Preface Official Specs Versions Price Short Review Long Review What's Included Manual and Packaging Build Quality and Durability Size Retention Power User Interface and Operation Modes LED and beam Tint vs... Beamshots, Runtime, etc table. Comparisons Conclusion What I like What I don't like Up Next Notes
Preface
Nitecore has a new offering in their Multi-Task (MT) series. This time it’s the MT42, a 18650×2 light, with a dual switch interface, and a rated 470m throw. Here are my measurements and thoughts on the MT42!
Official Specs and Features
Versions
There’s only one version of this light.
Price
NitecoreStore has this light for sale at $89.95. They also offer two cell options. Since these are in-series cells, I’d recommend grabbing a set there so that you know you have married cells!
Short Review
This is a solid light in a fairly niche category. Since the light has only a 2-up cell configuration tube (and no single cell tube), it’ll always be a long light. But it hits it’s throw numbers, and works well.
Long Review
What’s Included
- Nitecore MT42
- Nylon pouch
- Lanyard
- Pocket clip
- Tactical ring
- Spare o-ring
- Spare rubber boot
- Paperwork
Package and Manual
Quite a long box, but still Nitecore standard black and yellow.
Here’s a pdf link to the manual. Again, standard Nitecore fare here. It’s a good manual.
Build Quality and Disassembly
The MT42 has the usual solid Nitecore feel. Nothing about it stands out as bad but otherwise it’s a fairly standard Nitecore MT series light.
Make no mistake, this is a long light. But it’s thin, too, and easy to handle.
As I said above, the cell tube is dedicated 2x 18650. There is no option for a single 18650 cell. That’s not a problem, and makes sense since the emitter is a 12V emitter.
The bezel unscrews easily, and the emitter is accessed thusly. All the threads are well lubed, to the point of being a little too much lube.
Size
Officially the dimensions are 228mm x 50mm x 25.4mm, and the light weighs 231.5g.
It’s a long light.
Retention
There are a few ways to carry this light. Based on it’s use scenario, the most often chosen method will probably be the nylon pouch. It’s a standard pouch, with the light fitting in only one direction (bezel up).
There’s a pretty massive conflict on this pouch. With the tactical ring attached, the light is very hard to get out of the pouch. I’m not a tactical user, but my guess is getting the light out of the pouch, in a tactical-needs situation, having the light stuck in the pouch is the absolute last thing you’d want. Now, removing the tactical ring for pouch-use is easy, but then you lack the tactical ring for tactical needs. The pocket clip also doesn’t work in this scenario….
So you’re left with not using the tactical ring or pocket clip if you want to use the pouch.
The next option is the pocket clip, which attaches only on the tail end. It’s a friction clip. See below how large the clip is.
The last option is the lanyard, which can attach on the tailcap, and also through a hole in the tactical ring (seen below). The pocket clip also has two little holes through which the lanyard might be attached, but I typically don’t trust friction clips in this way.
Power
The MT42 is powered by two button top 18650 cells. There is no short tube for a single 18650, and a single 18650 wouldn’t work with the driver anyway. The emitter has a forward voltage of around 11.3 (let’s call it 12V) and the boost driver in this Nitecore needs around 6V.
Button top cells are absolutely required – many of Nitecore’s new lights (including this one) have a rubber ring around the positive connection that prevents use of flat tops. Probably more intended to prevent reverse polarity damage.
Below is a runtime on Turbo. Output is fairly steady for the first 4 minutes or so, and I measure the 30 second output at around 1950 lumens. I stopped the test when the indicating side-switch was fast blinking blue.
And another runtime on High. Note that the Turbo mode (above) is generally stable for over an hour, at a much higher output than High. High is around 900 lumens.
User Interface and Operation
There are two switches on the MT42. Primary is the tail mechanical clicky. It’s a forward clicky.
Second is the side switch, which is an indicating e-switch. There’s a blue led behind this metal switch, for indicating certain things.
Here’s a UI table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click Tail Switch (TS) | On (Last used mode, including Strobe, excluding Beacon/SOS) |
| Off | Any Action, Side Switch (SS) | No Action |
| On | Click TS | Off |
| On | Click SS | Mode advance (L>H direction) |
| On | Hold SS | Momentary Turbo |
| On | Double click SS | Fast strobe |
| Strobe | Hold SS | Strobe>Beacon>SOS |
| Off | Hold SS, Click TS | Battery indicator*, then On (mode memory) |
* Battery indicator indicates as follows:
1. 3 Flashes represent battery level above 50%
2. 2 Flashes represent battery level below 50%
3. 1 Flash represents battery level below 10%
Modes
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 1800 | 1h | 1994 | 1.96 |
| High | 800 | 3h30m | 915 | 0.65 |
| Mid | 280 | 12h | 318 | 0.17 |
| Low | 68 | 45h | 92 | 0.04 |
| Ultra-low | 1 | 530h | ~ | 0.00 |
LED and Beam
This thrower has a Cree XHP35 HD, and a smooth reflector. Notably it hits the claimed throw numbers. I’d really rather see this light with the HI version of that same emitter – I believe it’d throw better.
The beam is a very even spot, with a very small bit of spill right around the spot, and not much spill otherwise. It’s a great beam profile for the use case of this light.
Tint vs BLF-348
Beamshots, Runtime, and Lux Measurements
| Nitecore MT42 | |
|---|---|
| Emitter | Cree XHP35 HD |
| Emitter Notes | – |
| Cell | 18650×2 |
| Glamour Shots | Beamshots [0.3″, f/8, ISO 100, 5000k] |
| Runtime | Chargetime N/A |
| LVP? | |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1800 |
| Lux (Measured) | 1338 lux @ 6.903 m |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd | 63757.6 |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 505.0 |
| Throw (Claimed) (m) | 470 |
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….
There’s not a whole lot of competition in this 2×18650 realm. In fact both of the other similar lights are iterations of a light from Armytek. And aren’t really “throw” lights. So if this is the kind of light you need, then this one is de facto your best choice.
Conclusion
What I like
- Hits throw numbers
- Build quality is standard Nitecore fare
- Dual switch UI
- Indicating switch
- Battery check!
What I don’t like
- Battery check goes to “on” … I understand it but wish it could always go Battery Check> UltraLow
- Tactical ring and pouch conflict
Up Next
I have many more lights upcoming, but the most-next-est light will be a Lumintop. I have been on vacation and I’m still getting back around in to the swing of reviewing. But I hope to fill this week with reviews!
Notes
- This light was provided by NitecoreStore for review. I was not paid to write this review.
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.wordpress.com. Please visit there for the best experience!
- Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. It’s possible to subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!
