Nitecore Concept 1
This was provided to me by GearBest for review.
- LED: CREE XHP35 HD E2
- Battery Type Supported: 1x IMR 18650 or 2x CR123A
- Peak Beam Distance: 240 yards (219.45 meters)
- Peak Beam Intensity: 12,100 cd
- Brightness Outputs: (IMR 18650)
* Turbo: 1800 lumens / 30 min
* High: 810 lumens / 1h 30 min
* Medium: 300 lumens / 4h
* Low: 80 lumens / 15h
* Ultralow: 1 lumen / 300h - Brightness Outputs: (2x CR123A)
* High: 810 lumens / 1h 15 min
* Medium: 300 lumens / 3h 30 min
* Low: 80 lumens / 13h
* Ultralow: 1 lumen / 200h - Weight (without battery): 2.18 ounces (61.9 grams)
- Dimensions: 4.39in (111.5mm) x 0.96in (24.38mm) x 0.94in (23.87mm)
The Concept 1 is definitely not your average 18650 light, as the name implies. It’s much sleeker than your typical tactical light and the switch/UI is not what you are used to. The first thing I noticed out of the box was how sleek it is and how well it fits your hand, a tapered body guided your hand to the proper grip for activating the light with your thumb on the side switch. I was also impressed by the fit and finish, the threads are smooth and the whole light fits together well.
The Concept 1 offers two more groups, tactical and general, which are activated similarly and work about the same. To switch between them you loosen the tail cap, hold the side switch and tighten the tail switch. It will flash once for general and twice for tactical. Both offer direct access to moonlight with a double tap and both offer more memory. Press and hold to begin cycling through the modes, stop on the one you want and it will be memorized. A triple click in either mode group will get you to strobe in tactical or turbo in general.
It offers a great compromise between throw and hotspot and is very bright. On turbo it heats up quickly and it will step down automatically to prevent damage. On my example the tint changed from the hotspot out and there were rings around the beam. The magnet in the tailcap is useful and it can be locked out with a quarter turn of the tailcap.
The packaging is a simple box and it comes with instructions, a lanyard and a sheath. Overall it’s a cool and different light but for regular use it will take some getting used to. The electronic side switch is nice but the metal cover is a little awkward and the beam pattern is a little surprising.
