Estimated studying time: 8 minutes
Pistol-mounted weapon lights are typically a compromise between energy, measurement, and flexibility, however the Nitecore NPL27 strikes an awesome steadiness. With its 650-lumen output, rechargeable battery, and a novel mounting resolution, it stands out as one of the intelligent weapon lights at present out there. After weeks of testing, I can confidently say the NPL27 presents extra than simply good specs on paper.
NPL27 Out of the Field
The NPL27 comes prepared for motion with all the pieces it’s worthwhile to hit the bottom working. Contained in the field, you’ll discover the sunshine itself, a proprietary PLB500 500mAh lithium-ion battery, a USB-C magnetic cost cable, a Picatinny adapter, and a person handbook.
One of the crucial compelling options of this mild is the way it mounts. In contrast to different manufacturers that will embody a stack of plastic inserts to adapt the sunshine to varied frames, Nitecore went with a sliding rail stopper design. It’s a rail key that glides on a observe, permitting you to fine-tune its place alongside your rail for good fitment. It mounts on to Glock rails and comes with an adapter for Picatinny rails as nicely. This innovation eliminates compatibility complications and is among the ingenious mounting programs I’ve seen on a pistol mild.
Preliminary Impressions
The NPL27 is constructed from an aluminum alloy and completed with HA III anodizing. It feels strong in hand, strong with out being overly heavy. The controls are normal however efficient. You get twin ambidextrous tail buttons with a flippantly textured floor, permitting for simple momentary or constant-on activation, even with gloves.
Regardless of being a brand new design, the NPL27 nonetheless managed to suit into my Streamlight TLR-7-compatible appendix holster. It was barely tighter than with the Streamlight, however it locked in place. Holster fitment might range relying in your setup, however it’s a very good signal that Nitecore saved dimensional compatibility considerably in thoughts. Nonetheless, I don’t assume there’s any assure this mild will work with all holsters made for the TLR-7.
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NPL27 Controls
Functionally, the sunshine presents a excessive mode of 650 lumens and a low mode of 160 lumens. You may toggle between them by double-tapping one of many tail buttons whereas the sunshine is on. The management format is intuitive and sensible for many defensive purposes.
Whereas I’ve no approach of measuring lumen output, I’ll say the 160 lumen mode continues to be very spectacular and appears extra like 400 or so. As seen within the image beneath, the 160 lumen mode is barely dimmer, however nonetheless very spectacular in comparison with the complete energy 650 lumen output.
One draw back right here is the shortage of a lockout characteristic. You can not twist the bezel or one other button to disable the sunshine. Unintentional activation is feasible if the buttons are bumped whereas maneuvering round. For an obligation or carry mild, this omission stands out.
NPL27 Battery
The NPL27 runs off a removable PLB500 battery, which recharges by way of a magnetic USB-C cable. The recharge time is round 70 minutes from empty, which is cheap, although it does restrict you to Nitecore’s proprietary battery platform.
On a full cost, the NPL27 delivers 50 minutes of runtime at 650 lumens or 75 minutes on the 160-lumen setting. That’s strong efficiency from a compact battery. Fortunately, substitute batteries can be found on-line for round $18. This offers customers a strategy to swap batteries mid-shift or throughout long-range classes with out ready for a full cost cycle. Nonetheless, not having the ability to decide one up at a gasoline station in a time of want isn’t supreme.
Brightness and Beam Efficiency
At first look, the beam efficiency is what offered me on the NPL27. It punches nicely above its class with a centered middle hotspot that simply lights up targets past 200 yards. Nitecore lists the max beam distance at 410 meters (due to a 42,000 candela depth). That is far past what you’d ever virtually want from a pistol mild.
That being mentioned, it’s not good. In comparison with the Streamlight TLR-7, the NPL27 has a narrower spill sample within the 0–10 foot vary. In shut quarters, significantly outdoor, it may gain advantage from a barely wider beam to enhance situational consciousness. Nonetheless, in indoor settings, the sunshine fills rooms properly and eliminates tunnel imaginative and prescient. The steadiness between throw and peripheral lighting is nice, however it leans barely towards distance efficiency.
Sturdiness
With an IPX6 water resistance ranking and 2-meter affect resistance, the NPL27 is prepared for tough dealing with. Throughout stay hearth testing, the sunshine stayed firmly in place with zero flickering or failures. The built-in ATR (Superior Temperature Regulation) system prevented overheating even throughout prolonged use.
As a part of my sturdiness testing, I submerged the NPL27 in freezing water inside my freezer for half-hour with the sunshine turned on. Not solely did it stay illuminated the complete time, however there was additionally no degradation in efficiency or signal of water intrusion afterward. Although water surrounded the unsealed, detachable battery compartment, the sunshine functioned flawlessly, proving that Nitecore’s construct high quality and tolerances are greater than as much as the duty for real-world situations.
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Nitecore NPL27 Conclusion
The NPL27 proves {that a} pistol mild could be each revolutionary and sensible. Its sliding rail mount system is hands-down probably the most adaptable I’ve seen, and the beam efficiency rivals bigger rifle lights with glorious throw and strong peripheral illumination. Whereas the usage of a proprietary battery and lack of a lockout mode are slight drawbacks, they could be forgivable given the general characteristic set and efficiency.
At a present road value of round $120, the Nitecore NPL27 presents nice efficiency at a aggressive value level. In the event you’re in search of a dependable, rechargeable pistol mild that breaks away from the standard mildew, the NPL27 proved to be a strong contender.
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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Workforce, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors capturing. Today, he spends as a lot time as attainable chasing pigs and coyotes with evening imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.
When he’s not within the discipline or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection business and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing components, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.
Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection business.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Workforce.– Evening Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Obsessed with evening time predator and hog searching.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to offer for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.
