Nextorch
NEXTORCH TA21 IR Pocket Carry Tactical Flashlight | IR & White Light
The NEXTORCH TA21 IR is a compact, high-performance tactical flashlight designed for the everyday use of law enforcement professionals and tactical operators. This EDC-ready flashlight follows the popular TA20, delivering a powerful 1300-lumen white light beam with a maximum beam distance of 160 meters, providing superior visibility for patrol, suspect identification, and investigative tasks. The integrated IR light supports tactical operations, night navigation, and search & rescue missions.
Engineered for rapid deployment, the TA21 IR features four selectable operating modes for adaptable field use, along with our patented One-Step-Strobe switch that enables immediate access to high output and strobe in high-risk situations. The IR light mode provides infrared illumination compatible with night vision devices, allowing effective operation without revealing the user’s position.
Its reinforced construction includes a stainless steel bezel with nano-ceramic strike points, enhancing its effectiveness as a secondary impact tool or glass breaker. Powered by a 16340 rechargeable battery (included) or a CR123A disposable battery, the TA21 IR ensures reliable performance throughout extended shifts. The TA21 IR is compatible with the FR-1 Tactical Ring, RM25S / RM26 Picatinny mount and RM26M M-LOK Rail Mount optimizing retention and enabling smooth transitions between handheld and mounted use.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
- OUTPUT: White (1300 Lumens) / IR (940 nm infrared)
- MODES: Tactical, Duty, Lock, IR Light
- BEAM DISTANCE: 160 Meters (White)
- RUNTIME: 20 Hours (Duty Low) (IR Low)
- POWER SOURCE: 16340 Rechargeable (USB-C) or CR123A
- WATERPROOF RATING: IPX8 (2m Submersion)
- IMPACT RESISTANCE: 2 Meters
- DIMENSIONS: 98mm x 32mm (Head) x 23mm (Body)
- WEIGHT: 97g (Without Battery)
- COMPATIBLE WITH: FR-1 Tactical Ring / RM25S Picatinny mount / RM26 Picatinny Rail Mount / RM26M M-LOK Rail Mount
The NEXTORCH TA21 IR is field-tested and duty-ready, providing law enforcement professionals with a reliable, versatile illumination tool for any operational environment.
Warnings & CA Prop65
⚠️ WARNING:
This product can expose you to chemicals including Chromium (Hexavalent Compounds), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Shipping & Returns
PERFORMANCE: The NEXTORCH TA21 IR is a compact duty and tactical flashlight, delivering a 1300-lumen white light output with a beam distance exceeding 160 meters. Building on the proven TA20 platform, our patented One-Step Strobe technology enables immediate access to high output and strobe, making it well-suited for law enforcement and tactical operations.
MODE DIAL: The TA21 IR offers four selections on this dial: IR - LOCK - DUTY - TAC
In LOCK mode the light is not operable to help prevent accidental activation.
In TAC mode the tail switch operates much like the other lights in this series. A half press for momentary high and full press for strobe.
In DUTY mode the tail switch has a half press for high and a full press for constant on. A half press from here will toggle between High, Med, Low, and constant strobe.
In IR mode operates like the Duty mode and will toggle between High, Med, and Low.
ONE-STEP-STROBE: In TAC Mode a 2-stage button on the tail allows a half-press for high and a full-press for an immediate white light strobe.
POWER: The TA21 IR utilizes dual fuel technology and takes either the included 16340 or one CR123 battery. The included rechargeable battery is designed for easy charging with a USB-C direct charging port.
IMPACT & WATER RESISTANCE: IPX-8 rated as waterproof up to 2 meters and capable of withstanding a 2 meter fall.
Product manual not currently available for this item.
- 5 stars: 7 (37%)
- 4 stars: 5 (26%)
- 3 stars: 4 (21%)
- 2 stars: 2 (11%)
- 1 star: 1 (5%)
I like this flashlight, but it isn't quite right for $95. I don't think it 1300 lumen, and if it was, its hard to get to the highest beam. I have about 5 other aluminum flashlights around the house, use them to walk dog at night or in cars. They use one longer USB-C battery, even the 500 lumen ones are close to this output of a1300(?) lumen. These are programmable, low then high, so the TA21 has more functions. I like you can lock the TA21, you don't waste the battery while it lights up your bag or inside your pocket.I am up in the air about the finger ring. I haven't gotten use to it yet but makes flashlight big for a pants pocket. When I install the battery, I face the lens downward and push down on finger ring, the cap lines up that way. If not, its hard to get threads started.I don't particularly like the design, its doesn't stick far out of your wrist, but it's cumbersome with the finger ring.I think it's a good flashlight and works it just doesn't appeal to me, at this price.Edited - I've been using this flashlight for 10 weeks now, and now appreciate it more. I've used it behind my stereo cabinet to run new wire. There are 9 DVD, CD,and SACD players there, with 3 small cars and 2 amps. There is an 8 position switch to choose the player. Its a mess, and only pulled out 18 inches from the wall. I have to use the flashlight to see to wire that rats nest. I have four more receivers and 5 more more players in storage. I'm retired now, so I like to mess around with these. This flashlight is in my pocket half the time.I really appreciate the 4 position switch on the flashlight. The lock is great, you don't turn the light on accidentally. The red light is good at night to see what dogs are looking for, I don't blind the dogs. Before, I used Stream light flashlights but you have to reprogram them to change what your light does when used. This 4 way switch makes sense. I also took the finger ring off. Didn't work for my uses. Easy to put back on, it can be removed when you unscrew battery cap.I still think the lumen count is a little high, but doesn't bother me anymore.
I wasn’t sure at first if I liked the ring clip, but found it to be a very ergonomic grip for use with the function button at the rear. It allows for a very secure grip and brings the thumb into perfect position for quick access to function adjustments.It may be a little less convenient to have to remove the battery in order to recharge it, but this would help to keep it water proof.Is this actually 1300 lumens? Hard to tell without some scientific equipment and measurements, but it seems to be on par with some other lights that claim similar power output. Bottom line is, this light is phenomenally bright. Yet can be toned down to dim or bumped up with a blinding strobe for defensive or safety use.I appreciate that it also has three levels of red light as well. Red light is particularly useful outdoors in mosquito season as it won’t attract them or other insects.The dial function selector is very useful and clicks in positively, and the “off” selection will prevent accidental battery discharge.This is a high end quality light with a mid range price, and a good value for the money.
This light is perfect for EDC or your bugout bag. It uses the rechargeable 3.7V battery and can also be used with a single CR123A (3.7V) non-rechargeable battery. Single battery flashlights are perfect for preppers. The last thing you want in an emergency situation is a flashlight that needs 2 or more batteries. Carry this, and a 4 pack of Surefires, and you're good for any situation.
As advertised, it's a very bright light. It takes a while though to put it back together after charging the battery. The belt clip gets in the way of pressing down hard enough to screw the cap back on. Without the clip and finger attachment it goes back on with ease. With just the finger attachment you have to press a lot harder to engage the threads and if you don't screw it on tight (you can't turn any more) the light will not turn on. Once you succeed, it just takes a little practice to consistently engage the strobe function immediately as needed.
The tail switch does not work consistently. You have to press very hard to get out of intermittent mode.A flashlight of this physical size should have a larger battery. While the extra size and weight can keep temperatures down, I don't think it's worth the disadvantage of such a small battery.
TAC MODE does not work consistently. When I toggle the button, it's 50/50 at best whether I get strobe or turbo. Pass on this IF you need consistent, reliable accuracy when deploying.
It's a good light and easy to carry.
Cheap junk….scam
What I like:I like the high intensity lighting capability.The versatility of using the rechargeable -OR- non-rechargeable batteries is definite plus!The IPX8 rating is fantastic, and being as it's waterproof to 2 meters, there are no concerns at all in terms of dropping the flashlight into a deep mud puddle, stream, etc.The battery life is very good, and the various settings provide me some reasonable control over how long the power will last between charges.My favorite thing about the product is just how compact the unit is, so it's definitely a grab and go, potential life saver.Last, but not least, I've quite fond of the Nano-ceramic bead head, which I have no doubt would instantly break most types of glass in an urgent situation.We don't see many products backed by a five year warranty like this manufacturer offers, so that's a huge deal.What I don't like:I really, really can't stand the operational controls of this flashlight. I suppose if I used it just about every day, I'd finally remember how to activate the light in short order. However, I find the settings ring on the head to be less than intuitive. Also, the pushbutton light actuation is quite bothersome. I wish they'd do away with the settings ring, or just make it so it offers "ON" & "LOCK/OFF." I really don't care for the overall operation of the flashlight. I could find myself in an emergency situation where I need instant light, so yeah, I still consider this a "go-to" flashlight, but I have reservations in counting on it in a real crisis. For instance, the strobe function would definitely temporarily blind a would-be assailant, but by the time I find the right ring setting and the number of presses on the button, I'd probably be better off blowing a whistle or attempting pepper spray for a more rapid defensive action.I would definitely consider ordering this item again, but would like to see simplification in the settings and overall operation of the product, especially in consideration of the infrequent user like myself.
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I really like this light. it is GREAT for various outdoor activities--except things that use your hands, biking, etc. I've grown fond of using the tactical ring, but it's a struggle to install and remove... and the manual doesn't cover its use. You'll inevitably waste time trying to twist or pry it off, before you finally realize the back cap is twisted off (battery compartment, and it was on TIGHT). Even when you figure that part out, getting it back on can be a struggle too, since the ring pushes back and the cap will attempt to engage at an angle--be careful not to crossthread! Pull the tactical ring to the front of the flashlight (toward the lens), and then screw the cap down for best results.I like the finish on the body. I like the heft. I like the clicky feel of the mode-select ring. I love the varying options and the overall power of the light. The button on the back is easy to use, and differentiate between the half and full press functions. The rechargeable battery has a built-in USB-C port on it, which isn't as simple as a body-charging port, but helps with waterproofing.There is a LOT to love with this light, and it is just the right length for the hand--I'd call this incredibly compact, given how powerful the beam is. And as much as I'm annoyed by the ring removal and installation, it's not a big problem once you've done it a few times.
Alright, let's shine a light on the NEXTORCH TA21 Tactical Flashlight Set.First Impression:"When I pulled this flashlight out of the box, it felt substantial. The build quality was immediately noticeable, with a solid weight and a robust feel. The inclusion of various accessories, like the tactical rings and the charging cable, hinted at a well-thought-out package. My initial thought was, 'This thing means business.' The ceramic glass breaker also gave a very "tactical" feel."Pros:"The brightness is impressive. 1300 lumens of white light is more than enough for most situations, and the red light option is a great addition for preserving night vision. The rechargeable battery is a huge plus, saving money and reducing waste. The four modes and strobe function provide versatility for different scenarios. The ceramic glass breaker is a handy feature for emergencies, and the included tactical rings allow for secure grip and attachment. The build quality is excellent, with a durable aluminum body that feels like it can withstand a beating. The ease of charging is also a great feature."Cons:"The interface can be a bit confusing at first. Cycling through the modes takes some getting used to, and the button layout isn't the most intuitive. The red light mode could be brighter for better visibility in certain situations. The tactical rings, while functional, can be a bit bulky and uncomfortable for prolonged use. The price point is also relatively high, which might deter some buyers. Also, the strobe function can be a bit too intense, and could cause problems if used incorrectly."Overall Thoughts:"The NEXTORCH TA21 is a high-quality tactical flashlight that delivers on its promises. It's bright, durable, and packed with useful features. While the interface could be improved and the price is a bit steep, the overall performance and build quality make it a worthwhile investment for those who need a reliable and versatile flashlight. It's a solid tool for outdoor enthusiasts, law enforcement, and anyone who wants a dependable light source."Suggestions for Improvement:"Firstly, simplify the interface and make the button layout more intuitive. Secondly, increase the brightness of the red light mode. Thirdly, refine the design of the tactical rings for improved comfort. Fourthly, consider offering a lower-priced version with fewer accessories. Finally, add a user manual with clear instructions and diagrams."Recommendation:"If you're looking for a high-performance tactical flashlight with a wide range of features, the NEXTORCH TA21 is a great choice. However, if you're on a tight budget or prefer a simpler interface, you might want to consider other options. It's a premium product with a premium price, but it delivers excellent performance."
!!Update!! ******So after multiple uses the button that selects light power no longer works. To adjust light power you must rotate the end cap while pressing to find the tiny spot that actually works. This makes the light utterly useless in real world scenarios.*******This little (literally fits completely in your hand) flashlight delivers bigger light power and options in a tiny package. The options for use are tactical (strobe), duty (regular light) abd red. These selections are made via turning the bezel. This is easily done one handed yet secure enough that it won't slip modes. The duty and red options gave 3 different brightness levels and there is a lock option also to keep the light from activating in your pocket etc.The light is activated and brightness controlled by a simple push button in the end cap.The entire thing is solid and the tube is waterproofed via o-ring. The bezel also has a well designed glass breaker and the light comes with a pocket clip, lanyard, handle and usbc charging cable and it comes with a 5 year warranty, including 1 year on the battery.My only slight issue is the high price tag compared to the other lights in it's class. I would still recommend this as a great and solid edc light.
This is an excellent flashlight. Very VERY bright. But adjustable too for your needs. Comfortable to hold and use. Durable and extremely well made. This is a serious light for serious operators. My main complaint is the multi-function off/on (thumb) button. It works well, but I'm always having to "fiddle" with it to cycle through the settings to get the display/brightness I require. Inevitably I have to cycle over and over until i get the setting i want. And I can never remember what sequence of clicks & double clicks works, so thats a pain.Also, the rechargable battery it comes with is a separate charging item. That is, you must remove the battery and plug USB-c into it to charge. Alternatively, there is an adapter that lets you use AAA or you can simply put a Lithium CR123A in it. So thats a nice feature.Its a great flashlight I expect to get many years out of it. This will probably live in my car for those situations I need one.
The instructions are limited, consisting of telling you to remove the battery shield and how to turn the ring for different types of light. I charged the battery overnight and it didn't work. I tried recharging the battery the next day and as soon as the light turned blue I put it in the flashlight. Now it lights up, so I guess you can't leave it on the charger too long. It is difficult to put the battery cap back on when the tactical ring (what I would call the trigger-looking piece) is in place. The tactical ring is also difficult to hold and really doesn't add much to the grip. It's useful but I will be using it without the tactical ring and pocket holder. The pocket holder popped of and could have done some damage if it hit someone. There are three levels of brightness with the lights and the highest are very bright. Haven't tried breaking a windshield with it yet. It's ok for a small flashlight.
For about $100 at the time of my order, there are better flashlights out there with higher brightness output and functions. This flashlight does work with four rotary settings and a two-stage push button, but the highest brightness setting is dimmer than my other 600 lumen light. The housing is made out of aluminum and is built well, but it does not justify that kind of price.
Maybe I don't know tactical gear well enough, but I'm not sure why this flashlight is worth $95. I'm not saying it's not well made or useful, but I just don't see any mind blowing technology that would convince me to drop nearly $100 on it.I could see this being incredibly useful for delivery people.The least best thing about it, in my opinion, is that you have to remove the battery in order to charge it. The battery doesn't weigh much, so it might be easy to forget that it isn't in the flashlight. That could be a huge problem if you grab it and go, without realizing, and then can't use the thing when get where you need to be.In the Tac setting, it's always on, but only shines when you press the button. I guess this makes it a little quicker? But, honestly, I'm not sure why that is any better than just turning it on and off. It's not like there's a huge delay.I haven't tried the glass breaking thing, and I actually hope to not ever have to use that. I do think it's a little less exciting that you use the light end for that. Not guarantees that the lens won't shatter too, but I guess in an emergency you don't really care about that.Overall, I there's nothing wrong with it, I'm just not sure such a hefty price is justifiable.
The great: This is a well built little tank of a flashlight, it fits perfectly in the palm of my hand (I wear an XL glove) and the flashlight loop really locks it in place, no dropping this one.The good: It is very bright on high, is it 1300 lumens? Probably not but its in the ballpark and that's more than can be said for most advertised brightness claims. The built in glass breaker is a nice feature but kind of useless unless you are wearing gloves, because your fist is going to be going through the glass due to the compact size of this. It comes with a rechargeable battery and can also use the common cr123 so that is handy. I do wish it had an external charging port, sure you sacrifice a little bit of waterproofing but it is way more convenient than having to remove the battery, especially with this particular flashlight because the included flashlight loop makes putting the cap back on kind of finicky. I really like the included red LEDS as it actually does make a difference with night vision, especially on low.The bad: The multifunction tail switch is annoying and a mistake I see too often on "tactical" flashlights. It simply tries to do too much, and although it's easy enough to figure out, you shouldn't have to learn and memorize how many taps or holds it takes to switch between brightness modes. I would forgive this on such a good flashlight but it is specifically advertised as a light suitable for duty and has a "duty mode" setting. It makes me wonder if these companies do any R&D with people who actually use lights professionally. The last thing you want to have to do on a duty flashlight is flip through modes, you want it to turn on and be ready to use immediately. This issue is compounded by the fact that in duty mode, this flashlight starts on low and takes three presses and a hold to get to full brightness. This is the opposite of how actual duty lights (stream light ect) function. One push should give you full brightness and constant on so it's ready to use without screwing around with settings. Perhaps there is a memory mode I haven't figured out yet that will allow me to set it to default to bright, but even then, too much nonsense for a duty flashlight."Tactical mode" almost solves this, a short press turns on bright, and a full press turns on strobe, but it's only momentary, not constant on, so don't let your thumb off.If you want a nice rechargeable tactical flashlight that is actually designed for duty use, I would recommend Nightcore over this, they just do it better. The tailcap controls on and off and a second button near the head controls brightness levels and it always remembers what setting you had it on last. They also have battery level indicators , an external charging port and the MH12 has auto dimming ( leave it on bright and when you get close to an object, it knows, and dims) and it has a ultra low mode, a similar idea to red LEDS. All at a lower price than this.With all that said if you're just a cool guy operator type and the awful light mode system doesn't bother you, go for it, it's a very nice light.
This flashlight offers dual light options. The white beam illuminates my backyard, perfect for late-night checks, while a twist of the head switches to red light, dim enough to preserve night vision while reading maps during camping. The four-mode design includes lock-off and strobe functions, practical for quick use without fumbling.The ceramic bead on the bezel is tough: smashed a small glass pane cleanly when I tested it, so it’s legit for breaking windows if needed. It’s light enough to clip on my belt, and the USB-C rechargeable battery lasts through a night’s use. The tactical ring helps with grip, though I had to adjust it a few times to sit right in my hand.Downside? The red light could be brighter for signaling as it felt a bit weak over distance. Still, it’s durable, drop-resistant, and very waterproof—I left it in heavy rain with no issues. For tactical use or outdoor tasks, it performs excellently.
There are some real positives about this flashlight, but there are a few things that you should be aware of.The positives:+ Size and integrated finger ring were good. The ring was plenty big and had good ergonomics. The belt clip could be removed!+ The light itself is metal and fairly well constructed+ The mode selector on the front (Red, Lock, Duty, and Tactical) was easy to understand and actually click into place+ It will take CR 123 batteries if you have those aroundThe downsides:- The rechargeable battery it came with needs to be removed to charge. The battery contains the recharging port (Honestly I've never seen this before). Would have really liked a plug on the outside of the light. I saw this in the ad, but it's a little odd to use this.- The buttons are not easy to figure out/work. The light has a series of "light" vs "full" press to get to different powers of the light. Even after more than a few several minute practices I still found it awkward and inconsistent.- No way this is 1300 lumens at full power. Mine performs on par with my 800 lumen light, my 1000 lumen flashlight is noticeably brighter than the brightest setting here.There is probably some math to figure out that a 3.6 V Li-ion battery isn't going to produce more than x light that I should have done, I suppose I'm not really surprised this small of a package isn't putting out that much light. Also I know that flashlights typically over advertise their production output, but for me 1k+ lumen lights are really useful and this is not that light. I even tried this with a new Duracell CR123A instead of the provided rechargeable to see if there was a difference and I could not tell a difference in max power.I feel like they could have lengthened this just enough to get a second battery and that would have been a really interesting offering.I have no experience with glass breakers nor did I try that with this, but the 3 contact points are out of the way and look like they would probably do the trick.I don't hate this, but I wish there were some design changes. I really rely on lights and I'm not sure I would trust my life with this one, both way too hard for me to get to max brightness reliably, and not enough light.
