allow intuitive one-handed operation in various modes with a rotating ring and tail switch.
Nextorch TA21 pocket carry flashlight technical specifications
| Model: | Nextorch TA21 |
LED: | 2 white LEDs, 1 red LED |
Modes (White): | 1300 lm / 230 lm / 30 lm / momentary on / strobe |
Beam Distance: | 160 m / 68 m / 24 m |
Runtime (White Mode): | 1 h / 2 h 15 min / 20 h |
Modes (Red): | 150 lm / 30 lm / 3 lm |
Runtime (Red Mode): | 3 h 30 min / 5 h 30 min / 50 h |
Waterproof Rating: | IPX8 (2 m) |
Impact Resistance (Drop Height): | 2 m |
Battery: | 1x 16340 or 1x CR123A |
Dimensions: | 98 x 32 x 23 mm |
Weight: | 97 g |
| Price (RRP): | $95.99 |
Test summary of the Nextorch TA21 pocket carry flashlight
The versatile Nextorch TA21 EDC flashlight with white and red light modes has a clean finish. The rotating head impresses with its fine mechanics, whereby you can hear a clear "click" when operating it. The light output, depending on the selected mode, with beam distances of 24, 68 and 160 meters is absolutely impressing and is amazingly bright for such a small torch. Without the FR-1 ring, the TA21 is much slimmer and is even easier to carry in your trouser pocket or store in other utensils to save space. The price of $95.99 is perfectly reasonable.
