Nitecore EA11 CREE XM-L2(U2) 900lm

A single AA with a 14500 option for real turbo and a standard holster is the format that I find the most useful for edc, as all my other lights are just sleeping soundly in their covers.

I wonder how long it can maintain 900 lumens for without heat issues or stop down. Looks fairly impressive in my opinionā€¦

Just like my Eagletac D25A AA/14500, not much, but just long enough to see clearly, but the next lower mode is still good enough.

Nitecore UK:

What is the benefit using IMR instead of ICR in this light? Does it really need an IMR to get maximum lumen? I thought that protected ICR was the safe way to go but now they recommend IMR. Do they even sell IMR? Hmmā€¦ It seems like a very nice light though, with very high output for such a small light. Just a little bit too expensive.

Do they even sell 14500 IMR? :wink:

Edit: I cannot find any IMR on Nitecore.com.
http://www.nitecore.com/productList.aspx?cid=25

I picked up my EA11 at the end of March, and am very pleased with it. It came with an IMR. I wasnā€™t looking for super long run times. When I need long run times, I use a 18650 light.

Itā€™s not my first Nitecore, but it intrigued me, so I picked it up. The instructions say that it will adjust the output, within twenty minutes, to avoid overheating. I used mine in the garage the other day, as I was looking up in the rafters for something; but probably not long enough to experience any step-down.

Iā€™ve been using these EagleTac 14500 lithium ions in all of my other 14500 lights (See link below). They work beautifully, and are supposedly rated to 3+ amp loads:
http://www.illuminationgear.com/EagleTac-14500-750mAh-Li-Ion-Rechargeable-2-Pack-ET14500750mah2pk.htm

AW make a 14500 IMR:
http://www.oveready.com/battery-/batteries/aw-imr-14500-rechargeable-battery/prod_216.html

I also have Nitecoreā€™s SRT-3, EA4, EC20, P12, 2 CB6 lights, an MT21a, and my personal favorite, for output and throw - the P25 (superb light).

I donā€™t seem to be able to post pictures directly here, from photobucket. What am I doing wrong?

I have an E11, myself; and itā€™s not a bad light, for something of that size. But - comparing apples with oranges doesnā€™t make sense. I donā€™t think thereā€™s a Fenix light made that is compatible with 14500 batteries, or any other battery, for that matter, in that same form factor, thatā€™s capable of that kind of output.

You know what they say about ā€œthe candle that burns twice as brightā€ā€¦ itā€™s certainly true here; but the output on this thing is tremendous, and is worth the sacrifice in reduced run time. The feature set is very impressive, as well.

Bottom line - the other poster doesnā€™t like the Nitecore brand. He happened to pick the smallest, most powerful light they make, but didnā€™t to take into consideration there are very few light companies mass producing a light of this power and form factor, anywhere close to this price range. I think itā€™s a positive step, for Nitecore, to offer such a light - and no, Iā€™m not a Nitecore rep lol. I just happen to like their lights - enough to own nine of them, in various models/sizes/battery platforms.

Just out of curiosity @wolf359, what is it that you donā€™t like about Nitecore lights (aside from this particular model)?

Iā€™m curious, as well, how long the EA11 can maintain 900 lumen output, before stepping down; but Iā€™m with you. The output is amazing, even if it only for a few minutes. 9000 candela and 190 meter throw out of a single 14500 (IMR) light is staggering.

Can anyone here think of a single other light, comparably sized and priced, that can deliver the same, for any amount of time?

Truly, this is a niche light. Itā€™s not going to be for everyone. Moonlight mode enthusiasts are going to hate this light, because of the low run time at 1 lumen. There are plenty of lights that produce moonlight mode, in this form factor, but not too many that have this kind of output, as well.

If such a light exists, point me the way. Iā€™ll buy it, without hesitation.

I still havenā€™t figured out how to post pictures here. In other forums, I merely copy the image link from photobucket and paste it into the post, and the images shows up, automatically resized to 800 x 600 (to conform with picture size limits on most forums.

Agreed. My EA11 holster sits right next to my iPhone 5S and is practically invisible there (blends right in with the phone), and is extremely easy to access.

Iā€™m also EDCing a ThruNite T10 (cool white) and T10 2014 edition - neutral (both running on 14500 lithim ions. Have to be careful not to run them for a few minutes at at time, because of the heat, but they work beautifully, but donā€™t come anywhere close to the output of the EA11.

I like the instant turbo, or instant low mode access, as well. Not sure how useful that flashing red light would be, but I didnā€™tā€™ buy if for that anyway lol. Mode memory is great - very handy :slight_smile:

Saw it on GB. Got interested but a combination of 2 factors drove me away on 2nd reading of the specsā€¦

- As OP said, the driver sucks goat. AA performance is retarded. Iā€™d personally take the Neutron 2A V2 for the price.

  • Got to buy a LION charger :smiley:

BUT it sure does look lovely. I love the looks of it.

I would say, to those of you who are not happy about the performance of this light, using a AA (alkaline or NiMh) battery, itā€™s not worth wasting time or money, buying this light.

If, on the other hand, you are already running lights that use the 14500 battery, you already own a charger for these batteries, and you would like to have a super compact, super high output light, with many features, you may actually end up loving this light.

As I mentioned previously, this is not a super performer, when it comes to run times - but the output itā€™s capable of is pretty impressive.

If you love moonlight modes that can run for hundreds of hours,continuously, this is definitely not the light for you. The light is not touted as an AA performer; but a high output light (for which a 14500 IMR is recommended); but that is capable of running on AA batteries. Nitecore donā€™t make any false claims about overly-optimistic run times. In fact, their specs are pretty accurate. They tell you how it really is. I wish more light companies did this.

Edit - 04-12-15 - please see post #, in response to
(I tried to strike through all of what was written here, but it didnā€™t take, when I clicked on Save. Not sure why. Anyay, my initial (and incorrect) assessment can be found in MountainKingā€™s quote in post #20.

First 6 minutes. ceilling Bounce, reference 100% is NiMH Eneloop Max. value. The 14500 Nitecore NL147 ok, best for IMR AW.
from ā€ banggood Not affā€:http://www.banggood.com/es/Nitecore-EA11-CREE-XM-L2U2-900lm-Compact-EDC-Flashlight-p-961636.html

Iā€™m testing with NiMH complete runtime, and 20 minutes with NL147 Nitecore and IMR AW.

:evil:

God, you have to read actual reviews before commentingā€¦

It outputs 810 lumens on a 14500ā€¦.Is extendable to 2AA, the 1AA does 480 lumens and the other high to moonlight modes runs forever.

SB full review:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?389222

I feel badly. Thank you for bringing Selfbuiltā€™s review to my attention, MountainKing.

In looking through Thruniteā€™s website, I found no mention of the Neutron 2Aā€™s ability to run on a 14500 battery, or (naturally) the increased output that would be afforded, through the use of that battery.

Selfbuiltā€™s reviews are always top drawer. Heā€™s thorough, honest, and without a doubt, a first rate, credible reviewer, whoā€™s been around for a while. I love reading/watching his light reviews, and trust his judgment implicitly.

Selfbuilt pointed out that, using the 14500 battery, according to his tests, the Neutron 2A V2 is capable of 810 lumens, with 9,600 candela, and a 196 meter beam range. That is amazing, and definitely makes it a viable contender for the EA11, with three added bonuses:

  1. If you donā€™t happen to have 14500 batteries available, but still need the high output, you can attach the included extender, just use 2 regular AA batteries, and not lose the high output. This could be considerably convenient, in a pinch.
  2. the moonlight (and low settings) run times on this V2 are superior to that of the EA11.
  3. the light is available in a neutral white version! ThruNite use a wonderful neutral white emitter (I use that version in my T10 2014 Edition, and my T20 - excellent tint!).

I tried to strike through my incorrect assumptions I made in Post #18 (since I hadnā€™t yet read the selfbuilt review), but they didnā€™t take, so I deleted them. I wish I had done my due diligence and read this review, first.

Hindsightā€¦

Sorry, MountainKing (tail between legs).

Now, what Iā€™d like to know is - why hasnā€™t ThruNite mentioned that the 14500 can be used in the Neutron 2A V2 successfully, and that the additional power would be gained, using this single 14500? That would certainly be a tremendous selling point with high performance battery users who wanted that output with just one battery, wouldnā€™t it? True, they do mention the working voltage range with a high end of 5 volts, but nothing else about the possibility of using the much superior 14500 battery in their light.

Whyyyy?

In any case, I will definitely be picking up a Neutron 2A V2, to add to the 14500 collection. Thanks, MountainKing. Your points were well-made, and graciously received :D.

No hard feelings, I hope.

I add runtime for 21 minutes with 3 types of batteries. Surface temperature flashlight with lithium use. Voltage at the the end of the Test of 21min. (of each Lithium battery).

Some very useful information there. Thanks for posting this, Trevi-lux!

@david57strat: No hard feelings bro :smiley: Not that I a thrunite fan or anything but that Neutron V2 is jaw dropping for me to be honestā€¦.
As you said the voltage input says up to 5V which is fine for lions. Personally, this means that 1x14500 is fine but with the extender, there could have been cases of people using either to test/or by mistake 2x14500 cell in it thereby frying the driver or something?
This is the only reason I can think of. To limit its liability!
The Neutral version is so awesome as you said! Bought one for my broand I have been fighting the urge to buy one for myself for quite some time. When my quark died, I was happy to get one but 47 repaired it free of charge with the newer XML L2 head :P. So I canā€™t justify the purchase yet!

I am checking now the 1 Lumen runtime of Ultralow mode with eneloop.
At the moment 12 hours ( on User Manual, say 10 h. and ā€œonā€ā€¦)