NEW Nitecore 4xAA XML U2 Light released!

[Chicken_Drumstick]

@Haterade

@Chicken Drumstick

@Haterade

Brilliant design. Moronic modes. What a shame.

Why moronic? Seems to be one of the few lights with some sensible modes. Maybe a few too many and I don’t know how the UI works. But very refreshing that it doesn’t have some useless low setting.

I’m not the first to say this in this thread. The top mode and bottom mode are roughly 10:1. This is a ratio commonly found in 2 mode lights. So, in my opinion this light should be 2 or 3 mode tops with the current spacing.

What I would prefer is a LOW low at the very least. Modes could be better spaced too. I would prefer about 1/10/50/100% myself… which would be about 9/86/430/860 lumen… or perhaps 1/25/50/100 = 9/215/430/860 lumen would be best all-around [with 660 turbo step-down]. Something like that.

You may consider these low modes useless, but personally, I find this kind of spacing most useful in a wide variety of situations: indoor, outdoor, full dark, dim ambient light, etc. Whatever I encounter there is a fitting mode.

Yes, I understand this EA4 is being marketed as a “search light” and that is why they spaced the modes as they did… but I don’t really understand why… a real search light should use bigger/more cells for longer runtime - to perform said search on 1 load of batts! Small size should not really be a priority for a ‘search light’ in my opinion.

Conversely, smallish pocket-able lights like this are more commonly used for a variety of tasks around camp or the house, etc. You can sacrifice ultimate runtime in these scenarios. So, I would find more widely-spaced versatile modes more fitting this size and style of light and how I would use it.

That’s just me. I realize we all have our opinions.

I agree we do all have our preferences. But there’s no way a 4AA light is a small pocket light.

60 lumens is great for indoor or close up work. Not bright enough to glare but enough to illuminate well. For most ‘normal’ use you really don’t need less. Ok there are some flashaholics that might like lower, but that really isn’t normal use for the larger market.

I also like the idea of high if it’s a high you can run for the full runtime without heat issues. Also 5 modes does give you good spacing, you don’t have to use them all. Just use modes 2 and 4 or modes 1, 3 and 5.

Either way even accepting different tastes it certainly isn’t moronic.

[bikenber73]

I got Battery Junction to switch mine to a Neutral White. But , they are backordered till middle December.

[Philipp]

aaannnddd intl-outdoor has it!
http://www.intl-outdoor.com/nitecore-ea4-explorer-xml-u2-4aa-flashlight-p-650.html

…although not in neutral (yet?)…

[agenthex]

@NickBose

@agenthex

Even with nihm that’s assuming it steps down quickly from turbo. So it’s basically the high mode runtime.
Rudimentary calc for high assuming that’s accurate:

2.4*4*1.2*0.85/5watts
Ans = 1.9584

So ~1.5-2A to emitter on high.

I don’t think a company with good track record like Nitecore would overrate its runtime so much - 1hr 45 minutes vs 20 minutes you guessed
Personally I think it would be at least over 1 hour on continuous turbo 860 lumen.
I don’t base that on any calculation about current and voltage but simply on existing verified performance.
Zebralight pulls 260 lumens from a single AA for 0.9 hrs (the new record is 280 lumens), four time the energy, 860 lumens is quite easy indeed for the same runtime

I still remember when XM-L was just released, I posted on CPF wishing for XM-L in single AA lights, many CPF amateur engineers dismissed that with their equations - look how many such lights are around now.

The 1hr 45min is only with nihm (not the ones shown in pic, btw) and few min step down. Note the 2h runtime on high.

Lumens/output also don’t scale linearly. 1AA xml is of course possible, they’re just all worse than xp-g and mostly a marketing exercise.

20 min runtime is for alkalines (as in advert) on continuous turbo. The easily lose >half their capacity at 2A draw.

[Ouchyfoot]

@Philipp

aaannnddd intl-outdoor has it!
http://www.intl-outdoor.com/nitecore-ea4-explorer-xml-u2-4aa-flashlight-p-650.html

…although not in neutral (yet?)…

I just ordered a neutral EA4 from Intl-outdoor. Picked up a sand colored AAA Balder TD-0 while I was there.

[Jerrycobra]

looks like a nice light to have, especially how much oomph it can produce using only regular old alkaline, and only 4 of them. but thing is can alks even sustain full output for that long? i know it steps down but i would think output will decrease quite a but after a while

[Ouchyfoot]

@Jerrycobra

looks like a nice light to have, especially how much oomph it can produce using only regular old alkaline, and only 4 of them. but thing is can alks even sustain full output for that long? i know it steps down but i would think output will decrease quite a but after a while

I think it’s optimized for NiMh’s.

[Kokopelli]

@Kokopelli

Most probably there are two or more locking pins and the tailcap has a rotating axis. Once the pins align with the holes on the body this plate takes its place and only the tailcap part should be screwing on the threads.

Only way it can be done, I think.

Am I not an engineer It looks like they made this light just as like I said.

[Ouchyfoot]

I think you are correct.

[teachtom]

How does this compare to the Jetbeam PA40? I just got the PA40 as a gift for my son. It’s output is 468-490 l from 4AA with the XMLT6. I know they are a little different in configuration, but gosh how does the EA4 get to 860 L from the same 4AAs? I got a good deal from Illumination Supply, but I might send it back. How much brighter would a difference of 300l be?? Beautiful little light with nice case.

[Ouchyfoot]

@teachtom

How does this compare to the Jetbeam PA40? I just got the PA40 as a gift for my son. It’s output is 468-490 l from 4AA with the XMLT6. I know they are a little different in configuration, but gosh how does the EA4 get to 860 L from the same 4AAs? I got a good deal from Illumination Supply, but I might send it back. How much brighter would a difference of 300l be?? Beautiful little light with nice case.

…and no battery carrier to break. A solid core that loads like a revolver.

[NickBose]

@teachtom

How much brighter would a difference of 300l be??

That is certainly recognisable by your eyes. But if you mean “bright” by lux, not lumen then probably the EA4 will be much brighter as it’s designed as thrower.

@teachtom

how does the EA4 get to 860 L from the same 4AAs?

As i said OTF record from 1 eneloop now is 280 lumens. 280x4 = 1120 so 860 is nothing surprising.

[NickBose]

@agenthex

1AA xml is of course possible, they’re just all worse than xp-g and mostly a marketing exercise.

Sorry to be off topic, but which XP-G light can match 280 OTF lumens from 1 Eneloop?

[kavawava]

@NickBose

@agenthex

1AA xml is of course possible, they’re just all worse than xp-g and mostly a marketing exercise.

Sorry to be off topic, but which XP-G light can match 280 OTF lumens from 1 Eneloop?

While not a XP-G, I think this is what he’s referencing.

http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_100.html

Zebralight SC52 (not out yet)

[Steve_the_Chief]

I wonder how good a thrower this will be, the head diameter is 40 mm, that's 5 mm smaller than a C8.

[flashlight_man]

Well I broke down and ordered one. Got an email back that said they expect them in by the 14th. Now the waiting begins

[Steve_the_Chief]

YouTube

[NickBose]

@kavawava

@NickBose

@agenthex

1AA xml is of course possible, they’re just all worse than xp-g and mostly a marketing exercise.

Sorry to be off topic, but which XP-G light can match 280 OTF lumens from 1 Eneloop?

While not a XP-G, I think this is what he’s referencing.

http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_100.html

Zebralight SC52 (not out yet)

I think you’re confused mate.

- It was me who referred to the SC52 to prove that XM-L on single Eneloop is nothing “worse than XP-G” and it is no “marketing exercise” LOL

• SC52 is already shipping, people has received the lights

[kavawava]

@NickBose

@kavawava

@NickBose

@agenthex

1AA xml is of course possible, they’re just all worse than xp-g and mostly a marketing exercise.

Sorry to be off topic, but which XP-G light can match 280 OTF lumens from 1 Eneloop?

While not a XP-G, I think this is what he’s referencing.

http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_100.html

Zebralight SC52 (not out yet)

I think you’re confused mate.

- It was me who referred to the SC52 to prove that XM-L on single Eneloop is nothing “worse than XP-G” and it is no “marketing exercise” LOL

• SC52 is already shipping, people has received the lights

Ah I see, my mistake.

[my9221]

@indenial

Bought the light just now. Here’s my invoice. Great price, huh?

Your Order:

Item Cost:

1 Nitecore- EA4 Neutral Tint Pioneer Compact LED Searchlight –860 Lumens -Uses 4 x AA $69.95

1 SPECIALPROMOTION - 1FREE KEYLIGHTWITH ORDERS$20.00 ORMORE!
· Free-Item : Only with Keylight $1.20

Subtotal: $71.15

Discount: -$1.20

Shipping: $0.00

Tax: $0.00

11% savings: -$7.83

Total: $62.12

How you got the 11% savings?