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! 
Just so long as you're not talking about the US government.... Chinese made products are not exactly TAA compliant (Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. & 2501-2581)) selling anything chinese to the federal government is literally the fastest way to piss off said government.
Personally I think it's kind of stupid, not to purchase products at the lowest price possible, so long as quality criteria are met.
With regards to the EA4 - I'm sure they will release an updated version at some point. It would be stupid of them not to, and I expect many components on the two lights are interchangeable.
EA4 has a specd throw distance of 283m, the EA8 490m
EA4 has a beam intensity of 20000cd, the EA8 60000cd!
So, yes it should be a pretty good thrower…
Nope, I wasn’t offended at all. Just simply doing what you were doing and stating my piont of view. I would personally like a lower low on the ea4 but I will buy one anyway and live with it the way it is. I am yet to find the perfect light for all situations. Most all the lights I have will cover the basics of why I need flashlights for in the first place. Portable light.
I owe Fasttech an apology and all the members here as well. I went back and checked my order and I had ordered a warm tint, not the cool tint I assumed. I stuffed up not Fasttech. I have received nothing but fantastic service with really quick delivery from this supplier. Again I humbly apologies to all.
SMO probably just mean smooth reflector….
and you know, if you never mentioned it again, know one would have known better.
says a lot about a person 
TAA, BAA, ITAR, DFAR compliance… Trust me mate, I’m with you. Just kinda meant govts in general. Maybe SE Asia… just throwing it out there really. Kind of brainstorming aloud. Trying to make sense of Nitecores logic in programming the EA4.
Don’t let my wife hear you say that last line. She thinks I’m a bit carried away.
Get what you mean. The search for the perfect light for all uses never ends. Truth be told, it does not exist, but we strive for as close to perfect as possible…. which is constantly evolving with technology. So the collecting never ends! Ahhh! haha
Truth be told, I may cave and get an EA4 eventually. Right now I am holding off in the hopes that enough whinny bitches like myself might make Nitecore come out with a rev2 or gen2 [or something] with the EA8 modes.
Or… maybe someone will clone it? Certainly wouldn’t be the first time. The form factor and 4xAA format is “perfect”. (There’s that term again!) The 3xAA Rook let me down a bit. But it’s close…
Get one!! I think you’ll love it. :bigsmile:
I love mine and now I really want an EA8 too!
The EA4 has a pretty good throw so the EA8 will be awesome!
Must buy 8 new eneloops though…
Knew there would be devils advocates on here.
At the very least I need a neutral. I never turn down NW when its an option.
I think that if I ever find the perfect light, I will still buy more. I know. I’m sick. Always wondering if another that comes along would be more perfect. LOL.
I will also be buying a ea8. I’m wondering how the ea8 will compare with my Fenix TK41? I do love my TK41. Closest thing I have found to a do everything light.
Yeah the TK41 is a bad mofo. Really thinking about that one too. It is a sickness for sure!
Wish fenix made a 4xaa similar shape to the Pioneer.
Me too. I end up really liking AA lights. One of my favorite AA lights and favorite overall and most used lights is my Jetbeam PA 40. Doesn’t throw real far, 100 yards or so but it has plenty of useable light and a very low mode. I wish it would tailstand better but I’m liking the way the light feels in the hand and the carbon fiber body doesn’t feel as cold to the touch when it’s cold outside. My favorite 2xAA light is my Shingingbeam Caveman.
I like my TK41…
The 2x2 battery arrangement of the pa40 /e40/ ld40 /ld41 is different. The long flat shape is OK, but its the 4x cube arrangement of the ea4 /ea8 /tk41 that I really want. Fenix needs to make a 4xAA that is short and fat and tailstands (unlike the 40 models!).
I am even considering 3xAA format too. Like I said, I really do like my Rook (aside from the parasitic drain… had to address that with electric tape). Would prefer 4x, but 3x triangle stack form factor is really close. Fits my hand nicely.
Always liked the Cyclone C88, but they had QC issues with late units… and apparently Intl Outdoors doesn’t sell it anymore! 
Archon M30A is perfect form factor and UI, but the price is a tad highish given that: the emitter is not my first choice, and overall quality seems a little questionable for the price.
Ultrafire/Aurora 3xAA have sketchy reviews. Quality seems subpar. Form factor & UI not as nice as Archon. Can’t stand epileptic seizure modes.
Olight S35 and S65 batons are VERY nice, but a tad spendy for me. And I think their max output is a little low for my liking if I drop that kind of change. Modes could be better.
SWM M40A is insanely nice. Beautiful. Out of my league. I would be afraid to take it out from under hermetically sealed glass display.
So yeah…. no real awesome 3x BUDGET option that ticks all my boxes. Damn. If the Archon could be had with a neutral XM-L T6 3C I would probably buy two! But as far as I can find it does not exist and it doesn’t seem like anyone mods them.