Nitecore SRT7GT Flashlight Review.
Nitecore SRT7GT Review.
(Including GM02 Gun Mount and RSW1 Remote Switch)
The SRT7GT is an improvement on the SRT7 Revenger with newly added features, higher lumen intensity with greater throw and a UV LED.
SRT (Smart Ring Tactical) 7 (Seven Modes) GT (Grand Throw)
Packaging at a glance.
As always, you can't fault Nitecore on their packaging. It's vibrant and attractive, with all the necessary information at your finger tips from the get go.
Box Contents.
First thing I noticed is that there is no battery included, and nowhere on the box or the owners manual does it say it's included, so remember to purchase an 18650 battery when purchasing the SRT7GT.
So included in the box, you get the SRT7GT flashlight, owners manual, warranty card, a wrist lanyard, a steel pocket clip, some spare o-rings for the rear and head unit, a spare rubber end cap, a pouch and a plastic tactical ring.
I must say that I would rather prefer an aluminum tactical ring. Including a plastic one just seems to degrade the quality somehow.
Quality Inspection.
Like the majority of Nitecore's flashlights, the SRT7GT is manufactured from aerospace grade aluminum and finished off with HAIII military grade hard anodizing.
The finishing is really excellent as there are no visible burs or rough edges to scratch yourself on, with the overall appearance and design being appealing.
This same design was carried over from the SRT7.
The flashlight breaks up into three separate components, the head unit, body and tail cap.
It's here that I noticed that there wasn't enough lubricant on the o-rings and threads to my liking.
I recommend using any petroleum jelly product, and in South Africa, Vaseline is perfect for this.
The knurling is just the right feel to touch, not too rough and not too smooth.
Performance.
The lens is mineral glass which is scratch proof due to it's anti reflective coating.
You will also notice that the SRT7GT is not USB rechargeable, so make sure you get your hands on a quality Nitecore charger, something like the NEW i2 for instance.
So what's changed from the SRT7 then?
The body itself is exactly the same, but there are some added features and components for new applications and which also enhance performance.
The SRT7GT has a five year warranty against manufacturing defects and internal components,
but be sure to complete the warranty card included and keep your original slip.
This is explained on their website, so rather be safe than sorry.
The lens is mineral glass which is scratch proof due to it's anti reflective coating.
You will also notice that the SRT7GT is not USB rechargeable, so make sure you get your hands on a quality Nitecore charger, something like the NEW i2 for instance.
So what's changed from the SRT7 then?
The body itself is exactly the same, but there are some added features and components for new applications and which also enhance performance.
The SRT7GT doesn't have a crenelated bezel, but instead has a flat one just to protect the lens from possible falls and knocks.
Below you can see the positioning of the RGB and UV LEDs.
The SRT7 only had three RGB LED's, which I think each LED was capable of emitting RGB.
So if you selected blue, all three LED's would light up blue, or all three would light up red.
On the SRT7GT, each LED is specific to a RGB color, and it now includes a UV LED.
The SRT7 only had three RGB LED's, which I think each LED was capable of emitting RGB.
So if you selected blue, all three LED's would light up blue, or all three would light up red.
On the SRT7GT, each LED is specific to a RGB color, and it now includes a UV LED.
On the SRT7, it used a CREE XM-L2 T6 LED, but on the SRT7GT, it uses a high performance CREE XP-L HI V3 LED.
This increases the brightness to 1000 lumens and the throw to 450m, whereas on the SRT7 it maxed out at 960 lumens and a 308m throw.
As the SRT7GT also falls under the use for hunting, it has a dual spring system designed for the purpose of being mounted on a weapon.
You can see that on the head unit, the battery contact plate sits on the spring, which prevents the battery from loosing connection due to the recoil of a rifle or shotgun.
So, you've bought an 18650 battery or two CR123 batteries, they're fully charge and you've slap them in. Don't worry about mistakenly inserting the batteries the wrong way round because the SRT7GT has 'Reverse Polarity Protection' to prevent damage to circuitry from such mistakes.
The main on/off switch is located in the rear of the flashlight.
Fully depressing the switch, until you hear a click, will switch the flashlight on, and the same for switching it off.
Just like the previous SRT7, the SRT7GT has a selector ring to choose different modes,
so once you've switched it on, you can be in the last mode from when it was tested at the factory.
Face the flashlight away from you, as if pointing it, and rotate the ring clockwise through a series of clicks until you reach the last one. Here you should be in 'Strobe' mode.
If you start rotating the ring anti clockwise, the next click you will be in 'Turbo Mode',
a full 1000 lumens.
The SRT7GT incorporates Thermoelectric Separation Technology which maximizes heat dissipation.
So when you're running it at 1000 lumens for quite some time, it controls the power output to the LED to prevent it from overheating, which in turn ensures that the LED lasts longer.
The pictures below were taken on the street during a power failure and no moon light, pitch black with no influence from any street or house lights.
You can just make out how the stop sign at the end of the block is illuminated, the tiny spec waaaaay in the distance.
At full 1000 lumens, you should get a run time of 01h15 using an 18650 battery, or 1hr using 2 x CR123 batteries.
If you turn more, you will notice that the intensity of the LED starts to decrease, almost like a dimmer switch some may have at home, regulating the output from the battery to the LED.
So it will do a full sweep from 1000 - 0 in a smooth turn without any clicks.
The next click you get is the 'Standby Mode'. If you look into the optics, you will notice that the LED is lit up at about 1 lumen, and you will also notice that there is a small
blue LED pulsing every 1.5 seconds on the side of the head unit.
This feature is so that you don't fumble during the night looking for your flashlight in a hurry.
In 'Standby Mode', you should get a run time of 240hrs using an 18650 battery, or 130hrs using 2 x CR123 batteries.
The next click you get will be 'UV Mode' (UV 500mW, Wave Length is 365nm).
Apart from having fun in trying to detect where your cat urinated, or inspecting your hotel room to see if it's as clean as you THINK, the UV light can be used for authenticity of currency and identifying bodily fluids in forensic crime scenes, amongst others.
Next click you'll get the 'Red Light', which runs at 13 lumens and will give you 28hrs using an 18650 battery, or 19hrs using 2 x CR123 batteries.
Good for low light tactical applications and does not interfere with night vision equipment.
Next click you'll get the 'Green Light', which runs at 19 lumens and will give you 26hrs using an 18650 battery, or 18hrs using 2 x CR123 batteries.
Good for reading documents and maps in low light conditions and is easy on the eyes.
Next click you'll get the 'Blue Light', which runs at 3 lumens and will give you 26hrs using an 18650 battery, or 18hrs using 2 x CR123 batteries.
Good for blood tracking.
Next click you'll get is alternate flashing between red and blue. This is an awesome feature for members of law enforcement, or if you're feeling brave, get those guys who hog the fast lane to move in a hurry, but I wouldn't advise it.
The final click will be 'Beacon Mode', which pulses at a full 1000 lumens.
I have seen and heard a few complaints that the 'Beacon Mode' should have been put second next to 'Strobe Mode', but if you think tactically, it's one turn right from full 1000 lumens, instead of potentially twice, so they actually gave it some thought.
It's IPX8 waterproof, which means it can be submerged under two meters of water for about 30mins.
So don't worry if you find yourself in the pouring rain, the SRT7GT WILL survive.
Below is a pic of when I tested it in the pool, turning the selector ring and going through the different modes under water.
Below are full lists of specifications and features on the SRT7GT.
GM02 Gun Mount & RSW1 Remote Switch.
So I was also given the GM02 Gun mount and RSW1 Remote Switch and asked to give it a test drive on my Maverick 88, which I was more than happy to do,
but before we get started, I need to bring something to your attention, if your'e in the market for a tactical light with remote switch.
The RSW1 will work with MH and SRT series flashlights, and quite possibly with any other model with the same tail cap diameter.
Both the RSW1 & RSW2 have an On/Off switch on the tail cap, so if you want to have it permanently on, click the switch.
Whilst the flashlight is off, and in order to keep it on, you have to keep pressure on the switch.
The RSW1 has three switches, but they all have the same function, which is closing the circuit to switch the flashlight on, but you have to keep the pressure.
No matter what model of MH or SRT your'e using, whatever mode the flashlight was last on, the RSW1 will trigger that mode.
So like on the SRT7GT, if I had the ring selected to 'Strobe Mode', when I press the RSW1, it will activate strobe.
Unfortunately, with the RSW1, you can not have the flashlight on 1000 lumens let's say, and then hit the RSW1 to give you strobe.
This would have been a really useful feature to have, especially on the MH and SRT series.
On the other hand, the RSW2 with dual purpose switches (I think it has three) will only work with the P20, P20UV, P10 and P05 flashlights.
Only with these, combined with the RSW2, can you activate strobe whilst the flashlight is in another mode. So let's say the P20 was last on 800 lumens, mounted on your weapon and switched off.
One switch on the RSW2 will activate 800 lumens and another switch will activate strobe, but again, you have to keep pressure on the switch.
NB. I have not tested the RSW2 personally, so please confirm with your nearest retailer.
So let's take a look at the GM02 Gun mount and RSW1 Remote Switch.
It too is manufactured from aerospace grade Aluminum and finished
off with HAIII military grade hard anodizing, and from what I can see, the
tightening screw is also Aluminum.
Mounting is pretty easy.
Loosen the big Aluminum screw, slide it onto your Picatinny rail
and tighten again.
For mounting the flashlight, loosen the Allen screws on the side
of the clasp, insert any flashlight with the same body diameter, tighten and
you're golden.
The RSW1's tail cap is also constructed from aerospace grade
Aluminum and coated with HAIII military grade hard anodizing.
The cord itself is of industrial grade like plastic rubber and
should last you a good few years of abuse.
It too is IPX8 water proof.
The switch housing is constructed from industrial grade rubber,
and this too feels really durable.
When it was mounted on my Maverick 88, I tried to stick the switch
with double sided adhesive tape onto the fore grip, but it wouldn't stick to
the rubber housing.
Got to find another way.
Summary
SRT7GT
I always struggle to find fault with the quality of Nitecore
products.
These guys have got their head in the game and know what end users
want.
The only change, or addition, I would make to the SRT7GT, would be
to include a tactical switch on
the rear to activate strobe immediately, like the R25 has.
Other than that, I can't fault this flashlight.
The SRT7GT is not yet available in South Africa, so if I’m
estimating,
I’m guessing in the region of about R2 600.00 with a battery.
GM02
It's very well made, sturdy, durable and looks great on any
weapon.
No negatives from me on this one.
This will set you back
R300.00 from Nitecore SA.
RSW1
Very well constructed from durable materials.
The only downside I have is that it does not work like the RSW2 on
the MH and SRT models, which activates the 'Strobe' mode as well as switching
the regular flashlight on.
This will set you back
R300.00 from Nitecore SA.
Special thanks to Nitecore for supplying the SRT7GT, GM02 and RSW1
for review.
Further details on all their products can be found at
http://www.nitecore.com/
or visit the distributor here in South Africa at
Nitecore Flashlights are also available at Dave Sheer Guns,
I hope you all enjoyed this review, and if you're into the
in depth video reviews, please subscribe to my Youtube channel to be notified
when the video is published.
(it's going to be epic with loads of shooting demonstrating the RGB
filters too)
Thank you.
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