NITECORE Flashlights

[Ballistic Artist]

Hey all,
Anyone know about Nitecore weapon lights? Their P25 puts out 860 lumens. And it costs around $100!?!? This seems too good to be true. I was wondering if anyone has owned and or used one? For that price, Im thinking of trying one. Thoughts?

 

[Boomholzer]

It's decent hardware, I seen the Smilodon go for $75. I'm somewhat of a flashlight whore.
SENSCR = Crap, slow to adapt, modes set on initial turn on.
EC1 = a awesome pocket light, I had doubts on the switch interface.
TM11= no throw but amazing flood, no long term modes
TM26 = It fits the TM name, ugly as sin. Good balance in throw, options for lumens, and compact nature. Would be better if they commanded a single LED in lower output operation.

The Nitecore reflectors are well designed, the product isn't crap. I would try it. No test in remotes or recoil or weapon mounted. Streamlight has the Super Tac for around $125 with cheesy rail mount. Not high output but a really a tight beam for spot throw.

 

[Southbreeze]

Take a look at litehound. I'm kinda a FLW too. He offers a bunch of Lithium rechargeable type lights that have stupid runtimes and way cheaper than feeding them 123 cells.

I've got a black bear borealis in a d mag host, the boy that used to make them now uses the litehound gear. The borealis with eneloop nimh's runs 1150 lumens for roughly 50 minutes. Worth a look anyway.

cheers,
Breeze

 

[Ballistic Artist]

It's decent hardware, I seen the Smilodon go for $75. I'm somewhat of a flashlight whore.
SENSCR = Crap, slow to adapt, modes set on initial turn on.
EC1 = a awesome pocket light, I had doubts on the switch interface.
TM11= no throw but amazing flood, no long term modes
TM26 = It fits the TM name, ugly as sin. Good balance in throw, options for lumens, and compact nature. Would be better if they commanded a single LED in lower output operation.


The Nitecore reflectors are well designed, the product isn't crap. I would try it. No test in remotes or recoil or weapon mounted. Streamlight has the Super Tac for around $125 with cheesy rail mount. Not high output but a really a tight beam for spot throw.

Cool. Have you tried one of the EA8 caveman lights? lights up to 490 meter? The P25 will take 123 and 18650 rechargables. Has a mini usb port for charging just like my current cell phone. Damn, Surefire needs to catch up...

 

[Boomholzer]

Cool. Have you tried one of the EA8 caveman lights? lights up to 490 meter? The P25 will take 123 and 18650 rechargables. Has a mini usb port for charging just like my current cell phone. Damn, Surefire needs to catch up...

Not the EA8....yet.
On the P25, for a real tactical duty light you are probably going to get sick of the complicated two-stage (i.e. camera shutter) button interface and all the supported modes. The Nitecore UI isn't the greatest but a way to get allot of options into a one-button interface.

 

[Ballistic Artist]

Not the EA8....yet.
On the P25, for a real tactical duty light you are probably going to get sick of the complicated two-stage (i.e. camera shutter) button interface and all the supported modes. The Nitecore UI isn't the greatest but a way to get allot of options into a one-button interface.

Well, thats what Im kinda lost on. The p25 has a shuuter type switch on the side of the light but it also has a tailcap switch, at least thats what it looks like on thier website. I guess the tailcap switch is momentary and you use the shutter switch on the side for changing brightness and for strobe?? Im looking at these lights for cyote huntin cuz they reach out so far. P25 on the gun and the EA8 for spotting them... The price still baffles me. Im used to Surefire prices.

 

[Boomholzer]

The tail switch is on/off and the shutter button sets the mode only when the tail/light is ON.

 

[Boomholzer]

BA,
Check out the MH25, it appears to be the same head (860 lumens) and the modes are set by head rotation, no shutter switch, has tail power switch. And it is cheaper.

 

[Boomholzer]

FYI
Optics_Outlet on Egay is going the P25 Smilodon for $80 shipped (Make Offer) in 4days. "Fast n Free"

 

[mikeltee]

I got the Fenix 32UE and couldn't be happier. It's small enough to put on a headband or put in your mouth. Most lumens to size out of anything. Best part is they accept rechargeable batteries and they last forever. I can't believe the amount of light this thing puts out for its size. It's like a freaking spotlight!! It's only $75 but after the charger and 2 batteries its well over $100

Fenix Digital PD32(T6) Ultimate Edition LED Flashlight - Fenix Tactical LED Flashlights - fenixtactical.com - fenix-led

Just checked out the nightcore. The Fenix is half the size. Without a doubt go with the Fenix. I researched for days on a small but powerful light and this is the best by far!!!

 

[mikeltee]

Damn it you cost me $379 bro by mentioning flashlights. I just preordered this beast!
Fenix Digital RC40 Rechargeable LED Flashlight - Fenix Tactical LED Flashlights - fenixtactical.com - fenix-led

 

[Boomholzer]

I got the Fenix 32UE and couldn't be happier. It's small enough to put on a headband or put in your mouth. Most lumens to size out of anything. Best part is they accept rechargeable batteries and they last forever. I can't believe the amount of light this thing puts out for its size. It's like a freaking spotlight!! It's only $75 but after the charger and 2 batteries its well over $100

Fenix Digital PD32(T6) Ultimate Edition LED Flashlight - Fenix Tactical LED Flashlights - fenixtactical.com - fenix-led

Just checked out the nightcore. The Fenix is half the size. Without a doubt go with the Fenix. I researched for days on a small but powerful light and this is the best by far!!!

Fenix is also a good light IMO.

I won't say thats a bad choice but when comparing lights; look at the lumens vs. distance. Both use the same FL1/ANSI standard. 760 lumen is a allot of light but the throw distance is only 155m (6000cd peak beam intensity). By way of comparision, the P25 (860 lumen)has a throw of 283m and 20000cd peak beam intensity. So the P25 has a significantly more focused reflector.

Depends on your useage but consider the above.

There are two things that generally need added volume in a lights:
1) Battery for run time and peak output (obvious).
2) Reflector head for longer beam throw (length and diameter).
If you want decent throw, your going to need the size. Otherwise, there are many options for smaller lights.

 

[mikeltee]

Thanks for correcting me. I didn't consider the ops usage. I was assuming he was going for size for edc, but after rereading, I see he wants a weapon light. There is a mount they sell that houses the 32UE and is Picitinny compatible. The throw is plenty far for any reasonable shot at night. I can shine houses 3 down from my back porch and light them up like a spotlight. I prefer my surefire shotgun forend for the shotty and the surefire foregrip for my ar, but they are quite pricey.

 

[Ballistic Artist]

BA,
Check out the MH25, it appears to be the same head (860 lumens) and the modes are set by head rotation, no shutter switch, has tail power switch. And it is cheaper.

Ok I will. The main reason I like the P25 is because Nitecore advertises it as a weapon light. So I figure its been "beefed up" for the extra stresses involved with being hooked to a rifle. Also, The beam distance is the main thing I find great about the nitcore lights. Lumens are cool but beam distance is the main thing for me. Thanks very much for the info. Im goin to take a look at the MH25 too.

 

[Boomholzer]

I got to try the P25. I LIKE it. I say go for it.
Good throw for the size. The tail button takes previdence and it has memory so it should work OK in weapon mounted applications.

NITECORE:

LEFT: P25, highest output
RIGHT: Surefire M2 Centurion with P60L LED

 

[Boomholzer]

For shits and grins, here is the same P25 Smilodon next to the Nitecore Tiny Monster TM26. The room was dark.