The market for full size lights in the $80-150 range is crowded. We recently reviewed a number of them. A recent addition to the market is the Nightstick TWM-30 with 1200 lumens and 9,379 candela. Is there room for another full size light? Let’s find out…
Summary
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| More Light, More Flood | Hotspot Not As Strong As Competition |
| Great Switches | Battery Change Requires Tools |
| Reasonable Price | Limited Holster Availability |
| Impressive Runtime |
The Specs
Nightstick states that the TWM-30 provides a “clearly defined halo” for “peripheral illumination in CQB situations.”
We put this light up against one of our current favorite lights, the Streamlight TLR-1HL, as they are both similar sizes, prices, and both use 2x CR123a batteries.
| Specs | TWM-30 |
|---|---|
| Lumens | 1200 |
| Candela | 9379 |
| Batteries | 2x CR123a |
| Switches | Ambidextrous Programmable |
| Runtime | 1.75 Hours |
| Country of Manufacture | China (presumably — not confirmed) |
| Cost | $129 |
Practical Tests
First up is our “creepy guy in a warehouse” test.
This image sums up what we will be seeing throughout the testing. The Nightstick TWM-30 provides a wide field of view, but less of a hotspot than the TLR-1HL. It also seems to have a “cooler” color temperature. Our subject is more clearly visible and skin tones have more contrast with the TLR-1HL. In favor of the TWM-30, the shelves to the right are more visible when using that weaponlight.
After hitting the warehouse, we hit the range after dark. First up is our photonic barrier test, trying to punch through the truck headlights to see the target in the passenger seat.
Here the Nightstick did a superior job illuminating the environment, but did not illuminate truck interior as well as the TLR-1HL. While the target could be seen with both lights, the TLR-1HL has a brighter hotspot, which shows more contrast for the passenger side, and splashes on to the driver’s seat enough to tell that no one is there.
After that, our subject moved under a tree at about 40 yards.
While the camera didn’t pick up the subject in either photo, he was visible with both lights. The TLR-1HL, with it’s brighter hotspot, did provide better visibility of the subject. The TWM-30 performed better than expected given the less bright hotspot, allowing the operator to see the subject, and our subject reported that the Nightstick seemed almost as bright as the Streamlight.
We then shot with the Nightstick.
The light did well at the range, except we did have flicker on every shot. We did not notice at the range, but only saw this flicker in the video playback. After examining the light in the daylight, it appeared that the battery door either wasn’t fully screwed in, or the screw had backed out. If I had to guess, I didn’t fully tighten it and it loosened up during use. This one reason why I prefer latching style battery doors rather than screw down ones. They are either latched or not, without the “in between” of a screw.
We did subsequently shoot downstairs and did not experience any flickering. I believe that issue was my fault completely, but it is something to be aware of.
Lab Testing: Candela at Angle
We emphasize candela over lumens, but both are important. Candela is about focusing light, and it helps the operator identify targets. If candela is sufficiently strong, it helps control targets. Lumens measure total light output, which can be focused into candela, and can also be dispersed into a wide flood by the light design. Pistol lights need a mix of both. It’s the manufacturer’s decision on whether to build toward more flood or more candela. To get a wide, strong flood, the light needs a lot of lumens. This is the direction Nighstick took with the TWM-30.
When looking at the chart, we see that the TLR-1HL hotspot shows up as higher candela at 0 and 5 degrees. Then at 10 degrees and further out, the Nightstick has higher output. This backs up what we saw initially in the warehouse.
Lab Testing: Lumens Over Time
We captured data for the TWM-30 and compared it to both the TLR-1HL, and the Nightstick TWM-850XL. The data shows the new Nightstick performs quite similarly to the TLR-1HL, and significantly better than the older TWM-850XL. The light runs for literally hours. We finally turned it off at 427 minutes of total runtime while it was putting out about 3.5 lumens.
It’s great that the Nightstick caught up to the TLR-1HL, but we don’t see it having a significant output advantage versus the more established Streamlight.
Lab Testing: Light Color
The light color from the TWM-30 is toward the cool end of the spectrum. The previous Nightstick we measured, the TWM-850XL, came in at 6370k. The TWM-30 came in at 6600k. This is a confirmation of what we observed in our practical testing. A cooler light isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is more susceptible to environmental conditions such as smoke, mist, and fog. In addition, lights that are further from pure white (typically considered 5500k – 5700k) tend to not provide as much color contrast back to the operator. I think the Nightstick color is acceptable, but would prefer pure white or a little warmer.
Switches
Switches are important because they’re how we turn on and off the light. We must interact with light switches. Most consumers want switches that can activate a light in momentary or constant modes. Some people want strobe, and some do not (no one in our shop uses strobe); it’s important to be able to have a light that allows strobe if desired, but can also be disabled. Thankfully, the TWM-30 switches are exceptional. The switches are similar to the Nightstick TCM-550XL and the Streamlight TLR-7A. They’re unidirectional & ambidextrous. A short tap on the switch activates constant mode. Tap the switch and it turns on and stays on. A longer hold activates momentary. Hold the switch, and the light stays on for as long as my finger is on the button; when I let off, the light turns off. I also noticed another feature. With the light on in constant mode, you can press down and hold. The light will flicker briefly, but stays on and goes into momentary mode. This means that I can switch to momentary mode if desired after turning on constant.
Nightstick has obviously spent a bunch of time developing the switches. They have great feel, and while we don’t time the momentary gate (length of time you have to hold down for the light to be in momentary mode), it felt suitably short. Switches are where I expect them to be, and provide a click that I can both hear and feel.
The light can be “locked out” so it won’t turn on, and it does allow the disabling of strobe.
Holster Availability
You’ll probably want a holster for your pistol and light. Nightstick advertises that the TWM-30 fits in all TWM holsters, such as holsters made for the earlier TWM-850XL. However, finding a TWM holster seems difficult; I checked 6 of the holster companies Nightstick lists, and none of them provided a TWM holster. On the other hand, the Nightstick TWM-30 looks similar to the TLR-1. We tested a Glock 17 with the TWM-30 in the Werkz holster for the same Glock with the Streamlight TRL-1HL, and the holster fit quite well. We cannot guarantee the same level of fit for all pistols or all holster designs, but if you’re searching for a good holster for the TWM-30, it may be worth trying the holster made for your pistol with the TLR-1HL.
Wrap-Up
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| More Flood | Hotspot Not As Strong As Competition |
| Great Switches | Battery Change Requires Tools |
| Reasonable Price | Limited Holster Availability |
| Impressive Runtime |
The TWM-30 has a lot going for it. It’s similar to the TLR-1HL, but provides more peripheral vision (flood), and great electronic switches. However, you should be aware that holster availability is limited, and be sure to fully tighten the battery door after you install new batteries. What do you think of the Nightstick? Please share your thoughts below.
