Klarus has had some good releases this year! The ones I’ve reviewed have been on the larger side. Here, we switch gears by presenting the Klarus XT1C, an EDC light with a couple of features that up until now were only seen on some of their larger flashlights.
Tiny Package
Klarus XT1C Package
From the picture you can see that within Klarus’ familiar plastic, red packaging… comes an instruction manual, an accessory pack including a lanyard and a spare o-ring, a rechargeable 16340 battery, and the star of the show… an XT1C flashlight, with a pocket clip already attached.
Features to Boast About
The Cree XP-L HI V3
- Length; 3.3″
- Weight; 66.9 grams (including the 16340 battery)
- LED; A Cree XP-L HI V3
- Battery; One 3.7v 16340 lithium rechargeable
- Lens; Toughened, AR coated, and scratch resistant
- Body; Aerospace aluminum alloy. Hard anodized Type III coating
- Two programmable settings; Tactical and Outdoor
- Patented dual-switch control
- Constant current (regulated) circuit
- Internal temperature monitoring system
- Beam distance; 210 meters
- Waterproof; IPX-8 (2 meters)
Modes and Output
Primary switch (left) Mode switch (right)
Three constant output modes and two flashing/emergency modes.
- Low; 5 lumens (53 hours)
- Medium; 100 lumens (3 hours)
- High; 700 lumens (50 mins)
- Strobe; 700 lumens
- SOS; 100 lumens
Operating the Klarus XT1C
So, there are two programmable settings; tactical and outdoor. The settings aren’t entirely different from each other. What sets them apart are the flashing modes. The tactical setting features strobe, and the outdoor setting features SOS.
Basic Operation Under the Tactical Setting
To turn the light on and off in HIGH mode, press the PRIMARY button. If you want to cycle through medium and low mode, press the mode button. To turn the light off from ANY of these modes, press the PRIMARY switch.
To recap: For instant access to HIGH, press the PRIMARY switch.
To access STROBE mode, press the MODE button. For “tactical” strobe, press and release the switch. For constant strobe, press and HOLD the mode switch for about 4 seconds. To return to high — from strobe, press the PRIMARY button. To turn the light OFF from strobe, press the MODE button.
While in the tactical setting, medium and low are only accessible by cycling through them using the mode switch.
To recap: For instant access to STROBE, press the MODE switch.
User manual operational diagram
Basic Operation Under the Outdoor Setting
Same as “tactical” for instant access to HIGH (press the PRIMARY switch on and off) then cycle through medium and low by pressing the MODE switch.
For instant access to LOW mode, (tactically) press and release the MODE switch. To remain in low mode, press and HOLD the mode switch. To access medium and high, press the mode switch again. To turn it off, press the PRIMARY button.
To access SOS, the light must already be on. Then press and HOLD the MODE switch for about 4 seconds. SOS will remain activated, until you either press the PRIMARY button to turn it off, or the MODE button which will return it to LOW mode.
NOTE; Whatever mode the light is on when you go to access SOS, it will switch to LOW as soon as you press and hold the mode button.
To recap: For instant access to LOW, press the MODE button.
Switching the Settings
To change from one setting to the other, TURN THE LIGHT ON using the PRIMARY button. Then press and HOLD the PRIMARY button….for about 6 seconds. During the holding period, the light will shut off — the come back on in a “low mode strobe”. KEEP HOLDING THE PRIMARY SWITCH, then simultaneously press and HOLD the MODE switch. It will then FLASH, ONCE for tactical setting, and TWICE for the outdoor setting. Release both buttons after you see the corresponding flash for the setting you want. Got it? If not, then refer to the diagram above.
The Beam Shots
On medium @50 ft
On high
Medium @25 ft
On high
On low
On high
Medium
High
To Summarize the Klarus XT1C
Most small EDC flashlights have many similarities. This is where the XT1C differs from most.
Two different interfaces are available on the XT1C, although my personal view on that is, just like many other lights, they could’ve incorporated all the features without the need to “program” it. If you like to feel that your light is “customized”… then I imagine you’ll enjoy this.
Having both switches on the tailcap is VERY different from your average EDC flashlight. And…even with that configuration, it STILL tail-stands like a pro!
Flashlight and battery
Unlike most lights of this size, there’s no memory mode. But a least in the Outdoor setting, both high and low have instant access.
For someone who might specifically want strobe and SOS on their light, the XT1C might NOT be for them, since both modes are divided among the settings.
The Klarus XT1C is recommended as a small tactical flashlight that offers a customized user-interface to its owner.
I received the XT1C from GearBest. Please visit their site if you think the flashlight is a good fit for you. To see a cool selection of Klarus lights, which might also include the XT1C, click here!
Hello, can you tell me the difference in beam of zoom-able vs non zoom-able flashlights. Which of those has a farther beam?
Hi Tim!
The quick answer, is ANY fixed-beam (non-zooming) light that has an XP-L HI V3 or higher LED. The market for zooming-head lights is pretty much limited to CHEAP brands, and for the most part, they use old, outdated LED’s. You also want to look for lights that have a deep reflector. That, combined with the XP-L LED provide a much farther-throwing beam. With many of those, you’ll get a rated beam distance of around 500 meters…(that’s 540 yards and more than 1000 feet)
Did that answer your question sufficiently?
Great review. I just bought one of these and it’s an awesome light – but:
1) The light must be in a new version. The clip is now mounted differently so that it sits in your pocket lens down. There appears to be no easy way of changing that if you want to. It doesn’t bother me but it’s clearly a change.
2) The side now has a red/green LED that seems to be trying to indicate modes or something but there’s no explanation. The manual is unchanged from the one you show.
3) Mine came in outdoor mode and there doesn’t appear to be a way of switching to tactical. I’m happy enough with outdoor but I was also hoping to carry one for when I have to walk in the city and i’d want access to the disorienting strobe.
Great review of what you received though.
Thanks for the comment! I’ll have to take a look at that new version to get a better understanding of what you’re referring to.