OK, I’ll admit it – I’ve gone off the deep end with these LED tactical flashlights. 🙂
You would think after reading my tactical flashlight comparison last week, I’d be all set in the tactical flashlight department. But this past weekend, I went to Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Show, and descovered this ITP SC2 Eluma flashlight:
I purchased this at the show for $40.00 out the door, which I thought was the kind of fantastic deal you used to only be able to find at a gun show. But then I found out you can find them on Amazon for the same price. Regardless, the ITP SC2 has some pretty impressive capabilities, including some features not found on the more expensive Fenix TK12 I purchased the week prior.
The ITP SC2 has many features in common with the Fenix TX12 – both are Chinese made LED flashlights constructed from hardened aluminum, and run on two CR123A lithium batteries. The SC2 has a maximum light output of 220 lumens – well shy of the 280 lumens maximum output of the TK12, but extremely impressive for the size of the SC2 which considerably smaller and lighter than the TK12:
It was the size of the flashlight which was my initial draw – it’s much more “pocketable” than the TK12. I’m already finding myself using it quite a bit more because I don’t mind carrying it in my pants pocket. I find myself carrying it even when I’m just walking around the house – it’s always handy to be able to put a little extra light on the subject.
Another big draw for me on the SC2 is the button located on the head of the flashlight – this allows you to switch between three different brightness settings, and the 10hz. strobe mode. Both the Fenix TK12 and the eGear XT-130 I own lack this push button feature, which means you have to switch modes by twisting the flashlight head. This method simply isn’t as elegant or desirable – particularly in a flashlight with several different modes of operation like the TK12. Not only can you push button your way through the four basic outputs of the SC2, you can also hold the button down to achieve your own specific, custom level of brightness. Though to be honest, the three levels of preset brightnesses (low, medium, and high) are plenty for me.
While the ITP SC2 does have some distinct advantages, I don’t see it as a replacement for my Fenix TK12. Offensively, the TK12 is larger, heavier, and has a head that’s better designed for offensive use than the SC2:
That’s not to say that you couldn’t use the SC2 offensively, but in my opinion the TK12 is the better tool for the job. And of course, but flashlights have maximum output levels above 200 lumens, so either could be used defensively to temporarily blind an attacker. And while both feel like very solid products, I suspect the TK12 has a superior build quality and could better withstand rough treatment. So the TK12 stays in my car, for when I’m making those dark walks to and from the car, and the SC2 is a nice utility tool which I carry around pretty much anywhere in and out of the house. Like the TK12, the SC2 comes with some great accessory items including a case, lanyard, and extra “O” rings and end cap buttons:
Unfortunately, the clip on the SC2 cannot be removed as it can on the TK12, which can be a disadvantage depending on your use. However, for price of $40.00 the ITP SC2 Eluma is a tremendous value as compared to other options from Surefire, Fenix, etc. and makes an excellent secondary or “back up” option.
John B. Holbrook, II is a freelance writer, photographer, and author of ThruMyLens.org, as well as LuxuryTyme.com and TheSeamasterReferencePage.com.
*All text and images contained in this web site are the original work of the author, John B. Holbrook, II and are copyright protected. Use of any of the information or images without the permission of the author is prohibited.
If you want one you’ll likely carry around all the time check out the Fenix PD20. Its about half the size and weight and almost as bright.
Hi, Nice review. The Fenix TX12 would be a tough act for the ITP SC2 Eluma to replace but the SC2 would be a serious contender for that second or third purchase.
I bought the sc2, and I can’t complain. I have some surefire light, but this is a good backup light.
You need to review the ExtremeBeam Tactical TAX 24 SR and the TAC 24 SWAT tactical flashlights if you really want to find the very best performing flashlights available.
Another thing you need is to understand the difference in terminology between Lux and Lumens. Lumina is NOT a scientifically accurate measure of performance of a flashlight because… 99.9% of all flashlights produced, use highly polished/coated reflectors and NOT high quality optical magnifier lenses to project a beam. This results in cascaded light which is not part of the center beam or “hot-Spot”. Thus, a variably high percentage of the light emissions are lost in the cascaded light.
Lux, on the other hand, takes into account the area over which the luminous flux is spread. A flux of 1000 lumina, concentrated into an area of one square meter, lights up that square meter with a luminance of 1000 lux. The same 1000 lumina, spread out over ten square meters, produces a dimmer luminance of only 100 LUX. Mathematically, 1 lux = 1 lumina/m2. This explains the gross performance variation for lights bearing the same or similar lumen ratings.
I hope that was useful to you in explaining the visual performance difference you experience between flashlight that have essentially the same Lumens rated output.