Review: Nitecore EX11.2

its not finished yet, those are just the first 2 sections according to the template.

redforestUK, thanks for the heads up. I saw you mentioning it before. Yes, the power draw measurements are ridiculous on 4.2V with the cool emitter, a neutral would not be fun.

Yeah, thanks for the info, RedForest ;) Will keep that in mind. (and I have to admit that those flaws for a 60 bucks light are unacceptable :~

wow, really nice review about it.

I don't consider this a flaw, because the light is designed to maximise output on RCRs, with the installed cool white emitter. The installation of a neutral emitter ends up drawing more power, which is not what it was designed for, and therefore failure is expected. My D10s with the neutral mod draws in the order of 2 times the current, from 1A to 2Amps, so with this one currently drawing around the 2+ amp region at 4.2V with the cool emitter, it won't be surprising if it dies with a neutral emitter on RCRs. Its like running an engine from low revs up a higher rev, vs forcing an engine at redline past redline.

I bought a Nitecore EX11.2 few months ago and I use it as EDC, only with primary batteries (2-3 months with a single quality CR123a is more than good).
In my opinion it has the best UI ever seen in LED flashlights, just perfect. Durable and functional the Pistondrive, useful shortcuts and power-lock function. Good battery life and light output. Simple, small, tough. Unfortunately don't have bought the titanium clip.
I think in the future also buy D11.2 and, maybe some of the new models out: DS1, ES1 and ES2.

Thank you for the review.

No, sorry, both of my D11.2 samples drew 1.8-2A on a fully charged 14500 cell. Both the one with the original stock XP-G cool white and the one I had modified to use another XP-G High CRI which should have a higher vf and so have been easier to keep current down. I'm not saying it's a flaw in manufacturing or design, just an error in judgement for them to say that their lights support 4.2v cells. That is certainly not the case with the D11.2, perhaps the EX11.2 can support RCR123's, but I have never had one to test.

Looking great okwchin! Please let me know when you're satisfied with the review so I can send it frontpage.

Gotcha!, yeah the current draw on 4.2V is still crazy. I am compiling the tail cap measures off my PSU now, and its damn right scary. Those components sure can't handle 2A for long. Im with you actually on how this is not truly 4.2V safe, while it might be for a while, its surely not something I would be happy to use for more than a minute straight.

I guess this comes back to what manufacturers are willing to advertise, I remember not too long ago on the BLF, there was discussion about why people would want to spend more money on name brand torches, with the common theme being that name brand gives you warranty, and customer support, but for the cost, was advertised/sold with much lower outputs, and dollars per lumen was crazy expensive. I think this is an example of going the other way, where lumens are pushed to the limit, and I think either way we can't entertain everyone.

Currently its only regulated between 1.9V and 3.1V. circuit starts at 0.6V, and and 4.2V its seriously copper trace lifting stuff. (The older circuit was regulated between 1.3V and 3.9V, a much more reasonable range which lent itself to much safer modifications.)

Review is almost there, Just might need a little editing, and adding a few bits here and there as they come to mind.

Id say its 95% there now, would appreciate any feedback at this stage ;)

Edited and what's there should be complete now!!

So this little fellow is brighter than SkyRay? From the photos it appears to have a noticeably better throw.

What an awesome looking light. I can't wait to get mine, and hope it's not a lemon (yes I know it's more likely on these lights!)

It will, but only for a short while if on RCRs. The driver unfortunately stays in DD mode for quite a while, and you don't see a regulated output with RCRs, instead you will get a pocket rocket.

Ive had mine for a while, and what I would recommend is making a new spring for the driver pill. I still find the switching a tad too hard for my liking, but with a lighter spring, the switching force can be lightened and brought closer to the feel of the good old D10s. Its not easy, but its a UI improvement I feel it needs to make multiple clicks and ramping easier on the hands.

totally agree here, but my hand gets a nice workout, or thumb anyway. Someone sell that spring?

nice review, thanks!

I just made my spring from some SS wire I had around. Wound it around a screwdriver, and with some careful tweaking to get it as close to round as possible, it works fine. In the EX11, its easier to get it to work smoothly compared to the D11, because the inside of the EX11 is smooth, as opposed to threaded in the D11. It does require some careful work, and I probably spent an your casually making this spring, but its worth it.

I dont recall what SS wire i used, but it was probably 0.8 or 0.9mm wire.

Mine arrived today and I really like it. I agree the spring resistance makes the button hard to press and slightly less resistance would be nice, but it's ok by me how it is.

After reading a bit I see there are different v2 versions floating around, and I ended up with a "Smart PD EX11 SP R5" with "V2" stamped on the opposite side. I was surprised to get one with a slotted piston, which is both good and bad in my opinion, because now I have to go and spend time figuring out how to do the GITD epoxy mod :).

I'm leaving the battery in to see if it's a battery vampire which is supposedly fixed now...we'll see!

You mean tritium vials ;)

Very cool...thanks :)

Dont do it... tritium vials, at $7-11 each, seem relatively affordable at first, but once you get started.....

(btw, I used B@rts trits, his are $7 for the 1.55x5 and $11 for the 2x8mm, you need a 2x8mm trit in your EX11.2)

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?242634-B-rt-s-Tritium-Thread-Part-Deux/page20&highlight=bart+tritium

BTW, don't expect anything bright, they are about as bright as cheap DX GITD tail caps after a minute of fade out or so. But the difference is it doesn't need charging, and its glowing when you need it!!... unlike GITD that only glows after you have activated it, i.e. you already have the torch.