got a promo email from banggood and in it there was an offer of the Nitecore EA11 CREE XM-L2(U2) 900lm for $39.95, i was curious dispite my dislike of the company so i checked it out. Still not going to buy it.
To me those look like very poor runtimes 1lm for 10 hours on AA sucks and only 30minute more runtime at 40lm than 90lm. The driver must suck goats oval objects, just confirms my personnel thoughts that nitecore is to be avoided.
In the interests of transparency i really dislike nitecore.
you are correct i will amend my original post but i am still not going to buy it, my old fenix E12 offer better runtimes 1xAA, offically quoted runtimes 130lm - 1hr, 50lm - 3hrs, 8lm - 22hrs, but i get better than that eneloop white 1.5hr on high 4 hours on medium and didn’t bother to check low.
EA11 is packed with more power and featuresthan E12 (classic edc). E12 may have impressive for 22hrs runtime on AA spec, but I would prefer to have 900lm (with IMR) in my pocket.
Note: I am not trying to convince you or anyone from getting one.
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.
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? Hmm… It seems like a very nice light though, with very high output for such a small light. Just a little bit too expensive.
I picked up my EA11 at the end of March, and am very pleased with it. It came with an IMR. I wasn’t looking for super long run times. When I need long run times, I use a 18650 light.
It’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.
I have an E11, myself; and it’s not a bad light, for something of that size. But - comparing apples with oranges doesn’t make sense. I don’t think there’s a Fenix light made that is compatible with 14500 batteries, or any other battery, for that matter, in that same form factor, that’s capable of that kind of output.
You know what they say about “the candle that burns twice as bright”… it’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 doesn’t like the Nitecore brand. He happened to pick the smallest, most powerful light they make, but didn’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 it’s a positive step, for Nitecore, to offer such a light - and no, I’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 don’t like about Nitecore lights (aside from this particular model)?
I’m curious, as well, how long the EA11 can maintain 900 lumen output, before stepping down; but I’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. It’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. I’ll buy it, without hesitation.
I still haven’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.
I’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 don’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 didn’t’ buy if for that anyway lol. Mode memory is great - very handy
I would say, to those of you who are not happy about the performance of this light, using a AA (alkaline or NiMh) battery, it’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 it’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 don’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 didn’t take, when I clicked on Save. Not sure why. Anyay, my initial (and incorrect) assessment can be found in MountainKing’s quote in post #20.