Recently been wrestling with the decision of which E-Series Nitecore to purchase; the AA-based EA11, or CR123-format EC11…
I just don’t understand Nitecore producing all these series of lights that share the same head (EA11/EC11/etc). I’m guessing the drivers might be optimised somehow to cater for getting the most out of each voltage Primary? And obviously a great money making system too!
But if SWM & Jetbeam can make extension-tubes for their CR123 lights to support AA, why don’t Nitecore offer this. Indeed even Nitecore have themselves proven they can do it with the SRT3! Which makes me wonder…
Has anyone with an SRT3 tried using the body extender on the EC11? Head diameters look to be identical (25.4mm). Could imagine the threads would also be the same.
If the body extender from the SRT3 fits onto the EC11, then maybe we can use 14500 in the EC11 without a duplicate EA11 purchase?!
Just a thought, would be great to know definitively.
All the best
Hirsh
I see other members have shown interest in this question on the original thread and EC11 thread.
Just had a response when I posed the same question on that other forum.
Not sure if I’m allowed to link to CPF, so I’ll just quote the two current responses here:
[QUOTE=Crazyeddiethefirst;4654422]Mea Culpa, I read this thread earlier today. When I had time to try, instead of trying the AA extender from the SRT3 on the EC11, I tried swapping heads…which did nothing except turn the reverse polarity protection on the SRT3 into broken pieces of plastic….
OK, now, having reread the OP, let’s try it the correct way…
No, the SRT3 AA extender, although the same diameter as the EC11, has different thread size, and cannot be used interchangeably. I do wonder, if the SRT3 could be bored to 18mm so like the EC11 it could then use 18350’s? The EC11 on 18350’s is amazing! Well, enough playing with Lego’s for today…[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Amelia;4654492]Yes, the SRT3 body and extender tube can be bored to 18mm. I took my two SRT3s and their pair of extender tubes to a local machinist, along with my largest diameter 18650 cell. He bored the body and extender tubes to fit it, with just a tiny bit of extra diameter.
My SRT3 now runs on EVERYTHING from CR123 size to 18650 and everything in between by running it with 2, 1, or 0 extender tubes. Of course, I had to buy a pair of SRT3s and some machine shop time to accomplish this… but I think it was worth it. I now have the ultimate “multi-fueller” light, and an extra “stubby” SRT3 that accepts 16340 or 18350 cells.
Now… if I could just get the emitter swapped to something neutral or High-CRI… [/QUOTE]
It would be useful to hear the thoughts of someone who actually owns and uses both the SRT3 and newer EC11/EA11…
If you could only keep one, or had to re-purchase just one, which would it be?
I’ve certainly read all the reviews and feedback across various forums. In your opinion, what are the various pros and cons that each light has over the other - and are those factors important.
Size: SRT3 > EC11
Cell support: SRT3 > EC11
EC11 More Lumens (approx. 550 SRT3 vs 900 ED11 max output)
EC11 Further Beam Distance (approx. 134m SRT2 vs 190m EC11)
SRT3 Blue light capability
SRT3 Extra flashy modes
SRT3 Magnetic control ring (extra complexity/maintenance?)
EC11 Built in Multimeter/Beacon feature using red LED
Anything else - pocket clips, modes, buttons, beam profile, etc.
