Are the boxes meant to say EA4W on it? The “manual” sheets that came with mine also say EA4.
I think it’s a waste to print two designs when a barcode would be enough.
Mmmm, can’t remember. I bought a EA4W a month or so ago, and think it came in a EA4W box. Certainly the light had it printed on it. Just checked with the Fasttech site - the images of both the box & light are of the EA4, so perhaps that’s why there is confusion in the warehouse.
The manual I had with the EA4 was an update from the earlier one, which had the wrong instructions on how to get out of lockout - the new version was correct (long hold).
fasttech will certainly make things right.
I just checked my box and there is a silver sticker with EA4W on it and a barcode. So the mix up might be from testing the lights.
I ordered a cool white and received a neutral tint light. My box also has smo on it whatever that means.
SMO = Smooth reflector
The only indication on my box is the barcode sticker on the bottom: EA4W U2 SMO = Neutral tint, U2 emitters, Smooth reflector
They got mine right.
Now I want to know what the beam is like with an orange peel reflector. >.<
I’ve got the neutral version here, flashlight engraved with EA4W on body, just looked at box mine has silver barcoded sticker on the bottom flap of box agreeing to the light saying EA4W SMO, tint is correct too.
Someone needs to clone this light with fewer modes and better spacing. Jus sayin………
the amount of modes is good, spacing could be improved. if i could get the ea8 modes in to my ea4, i think it would be a very good combination
That would very nice…
Yes! That would be near perfect! Can’t understand why the two have different modes? EA8s are much better.
I could even settle for an EA4 (clone) with something like a simple 1% / 30% / 100% mode arrangment.
I would love to have a low-low mode for emergency lighting, mid-low mode for indoors, and high for outdoors.
…Because the EA4 was imagined/created/designed and released before the EA8.
Once the complaints about the EA4 mode spacing came out, Nitecore made the corrections, then released the EA8.
And Neutral White is now sold out 
OK. I can understand it. Just seems stupid to have made the EA4 modes that way in the first place, but that’s me. I say that as a businessman, not a flashaholic nerd….
I have to wonder if Nitecore got so wrapped up in marketing the EA4 as a “searchlight” they lost touch with how their typical /existing customers would actually use the EA4 in reality.
Maybe Nitecore wanted the EA4 to attract buyers from the first responder market? Maybe they were hoping for some govt contracts somewhere? I have no idea really.
If anything, I think the EA8 Caveman makes much more sense than the EA4 in a searchlight role - because of it’s size, output, & runtime advantage. Plus, I have to imagine the bigger 8 head has more throw, but that is a guess on my part, and secondary to my point.
The EA4 seems a more natural fit as an ‘around the house & campsite general use’ type light. Its form also screams tailstand upright candle /lantern mode to me. I don’t see it as a “searchlight” at all. Its not even big enough for a firm full-hand grip with gloves really. Pure marketing shtick IMO.
Sure, it’s possible Nitecore may not have had any intention to ever make the EA8, just the EA4 only. Even that seems like a big stretch to me. I would be very surprised if both lights were not conceived /conceptualized (if not developed) pretty much together. They have way too much in common. It makes too much sense to make both.
Actually, now that I rant about it……
Nitecore could really swap the mode layout of the EA4 & EA8! That might make more sense for BOTH their logical roles:
The brighter, more narrowly-spaced EA4 modes make more sense on the bigger EA8 for outdoors.
The EA8s wider-spaced, lower modes make more sense on the compact EA4 for inside useage.
But now I’m getting carried away and asking too much of a company that functions to maximize profit (as they all do).
/rant
as you were
I’m just glad companies like Nitecore keep coming out with different lights. What might be right for one person is wrong for the next. Certainly nothing to complain or rant about. If you don’t like it, if it’s too expensive for you, wrong emmiter, wrong tint, wrong size, wrong switch, not enough spill, too much spill or any of the many things that don’t make a light perfect for you, then don’t buy it. It will be right for someone else and they will buy it. I’m all for companies coming out with different lights. Keeps me interested. We vote with our money and if a company’s light isn’t selling, they are forced to change their product or lower the price to stay profitable and stay in business.
Not really sure if my “rant” offended you or what, but I was using the term loosely and slightly tounge in cheek. It was a bit of a longwinded post, but more of a logical analysis than some crazed complaining rant.
The very purpose of this forum, and others like it, is to discuss technical aspects and personal preferences with regard to flashlights. I was not slamming or needlessly bashing Nitecore in any way. Frankly, even if I was that is my right. So I really don’t have much remorse for expressing my personal opinions. I need the PC forum police criticizing me like I need another hole in my head. That’s a bit too CPF for me.
To your point, yes, you are correct. We vote with our wallets. I have not bought the EA4 Pioneer or EA8 Caveman… even though I absolutely LOVE the concept, formfactor, and design!! It kills me to. But the modes are a deal breaker. That is why the longwinded lament. That’s all.
Apparently you are bothered by my critical mindet & longwinded nature, and interpret it as complaining for some reason. Not really sure why, but I am going to post what I post. Take it how you want to take it, but my criticisms of consumer products is nothing to take personally.
i agree with most of the rant, even though i own the ea4 and lately it has been my most used around the house. but it would be used a hell of a lot more if it had a lower low. its way to much to use in bed while missus is sleeping.
Yeah hope that didn’t come off too bitchy. Just frustrates me cause I otherwise love the EA4… also having a shit day @ work…. grrrr
time e’rybody! 