REVIEW : Nitecore Concept 1

Sent for review by Fasttech.com

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Nitecore Concept 1:

Right off the bat I just have to say this is the best walk around flashlight I have used to date . I really like my evening walks and often this means walking in the dark and having a good flashlight to walk with can mean the difference between a good walk or a bad walk . The Concept 1 ( C1 from now on ) sits in the hand just so sweetly giving easy access to the on off switch . There is no need to to twist and turn the light , just very slightly movement of your thumb and you can turn the light on or off or activate the short cut to TURBO .

The switch has to be held down for about one second to turn the light on , anything less and the light will not turn on . Once the light is on a quick press of the switch will turn the light off , or you may wish to press the switch and HOLD , doing so will short cut you to turbo and when you let go it will take you back to your chosen light level . To chose a light level press the switch to turn on and HOLD , the light will now cycle through all the light levels and when you find one you like stop . The C1 will remember the light level you chose .

The first thing I did with the C1 was take it for a walk , I settled on low mode ( 78 Lumens in my light box ) and found it to be almost perfect for my needs whilst walking . If I needed more light I simply pressed and HELD for TURBO ( 1600 Lumens with the Solarforce V3 Battery ) and let me tell you TURBO rules . It’s almost too much light , but when you want to see or be seen it really does the job . TURBO , the C1 really pumps heat . You can hold the light about a foot away from your hand and feel the radiated heat from the emitter and the closer you hold the C1 to your bare hand the warmer it will be , to the point where it may actually burn you ! So when Nitecore suggests twisting the tailcap to break the circuit , I would respect that suggestion to stop accidental activation in say your pocket .

Performance :

I used two batteries in testing the output of the C1 , a Solarforce V3 2600 18650 and a Sony VTC4 …

SOLARFORCE 18650

Turbo = 1630 Lumen

High = 982 Lumen

Medium = 343 Lumen

Low = 78 Lumen

Ultra Low = 3 Lumen

Sony VTC4

Turbo = 1930 Lumen ( 10 seconds later it was 1800 Lumen )

High = 980 Lumen

Medium = 341 Lumen

Low = 77 Lumen

Ultra Low = 3 Lumen

This is a really small flashlight and I would suggest using Turbo sparingly as the heat produced is rather impressive at this level . Running turbo for about a minute the C1 was starting to get seriously warm , another minute and it may have been too hot to hold and the output does steadily decline as the light warms . So probably a great pocket warmer for those cold winter nights . But there could be repercussions if the light were accidentally turned on in Turbo mode .

MODES

We have one set of modes without the disco stuff ( Yay ) , but there is another set of modes that includes STROBE - SOS - BEACON for those who may want such . The light comes factory set ( I think ) for just the light levels and no Disco . To change over you break the circuit - open the tail cap or untwist the body . Hold the switch down while you twist the tail / body back to make contact . This will activate the flashy options . To get to the disco modes you triple click the switch ( quickly ) and the light should be strobing your brains out . To change modes ( SOS - BEACON ) press and hold the switch for about one second .

SHORT CUT’s

There are several short cuts available

1) Double click the switch = Short cut to Ultra Low

2) Triple click the switch = Short cut to Turbo or start Disco modes ( Depending on the options the user choses )

3) With the light on = Press and hold the switch to short cut to TURBO

4) Any mode = Click 3 times quickly to enter STROBE / SOS / BEACON

BATTERY

The Concept 1 does not like overly long batteries , I found that if the battery sits flush or near flush with the back of the body ( where the tailcap screws on ) the C1 simply refuses to work . Put in a shorter battery that leaves some clearance and there is no issue . My Solarforce V3 is some 67.5mm long and leaves a 3mm gap at the back of the body . I have tried several longer protected batteries and the C1 simply would not run with them .

THE SWITCH

I really like the switch , but having seen quite a few reviews and the criticisms leveled at it , well ? The switch is immensely easy to use , comfortable , intuitive , and can be used without the need to adjust or move the light in ones hands . And because the switch is so easy to use , it means that the light can be easily turned on or off ( Accidentally ) . One simply needs to be aware of the nature of the beast ! So if you plan on pocket carry please twist the tailcap / body so as to break the electrical circuit . ( Simple )

EDC / Every Day Carry

Simply yes , just unscrew the tailcap a little to break the electrical circuit and be happy with one of the smallest most powerful flashlights you can put in a pocket .

Conclusion :

I really like the Nitecore Concept 1 , it really ticks all the boxes for a walking light . It’s incredibly easy to use , there is no need to shift the light in the hand to change modes or turn it on or off . One simply caries it comfortably in the hand ( Gloved even ) and shifts ones thumb slightly to make stuff happen and I really like that . The output @ TURBO does not hurt either , I mean it’s embarrassingly bright and one feels almost obliged to apologize every time TURBO is activated . There are even Disco modes for those that seek lights with such , but for those who don’t want such , well one simply ignores the option ( I really like that ) . There is just so much to like about the Concept 1 and so little not to . I have seen quite a few reviews on the C1 and I think that perhaps some are being a little nit picky or overly critical , but such is life . I am giving the C1 9 out of 10 ( 1 point lost for not liking longer 18650 ) .

I would like the thank fasttech.com for sending me this little beast - I really like it and it has just become my walkies light .

Thanks Old4570, but is it correct the video has no sound? Or could be my phone?!

Video has no sound …
I stuffed up the audio ( Eeer my words sucked - coming out of my mouth ) … Im a little camera shy , so often just stuff up what I need to say … So I just killed the audio track rather than mess with it .
Got myself one of those digital audio recorders , so I will in the future be trying voice over for the video …
That way I can think about what I want to say and do as many retakes ( audio ) as needed .

SO definitely on me that one …

Good to know my phone isn`t broken! I am also kind of camera shy, but still managed to do a few videos in English (showing batteries,and not my face;)) while English isnt my mother tongue.. :)

Good idea. I have Cyberlink Powerdirector that allows me to do voice over. But man.. video editing takes SOO much time :)

I do not hear anything either!

Audio track was removed = Does not exist …

I have a Concept 1.

Not a bad EDC light. It feels good in the hand and isn’t too big. It’s vaguely HDS shape looks pleasing. Output is quite nice. It has a temp sensor, but you can override the rampdown simply by holding the button down.

However, while it is a nice light I don’t consider it exceptional. It’s expensive. Without any cooling fins to help dump heat rampdown happens fairly fast. It’s not a huge light, but it’s not tiny either (Zebralight SC64 and Emisar D4 are both quite a bit shorter).

The worst problem with the Concept 1 is the switch: I own dozens, possibly hundreds of lights. Many with sideswitches. The Concept 1 is more prone to accidental activation than ANY other sideswitch light I own.

  • The only spring in the switch is the one in the microswitch.
  • The switch cover is a completely exposed metal lever that goes over the top of the switch. *
  • Lever action makes it so you need even less pressure to activate it.

One test I sometimes use with sideswitch EDC lights is I carry them in my pocket without lockout and see how long they go between accidental activations.

  • With the best designed lights I get zero accidental activations (Zebralights, DQG Tiny IV),
  • with intermediate design I may get an accidental activation every 1-5 weeks (Emisar D4 Titanium, Olight S10).
  • I tried putting my Concept 1 in my pocket and it accidentally activated immediately… literally was in my pocket less than 2 seconds. And that happened every single time I had it in my pocket.

Of course as the reviewer pointed out you can just use the lockout. That’s pretty much required with this light. I wouldn’t even trust this light in a belt case without lockout activated.

The problem with that is using lockout removes most of the convenience of having a sideswitch EDC. I want to be able to whip my EDC out of my pocket and get instant light with one-hand. If I have to pull it out and then twist the tailcap before I can turn it on, I might as well be using a twisty light. It’s not convenient.

The UI on the Concept 1 isn’t bad, but it does have one strange design choice: A single-click from off does nothing. The only reason I can think of for this choice is the designers were hoping it would reduce the risk of accidental activation. In this they failed, because this light turns on instantly in the pocket. All having single-click do nothing does is make the light’s UI slightly less convenient while offering zero benefit.

If you’re looking for an expensive, high-quality side-switch light there are much better choices than the Concept 1, such as the Zebralight SC64w or Zebralight SC600w IV Plus.

The switch is a double edged sword …
So easy to use with the light in the hand , so natural , with no need to re position the light to change modes or turn it on or off .
So one simply needs to be aware of this and treat the light accordingly .
If you plan to EDC just untwist the tailcap to lock out current flow … ( No accidents )

I would not call the Concept 1 , Tactical - Security - Military - Police or what ever where any sort of STRESS is involved .
And what I forgot , there is a magnet in the tailcap … I knew I forgot something .

Fort a light you put in your hand and take walkies , I am yet to experience a better light .
One mans problem = another mans delight !

If they wanted a cool-looking rectangular switch there are better ways they could have done it.

For example:

Make the rectangular portion a cover that flips up to expose the button (like the weapon controls on attack helicopters). That way there would be little-to-no risk of accidental activation and they could use a protruding button that’s easy to press with numb hands or gloves. And it would just be really cool, because no one else has done that.

Regarding the magnet in the tailcap: I’m not a fan of magnets on my pocket-EDC light. I never use it so it doesn’t give me any benefit. And I worry that if I accidentally put my light in my pocket with my wallet it might demagnetize my cards. That said, this isn’t a dealbreaker and I don’t hold it against light manufacturers if they add one. I know many people do like this feature. And if I really don’t want it I can always demagnetize the magnet by holding a soldering iron to it.

Hey thanks for this review. I was thinking this would be a good dog walking light. I like the UI. You can have a nice path light , then jump to turbo to check location of off leash pets.

Switch design. Wish it had a spring loaded cam to prevent the activation. Simple pressure to the rear to roll the cam over and allow the switch to depress.

Also would like the Clip much closer to the head for deeper carry. And take Turbo out out of the cycle.

Seams like a great light for a purpose. Not sure if I will add it to my stable. I think a little work on the
switch design and this could be a great light.

Hmmm , my first video with voice over … I think I am going to like doing voice overs …

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Sorry ! Oh geez ! ( my apologies to fasttech.com )
Guys , when ever you go to fasttech.com , dont forget to do the “map” to get a possibly better price …