My rating is 4.5 Stars of a possible 5 Stars
This light was sent to me by Banggood, for the purpose of review and giveaway.
Cost at BG - $44.95 USD
Visual Quality - It's a Nitecore and as such, the visual quality is expected to be very good. It does not fail. Not a mark anywhere and the light just looks good overall. Clean lines, good looking knurling, well placed fins, etc. Great AR lens too.
Quality of Construction - Again, it's expected to be a well made light and it does not fail. The fit and finish is very good. Smooth pre-lubed threads, smooth surfaces, no rough mill or lathe marks. Just a well made light with one minor niggle which I will discuss when we get to the photos of the switch cover.
Mode Function - This light is meant to be yet another all in one EDC, for use by most everyone. To me, it doesn't fit the bill, but then again, no light does. The modes spacing is fine, but the method of changing modes is a little different and I don't know if I like it. It's using a momentary side switch and just a touch turns it on, (last mode memory). That's fine and normal, but to change modes, you have to press and hold till the next mode comes on, then let off quickly, or you go to the next and the next. If you were to just hold, you would see it continue to cycle from low to turbo. I don't know if I like changing modes by having to press and hold and wait for the mode to change, while remembering that I have to let off right when it changes or it goes to another mode. I do like the double click to get to the strobe modes and I do like the beacon mode. I think it's a true beacon and could be well used. I could not ever get it to go to the ultra low mode. It just kept going to regular low mode. Don't know if it's the programming or the operator.
Usefulness - It might be good for illuminating small rooms, or for walking. It's got a lanyard, but no belt clip, so it's EDC use is limited. The side switch is my preferred method, so I feel it's useful for many types of people because of that, but it would not be great for people who are used to Tactical use.
Overall, the light was surprisingly nice, but with the mode change method and the switch cover niggle, I just can't give it a 5 star rating. I also do not believe in the 960 lumens rating. I can't measure, but after so many years of looking at lights, I would rate it more like 650-750 lumens OTF.
Specification:
Product name: | NITECORE EC20 Outdoor Adventure LED Flashlight |
Brand: | NITECORE |
Model: | EC20 |
Emitter Brand | CREE |
Emitter Type: | XM-L2 T6 |
Material: | Constructed from aero grade aluminum alloy w |
Mode: | High960lm, middle210lm,low50lm, lower1LM Strobe,sos,location beacon |
Runtime: | 1h(high),5h15min(mid),28h(low),520h(lower) |
Battery Configurations: | 1 x 18650/2 x CR123A(NOT INCLUDED) |
Working voltage: | 3.7v 18650 battery |
Switch Type: | clicky |
Switch Location: | body side of the flashlight |
Impact Resistant | 1.5 meters |
Brightness: | Maximum output of up to 960 lumens |
Range: | up to 222 meters |
Peak beam intensity: | 12450cd |
Lens: | Toughened ultra-clear mineral glass with anti-reflective coating |
Carrying Strap: | included |
Waterproof: | IPX-8 waterproof |
Color: | black |
Weight: | 76g without battery |
Size: | 128mm x 25.4mm(length x body diameter) |
Light, manual, lanyard, warranty card.
Square threads for everyone and well lubed. Probably too much lube. It gets all over when you take it apart, but at least it's there.
I did not take the head apart. It seems like it's another one that is glued together and I'm just not going to tear it down.
The switch cover was sticking out quite a ways and it was cocked to one side a little. I pushed and wiggled and pressed and got it to go back down where it should be. Just one of those assembly glitches, but the cover went back where it should.
Amps on high with an 18650 were 2.8
Amps on High with 2x18350 was 1.48
I did not have any cr123, so I used 18350s and it worked fine.
That's all folks...
Thanks to Banggood and the giveaway will be up in a day or so.