NITECORE P40 was sent to me directly by NITECORE for review.
For technical details and to purchase from the official website: https://nitecorestore.com/collections/n … flashlight
Main Features:
• Equipped with a dual-beam system that combines a floodlight reflector and a spotlight lens, for a maximum output of 2,000 lumens
• Uses a LEP spotlight light source and 5 spotlight LEDs
• Features an Adaptive Cruise mode that automatically adjusts brightness based on the beam angle
• Maximum beam intensity of 2,130,800 cd and a maximum throw of 2,900 meters
• Designed with a rear power button and two level adjustment buttons
• Includes a rechargeable NITECORE NL2155HP 21700 lithium-ion battery (5,500 mAh) for up to 20 hours of battery life
• Intelligent rapid charging circuitry for lithium-ion battery with USB-C charging port
• An indicator shows the remaining battery level
• High-efficiency constant-current circuitry
• Built-in ATR (Advanced Temperature Regulation) module (Patent No. ZL201510534543.6)
• Optical lens with anti-scratch coating on both sides
• Made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
• Military-grade HA III hard-anodized finish
• IP68 rating (submersible up to 2 meters)
• Shock resistance up to 1 meter
Specifications
Length: 186.0 mm / 7.32"
Head diameter: 67.0 mm / 2.64"
Tube diameter: 29.0 mm / 1.14"
Tail diameter: 37.0 mm / 1.46"
Weight: 316 g / 11.15 oz (battery not included), 390 g / 13.76 oz (battery included)
Warranty Service
All NITECORE® products are guaranteed for quality. Any DOA/defective product can be replaced through a local distributor/retailer within 15 days of purchase. After that, all defective/malfunctioning NITECORE® products can be repaired free of charge within 60 months from the date of purchase. Beyond 60 months, a limited warranty applies, covering labor and maintenance costs, but not the cost of accessories or replacement parts.
Technical data:
Note: 1. The data shown is measured using the NITECORE 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (5,500 mAh), in accordance with the international flashlight test standards ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2019, at an ambient temperature of 26°C (79°F) at the NITECORE laboratory. Actual data may vary due to different battery usage or environmental conditions. 2. The white laser (<0.39 mW, wavelength: 440~455 nm) is a Class 1 laser, compliant with the requirements of the IEC60825-1 standard.
- The 2000 lumen TURBO level is only accessible when using a 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a discharge current greater than 8 A. * Data tested without temperature adjustment.
NITECORE recently introduced its new LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) flashlight for hunting and research: the Nitecore P40.
This powerful new Nitecore joins the previous P35i, which features laser technology, and brings several new features, including Adaptive Cruise Mode, which allows for automatic brightness control. Compared to the previous P35i, the Nitecore P40 has an improved design and different features, as well as a deeper LEP beam.
The Nitecore P40 is a long-range flashlight that combines LEP technology for an extreme beam range of up to 2,900 meters with LED illumination for wide-area coverage. This new version features three variable brightness levels: Low, Medium, and High, each available in Spotlight, Floodlight, or Mixed Light modes, and a Turbo level available only with Mixed Light. The user interface is not immediately familiar, as it is unique and different from what we are used to. The Nitecore P40 is powered by a high-capacity 5,500mAh battery, with a maximum battery life of 20 hours, quickly recharged via the USB-C port. The P40 is IP68 waterproof and shockproof to 1 meter.
The P40 has three switches, one on the tail and two on the sides, for managing power levels or modes. It has a battery life indicator and memory for the last power level used.
The P40 is an ideal companion for nighttime outings, particularly for hunting, law enforcement, military, search, patrol, and rescue activities.
THE PACKAGE
The NITECORE P40 arrives in a premium hard cardboard box, protected by molded foam.
The box features a photo, technical details of the new Nitecore, and the included accessories.
Inside the package we find the Nitecore P40 inside the hard holster, with inside the NITECORE 21700 battery (NL2155HP 5,500mAh), a USB-C charging cable, two spare O-rings, a lanyard, the user manual (multilingual) and the warranty.
Among the included accessories, the rigid holster is of excellent workmanship, with a D-ring opening and closing system, essential for carrying the P40 safely on a belt or in a backpack. To fully insert the P40 into the case, you need to apply light pressure to then use the side Velcro closure.
The NITECORE P40, as soon as you pick it up, immediately gives a sense of robustness with good finishes and thickness. Despite its length of 186 cm, the P40 sits very well in the hand, also considering the excellent non-slip texture of the central tube. It is composed of two parts: Head with body and Tail with a weight of 390g (with the battery inserted). The writing on the parts is easy to read. Despite the throw performance (distance reached by the beam), the head of the torch is not excessively large as the P40 is equipped with LEP (Laser Excited Phosphorus) technology.
The Nitecore P40 is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy with a military-grade HA III hard-anodized finish.
The P40’s protruding tail button makes it impossible to place it vertically (tailstanding).
At the head of the Nitecore P40 is a headlamp that combines a Class 1 throw beam with five flood LEDs with a maximum output of 800 lumens. The Nitecore P40 features a double-sided anti-scratch optical lens and a lightly crenulated bezel.
These two beams can be used alone (excluding Turbo mode) or combined to provide 10 different light settings for a variety of lighting solutions, with a maximum brightness of 2000 lumens and a maximum beam distance, according to Nitecore, of 2,900 meters at 2,130,800 cd.
Making some considerations I think that with the P40 Nitecore has managed to keep the dimensions of the head compact, on the same order of measurement as the previous P35i, considerably increasing the “throw” of the LEP beam but at the expense of the flood LEDs which now go from six to five with a maximum brightness lower than the 3000 lumens of the previous P35i.
The Nitecore P40 head features warnings about the risks associated with using the P40.
The Nitecore P40 has three buttons with different functions, two on the sides and one at the bottom.
The head also features cooling fins and two side buttons (A and B) underneath.
The buttons are rubber with a firm, audible click; the two side buttons are adjacent and feature a slightly raised up and down arrow. They feel comfortable to touch, even in the dark. Between the two switches is a blue power indicator LED.
The mechanical switch at the rear turns the light on or off, as well as providing momentary tactical illumination.
The side buttons (A and B) select the adaptive cruise mode, adjust brightness levels, provide quick access to TURBO, and select the operating mode (spotlight, floodlight, and mixed light).
When the light is off, holding down the B button and fully pressing the power button, then releasing both buttons, the indicator will flash to indicate the battery voltage (±0.1V).
When the light is on, the indicator shows the remaining battery level:
- Steady on indicates that the battery level is above 50%.
- Slow flashing indicates that the battery level is below 50%.
- Rapid flashing indicates that the battery level is below 10%.
The body of the Nitecore P40 has a nice non-slip design with deep grooves for optimal grip in all situations.
The threads of the central tube are anodized and arrive well lubricated.
At the two poles, for contact with the battery, there is a button on the positive side and a spring system on the negative side. Unscrewing the tail cap mechanically locks the Nitecore P40.
The battery supplied with the Nitecore P40 is a protected 21700 (NL2155HP) 5500mAh.
The Nitecore P40 can also be powered by other non-proprietary coin cell batteries.
Opposite the two side switches is the USB-C charging port.
The charging port, protected by a rubber cover, is IP68 certified against water and dust ingress.
During the charging process, the power indicator flashes slowly. When the battery is fully charged, the P40 stops charging and the power indicator remains lit steadily.
The charging time for the 21700 mAh lithium-ion battery (5,500 mAh) is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (charged via a PD/QC adapter).
The Nitecore P40, along with other flashlights with LEP technology.
From left: Acebeam M1, Nitecore P35i, Nitecore P40 e Acebeam W10.
User Interface (UI):
The Nitecore P40 has three switches (two on the side and one at the back) and offers three user modes (Flood, Spot, and MIX) for different uses and situations.
The user interface is unique and different from what we’re used to or have seen on other flashlights.
Basically, using the side buttons (up and down arrows), we scroll through four levels: Low, Medium, High, and Turbo. The first three levels (no Turbo) can be set to LED (flood), LEP (spot), and MIXED (LED + LEP) modes, depending on your preference, simply by pressing the down arrow button.
This user interface therefore offers nine different light options, in addition to the Turbo mode, which is only set to MIXED output (LED + LEP) with 2000 lumens. I believe this limitation of the Turbo mode should be expanded in the future to include a choice of beam type between the two available technologies.
Nitecore is equipped with a special feature called “Adaptive Cruise Control” that, once activated, automatically reduces brightness to the brightest setting (Turbo) when the flashlight is pointed downward. This effective system prevents glare and also helps conserve battery power when not needed, automatically dimming the light without having to switch to a lower setting.
Below are the operating instructions taken from the P40 online manual.
Momentary Tactical Illumination
When the light is off, press and hold the power button halfway to momentarily turn it on. Release to turn it off.
On and Off
On: When the light is off, press the power button fully until you hear a click to turn it on. Off: When the light is on, press the power button fully until you hear a click to turn it off. Adjusting the Brightness Level
• When the light is on, briefly press the A button to cycle through the following brightness levels: LOW - MEDIUM - HIGH - TURBO.
• When the light is on, briefly press the B button to cycle through the following brightness levels: TURBO - HIGH - MEDIUM - LOW.
Note: The product has a memory function. When reactivated, it automatically accesses the previously saved brightness level.
Quick Access to TURBO
When the light is on, press and hold the A button for quick access to TURBO. Release to return to the previous brightness level.
Adjusting Spot and Flood Modes
The product features a beam adjustment function, allowing users to switch between 100% spot (focused light), 100% flood (diffused light), and mixed light at certain brightness levels.
• The default beam setting for LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH levels is Mixed Light.
• When LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH is activated, press and hold the B button to cycle through the following sequence: 100% Spot - 100% Flood - Mixed Light. Release to confirm and save the setting.
• When reactivated, the product automatically accesses the previously saved setting.
• In TURBO mode, the beam type cannot be adjusted. Holding down the B button will cause the light to flash to indicate that adjustment is not supported at the current level. Release the button to stop flashing.
Factory Reset: When the light is off, press and hold the A and B buttons simultaneously, then fully press the power button. When you release all buttons, the light will flash twice and activate the mixed light of the stored brightness level, indicating that the reset has been successfully completed.
Adaptive Cruise Mode
Turning On: When the light is on, press and hold the A and B buttons until the light flashes twice, indicating access to Adaptive Cruise mode. Release to access the mixed light. Turning Off: In Adaptive Cruise mode, briefly press the A or B button to exit the mode and return to the previous brightness level. Note: Adaptive Cruise mode remains active even after the flashlight is turned off. When the flashlight is reactivated, it automatically enters Adaptive Cruise mode. It is recommended to exit the mode if not necessary.
BEAM and RUNTIME:
I would like to point out that the photos and values shown in the graphs should be taken primarily as reference values because they were taken with hobbyist-level equipment and under environmental conditions different from those used in the laboratory.
Nitecore P40 uses LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) beam technology, which produces a highly focused beam that reaches extreme distances. LEP flashlights are very powerful and have a longer range than LEDs of the same size, making them ideal for applications requiring very long-distance illumination, such as search and rescue or tactical use (military, hunting, etc.). The P40 reaches 2000 lumens in Turbo mode with a beam that reaches approximately 2900 meters.
The new Nitecore features a focused LEP beam and an LED flood beam for side lighting, useful for illuminating short and medium distances. The two types of illumination can be used together in MIXED mode. This option allows the Nitecore P40 to cover almost all lighting needs.
The focused beam, with LEP technology, has a very bright hotspot surrounded by a green-yellow hue. My model features a slight lateral illumination, but it doesn’t disrupt the beam and isn’t noticeable when illuminating from a distance.
The LEP beam is impressive; it easily reaches considerable distances and is also noticeable in MIXED mode, with the added lateral illumination provided by the 5 cold-toned flood LEDs.
Below we see a lighting test, in Turbo, at a distance of just over a kilometer.
The flood beam is clean with a pleasant color without any noticeable shifts, albeit cool, with a normal Color Rendering Index (CRI) of around 70.
I don’t see any PWM in any of the levels.
High: CCT 6721 / Ra 72.0 – Duv: 0.0017
Mid: CCT 6671 / Ra 71.9 – Duv: 0.0022
Low: CCT 6600 / Ra 71.2 – Duv: 0.0029
Using a thermal imaging camera, I measured the heat distribution on the Nitecore P40 in the highest mode (turbo 2000lm) after 1 minute, 3.5 minutes, and 5 minutes from turning it on. Heat distribution was good, and there were no issues with excessive temperatures. The temperature never reached critical levels, undoubtedly thanks to the P40’s excellent regulation.
Using the LX1330B Luxmeter, I measured some candela values outdoors at a distance of 20 meters (LEP) and 5 meters (LED), in Spotlight, Floodlight, and Mixed Light modes, as well as at the highest TURBO level. The values obtained in my tests are close to those declared by the manufacturer (the values in the table are in brackets) with the exception of the lower TURBO level.
Spotlight Low (110,000cd) = 95,000cd
Spotlight Mid (609,650cd) = 540,000cd
Spotlight High (990,200cd) = 1,045,000cd
Floodlight Low (280cd) = 297cd
Floodlight Mid (1,070cd) = 1,260cd
Floodlight High (2,100cd) = 2,358cd
Mixed Light Low (1,050cd?) =
Mixed Light Mid (304,825cd) = 240,000cd
Mixed Light High (495,100cd) = 520,000cd
TURBO (2,130,800cd) = 1,568,000cd
Below is a photo taken with the P40 in Turbo of a repeater (antenna) taken at a distance of 340 meters.
Runtimes were conducted indoors at approximately 20°C, using the included battery, a 5500 mAh protected 21700 battery, fully charged.
Nitecore’s integrated ATR technology adjusts the P40’s output based on operating conditions and the environment to maintain optimal performance.
Runtime tests were performed in Floodlight mode at 800 lumens (High LED), in Spotlight mode at 400 lumens (High LEP), in Floodlight + Spotlight mode at 600 lumens (Mixed Light), and finally in Turbo mode (Flood + Spot) at 2000 lumens. The manufacturer’s stated runtimes were met in almost all tests, and in some cases exceeded.
In Floodlight High mode, the discharge curve remains nearly constant for approximately 70 minutes after startup. Thereafter, a steady decline occurs until approximately 106 minutes after startup, before a sharp drop occurs, bringing the brightness to the medium level of 400 lumens. Afterward, the light output continues to slowly decrease to the low level of 100 lumens.
In Spotlight High mode, after startup, the brightness tends to increase slightly and then decrease again until approximately 24 minutes after startup, when there is a sharp drop in brightness to the medium level of 200 lumens. The brightness then remains constant until approximately 135 minutes after startup, when there is an initial increase in brightness and then a sharp drop due to battery depletion.
In Mixed High mode (Spot + Flood), the curve is similar to the Spot High mode, with the first sharp drop occurring approximately 34 minutes after startup. In this mode, good lighting is available for up to 180 minutes before the battery runs out.
Finally, in Turbo mode (Spot + Flood), at 2000 lumens, the brightness tends to increase slightly after startup and then decrease again for about 3.5 minutes after startup. After that, there’s a first sharp drop in brightness, followed by a second drop about 20 minutes after startup. The brightness then remains constant for over 160 minutes before the battery runs out.
In conclusion, looking at the graphs, the brightness control is decent across the three available levels, but a little less so in the Turbo mode.
VIDEO Unboxing and Use.
CONCLUSIONS:
Nitecore recently released a new product, following the previous P35i, for long-distance lighting featuring a dual beam of LED and LEP technology: the Nitecore P40.
Like other Nitecore products I’ve tested previously, I found the P40 to be well-built, with good thickness and materials.
During my evening outings, I appreciated the distance—over 2.5K meters—achieved by the LEP illumination, considering the Nitecore P40’s compact size, length, and weight. It also appreciated the option of adding side lighting from its five LEDs, and the Adaptive Cruise mode, which is useful for avoiding glare when using the highest brightness setting. The user interface, which is certainly unique, is controlled simply by the two side buttons, although it remains impossible to use the most powerful setting (TURBO) with the LEP beam alone.
In the future, I hope, as seen on other products, to see an adjustable zoom implemented on the LEP beam to further expand its usage possibilities.
The Nitecore P40, by its very nature, remains a unique product, especially recommended for certain uses such as search and rescue, surveillance, night hunting, and navigation.
Thanks for reading the review.
Roberto M.
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