I received the Nitecore TUP from Nitecore for the review
The TUP is a compact EDC light, featuring a XP-L HD emitter, fuelled
by an integrated 3.7 volt 1200mAh battery, rechargeable via micro USB.
The TUP is available in 2 different body colours, black (the one I got),
and grey.
The TUP is controlled using 2 electronic, backlit switches, and a OLED display.
The TUP comes in this box, with a splitring attachment, manual and guarantee card.
The TUP can be seen as a bigger, hi tech brother of the well known TIP from Nitecore.
The TUP measures 70 mm in length, and is 25mm thick at the head, while
on the body it slims down to 17 mm. The width is the same through the
whole light, 30 mm.
Here you can see it in the hand.
On one side, we have the 2 switches and the OLED display, while on the
opposite side we have a removable clip, held in place by 2 phillips
screws. The clip allows for a deep, although not flush, carry. It can be
used to attach the light to a baseball cap, in order to use the TUP as a
headlamp. It has good tension.
The front side, where the TIR optic is as big as you can get from a light of this size, around 20 mm in diameter.
At the other end of the light, there is a milling where a splitring is
already installed from the factory. It prevents the TUP from
tailstanding.
If you plan to remove it, I suggest to cut it in order to prevent damage to the anodisazion.
On the lateral side there’s the micro USB port for charging the light, covered by an hexagonal rubber cover.
The display shows several informations: like the mode you are
currently into (either daily or demo), the level, the runtime, the
battery voltage and a visual representation of the battery power left.
Ift is backlit and it has sharp digits and letters, allowing an easy read for the small size.
My camera can’t focus on the small digits when there is no Ambiental
light, but I hope you can guess how well the display is readable in the
dark
The interface is simple: the TUP has 5 levels, ultralow, low, medium, high and turbo.
The light has memory but there is a shortcut both for ultralow and
turbo. Turbo output can only be accessed momentainly, while you keep the
upper switch pressed.
The difference between the daily and the demo mode is that in demo
mode the light will turn off 30” after your last touch of the switches;
while in daily mode will remain on until you turn it off.
There are 2 additional lockout available, the lockout one allows the
light to operate only at turbo mode, while the lockout 2 locks the light
entirely.
If you were wondering, the TUP can run while being charged.
Output and runtime
Both tested with the integrated battery
Beamshots at 0.5 meters from the wall
Outdoor beamshots
Thermal Test
My thoughts
The light is well built and finished.
I like the interface. You have direct access to lowest and highest
mode. The demo mode will significantly limit any accidental discharging
of the battery; if you are more concerned about accidental activation, 2
lockouts are available. I would have liked that, in lockout 2 mode, you
could still be able to see the charge of the battery (instead, you can
only see the symbol that stands for lockout 2).
The display conveys useful information and adds a touch of hi-tech for us flashlight enthusiasts.
The light can run while being charged, so if you have a rigid USB
cable you can use it effectively as a long running point light.
The regulation is fine at all tested levels. The Turbo mode regulation
depends upon the temperature of the light: running continuously will
mean getting a lower output soon, while running turbo mode with a fan or
in a very windy environment can substain the high output for longer.
For real application, a good compromise can be achieved by turning it on
and off with a little pause in between, as shown in the graphic.
The level spacing is good, I would have liked another level between
the 200 continuous lumens of the high mode and the 1000 lumens of the
turbo.
I like the TUP as an EDC techy light, it will follow me as an EDC in my working bag for the future.
I would like to see this light come in a NW version.
Thanks to: Won, Zampa, AntoLed.
