I just got my Thrunite TN30 in the mail. It's the XML-2 neutral white version : )
When I first tried putting in my Xtar 2600 protected batteries, I was like WTF, its so difficult to slide the battery carrier into the flashlight. And taking it out was even more difficult. This might sound stupid, but if I align the carrier so that each battery is lined up with those two lines carved into the handles, it goes in a lot more smoothly. It almost just plops in by itself, rather than me shoving them in with at least 50 pounds of pressure, and then using extreme measures to get them out lol..
Well I went into my "testing room" which is a small windowless storage room, lol. I did a quick comparison against my SkyRayKing 3x XML T6 NW. Well, let's say it was well too bright in there, but it seemed like the TN30 was considerably brighter when I did a ceiling bounce test. As for moonlight mode, it probably was at least 3 times brighter on that mode when compared to my SRT-7, which is expected because the SRT-7 has only one emitter. I don't know if the TN30 has true moonlight mode, but its rather close.
I went into my room (during the daytime), and I shined the lights on the wall on max brightness, and dang, the TN30 does seem considerably brighter. If I go out on walks at night, or go camping again, I doubt I'll stay on the max brightness, cause it's so insanely bright.
I was a bit surprised how wide the handle was, considering it held three 18650s. My SkyRayKing holds four 18650s and they seem similar in handle width. But then again, the SRK doesn't have a battery carrier. I'm not a fan of battery carriers in flashlights. I'm not quite sure what the point of incorporating them into flashlight is, apart from making the design and manufacturing more easier perhaps.
I was also looking at the X40, but it didn't come in NW. The fact that it had that "infinite brightness mode" makes it extremely tempting for me to get. Plus other neat stuff like battery power level indicator and built-in charger. But on the other hand the TN30 is available in NW and is considerably cheaper (at least the CW version) now if you buy directly from Thrunite website.
Thanks for the reviews Selfbuilt. I have referred to them many times. I showed my GF your website, and I was telling her that you were like the Flashlight God
Yeah I'm pretty happy with my TN30, probably gonna be my new fav 3x XML-2 flashlight.
About the lanyard (I know its a super old post..), mine is 8.5" in length. When I strap it on, it seems to be just perfect. I put my hand through the loop on the far side, and zip it down, and it's just perfect.
My light came in a plain cardboard box though, no fancy metal case
I hope flashlight manufacturers keep making more x3 XML2 flashlights with moonlight mode and lots of brightness levels and perhaps infinite brightness mode (I hope Nitecore doesn't have a patent on that..)