Here is my long searched for
Perfect EDC. I have had 3 or 4 small lights (in the 5" to 6" range with 3/4" to 1-1/4" dia.) some that I sold after trying them. Mostly run on 18650 Li-ion rechargeable cells. Once I bought the charger and started using these batteries for bigger lights it was a natural to try EDC lights that would use the same cell.
Recently though I discovered this one -
THE NITECORE EC11
You can see it is a little thing - along with my newly acquired and very little
BEAR lock back pajama pants knife - doesn't every one carry a knife in their PJs? (yeah, yeah, among other things)
Less than 3" long with a 1" dia. with 5 output levels - 900 lumen Turbo, 300 L high, 160 L medium, 70 L low beam, and a 1L moonlight (very dim but surprisingly useful) + Strobe, SOS, Beacon, and a
Red light too! Run times are from 5 minutes on Turbo (though that generates lots of heat) down to 2.5 hours on low and 12hrs on ML.
Works with a very nice white
CREE XM-L2 U2 emitter.
This is an unbelievably bright and totally awesome little light. Carries in the sheath or even in my jeans watch pocket without any discomfort.
At first I was frustrated by the fact that the 2 button UI (very smart and easy to use) was too easily turned on. I was always finding the light glaring from the sheath or warming up my pocket. Finally I read the instructions and learned how to do an easy lock out. Just as easy to unlock too and that saved the battery and needless turn ons.
2 downsides
1) Uses 1 x CR123A cell. I had no charger for that. I could get an extender to use the 18650s but then I would have a big light again. Fortunately at the time I bought this from Battery Junction they were having a NiteCore sale and I bought the light, 1 battery and the charger in the photo for less than $66.00 delivered. Well spent money for me who uses this light every day.
2) The sheath is so small that the velcro belt loop barely has enough velcro after reaching over my 1-1/2" work belt to stay secure. I will soon stitch the loop securely closed but will miss that I can remove the sheath without removing the belt. Rather lose that flexibility than lose the light and sheath.
Sorry for the long post - but if you guys are looking for an incredible little light this one is amazing. It makes all my other bigger "EDC"s look timid in brightness and overkill in terms of size. I smile every time I use this one. [emoji106] Worth sharing.
) for sale here ...
