The P22R belongs to the Nitecore's Precise Series line which has always been dedicated to the study and development of tactical and hunting flashlights.
The flashlight body is made in aircraft aluminum, black anodized Type III, and it is 15 cm long with a diameter of 2.54 cm (1 inch). It features knurling surface with also some millings to ensure greater grip as well as fixing place for the pocket clip. As already used in other Nitecore models, it is possible to charge the flashlight without removing the battery, thanks to the USB socket. To protect the latter, we find a convenient rotating bezel. The 3.18 cm diameter head has the crested end to which three Silicon Nitride Ceramic spheres have been settled to increase its effectiveness as glass breaker.

The P22R power on takes place via a rear button (tail switch) with the possibility of both intermittent and fixed lighting. One of the novelties is the resizing of the direct access button to the strobe / intensity selection (MODE): the semicircular button is completely flat, thus preventing accidental switching on.

Note the lack of fins for the flashlight vertical positioning which, given the main fields to which the instrument is addressed (Law Enforcement, Military), would have been an obstacle to power on, especially with gloves worn. Near the control buttons, the flashlight has the battery charge indicator.

Intensity selection takes place through the interaction of the two controls, ensuring one-handed operation without changing the grip. Once the flashlight is turned on, simply press the MODE button until you find the desired degree of brightness, while for the strobe function, simply press and hold the MODE button both with the torch on and off.
It is also possible to select 3 different operating modes: Daily, Law Enforcement and Tactical. Each of them corresponds to a different selection of light levels; the end user can choose the most suitable mode for him. The light levels are four: 1, 75, 380 and 1800 lumens. The strobe has a fixed intensity of 1800 lumens and is equipped with a random frequency change to increase the visual disturbance effect on the illuminated subject.

The flashlight comes with: a rechargeable battery NL1835HP (3.7V, 8A), a clip, the wrist strap, a spare gasket and a USB cable. There is also a new polymer sheath that replaces the classic nylon one. The LED used is the CREE XHP35 HD (with a life cycle of 50,000 hours), the waterproofing is according to IPX-8 standard.

The retail price of the Nitecore P22R is € 115.

The field test was carried out by five different instructors, at shooting range in Busto Arsizio (Italy). They shot with pistol on a classic dynamic shooting target placed at a distance of about 6 meters. The flashlight was easy to use, the controls are easily manageable with and without gloves, and no case malfunctions have been registered.

Despite the not too wide parabola (the maximum illumination distance is "only" 260 meters), the light beam is powerful and excellent for short distance engagements, so much so that the 1800 lumens could disturbing the user during indoors uses.

Wanting to use the P22R as an impact tool, the crested edge has a rather interesting thickness which, apart from the ceramic spheres, gives a sense of solidity to the structure. The new preformed sheath NTH20 was comfortable and easily adjustable on belts of different width.

The Nitecore P22R passed all the tests in admirably way: the dimensions make it usable for person with both small and large hands; the possibility of one-hand light adjustment are a plus not indifferent, as well as the possibility to customize the operating mode of the flashlight; the skeletonized sheath greatly speeds up the extraction of the flashlight. Wanting to find a defect at all costs, it would not have been bad to find the tactical ring in the package, available instead only as a separate accessory.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Led: 1x CREE XHP35 HD - with a life cycle of 50,000 hours
Operating Modes: 5, electronically regulated
Powers and Durations: 1800 lumens (30min.) -> 380 Lumens (3h 30min) -> 75 Lumens (18h) -> 1 Lumens (250h) -> Strobe 1800 lumens
Power peak: 17200 candles
Maximum illumination distance: 262m.
Power on method: Rear button with "Momentary On" system for light signals and Rear button "Mode" for immediate access to the strobe function, which remains active as long as the button remains pressed
Light selection method: when flashlight power on, pressing the "Mode" rear button
Head: aviation aluminum
Body: aviation aluminum
Finish: anodized, Type III
Lens: ultra-transparent hardened glass with anti-reflective treatment
Batteries: it works with a rechargeable battery NL1835HP, 3.7V, 8A (included in the package). If necessary, it can also works with 1x 18650 Li-Ion 3.7V or 2x CR123 3.0V without however being able to reach 1800 lumens of power
Measurements: 15.2cm (L) - 2.54cm (D stem) - 3.18cm (D head)
Weight: 136g. batteries excluded
Accessories: wrist strap, NTH20 tactical holster, spare o-ring, clip, spare rubber rear button
Waterproofing: IPX-8 standard, submersible up to 2mt. depth for 30min.
Sheath: polymer tactical holster adjustable on different heights, MOLLE compatible
Impact resistance: withstands drops from 1.5m in height

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