Now this is a cool feature. Acebeams have their magnetic rings, and I think there may be some other lights with a similar feature but they allude my mind at present. This one looks as if you can adjust with just one hand if you get used to it.
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/ec22
Max Output 1000 lumens
Max Beam Distance 185 m
Max Beam Intensity 8600 cd
Max Runtime 500 h 0 m / 20.83 d
LED CREE XP-L HD V6
Reflector SMO
Battery 1 × 18650 ,2 × CR123 ,2 x RCR123
Beam color White light
Length 128 mm / 5.03 in
Head Size 25.4 mm / 1 in
Weight 77.2 g / 2.72 oz
Feature Infinitely Variable Brightness
Max Output 1000 lumens
Max Beam Distance 185 m
Max Beam Intensity 8600 cd
Max Runtime 500 h 0 m / 20.83 d
LED CREE XP-L HD V6
Reflector SMO
Battery 1 × 18650 ,2 × CR123
Special Modes Strobe
Beam color White light
Length 136 mm / 5.35 in
Head Size 25.4 mm / 1 in
Weight 92 g / 3.24 oz
Feature Infinitely Variable Brightness
Damn, these are nice
My only question: why not a 1x18350 version of these, Nitecore ? :person_facepalming:
Something like a mash up bewteen EC11 and EC22! I would like that…
I have a feeling that this year will be a year of innovation rather than lumen race. I was waiting for dimmer lights comeback
There are indeed amazing user interfaces out there but nothing beats convenience of a dimmer for an average person.
There are potential problems though and they are important to be aware of like unpredictable runtimes, difficulty of service, dustproofing and visual linearity
We Flashaholics have become picky. I can’t say much, I have become picky to.
Several years ago if we had a led that would put out a 100 lumen’s we thought we had a lightsaber no matter the tint as long as it was light, we were fine.
Now how times have changed. I have a Sunwayman V10R and a V11R and they have the magnetic control ring. Its a very nice feature if you want a simple operation light. One click on and adjust the ring to the brightness you desire. You never have to much or to little light, one finger adjustable. If you don’t own a control ring light, you just don’t know what your missing in flexibility and easy of use.
I have to admit I like playing with Tom E’s NarsilM. Its pretty cool :sunglasses: .
Variable output via magnetic ring is my favorite UI.
Most of my first-to-reach flashlights are using a magnetic ring (Sunwayman V10R XP-G bedside, Sunwayman V10R XM-L on my desk, Nitecore IFE2 also on my desk, Nitecore SRT9 is the first I reach when I go the dog for a walk, Imalent DM21T is the second I reach when I go the dog for a walk, Imalent HR20, ok not using that much, it can’t beat Spark SG5 warm for close up work but I’d prefer SG5 to have magnetic ring even over the perfect electronic switch, no nonsense UI and the well thought modes it already has).
So, I foresee an EC22 in my pocket in the near future.
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I just modded my EC11 a few days ago. I wrapped the bezel and the head in painters tape taking several laps around.
Part of the head has sides to it like a nut, I locked in the mill’s vice and spun the bezel by hand, I was about to give up and grab the vise grips but I guess the friction from my hands heated it up and it finally loosened. That wasn’t to bad, considering sunwayman’s I have had to mill out clamps to use to break them apart (Red Loctite). The real problem I had with the EC11 was I could not get the driver to budge. I finally had to take a screw driver poke through the led hole and with a small hammer peck the driver out. I ended up cutting part of a outside ring trace that evidently was important. Driver wouldn’t work. I had to bridge the trace with solder then coat it with paint (it wasn’t a ground) to get the driver to work again. All in all I had probably 3 hours or more in disassemble if you add in fixing the driver and taking it back apart again after it didn’t work the first time. I did take my time trying to disassemble, but what a pain to get the driver out.
Just saw the Nitecore EC22 at Banggood and its variable brightness “Dial” grabbed my attention.
Seems like the dial would be less user friendly than a simple slider (like you see on many diving lights)
I’ve been thinking about trying one of these budget dive lights to check out it out. I’ve been wondering why the slider-dimmer isn’t more popular on regular flashlights?
I was able to mod the MT20C from XP-G2 to XP-L. I thought the head was easier to take apart than a Fenix.
The MT20C has been one of my favorite lights due to the Up/Dn button. I’m glad that we’re starting to see some comments on these. This variable adjust dial intrigues me. I’m a little hesitant because it seems the dial might be protruding outward a bit, but I could be wrong. I am likely to get one to try out anyhow.
Just received the EC22 today. The dial is very smooth and has a good amount of resistance. The holster seems to be for a smaller light. The flap barely closes and the velcro does not reach to secure it. Beam is greenish. I have about 15 Nitecore lights and this is the first with a bad tint.
Sure, I may be a tint snob, staying in the neutral-warm range. However, I have always loved the variable brightness torches (and ramping as a second choice). This one REALLY appeals.
I’ve been eyeing these for a few days, waiting for someone to mention it here (or preferably a review). Not sure how the dial would feel to use, I might just get another swm - apparently the swm’s are in stock at fasttech
Overall rotation is about 270°. From OFF there is 20° until some resistance, 20° for the click and the rest (230°) is regulation.
Seems good to me.
I really like the wheel as a user interface. It is very intuitive. New users just grab the flashlight, turn the wheel and adjust brightness. (Some people try to push the non-button in the middle of the wheel first. It should be designed less buttonish.) Definitely better than multi-clicking one or more buttons.
The wheel to me feels much better than most brightness adjustment rings that are hard to find without looking or that are difficult to rotate (sticky, thin). The wheel can be easily felt and operated in total darkness.
If the light would be shorter my thumb would not be exactly on the wheel.
The amount of friction could be okay to not accidentally activate the flashlight in a pocket.
I wonder if I got this right: During the first two operations the LED stayed off for a bit of rotation after the click. I wanted it on Ultralow but it did not light up at all. That went away after a few operations. Maybe the driver learns the forward voltage? That would be a cool feature.
At lower brightness levels the edgy spot from the crenellated bezel and a darker ring inside the spot are both strange. At least against a white wall.
For example my V11R. To operate the rotary ring with thumb and forefinger I have to clamp the light with my index finger to counter the torque of the ring. Or I add my ring finger and bend the thumb and forefinger much much more. Quite a muscle effort. Feels like eating with chopsticks for the first time.
For the longer EC22 I can use all my fingers without any effort, even when turning the wheel. Could be 4 mm shorter, but cutting 1” off the tailcap and I would not like it that short. YMMD.
