Best CRI alrearnative to Nitecore EC4SW ?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

This is my first post on the forum.

I work as a security guard, most people at my company have bought their own lights cause the one that company offer is very big to carry.
I currently own the TM26 The first revision with 3500 lumens, Its too heavy to cary around, even with holster. So I am looking for something with more slimmer profile.

I did also recently discover the world of CRI, manufactures, have competing for a long time with lumens but I think CRI quality is one that will be more important.
When I work I usually walk around in very creepy places like empty industries etc, it is kind of nightmarish atmosphere which I dont really like, I would say it is kind of depressing.
so that is why I really need a more warmer light, the cool light of the TM26 does not really give a comfortable feeling mentally or for the eyes.

I personally Like the looks and form factor of the new Nitecore SRT9 then I did discover the Nitecore EC4SW pretty much looks the same but is CRI and have not any of these RGB lights I dont want.
Even though I like the concept of SRT9 with RGB it will be more intersting product when the RGB lights have more power…maybe in 2-3 years they realease such product.

The Bad think about Nitecore EC4SW is they dont write the CRI value, I do not know how it compare with the Nitecore TM03 CRI Edition ?
Not sure which of : CREE XHP70 and CREE MT-G2 gives must warm light and best CRI. TM03 CRI have very short battery life in turbo mode only 15 minutes, I work usually 11 hours, but that does not mean I use the flashlight for all that time, I drive the car for 4-5 hours out of 11. on my TM26 I dont use tubo mode all the time ofc…

any info about the CREE MT-G2 how the CRI perform etc ? it must be some reason nitecore dont write the CRI value ? is it big variance ?
it is listed under the “neutral white light” on the site.

Yes so now EC4SW and TM03 CRI seem to be my only option where the TM03 CRI is questionable if the battery will last, but I could always bring a spare battery with me in the car or in my pocket for sure maybe it will not be a problem… and the less weight the best, but good lumen output too, it makes my work easier to search thru industrial complexes makes it faster to search thru.

as secondary I will use LA10CRI or TIP 2017 CRI on my belt, I thought I could have it on all the time as soon as I go out the car ant into the objects I am guarding, the reason is my hands are full I cant simply hold my flashlight in my hand at all time I have a pocket pc to scan some barcodes and also keys to open doors etc… so When I have the flashlight in my holster I will still have some warm background lights out of these two…have not decided which of these yet…

2

How about a BLF Q8 or similar light modded with 4 Nichia 219C high CRI LEDs and batteries with more internal resistance to keep the LEDs current in a safe region

The Astrolux MF01 Nichia is at least a bit lighter and has a wall of high CRI light with more than 10000 lumens

I have also modded lights with XHP50 or 70 high CRI

Basically any light can be modded with high CRI neutral or warm white better than stick to one of the few lights that are sold

I would take a EC4S and do a emitter swap to desired light color and CRI

3

BLF Q8 looks little bit too clumsy it is also more heavy then the TM26 which I said was too heavy,

I saw a video with Manker MK34, he compare with q8.

anyway… I was very impressed by the light of Manker… to the point I might consider to only focus on Nichia .
I saw another video comparing G2 with Nichia and I got a kind of clear perception of the difference now.

The Manker MK34 seem to repsent the perfect light for me… however… the formfaktor is not perfect… I prefer a more slim profile like EC4S.

However the Weight is 278g for the Manker Mk34 Compared with 171 gram for the EC4SW.

I have also realized watching some youtube videos I prefer the “floody lights” they can easier “fill a room” with light when you are indoors.
250 meters is ok.

so I guess I will try to find the perfect Nichia flashlight now…
But it seem hard to find any other brand matching the build quality of Nitecore, also a lot of the smaller brands are not even using reflectors what is up with that ?
it makes it look almost home made when you see the circuit board like the Manker MK34.

But it seem you have to sacrifice some things now in order to get Nichia, it seem to be a niche market but I guess a growing one.
Nitecore Have this year released one product with Nichia the Key TIP CRI so it might come more with Nichia leds next year I hope.

I am not able to mod a flashlight or change emitter modding seem little bit too hardcore for me.

But I can admit the EC4S with Nichia would be damn amazing.

4

Olight R50 or EC4S with XHP50 CRI 90 modded would be good lights
2 18650 or one 26650 is a good amount of energy

Or Olight SR Mini Intimidator II with 3 18650s modded with high CRI XML2s or Nichia 219 on Noctigon XP32