The ThruNite Scorpion has a removable crenellated stainless steel bezel up the front with a toughened ultra-clear AR-coated glass lens. The default default configuration has the Scorpion with a regular head, an optional turbo head is also available which provides increased throw performance. Both the heads have smooth reflectors installed, nicely polished with no noticeable flaws. The LED sitting at the bottom of the reflector cup is well centered too. The heads do look rather different externally though. While the default head matches most of the design aesthetics of the Scorpion's body and tail with ample knurling on its surface, the turbo head is plain and smooth.

The LED module and electronics are mounted on the main battery tube. Springs are mounted on both the "+" and "-" ends of the battery contacts for improved shock protection. The battery tube has the common tubular design with ample knurling covering almost its entire surface. A removable clip is included which is held securely in place by a retaining ring. The clip is not reversible and only works for head-down carry. The rear threads are of the square cut variety and are anodized which allows the light to be locked out by slightly loosening the tail cap. They are very well machined and nicely cut, mating perfectly with those on the battery tube. The Scorpion's tail cap is rather different regular ones due to its implementation of a ring switch system. Its front half is free-turning and screws into the battery tube, it has a 4-point raised flange which serves as an anti-roll and cigar grip design element. The rear half houses the mode selection mechanism and a long traveling push button which is completely silent with no clicking when engaged. This is a unique switch design not seen in any previously reviewed flashlight. The switch cap is made of hard plastic and not rubber either. It does stick out noticeably from the tail cap which means the Scorpion isn't able to tail stand.

If you're unfamiliar with any of the terms used in this review, click here for explanations on common flashlight related vocabulary.

The Scorpion has a 4-position mode selection ring and includes a fifth lock-out position. The 4 mode positions are moderately tensioned and can be easily cycled through with the thumb and forefinger when held in an overhand grip. The lock-out position is differentiated by being slightly harder to engage, this is good since it prevents accidental unlocking. Note that rotating the ring while the light is one will not change the mode, this requires a subsequent press of the push button switch as well. Rotating the selection ring clockwise cycles through the following order:

Lock-Out > 5-89% Variable Brightness > Firefly > Momentary Strobe > 100% Momentary On

Position 2, the variable brightness mode, allows the user to smoothly ramp output brightness by simply holding down the push button switch. Ramping automatically alternates from low to high and high to low while the switch is held down with double blinks are the lowest (5%) and highest (89%) level as an indication to the user. According to ThruNite, the reason why this constant on variable output mode doesn't go up to 100% is due to excessive heat, thus it's relegated to the 100% momentary mode. Both the regular and turbo head reflectors produce narrow hotspots with the turbo head throwing further as would be expected. The hotspot has a slightly darker center region, but not too bad as to be categorized as a donut hole. A subtle corona around the hotspot fades into the spill beam, both are smooth and clean of artifacts. Beam tint on the review sample is pretty close to pure white, leaning just slightly towards the cool side. While the Scorpion is capable of extremely high output levels, but does struggle to regulate and maintain maximum brightness. Also, while the Scorpion officially support 2x CR123 batteries, the extreme heat triggers the battery's safety mechanism which causes current drain to be reduces, and result in the familiar looking graph as a result of overheated lithium CR123 primary batteries..

The Good - Huge amount of light output relative to size. Intuitive control ring interface works well in practice.

The Bad - Regulation is below average.

The Relative - Beam tint is close to pure white, leaning slightly to the cool side. Isn't able to tail stand. Completely silent switching mechanism.