OK. I can understand it. Just seems stupid to have made the EA4 modes that way in the first place, but that’s me. I say that as a businessman, not a flashaholic nerd….
I have to wonder if Nitecore got so wrapped up in marketing the EA4 as a “searchlight” they lost touch with how their typical /existing customers would actually use the EA4 in reality.
Maybe Nitecore wanted the EA4 to attract buyers from the first responder market? Maybe they were hoping for some govt contracts somewhere? I have no idea really.
If anything, I think the EA8 Caveman makes much more sense than the EA4 in a searchlight role - because of it’s size, output, & runtime advantage. Plus, I have to imagine the bigger 8 head has more throw, but that is a guess on my part, and secondary to my point.
The EA4 seems a more natural fit as an ‘around the house & campsite general use’ type light. Its form also screams tailstand upright candle /lantern mode to me. I don’t see it as a “searchlight” at all. Its not even big enough for a firm full-hand grip with gloves really. Pure marketing shtick IMO.
Sure, it’s possible Nitecore may not have had any intention to ever make the EA8, just the EA4 only. Even that seems like a big stretch to me. I would be very surprised if both lights were not conceived /conceptualized (if not developed) pretty much together. They have way too much in common. It makes too much sense to make both.
Actually, now that I rant about it……
Nitecore could really swap the mode layout of the EA4 & EA8! That might make more sense for BOTH their logical roles:
The brighter, more narrowly-spaced EA4 modes make more sense on the bigger EA8 for outdoors.
The EA8s wider-spaced, lower modes make more sense on the compact EA4 for inside useage.
But now I’m getting carried away and asking too much of a company that functions to maximize profit (as they all do).
/rant
as you were