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The NexTorch T6A LED set

by Rick Huckstepp
Australian Shooter December 2012

Over the past 12 months, we have seen a number of torches from NexTorch appearing on retailer shelves. The one I have for review here is the T6A LED set, which is a torch designed for barrel mounting on a firearm.

The torch is packaged with both an LED head internal assembly, as well as one with a xenon incandescent bulb. There is also a pressure switch assembly on the end of a second supplied end-cap, which may be Velco-attached to a handy place on the host rifle. An Allen key is supplied to install the supplied clamp that holds the torch to the barrel.

The dimensions of this torch are 129x25mm, and without the supplied batteries, it weighs 115g. The main body of the torch is manufactured from 6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium with an anodised finish. This is excellent, even down to that on the threads on both ends of the battery tube. The lens is glass and is recessed a tad less than 5mm back from the rim of the light bell, which should keep it protected in most instances when out in the elements.

The head and end-cap unscrew to access the internal light assembly and the pair of NT123A 3-volt lithium batteries. The batteries may also be replaced via the light end, and an O-ring on each end keeps the internals waterproofed.

The manufacturer quotes a light output of 160 lumens with the beam reaching 151m using the LED assembly and 80 lumens reaching 144m using the xenon bulb. The company also quotes a 240-minute runtime using the LED and 60 minutes for the xenon bulb. Obviously, in the bush, the LED is the one you would choose if only for the runtime, and in reality, after using the LED and then changing over to the xenon bulb, the result is akin to someone dimming the lights on you!

Like most of the other NexTorch torches I have seen, there is a soft button on the end-cap. When the end-cap is wound up firm, the light emits constantly. When backed off half a turn, it is extinguished, but is actuated by pressing this soft button - it will only stay illuminated as long as this button or the remote cable switch is depressed.

The lithium batteries supplied with this torch are non-rechargeable, so of first concern was the expense of their replacement. Searching on the internet, I found them at a number of sites, including www.eCrater.com.au for $10.94 per pair. I also found a set of rechargeable lithium batteries on eBay, which came in a kit with a charger for $18.50 each in ‘Buy it now’. If you are a regular torch user, this would be the most economical way to go in the long term.

Due to the fact that the distance between the telescopic sight tube and the barrel of the torch is relatively short, should you try to mount it there, as the bulbous light end of the torch will clash with the bell of the objective end of the sight. Typically, there is not enough room between the objective bell and the scope turrets for the torch to sit so low down, and there would be interference to the light beam if that were possible. Therefore, this torch is ideally mounted straight to the gun barrel.

There is enough adjustment in the torch-attaching clamps, which are angular shaped to specifically suit a barrel, rather than a scope tube to allow them to slip over a shotgun barrel. I fitted it to the tube magazine of my IAC lever-action shotgun without any problems.

Some narrow-diameter barrels might require a few wraps of tape to pack up the clamp before tightening the screws. I fitted it to my Sako Quad barrel and the screws were at their limit by the time the mounted light became firm. It is a good idea to do this in any case, as the padding inside the clamp is thin and should it come adrift, it may result in damage to the barrel blueing.

It is logistically difficult to reproduce an image of the beam here, but it will throw an intense spot of light onto grass 50m distant. However, at this distance, the beam has lost most of its intensity. It will show animal eyes at that distance, but it would be doubtful if it would hold their gaze.

Now, even before I got to finish this review, this torch had been usurped by a model touting a whopping 780 lumens! It is yet to be stocked into Beretta Australia’s inventory, but it will be the Model XL and have a recommended retail price in the vicinity of $200. Those who attended the 2012 SSAA SHOT Expo in Sydney may have seen that one on display.

That which I have tested here has a recommended retail price of $83 and presents as good value compared with comparable torches available on the market. The degree of quality in its manufacture is definitely up there with the best of them.

You can check these torches and other NexTorch products out at your local gunshop or on www.berettaaustralia.com.au