I have the EC1 as well. Cool little light. With a lower low on 16340 it would be nearly perfect, but even as is it’s the best tiny thrower that I know of.
Wow, interesting indeed Haven’t seen that before. From SB review I can say it’s a good light Head is quite big for AA and RCR versions. Better throw, yes, but if the size matters…
I couldn’t believe how small it was compared to the zebralight sc600, and the sc600 is a tiny 18650 light. That was one of the cool factors for me, as well as the red light for map reading on my canoe trips!
It’s not as big as it seems. Notice how the head flattens out opposite the clip. It disappears in my pocket. The AA model would stick up out of the pocket since the clip is in the same place and is the same size for all models.
Yes, the EA1 (1xAA) is expensive but is the best, in all respects,… except possible its looks… 1xAA flashlight around!
It is powerful, possibly the most powerful along with the Zebra SC51 and with excellent run times. It has 4+1 (turbo) modes. It is water proof, quickly tested it in a glass of water for about an hour.
It is small! Amongst the shortest. A bit longer than the really short Zebra SC51 which measures 8cm. Its construction is excellent and screams quality!
It has a very convenient side switch (actually two of them). One for on/off the other for running through the modes. Feels really good in the hand.
It provides easy and immediate access to strobe. From off, press and hold side swich for more than 1 second.
It locks equally easy. From on, press and hold side switch more than one second. Press and hold for more than 1 second to return to normal.
It has a red blinking light so you can easily locate it. You can turn it off if you dont like it.
It has easy and immediate access to the red light (not blinking) by pressing the second side switch. This is very useful if you do night photography, like i do. It is about 1 lumen bright, max.
It comes with a highly versatile, quality holster and a very useful double sided clip. It tailstands, it does not roll over and when it stands on its head, you can see if it is on since bezel is not flat.
Surely it’s got some more technical goodies which i forget but they are mentioned in the reviews.
In general this little guy is a true eye-catcher and a real pleasure to own it and use it. The only thing i could possible ask Nitecore is a lower low mode.
ps.
After i received and played with EA1, next day i was ‘forced’ to order the EA2…and i am glad i did. The explorer series deserve every single penny spent. Still, my favourite is the EA1
Haven’t seen that before. From SB review I can say it’s a good light 
Head is quite big for AA and RCR versions. Better throw, yes, but if the size matters…