My long awaited Torch Pro came in and I just took it out for a quick spin. I figured I'd share my initial questions as well as ask a couple questions that TNVC can hopefully answer.
To begin with, the fit and finish is top notch. You can tell it is well made and no corners were cut in the manufacturing department. The lens is particularly beautiful. Overall it's a big light, but that's nothing I didn't know beforehand. Just one of the cons that goes along with such a powerful eye safe unit.
Now on to the function.
I was glad to see that the focus ring is indeed silky smooth. The Focus ring on the Dbal-D2 I had was tight as a drum and drove me nuts just in the short time I had it before returning it. The Torch Pro's is silky smooth and I can spin the ring from completely open to tight focus and back with ease. It's just tight enough to prevent most accidental movement. The same is true of the tailcap and its constant on feature. I prefer to have a click for constant on, but the turn function is very well executed and I like it.
The Torch is definitely powerful, but not quite on the same level as the Dbal-D2 in my opinion. This is actually a good thing for my purposes though. I can use the Torch on wide focus as a navigational light if need be. It isn't ideal, but definitely not blinding at closer ranges like the D2, which didn't have near as wide of a beam when opened up. The field right around my house is only about 450-500yds long, but it was lighting up the far tree line just fine. I'll test it to 800-900yds tomorrow and update.
Unfortunately the tight focus for this long range use is where my one question / grips comes into play. As I tighten the focus down, the beam turns into a square with a darker spot in the center. It's not a completely blacked out spot in the center, but it's definitely noticeable. The D2's beam was a perfect and uninterrupted circle when tightly focused.
Is this square / dark spot thing normal?
For way less than 1/2 the price of a SPIR I am very happy with the Torch Pro. I think it'll serve my handheld purposes well.
I do wish the beam was a nice even circle when focused tightly, but it's not a deal breaker for me. $200 for a very high quality, robust, and powerful eye safe IR illuminator from a top notch company like TNVC is a good deal in my book.