Nitecore EC25 or Solarforce P1d... Which one to choose?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Hello BLF members!
Please help me choose between these two flashlights:
Nitecore EC25 and Solarforce P1d (body)

I’m Neutral White Newbie, therefore definitely will choose EC25 NW version.
but I like also Solarforce P1d body. In this I plan to put in self-made XM-L2 T6 3C p60 drop-in with LD-25 2.6A driver.

The final price will be similar for both.

After all, I want to say - I like self-made flashlights (drop-in’s) because they are a more personal.
But more I trust, however, to the branded product - where everything is factory assembled. I also like the modern user interface in EC25.

What do you think?
Which one do you choose?

2

I think you’ve answered your question :wink:

I do have some SolarForce hosts, P1d in black also in XM-L T6 3C @2.8A dropin, it feels beefier compare to normal L2 series.

I also waiting for EC25w from Doingoutdoor, I pick it because I want to try the new modern UI of Nitecore people fond of.

Get both :party: (if wallet allows)

3

If the price is similar and it had to be one or the other I would go the nitecore EC25. I love my solarforce P60 dropins, but the latest nitecore lights are just way too cool. Not to mention they are premium lights with top build quality. And yes, go the NW.

4

I can only comment on the P1D… as Foy noted, it’s nice and you’ve got all kinds of flexibility with p60 dropins. However, it doesn’t tailstand and it comes with a forward clicky switch. (I found that I needed a bit of wire tucked into the tail when I switched to a reverse clicky.)

5

The Nitecore all day long! Fantastic interface on the Nitecores and quality is outstanding.

6

Thanks for the suggestions. :slight_smile:

At the moment, I would tend to Nitecore EC25.

I’ve even created a table of pros and cons:
table(table#posts).
|Nitecore EC25|Solarforce P1d|
|+ high quality

  • super stylish
  • Definitely linear (regulated) driven
  • can be used with 2x CR123A
  • Battery status indicator
  • Cool UI
  • very compact| + More personal (is nice to know that it is assembled by yourself)
  • Easily modifiable/upgradable
  • quality body
  • probably slightly brighter|
    |- is not (more difficult) upgradable

- Not so personal|- I not really trust to self made drop-ins
(have a feeling that the in difficult conditions they may disappoint)

- Not regulated driver.

- Can not be used with 2x CR123A

  • Compared with EC25 looks slightly oldscool|

I would like to know - how actually bright is that EC25 NW? And… does XM-L2 T6 3c will visibly brighter (driven at 2.6A) than EC25 NW?

7

The p1d host comes with a plastic tube to allow the light to handle, without rattle 2x cr123/rcr123.

8

Yes, thanks for reminding, :slight_smile: but here I am talking just about input voltage. In P1d I would put self-made drop-in, which can hold only up to 4.2V (or a little more).
Basically I will use it only with 18650 cell, but it would be nice if it could work also with CR123A’s which could carry with you for emergency situations (when going somewhere for a longer time)

9

and however…
researched information about EC25, and there’s something that I do not like.
The electronic switch is stylish, but… I realized that it is too complex. Flashlight should be easy to use. Simply “click” and turn on, “click” and its turns off.
One more thing: according to the manufacturer’s data - EC25 on Turbo able to run up to 1h30m (and it is by using Nitecore 2600mAh battery). This means that the turbo mode consume only some 1.7A - 1.8A (definitely no more). Therefore 860lm is quite questionable value…

So that I will stay with Solarforce… with XM-L2 @2.6A it will be brighter, easier to use, and it will also be easier to upgrade.

10

Both are excellent choices. The EC25 is really just an upgraded version of the MT26 which I already own, so the only main reason for getting it would be for the side switch interface. Since I have a plethoria of side switch torches already, I prefer the tail switch for rugged use, and no nonsense interface.
I ordered a P1D (my first P60) just because of its unique styling. More and more I’ve come to appreciate tactical tail switches handiness. With a P60 I can easily experiment with different tints and CRI emitters.

11

Illumination supply sells drivers that are compatible with both 1x liion and 2x cr123’s.

12

There is of course this as well:

http://www.fasttech.com/products/1601/10001842/1234100-nitecore-p25-ha-iii-cree-xm-l-u2-7-mode-860-lumen-

Marc.

13

Damn! :open_mouth:
what a cool flashlight! :heart_eyes: I had not noticed this. It seems that this will be my new favorite.

Thank you Marc!

14

You are very welcome. :slight_smile: Just remember to look for discount codes for Fasttech, someone here will let you know what they are.

Marc.

15

Yes, indeed, discount codes will be useful. :slight_smile:
Thank you again.
This Nitecore has everything what I want… + USB charging option (It is a great option - charge it in car from a mobile phone charger)

16

That I believe would be a good choice, I have one waiting for me when I get back on holiday. These nitecore flashlights, whilst being different from P60’s, are better value IMO than a solarforce P60. I love my L2T’s and M2M, but I value my MT26 Nitecore more. Re the runtime on the EC25, it has a stepdown after 3 minutes to around 500lumens, so the runtime is plausible. The P25 stepdown is after 20 minutes, it stays brighter for longer.