You got that right pal!
I'm sure glad I purchased mine through a reputable US seller. It's worth the few extra dollars in the long run, isn't it?
BTW, I just shipped it. I seriously don't care how long it takes. I'm just happy it's in good hands :)
Time for Fasttech to follow IS’s lead.
Kudos to IS….very impressive response to Glenn.
Thank you, Calvin. TPR is thermoplastic rubber, so it was probably a design choice to cut costs. Little datasheet:
if i lived in the US i would purchase from US dealers as they are keenly priced . however living on the “rip-off-rock” as i call it… aka the united kingdom, things are a little different. local uk dealers want around £55/$82 for an ea4 ! suddenly the $46 that “was” at fasttech was very inviting….
I agree the original switch shouldn’t have made it to production but i’m glad it did- it gave me an opportunity to change it 
I was disapointed with the EA4 switch from the moment i saw it, it was too dim and protruded too far so i cut it out carefully with a scalpel blade and replaced it with some clear silicone, leveling it off so it’s in line with the body of the flashlight.
This gives it a much better feeling in operation, it’s now really difficult to accidently activate and it gives out a much better and brighter location light.
I fixed the rattling issue while i was at it by adding some thermal paste around the plastic ring beneath the reflector, effectively sticking it down in place.
I also replaced the LED centering device with a GITD resin mould and put a little tritium vial in the tail recess, covered with some UV setting glue.
My EA4 sits very comfortably directly on a waistband or belt with the clip that i attached to the body and this gives it an anti rolling feature too.
I hope this inspires some modding ideas.
some nice “tweeks” there
Really nice mod, crx! Thanks for sharing! Now I want mine to be like that! :bigsmile:
Nice work CRX. 
Your mods are certainly in the spirit of this forum.
I don't object at all to the idea of making improvements to a budget light but I'm still a bit peeved that some owners will be required to do it to keep a self-proclaimed "premium" model servicable.
Do you find the switch pin moves "within" the silicone or did it bond and the whole "assembly" flexes when you depress it? Any thoughts on whether the waterproofing has been retained?
Welcome to BLF, CRX.
If you can clarify something for me, do you mean to say that you just spread 100% clear silicone in and over the switch, smoothed it out, and let it dry? Now your EA4 is GTGO?
That’s it? Simple as that?
Nice mod, CRX. Can you tell me what brand/type of silicone you used to make this happen? Thanks
Welcome CRX and nice work on your EA4 mods!I have had no problemd with either my EA4 or EA8, but if I do it’s nice to know of a fix for the switch boot.-Rick
I don't know about anyone else but I don't see this as a hijack at all. Your info is very useful. If/when my boot gives up, your fix certainly looks simpler than the one here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?364029-Nitecore-EA4-Ballooned-Melted-switch-Repair-Write-Up though perhaps not quite as "pretty."
I'd be much more inclined to solve the issue this way than try to work out an exchange with an International vendor (who may or may not be an authorised dealer).
I don't think I'd be brave enough to try drilling and tapping to fit a belt clip. If I really wanted to belt carry it I'd probably just use the supplied holster. Your mods look good though.
It's a bit late now to do a proper "how-to" but might I suggest you also add your post to the thread I mentioned at CPF. I'm sure there are readers there who would appreciate it. Just don't let the mods over there know that you posted it here first. 
Update: Craig and Calvin are the best! Instead of sending me a replacement EA4, which I really really really didn't want, they gave me credit towards another purchase. These guys went way beyond reasonable! I just wanted to give them a shoutout for their exceptional customer service.
You can’t ask for better service than that!!! Awesome Service!!!
I wonder when they switched to the new boot material? In (the other forum) a member had a new and old version with listed serial #’s. (old version): 2120383540031
(new version): 3020183520346 My serial is 3012883540033 purchased in February and seems to have a glossy look to the boot. So I wonder what serial began the transition?
By the way I have mine in my personal truck and work truck all the time and have not had any problems thus far.
You said it buddy! No more Nitecore for me. This is after 2 EA4's. One with a cross threaded bezel, and the one with a cracked switch boot.
That said, Illumination Supply will always get my business. They're the best!
atbglenn, do you know what is the serial number on your EA4 with the cracked boot? It might help to know which have TPR boots.
My serial begins 3022, not sure when it was made or what the boot is made of.
Sorry Chloe, I returned mine a couple of weeks ago. I'm look through my pictures and see if I can find serial # for the 2 I owned. All I can tell you right now I bought them when they first came out about 8 months ago..
I’d like to go on record as the first guy to report that my EA8 has a cracked switch cover! 
Hi Xed888
You may be already following other threads but in case not, someone (Ezarc I think?) found replacement boots of various shapes and sizes at Fasttech.
Try searching for "silcone tailcap"
Perhaps one of these might fit if you're up for a little DIY. No experience yet myself but boot on my EA4 has yet to survive our upcoming summer.
For anyone else reading - did we ever find exact serial numbers from Nitecore regarding which units have the later upgraded cover?