Review: Nitecore MT22A (Really pocketable 2xAA EDC - PC Body - XP-G2)

Budda

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Nov 30, 2009
Messages
590
Location
Italy
I received the MT22A from Nitecore for the review.

The MT22A is a 2xAA flashlight, with an innovative body design: instead of having the AA battery inserted one after the other, vertically, the MT22A has them side to side in the polycarbonate body; while in the head there is a XP-G2 S3 CW emitter.
The body of the MT22A is available in different coloration (I got the black one).


As you can see, the MT22A doesn't seem like a typical 2xAA light: the body is very compact. Finally a 2xAA light that you can keep in my jeans pocket, even in my shirt pocket.
Nitecore_MT22A_15.jpg



The polycarbonate body has some bumps and is rounded for better comfort
Nitecore_MT22A_01.jpg




On the back there is a blackened stainless steel clip, held in place by 2 screws. It allows somewhat of a deep carry.
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The light is controlled by the switch on the back of the body
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The XP-G2 LED in the small smooth reflector
Nitecore_MT22A_04.jpg




To open the light you need to press the metal rod on the body of the light, near the head. There is an o-ring on the head, so the light remains IPX8.
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The thick metal rod and the inside of the light.
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A couple of Eneloop PRO cells
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The MT22A has mechanical protection against polarity inversion. The head goes on the body only in one way.
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UI
Click once to turn the light on and off.
The light doesn't have memory, and turns on at high mode.
Click the switch to scroll through high-medium-low-strobe modes, in loop.
Output and runtime
Nitecore_MT22A_Output.png

Nitecore_MT22A_Runtime1.png

Nitecore_MT22A_Runtime2.png

Nitecore_MT22A_Runtime3.png




Beamshots at 0.5 meters from the wall
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The XP-G2 has a decent amount of throw even in a small reflector.


Thermal Test




My thoughts
The MT22A is well built and finished.
I like the simple UI, with direct access to high mode and good flat regulation.
Personally I would have preferred if the strobe mode would have been hidden.
This way of accommodating the batteries makes the light much more compact and carriable. For people who still shine away from li-ion cells, the only way of carrying a decent amount of output and runtime, is to opt for a 2xAA light.
"Conventional" 2xAA lights are usually long and hard to carry in trousers pocket. The MT22A on the other side, is much more compact. For putting things in prospective, the last 2xAA light I reviewed it's 27x155 mm, while the MT22A 21x40x81mm, almost half the length. Also, the non metallic body makes the whole light lighter.

The MT22A is a good choice if you are looking to a 2xAA with good regulation, simple UI and more "traditional" form factor compared to the "linear" 2xAA led lights we are used to. Especially for a not flashlight guy, the MT22A with the yellow body can be a really good find.
The only thing I dislike about the light is the releasing pin.
It happened once during many uses that I accidentally depressed it while holding firmly the light with my hand, opening the light. To further prevent this from happening, the metallic rod should be more protected or have a longer travel. I'd like to see the MT22A with a NW tint.

Thanks to: AntoLed for the camera advice, the Thermal Camera and the luxmeter.
 
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proceed5

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Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
227
Thank you Budda for your quick review.

Yes agreed with you, the strobe should have been a hidden mode instead of being in the brightness loop.
 

rayman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 6, 2008
Messages
1,219
Location
Germany
Nice review, and nice flashlight. I'm playing with the thought of getting one for myself as the design seems interesting.
 

LetThereBeLight!

Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
635
I really like my (Tan) MT22A. I like both the form factor and the beam profile. To me, this light has multiple purposes.

That having been said, I would prefer "Version 2" allow for a step down mode to 150 lumens after the 260 lumens, and then to 100 lumens, before going to 45 lumens.

I'd also suggest to Nitecore (if I could!) that they also incorporate on the MT22A the dimming feature found on their Tube, if that is possible.

This is definitely a light I will try to interest others in.
 

Budda

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
590
Location
Italy
It's been in my workbag (an old maxpedition MPB) since I reviewed it. Love this light!
 

Swedpat

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
3,448
Location
Boden, Sweden
Thanks for the review!

It's indeed an interesting design. But personally I would like the UI had been low-mid-high or mid-low-high and without strobe. I agree about NW tint though.
 
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