Nitecore Explorer (EC1, EC2, EA1, EA2) Round-up Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, VIDEO+

[Rexlion]

I finally gave in and ordered an EA2. It came today. I really like it, except for one problem: mine came with no tailcap spring! I had to stuff a wad of aluminum foil in there to try it out. Back it goes for replacement......

[igoman]

The small red LED on my EA2 is turned on constantly. Its dimmer than as if it would be turned on (with mode button), but its still on. Its on even in lockout mode. To turn it off I must do it with unscrewing the tailcap. I use eneloops, but I had to peel the white skin of the eneloops off, so that I could insert them in the EA2.

[selfbuilt]

The small red LED on my EA2 is turned on constantly. Its dimmer than as if it would be turned on (with mode button), but its still on. Its on even in lockout mode. To turn it off I must do it with unscrewing the tailcap. I use eneloops, but I had to peel the white skin of the eneloops off, so that I could insert them in the EA2.

That is not good - on all fronts. I heard there was a batch once of EA1s that was too narrow to take NiMH, but this is the first I've heard of it happening with EA2s. Either way, that's unacceptable in my view - you shouldn't need to peel off the wrappers of your Eneloops. On that front alone, I would return the light and ask for a replacement.

The constant red light is definitely not acceptable - it will drain your cells quickly. Contact your dealer to request a RMA.

[igoman]

Thanks. I bought it on ebay, will ask for a refund. I am really disapointed with the flashlight, even the beam has 3 rings and I dont like that. I also dont like the operating buttons.

[Rexlion]

My replacement EA2 is working well. Sorry you didn't like the controls, igoman. I guess that's why they make so many different kinds of flashlights nowadays; we all have different preferences. I like the buttons pretty well.

I read a comment somewhere that these lights are not good as bedstand lights because of the red flasher. My bedstand is lower than the top of the mattress, and with the red light pointed toward the mattress I couldn't see a thing. But my wife on the far side complained! I don't know how she can see it. Oh well, now I keep the EA2's controls face-down on the bedstand. Maybe it's a light only a flashaholic could love.

[blackFFM]

IIRC sombody here modded his EC1 with an XP-G2. But I can't find the thread... any idea who it was?

[phantom23]

'ergotelis' modded EC2 and it went from 315 to 398 lm and 6800 to 9700lux/1m. But I wouldn't risk it, Explorer series lights are not very reliable and changing the emitter voids your warranty.

[blackFFM]

'ergotelis' modded EC2 and it went from 315 to 398 lm and 6800 to 9700lux/1m. But I wouldn't risk it, Explorer series lights are not very reliable and changing the emitter voids your warranty.

Thanks. I'm not sure if it was him. The thread had pictures with a removed bezel ring in it. Just wanted to know how you can remove it.

Besides I'm not afraid of breaking my lights, so warranty is something I couldn't care less about.

[phantom23]

It's very diffcult to remove bezel ring without breaking the glass.

[GordoJones88]

IIRC sombody here modded his EC1 with an XP-G2. But I can't find the thread... any idea who it was?

I think what was also really cool like this was a member ordered the Eagletac D25LC2 XPG2 with the XMLU2 circuit driver so the XPG2 was driven much harder. Some online vendor then had some made and carry them in stock. I say this because the EC1/EC2 is not driven very hard at all. I do absolutely love the small size of the EC1 with the deep smooth 1" reflector.

[DocMortal]

Thx for the great review pulled the trigger on the EC2 ,gotta love the 18650 battery.

[Aperture]

Can somebody please confirm that the EC2 voltmeter is able to read up to 4.2 Volts?

My EC1 doesn't go any higher than 3.9V which doesn't really help to separate the full from the partially full batteries. The EC25 goes all the way to 8.2V btw with two Nitecore RCR123 (4.1V max each) batteries, this is of course even more desirable for a two cell light but up to 4.2V would be sufficient for me to check 18650's in the field.

[selfbuilt]

Can somebody please confirm that the EC2 voltmeter is able to read up to 4.2 Volts?
My EC1 doesn't go any higher than 3.9V which doesn't really help to separate the full from the partially full batteries.

My EC1 and EC2 both read up to 4.2V without issue.

[Aperture]

Thanks for the quick confirmation selfbuilt, same goes for your awesome reviews btw, really appreciated.

[lawnman]

My first post, I joined after reading a few of selfbuilt reviews they are excellent, looking forward to more.... Thanks

[blackFFM]

I wish there would be an update with XP-G2 and some neutral white LEDs. I wouldn't mind a XM-L2 in a deep reflector like that, either.

[selfbuilt]

My first post, I joined after reading a few of selfbuilt reviews they are excellent, looking forward to more.... Thanks

Thanks, and

I wish there would be an update with XP-G2 and some neutral white LEDs. I wouldn't mind a XM-L2 in a deep reflector like that, either.

I agree on the XP-G2 and neutral white front. I think this build is really optimized for throw with the smaller die emitters though, and don't think an XM-L/XM-L2 would add much (beyond raw output - throw still wouldn't be too great). This series is one of the best pocket-throwers I've seen.

[blackFFM]

and don't think an XM-L/XM-L2 would add much (beyond raw output - throw still wouldn't be too great). This series is one of the best pocket-throwers I've seen.

I agree. And they are so small despite the deep reflector. I'm just too curious how a direct driven XM-L2 would throw in this kind of set up compared to the XM-L /XM-L2 offerings with shallow op reflectors.

[Aperture]

I have tested the EC1 for waterproofness btw and it survived being submersed for hour, it was bonedry inside.

[dajabec]

Put in an xp-g2 and a lower low and I would buy another.

[GordoJones88]

I agree. And they are so small despite the deep reflector. I'm just too curious how a direct driven XM-L2 would throw in this kind of set up compared to the XM-L /XM-L2 offerings with shallow op reflectors.

As you say they are small. They get hot using an XPG and not driven hard. Put in an XML2 and drive it hard the light is gonna get really hot really fast. What you might want to look at if you haven't yet, is the Eagletac TX25C2 and the Nitecore EC25.

[Patriot]

I wouldn't mind a XM-L2 in a deep reflector like that, either.

It would take away the unique qualities of the beam in this light. It's one of the few really great throwers that we have with this aperture.

Aperture
Can somebody please confirm that the EC2 voltmeter is able to read up to 4.2 Volts?

My EC2 and EA1 only read up to 4.1V with cells hot of the charger. Not perfect but good enough be very helpful.

[dajabec]

About the voltage meter, it reads the voltage under load (it turns on high for a second before blinking for this reason) so it will never read 4.2. That is the resting voltage. If it is 3.9 or more the batery is pretty full. 3.8 it's getting low and time to charge, it goes down quickly from there. I have edc this for months and those are my unscientific observations.

[CYMac]

I read this post tonight.. AGAIN and made me want to try the little beast outside AGAIN using my NEW camcorder!! OH GOSH, this is a BEAST!!! Can anyone tell me this is NOT a good flashlight? oh.. probably no one here, haha! It's worth the bucks!

[blackFFM]

I read this post tonight.. AGAIN and made me want to try the little beast outside AGAIN using my NEW camcorder!! OH GOSH, this is a BEAST!!! Can anyone tell me this is NOT a good flashlight? oh.. probably no one here, haha! It's worth the bucks!

I agree. This light has so much potential that's why I wish it would come in more "flavours" or at least in a design which allows easy modding (without a press fit bezel).

[CYMac]

I agree. This light has so much potential that's why I wish it would come in more "flavours" or at least in a design which allows easy modding (without a press fit bezel).

Haha~ a good light is good by itself, no need for too much mod! The best thing about the light is not only size, but the voltage indicator thingy that is not found in the 4sevens small dudes too, love it!

[blackFFM]

Haha~ a good light is good by itself, no need for too much mod! The best thing about the light is not only size, but the voltage indicator thingy that is not found in the 4sevens small dudes too, love it!

Well, my LED is way off center and the tint is too cool for me. So I would appreciate a screw-on bezel for easy LED swapping.

[Lightman2]

A fan of throw lights and ones with side switches would be hard to depart from my little SC51 which I have come to love and is my night/house EDC. Have spent about two hours reading all the great feedback and of course Selfbuilts review and whilst really keen on the EA1 wonder if I would be making a premature buy given the issues with the red LED and some other regular QC issues. Have been thinking about a SC52 for some months and even though it is not a throw light I am a Zebra convertee. Toss up between the EA1 and SC52 but as it stands with the reviews the SC52 looks like it will win out as much as I am interested in the features and throw of the Nitecore.

[Bumble]

i finally gave in lol.. EC1 $36 from fasttech