Mactronic Patrol RX Flashlight – Six-Month Field Review

After six months of using the Mactronic Patrol RX, I can point to several clear strengths and one detail that, in my opinion, could be improved.

I recommend the Mactronic Patrol RX if:

• you work in law enforcement, rescue, security or another field role,
• you need a flashlight for demanding conditions such as rain, snow or freezing temperatures,
• you want a compact light that fits into a pocket or vest pouch,
• you are looking for a solid emergency flashlight for home use,
• you need high light output of up to 2000 lumens.

Think twice before buying it if:

• a highly precise battery level indicator is essential for you,
• you are looking for the cheapest flashlight for occasional use only.

When choosing a tactical flashlight, personal preference and operational requirements matter a great deal. It is almost impossible to satisfy every user. Some may only need a compact light mounted on a vest, while others may expect a solid piece of equipment that could be used to break a window in an emergency.

Let me be clear: in my opinion, a flashlight is primarily meant to provide light, and it should do that well and for a long time. That said, if the user had to defend against a sudden attack in an extreme situation, the Patrol RX would also be up to the task, despite its relatively low weight.
The quality of the aluminium body is impressive. During testing, the flashlight was dropped multiple times. Apart from minor scratches to the coating, there was no visible structural damage.

Grip

The flashlight also sits very well in the hand. The central section of the body has a pronounced texture that improves grip, but it is not the kind of aggressive knurling that leaves marks on your palm after several minutes of use. Once you grip the Mactronic Patrol RX, it stays in place and does not slip — even with wet hands. That is exactly how it should be.

The flashlight has two switches. One is positioned for thumb operation, about three-quarters of the way up the body, and is easy to locate even while wearing gloves. The second switch is located at the rear, on the tailcap.

Operation is intuitive and straightforward. Pressing the button switches the flashlight on in the lowest mode. Further clicks increase the brightness. There are three power levels available, but when the flashlight is operating in its highest mode, holding the button activates an additional Boost mode — bright enough to light up a large clearing or momentarily disorient wildlife at close range. Of course, this drains the battery much faster, but having this option is definitely useful.

Another well-thought-out feature is quick access to the strobe mode, activated by pressing the button three times.

It is also worth mentioning that under the thumb switch there is a cleverly integrated indicator LED with the manufacturer’s logo, showing the battery charge level:

• green – above 80%,
• orange – from 30% to 79%,
• red – below 30%.

In addition, the red LED flashes every 10 minutes as a reminder to recharge the battery, until the cell is fully discharged.

At this point, the QUICK-SET Programming function should also be mentioned. The user can choose from three operating programmes. To select one, turn the flashlight off and press the switch five times. The flashlight then confirms the selected programme by flashing once, twice or three times. In addition to the basic Programme 1 described above, the following options are available:

Programme 2

Advanced Dimming System, meaning smooth brightness adjustment from 10% to 100%, with memory of the last selected brightness level. In this mode, triple-clicking activates strobe, while the momentary maximum-output Boost mode is activated by double-clicking.

Programme 3

High mode only, delivering 1580 lumens, with access to strobe and Boost.

The set includes both a wall-mounted charging cradle and a car charger. I mounted the former on the wall and simply took the flashlight from the dock whenever I needed it. The car charger stayed in my vehicle, although I never actually had to use it. In practice, I usually used the Patrol RX for several hours at a time, and that was not enough to discharge the battery.

Most of the testing took place in what could be described as Arctic conditions — in other words, during our winter, which this year actually felt like a real one, with frost, snow and all the usual winter inconveniences. Whenever I went into the forest in such conditions, which I like to do, I never worried that the flashlight might discharge or stop working.

The wall-mounted charging cradle has one more advantage. In the event of a sudden power loss, for example during a home power outage, the emergency light in the charging system switches on automatically, making it easy to locate the flashlight even from a distance. In such situations, a flashlight is often exactly the device you need most.

A Minor Note

It is difficult to find any serious flaws in the Mactronic Patrol RX. If I had to point out something, the missing element would be a more precise battery level indicator. I realise this is a small detail, but it would certainly make the flashlight easier to use, especially for professional users who need to monitor remaining runtime during field operations.

Personally, I like to know whether, for example, during a search operation in the middle of a forest, the indicator will suddenly turn orange or red. That is why I believe that even a battery indicator similar to those used in power-tool batteries would already be a good solution. It would provide better information on how much runtime is still available and at what output level.

I tested the flashlight for six months. During that time, it was dropped several times on different surfaces, soaked, exposed to very low temperatures and even subjected to a dog trying to chew off the lanyard attached to it. I also took it to the shooting range to fire several shots while holding the flashlight in my support hand.

None of this managed to damage the Mactronic Patrol RX. In fact, I had the impression that this is exactly the kind of environment it was made for.

So, is the Mactronic Patrol RX suitable for professional field use? In short: yes. It is a solid piece of equipment with strong parameters, while still remaining compact enough to fit easily into a side trouser pocket or vest pouch. It is intuitive to operate, and the light it produces is more than sufficient for patrolling or search operations in demanding conditions.

The Patrol RX is not intended solely for professional users. Equipment like this should also be present in every home today — even if only because of energy security risks and possible power outages.

We would like to thank Mactronic for providing the Mactronic Patrol RX flashlight for testing.

Commercial cooperation. Product tests are conducted independently, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author. The advertiser has no influence over the content of the review.

Is the Mactronic Patrol RX suitable only for professional users?

No. It also works well as a home emergency flashlight and as outdoor equipment. Its high output of 2,000 lumens, IP67 rating and runtime of up to 11 hours make it a practical tool for anyone who needs a solid light source in demanding conditions.

How long does the Mactronic Patrol RX run on a single charge?

The Mactronic Patrol RX runs for up to 11 hours on a single charge in the 335-lumen mode. In the maximum 2000-lumen mode and with Boost activated, runtime is significantly shorter. The 5000 mAh battery is charged using the wall-mounted charging cradle or the car charger, both of which are included in the set.

Is the Mactronic Patrol RX resistant to water and drops?

Yes. The flashlight has an IP67 rating, meaning it is resistant to immersion in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. Its aluminium body also withstands repeated drops. During six months of testing, it fell onto various surfaces, leaving only minor scratches on the coating and no structural damage.