I have a NiteCore EA4 with the XM-L2 and I really like it. From what I read, it’s listed at 950+ lumins. My question is this. Is there really any noticeable difference between my light and the regular EA4 with the XM L-U2? Anyone out there that has them both and can compare the two?
I think 90 lumens more and only noticeable if you compare both at the same time.
If the new would has 150-200 lumens more, you can notice it without a direct comparison, but only 90?
The whole upgrade from XML to XML2 is incremental, and not a radical step forward.
A 10-15% increase in output will not translate to even that much in difference in terms of perceived brightness. Side by side, batteries being of the same charge, you could probably notice a difference. Seeing the two lights on separately, it would be very unlikely.
If anything, this being BUDGET Light Forums, right now is an ideal time to stock up on XMLT6, U2, and U3 lights, as companies begin to dump lights with those emitters in favor of the XML2.
Exactly. There are some smokin deals popping up on older - but still very good - versions of xml lights. This is a boon for the stingy. 
Mfrs have to update because most buyers expect the latest (even if really not much of an upgrade). Now that most mfrs are upgrading, they ALL have to follow suit. No one wants to be seen as using “outdated” emitters…. even if the new versions are not drastically improved. Kinda funny.
A 90-lumen increase from a 10-lumen light is a big, noticeable difference.
A 90-lumen increase from a 800-lumen can hardly be noticed since light perception is not linear.
Personally when I compared the EA4 and the EA4L2 I noticed that the XM-L2 variant had a tighter more defined hot-spot. A customer of ours took some sample beamshots, I'll see if I can dig them up.
Normally i would agree, but what percent of the population has heard of an XM-L?
You go to a hardware store and your lucky if 2 of their lights have this advanced chip, only us crazy people know theres a newer version of the thing.
Thanks guys. I’m thinking of buying a bunch of these to gift to good friends and family and it’s easier to find and get the XM-L U2. I want to get them started with a good, bright light that isn’t too large but still uses AA batteries. If there isn’t a whole lot of difference, I’m getting the XM-L U2.