I just recieved my TN4A in the mail today - XP-L NW version. I only have one other 4xAA light to compare it to - a Starry Light SA-22 that was a group buy over at BLF. It has a Neutral White XM-L2 T6 emitter, labeled as a 3C tint, and a smooth reflector. I wanted to post some photos, but the differences just don't show up on camera.
In terms of tint, the Thrunite is definitely on the warm side. I got a Thrunite T10t with the neutral XP-L a few days ago, and they're both on the warm side of neutral, as compared to the SL's XM-L2, which to my eyes looks perfectly neutral. If you don't like yellowish tints you probably won't like the XP-L NW version. I'm assuming that the XP-L HI is cooler, and closer to neutral based on the photos I've seen here and elsewhere. Personally, I'm quite happy with it.
The Starry Light claims 900 lumens and a 260m beam distance vs. the Thrunite's 1150 lumens and 326m beam distance, so I expected the Thrunite to be a little bit brighter and throw a farther. I'd say the Thrunite is a touch brighter, but the real difference is the spill is a LOT wider. In terms of throw, it's kind of hard to say because it was kind of misty / foggy outside tonight, which I'm sure was cutting down the distance. The Maglite I normally use as my comparison thrower can normally reach a line of trees behind my house that's about 200m away & light up a tree quite well. Tonight, it was struggling to reach the tree line at all. I tried pointing it at another group of trees 150m away, & it lit one up. However, at that same distance, the Thrunite was lighting up three trees instead of the Maglite's one - just not as brightly.
The really interesting thing for me - and the main reason I wanted to post - was to mention the hot spot itself. On both of my XP-L NW lights, the hot spot isn't really defined at all - even close up, it's just kind of a blur. I only have a handful of other lights, but all them have a well defined hot spot with a clear line between the hot spot and the spill - just like in the photos CelticCross74, Selfbuilt, and others have posted. However, with both of my XP-L NW lights, there's definitely a brighter spot in the middle, but you'd be hard pressed to tell where the hot spot ends and the spill begins. I tried to take a picture of this, but my phone just doesn't capture it - the photo shows a definite hot spot, which doesn't exist in real life. I think I'll try to borrow my wife's DSLR tomorrow to see if I can get a picture of what I'm talking about.
Two other general observations about the TN4A:
1. It is small but remarkably heavy. I remember when the first EA4 4xAA first became popular, someone pointed out that it could fit inside a toilet paper tube. I thought these lights had gotten bigger since then, but the TN4A still fits almost entirely in a TP tube (the bezel sticks out about 1cm as that part is too wide). However, at 218g it's about 50g heavier than the popular Sunwayman D40A, which is about the weight of 2 eneloops. That's fairly significant in a 4xAA light. If I wanted to throw this light in a pocket it would certainly fit, but I was concerned about weight I think I'd go with the Sunwayman instead. In fact, if Sunwayman ever comes out with a D40A with an XP-L HI, I'd probably consider that instead based on the weight alone if I wanted a throwy light in this size. On the other hand, the Thrunite seems very well built and sturdy - if you want a light with "heft" it certainly has it!
2. I love the UI! After reading Selfbuilt's review, the UI (and the lack of a timed stepdown) had me convinced that the TN4A was the light I wanted, and the UI doesn't disappoint. While the electronic switch isn't as definite as a true clicky mechanical switch, it's perfectly silent. I use firefly mode in light a lot when I want to walk around the house in the dark without waking anyone up, and a quiet switch is good for that.
Anyway, in conclusion, if you're happy with a warm tint, a loosely defined hot spot, and tons of spill, get the XP-L NW version. If that's not your cup of tea, you should probably consider the XP-L HI. I'm hoping that someone who has both will eventually post an outdoor video comparison of the two!
In terms of tint, the Thrunite is definitely on the warm side. I got a Thrunite T10t with the neutral XP-L a few days ago, and they're both on the warm side of neutral, as compared to the SL's XM-L2, which to my eyes looks perfectly neutral. If you don't like yellowish tints you probably won't like the XP-L NW version. I'm assuming that the XP-L HI is cooler, and closer to neutral based on the photos I've seen here and elsewhere. Personally, I'm quite happy with it.
The Starry Light claims 900 lumens and a 260m beam distance vs. the Thrunite's 1150 lumens and 326m beam distance, so I expected the Thrunite to be a little bit brighter and throw a farther. I'd say the Thrunite is a touch brighter, but the real difference is the spill is a LOT wider. In terms of throw, it's kind of hard to say because it was kind of misty / foggy outside tonight, which I'm sure was cutting down the distance. The Maglite I normally use as my comparison thrower can normally reach a line of trees behind my house that's about 200m away & light up a tree quite well. Tonight, it was struggling to reach the tree line at all. I tried pointing it at another group of trees 150m away, & it lit one up. However, at that same distance, the Thrunite was lighting up three trees instead of the Maglite's one - just not as brightly.
The really interesting thing for me - and the main reason I wanted to post - was to mention the hot spot itself. On both of my XP-L NW lights, the hot spot isn't really defined at all - even close up, it's just kind of a blur. I only have a handful of other lights, but all them have a well defined hot spot with a clear line between the hot spot and the spill - just like in the photos CelticCross74, Selfbuilt, and others have posted. However, with both of my XP-L NW lights, there's definitely a brighter spot in the middle, but you'd be hard pressed to tell where the hot spot ends and the spill begins. I tried to take a picture of this, but my phone just doesn't capture it - the photo shows a definite hot spot, which doesn't exist in real life. I think I'll try to borrow my wife's DSLR tomorrow to see if I can get a picture of what I'm talking about.
Two other general observations about the TN4A:
1. It is small but remarkably heavy. I remember when the first EA4 4xAA first became popular, someone pointed out that it could fit inside a toilet paper tube. I thought these lights had gotten bigger since then, but the TN4A still fits almost entirely in a TP tube (the bezel sticks out about 1cm as that part is too wide). However, at 218g it's about 50g heavier than the popular Sunwayman D40A, which is about the weight of 2 eneloops. That's fairly significant in a 4xAA light. If I wanted to throw this light in a pocket it would certainly fit, but I was concerned about weight I think I'd go with the Sunwayman instead. In fact, if Sunwayman ever comes out with a D40A with an XP-L HI, I'd probably consider that instead based on the weight alone if I wanted a throwy light in this size. On the other hand, the Thrunite seems very well built and sturdy - if you want a light with "heft" it certainly has it!
2. I love the UI! After reading Selfbuilt's review, the UI (and the lack of a timed stepdown) had me convinced that the TN4A was the light I wanted, and the UI doesn't disappoint. While the electronic switch isn't as definite as a true clicky mechanical switch, it's perfectly silent. I use firefly mode in light a lot when I want to walk around the house in the dark without waking anyone up, and a quiet switch is good for that.
Anyway, in conclusion, if you're happy with a warm tint, a loosely defined hot spot, and tons of spill, get the XP-L NW version. If that's not your cup of tea, you should probably consider the XP-L HI. I'm hoping that someone who has both will eventually post an outdoor video comparison of the two!
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