Nitecore EDC17 was sent to me directly by Nitecore for review.
For technical details and to purchase:
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL DATA:
Nitecore has just introduced a new product in its EDC line, the EDC17.
The new Nitecore EDC17 retains the classic design of this line, featuring a slim body (20mm thick) that’s easy to carry and offers good light output thanks to the UHi 25 LED with a maximum output of 1,500 lumens and a beam that reaches 230 meters. The EDC17’s design, very attractive and distinctive, features three light sources with a very simple, intuitive interface controlled by two switches: one slider and the other push-button.
This product is a welcome addition to Nitecore’s portfolio, joining products from other brands, such as the well-known Olight Arkfeld, which offer EDCs with multiple light sources for use in a variety of situations beyond traditional lighting. The EDC17’s design is unique, with handling and simple controls that, in my opinion, surpass those of its competitors.
The EDC17 is rechargeable via a USB-C port with a built-in 1500mAh Li-ion battery that offers up to 260 hours of battery life. The EDC17 is compact and lightweight, weighing only 106g (excluding the clip), with 4 brightness levels of cool white light, 3 UV light levels, and a green laser. The Nitecore EDC17 has a rigid stainless steel body and is IPX7-certified with a 2-meter impact resistance.
The Nitecore EDC17 is ideal for everyday use thanks to its features and portability.
Main Features:
- Equipped with 3 light sources: white light, UV light, and green laser
- White light uses 1 UHi 25 LED
- UV light (220 mW~1,350 mW, wavelength: 365 nm~375 nm)
- Green laser (Class 3R, < 5 mW, wavelength: 510~530 nm)
- Maximum output of 1,500 lumens, maximum beam intensity of 12,400 cd, and maximum range of 230 meters
- Available with 4 white light levels, 3 UV light levels, and green laser
- Powered by a built-in 1,500 mAh lithium-ion battery for up to 260 hours of battery life
- Utilizes a precision metal orange peel reflector, providing both long-range and wide-angle illumination
- Advanced Power Cut-Off (APC) technology for ultra-low standby power consumption
- Highly efficient constant current circuitry provides stable output
- Features an M button and slide switch for easy operation
- Power indicators indicate remaining battery power
- Intelligent lithium-ion battery charging circuitry with USB-C charging port
- Designed with a detachable, high-hardness silicon nitride ceramic tip that can quickly break glass
- Stainless steel clip included
- Built-in Advanced Temperature Regulation (ATR) module (patent no. ZL201510534543.6)
- High-strength stainless steel casing with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating
- IPX7 rating
- Shockproof up to 2 meters
Specifications:
Length: 123 mm / 4.84"
Width: 32 mm / 1.26" (slide switch included)
Height: 20 mm / 0.79" (clip included)
16 mm / 0.63" (clip not included)
Weight: 106 g / 3.74 oz (Accessories not included)
Accessories included in the sales package:
Long strap, USB-C charging cable, spare mounting screw, spare tail module
Warranty:
Any DOA/defective product can be replaced through a local distributor/retailer within 15 days of purchase. After that, malfunctioning NITECORE® products can be repaired free of charge within 24 months from the date of purchase. Beyond 24 months, a limited warranty applies, which covers the cost of labor and maintenance, but not the cost of accessories or replacement parts.
TECHNICAL DATA
Note: The data shown is measured using the built-in lithium-ion battery (1,500 mAh), in accordance with the international flashlight test standards ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2019, at an ambient temperature of 26°C (79°F) provided by the NITECORE Lab. Actual data may vary due to different environmental conditions.
*Data is tested without temperature adjustment.
**Green Laser
The green laser (< 5 mW, wavelength: 510~530 nm) is Class 3R, compliant with the requirements of IEC 60825-1.
The green laser complies with FDA performance standards for laser products (21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11).
The Nitecore EDC17 arrived without a box or serial number, as it hasn’t been released yet. Along with the EDC17, I found a lanyard, a USB-C charging cable, and a spare tail module with a spare fixing screw.
The steel Clip comes pre-installed (but detachable) and is held in place by two removable screws. It has a hole for inserting the included lanyard. The clip is simple but well-made.
The tailpiece of the EDC17 features a glass breaker tip (a high-hardness silicon nitride ceramic tip), a very useful accessory in certain circumstances. To remove it, simply unscrew the retaining screw and then remove the glass breaker tip, replacing it with the tailpiece replacement module found in the sales package.
The Nitecore EDC17 boasts excellent build quality, with a high-strength stainless steel body and a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition)-treated surface. The EDC17 has an ultra-thin design, weighing 106g and compact dimensions, measuring 123mm. It sits comfortably in the hand, with the two switches conveniently positioned for managing the user interface. The top features prism knurling for an even more secure grip, while the rear features a steel carrying clip.
EDC17 is equipped with 3 light sources:
- White light with a UHi 25 LED
- UV light (220 mW, 650 mW, and 1,350 mW, wavelength: 365 nm~375 nm)
- Green laser (Class 3R, < 5 mW, wavelength: 510~530 nm).
On the back, there is a label with the green laser’s rating.
Note: The green laser will have the permitted class in the country where it will be shipped.
The maximum output of the white light beam is 1,500 lumens, with a maximum beam intensity of 12,400 cd and a maximum throw of 230 meters. The OP (orange peel) metal reflector provides long-range illumination with a good spill angle.
The implementation of two light sources, UV and a green laser, make the Nitecore EDC17 a versatile product, capable of detecting skin problems in pets, for example, or for document verification using UV light. The easily visible green laser beam makes it easy to identify or precisely point out an object.
On the side of the Nitecore EDC17, we find the two switches used to control our EDC. The main switch, for turning on the flashlight and changing the available levels, is a sliding switch, while on the same side, further forward, we find the “M” button used to control the other light sources. The two switches are very well positioned on the body of the Nitecore EDC17, making them feel natural when holding the flashlight in your hand. I had no trouble finding them in the dark at night.
Operating the two switches is simple and easy to remember. Next to the slider button, there’s a lock symbol to indicate the switch’s position when it’s off.
On the top of the EDC17, there are 4 LED charge indicators that activate after turning on the light, or by pressing the “M” button, to indicate the remaining battery charge (they turn off automatically after 3 seconds).
Indicator Status Power Level:
4 Solid 75% – 100%
3 Solid 50% – 75%
2 Solid 25% – 50%
1 Solid 10% – 25%
1 Flashing <10% (Recharge the product as soon as possible)
The Nitecore EDC17 uses a USB-C port for onboard charging. The internal battery capacity is 1,500 mAh with a maximum runtime of 260 hours (1 lumen). A USB-C cable is included for connecting to an external power source (e.g., a USB adapter, computer, or other USB charging devices) to begin charging.
The charging time, measured in my tests, is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (1.5A max.) with fast charging (via a 5V/2A adapter).
During the charging process, the 4 LEDs show the battery’s charge status. When the battery is fully charged, the LEDs remain lit to indicate charging is complete.
The Nitecore EDC17 can be turned on and operate normally while charging (or remain permanently on when using a USB device such as a power bank).
The EDC17 uses APC (Advanced Power Cut-Off) technology to offer extremely low parasitic drain, allowing for up to a year (365 days) of standby time.
Let’s see the Nitecore EDC17 next to other EDCs. Note the EDC17’s distinctive shape.
From left: Nitecore EDC17, Nitecore EDC25, Nitecore EDC37 and Nitecore EDC33.
From left: Nitecore EDC17, Emisar D4, Loop Gear SK-05 Pro and Sofirn SR23.
User Interface:
Nitecore EDC17 has 4 brightness levels (Ultralow, Low, Mid, and High) for white light and 3 levels for UV light. The levels are well-spaced with a very simple user interface.
On/Off
On: When the light is off, slide the slide switch toward the head to turn it on.
Off: When the light is on, slide the slide switch toward the tail to the end position to turn it off.
Light Source Switching
The product is equipped with 3 light sources: white light, green laser, and UV light, allowing the user to switch between them according to their needs.
Switching: When the light is on, briefly press the M button to cycle through the following light sources: white light, green laser, and UV light.
Note: The product has a light source memory function. When reactivated, it will automatically switch to the previously stored light source.
White light
Brightness level adjustment: Slide the slide switch to adjust the white light brightness level (LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH).
Activating ULTRALOW: When the light is off, while holding down the M button, slide the slide switch toward the head to activate ULTRALOW.
UV light
Power adjustment: Slide the slide switch to adjust the UV light power (LEVEL 1 / LEVEL 2 / LEVEL 3).
Direct access to the green laser
When the light is off, press and hold the M button to turn on the green laser. Release to turn it off.
When the white light is on, press and hold the M button to turn on the white light + green laser. Release to turn off the green laser.
BEAM and RUNTIME:
I would like to point out that the photos and values expressed in the graphs should be taken, above all, as reference values because they were taken with hobbyist-level equipment and under environmental conditions different from those used in the laboratory.
In the wall test, the Nitecore EDC17’s beam showed no artifacts and offered a good compromise between diffused light and deep light.
Regarding white light, the optics do a good job illuminating outdoors with a good beam depth, while the levels are well spaced. I didn’t notice any PWM at any brightness level. The distance from the start of the spill to the feet is about one meter.
The heat distribution on the flashlight body is good. I didn’t experience any heat issues when holding the Nitecore EDC17 in my hand.
Using the OPPLE Light Master Pro, a fairly accurate device even if not calibrated, I measured the color temperature CCT and color rendering index Ra values for Cool White white light. Flicker is in the green range, safe for use. The Duv was positive, but not high, with a color temperature that isn’t too cold and a decent color rendering index.
N.B. The Duv is a metric that measures the distance of a chromatic point from the blackbody locus on a chromaticity diagram. A positive Duv value indicates that the color is above the locus (greenish hue), a negative Duv value indicates that it is below (pinkish/magenta hue), and a Duv value of zero indicates that the color is perfectly on the locus.
The CRI (CRI or Ra) is a measurement that evaluates the ability of an artificial light source to faithfully reproduce the colors of objects compared to a natural light source. Sunlight is considered the benchmark par excellence, with a CRI of 100, indicating the maximum ability to reproduce colors.
The table below shows some peak candela (cd) values taken with my Luxmeter for the four levels: High, Medium, Low, and Ultralow. The values are slightly lower than those in the table (in brackets).
The runtimes were performed indoors at a temperature of approximately 20°C using the fully charged 1500mAh internal battery.
The Nitecore EDC17, with the ATR module, adjusts its output power to adapt to the surrounding environment to maintain optimal performance.
Tests were performed in HIGH mode (1500 lumens) and MID mode (220 lumens).
In HIGH mode, at 1500 lumens, the brightness drops rapidly after starting. After 2 minutes, the brightness remains constant for over 100 minutes from start-up, with a brightness slightly higher than average, before beginning a sudden decrease due to the internal battery running low.
Starting in MID at 220 lumens, the curve remains almost constant for over 3 hours before beginning a decrease due to the internal battery running low.
In both levels, the EDC17 remains at 1 lumen for a few hours before turning off.
The first 8 minutes:
VIDEO Unboxing and Use
CONCLUSIONS:
I was pleasantly impressed by the new EDC17, a multipurpose product with 3 light sources that combines lightweight, ease of use, and power. The construction is excellent, with the controls within easy reach. The Nitecore EDC17 features a replaceable glass-breaking tip at the end that allows you to quickly break glass if necessary.
The built-in 1500mAh battery provides decent battery life with quick charging, while the IPX7 certification means the EDC17 is protected against temporary immersion in water (1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes).
In conclusion, I think the Nitecore EDC17 is a versatile EDC flashlight, an excellent companion for everyday outings. Recommended.
Thanks for reading the review.