Tl;Dr: The build quality, ergonomics, switch, indicators, charging, brightness, and runtime are great. The clip is good. The adjustable beam is fine but I think a different implementation with two throw LEDs and two flood LEDs would have been better. This multi-die LED seems better suited for a small single-reflector light. The driver does not live up to the advertised “constant current” and “advanced thermal management” claims. It lacks a power bank function, which I expect in something this size. I can overlook those things, but not the confusing UI. It frequently does the opposite of what I want it to do and it ruins the light.
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Nice review! My thoughts exactly. My review sample came with a 5500 mah cell which is better suited to the Ex7. The UI ruined this otherwise nice flashlight. I was excited for the new led tech.
Thanks for the review. I was excited about this light but the negatives I have learned from various reviews makes it a hard pass.
You actually can change the brightness level if you have been on a level for a while. I find that if I press the button for a short while (I count “one and”), then press the button again, I am able to change brightness levels.
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I tried that, and it works, but doesn’t fix the glaring issue because once you get to Turbo and do the click-hold-release-click, it turns off. This HI will always be a L-M-H-T-OFF UI until Nitecore fixes it.
Agreed, but at least there is a way to switch levels outside of turbo without having to turn it off.
One of my complaints about the Nitecore EDC35 was the lack of control over when flood or throw was used. The EX7 at least gives the control I wanted. Still a bad UI though. Mode memory would’ve made it a little better. Skilhunt type of UI would’ve worked far better with a single switch.
I do have lights from Ryobi, Dewalt, and Icon that have a similar bad UI. But those lights I turn on to the brightness I want and leave them while I’m working. Not the best UI for an EDC light.
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Thanks for the tip. What a strange, Band-Aid solution to a much bigger issue.
I do have lights from Ryobi, Dewalt, and Icon that have a similar bad UI. But those lights I turn on to the brightness I want and leave them while I’m working. Not the best UI for an EDC light.
Well said. My Nitecore NU20 Classic headlamp has this UI too. I find it tolerable on a headlamp because I turn it on and leave it on.
That’s not how I’d use EX7. I’d take it on an evening walk or something and would be changing brightness regularly to suit the environment.