Nitecore EA4 Pioneer review (cool white)

[windsurf]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

...

And thanks from windsurf we heard that a Sysmax rep has another way of exiting! exit lockout mode, simply press the switch three times within one second.

Not great!

This does look like you will have to watch out when in your ruck or pocket! It maybe a good idea to keep it in its holster and placing the switch in one of the corners were the likeliness of something pressing on it would be pretty low, not ideal, but a flat EA4 won't be of any use to anyone.

Something else that I have done, that do look OK and may help is placing a thick black O ring (or GDI) in the full grove on the rear of the switch, this does shield the switch a little and may help.
I will upload a photo later on
Skyraider59

Hi sky,

Liked your review and your thoughtful responses. I hope I didn't convey that 3 press action to a Sysmax rep. That was an error in the early manuals and online pdf file. The Sysmax rep confirmed that was an error in post #288. (although I think it would have been a better unlock strategy, which might be used on the Tiny Monsters???)

 

[windsurf]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

So on high, not turbo but high, 50 min on a fully charged set of 2000 mah eneloops is about it. If that's the case then the 2hr claim by Nitecore is pure fiction. And the claim of 1 3/4 hr on Turbo ? Would the 25OO mah eneloops run significantly longer ? I'm not sure what all of this output is worth if it can't be sustained for any amount of time.

Think we'll have to wait for Sky's test using 2500mAh eneloops. I hope it will be even better than 2 hours.

I wouldn't say Nitecore's 2 hr claim with 2400mAh cells is fiction. As dc38 stated, he was guessing a 50 min runtime based on a 35 minute test using an estimated 80% level set of regular eneloops.

The 1 3/4 hr is based on the turbo step down to High after 3 minutes, not forcing turbo to stay on constantly.

Here's what "zoom" from the TLF german forums measured using regular eneloops.

19/12/2012, 17:21 by zoom
So, today is my EA4 nw also arrived and I am thrilled
Current measurement with 4 eneloop HR-3UTGA 1900mAh of 04.2011


• Turbo: 860 ANSI lumens / 3.05 A
• High: 550 ANSI lumens / 1,23 A
• Medium: 300 ANSI lumens / 0.49 A
• Low: 135 ANSI lumens / 0.20 A
• Micro: 65 ANSI lumens / 0.09 A

 

[lowatts]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Hi sky,

Liked your review and your thoughtful responses. I hope I didn't convey that 3 press action to a Sysmax rep. That was an error in the early manuals and online pdf file. The Sysmax rep confirmed that was an error in post #288. (although I think it would have been a better unlock strategy, which might be used on the Tiny Monsters???)

The TM11 unlocks by three quick clicks; the TM15 unlocks like the EA4 from what I've read in CPF and using my own TM15. I suspect the new way was intended to be an improvement, to make unlocking easier for people who can't click three times fast enough, but turned out now it's a little too easy to unlock.

 

[Skyraider59]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Here it is!

Test: output versus runtime (28 Dec 12)

This was done in high mode, the battery used were 3 month old Eneloop Black Xx 2500mAh.
Batteries were fully charged prior insertion, and reading on my volt meter, 1.44, 1.44, 1.44 and 1.43V total 5.75v
Once inserted, the EA4 did give me a 5 flashes, a one second pause and another 8 flashes indicating the total voltage to be 5.8v (spot on!)
The battery was inserted into my home made integration sphere and switch on HIGH MODE 550lumens, THE first reading of 45700 Lux was taken 30 seconds after and every 5mn after. By 15mn the light was getting hot, to heat testing equipment but I would guess about 40 degree Celsius, I decided to switch my fan on and position the EA4 in front of it moving it to the sphere every 5mn for taking a lux reading. By 110 mn I noticed that the low voltage blue fast flashing was on . (This may have come earlier and was not noticed?????)

By 113mn I could visibly see the output dropping
113mn 36800 Lux
114mn 28000 Lux
115mn 22000 Lux and decided to turn the EA4 off

10mn Later, I took another reading on high showing me 22000 Lux, the end cap was removed and refitted to get a volt reading, this was 4 flashes and another 6 indicating the voltage to be 4.6v. The batteries were removed and tested with a voltmeter, 1.16, 1.15, 1.14, 1.13,giving me a total of 4.58v The EA4 volt checker is accurate!

So to recap, with Eneloop 2500mAh, I got a constant 45000 Lux for 1H 50mn, not quite the 2 hours but I personally thing this is pretty impressive,:twothumbs This is very well regulated and I think they have also got the heat dispersion well sorted with this one piece large head/ body.:thumbsup:

I am please with this, I may also do a test sometime on extra low (65 lumens) and have it running over night to see if I can get close to the 22h advertised!

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Looks like I need to order some 2500's. Please ignore my comments based on 2000mah eneloops.

 

[Skyraider59]

Re: Nitecore EA4 Pioneer review

I also did mention about fitting an "O" ring to act as a switch shield, here are the photos

This does just protrude a little above the switch, I have medium size hands and for me this does not impair the function of the switch and it does give a little protection.
I did try it on the two groves either side of the switch, but the ring did push on the edges of switch rubber, so this was a no go.
I personally don't think this look too much out of place so I will keep it on.

Still thinking about anti roll design, the black plastic tie mentioned by someone earlier is practical but would look a little to homemade for me, so if any one has anymore idea please let us know.

 

[Skyraider59]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

The TM11 unlocks by three quick clicks; the TM15 unlocks like the EA4 from what I've read in CPF and using my own TM15. I suspect the new way was intended to be an improvement, to make unlocking easier for people who can't click three times fast enough, but turned out now it's a little too easy to unlock.

I am one of them, I have a Jetbeam II ST PRO BVC, and I must say that i often get the 3 clicking timing wrong! I much prefer the 2-3 second depress like the Nitecore.
I think the main problem is the light reactivating on a 2 second soft press of the switch, if this was disable this would be safe as the long/full push of the switch require a fair bit of pressure like on all on /off mechanical switches.

I would not think Nitecore are likely to recall them, but it would be good to see that they value and act on customer feedback and they rectify the unlock problem in future runs, I presume this could be done by just altering the programing of the switch function?.

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Hi Skyraider

Do you know how much better the 2500mah are compared to the 2000mah. Do you think the 2500's would give you 1hr or maybe 45 min of turbo ?

 

[Skyraider59]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Hi Skyraider

Do you know how much better the 2500mah are compared to the 2000mah. Do you think the 2500's would give you 1hr or maybe 45 min of turbo ?

Hi Skyraider

Do you know how much better the 2500mah are compared to the 2000mah. Do you think the 2500's would give you 1hr or maybe 45 min of turbo ?

Hi I also have a set of eneloop white 2000 mAh and I must say that I do use them as back up now and only use the black 2500 in single AA HP flashlight like the V11R as I do feel I get longer run times. I can not say if you would get close to the advertised run time in Turbo mode?
But I must say that when reading the Nitecore run times, I was a little surprised to see such a small difference in run time between 860L and 550L, I would have expected a bigger gap?
The next problem is that you will be knocked out of Turbo every 3mn, I am sure you will get an improved runtime with them but I NOW would be surprised if you get close to 1h.45mn, but I can be wrong!!

Does anyone know of high quality 3100 mAh AA, would be interesting to see what run time you get?

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Would these be a good choice ?

http://www.amazon.com/Powerex-2700mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries-holder/product-reviews/B001JR0RR4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[jomox]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Thanks for all the info Skyraider, looks like I will be using 2500's with the EA4 when it comes.

 

[dc38]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Thanks for all the info Skyraider, looks like I will be using 2500's with the EA4 when it comes.

Hey a folks, sorry for the typo...I meant to type 70%, not 80, and turbo, not high...one of those mornings at work...typing on a phone at much slower speeds than I think...no excuse for not proof reading though, as that was what I was supposed to be doing at that moment lol. 35 min on TURBO, 70% eneloops. Total turbo time from full to rapid blinking was my guesstimate at 50 min...sorry for all the confusion

 

[windsurf]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Would these be a good choice ?

http://www.amazon.com/Powerex-2700mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries-holder/product-reviews/B001JR0RR4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Maha, which owns the Powerex name make very good cells. I'm still using some 2002 Powerex 1600mAh AAs, with diminished capacity, in low power devices.

Since I prefer the low self discharge types, I've been using Maha Imedion 2400's as a cheaper alternative to the Eneloop XX. But you probably can't beat those 2700's for raw capacity. Here's one link I've used for the Imedions :http://thomasdistributing.com/-Maha...rgeable-Batteriesbr-Low-Discharge_p_2252.html

 

[AVService]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

My NW model arrived Today and then it started snowing here tonight!
All I can say is this thing is a beast!
I am again surprised by how compact this one is and calling it solid is an understatement aside from the switch rattle feature.

So I loaded some Eneloops in it and got the interface in my head and went outside.
This light throws amazingly well for its size.
I als have an Armytek Predator which is a thrower and a ZL SC600w which is known to be floody to compare with.

The EA4 is really right in the middle of the other 2 throwing well but not nearly as far as the Predator and throwing up a huge wall of light but not as diffused as the SC600w.

I really like the construction of this light aside from the rattle I also like the switch and UI overall. The lack of a really low setting is what I expected and not too big of a deal although the ZL and Armytek both can do huge output and FleaPower from the same light so I don't know why this one won't?

It is a keeper though mainly for the AA battery spec. and that more than makes up for any downsides to me!
This is also a lot of light for the price,under $60.00 for mine.

I can't wait to get these out camping and see what they can really do.

Ed

 

[windsurf]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Here it is!

Test: output versus runtime (28 Dec 12)

So to recap, with Eneloop 2500mAh, I got a constant 45000 Lux for 1H 50mn, not quite the 2 hours but I personally thing this is pretty impressive,:twothumbs This is very well regulated and I think they have also got the heat dispersion well sorted with this one piece large head/ body.:thumbsup:

I am please with this, I may also do a test sometime on extra low (65 lumens) and have it running over night to see if I can get close to the 22h advertised!

Very nice runtime test. Most NiMH can charge to 1.47v without a problem to gain best capacity. In fact, the later Maha C9000 chargers typically terminate fast charge at a peak of 1.48v if they haven't hit the -delta V termination point (usually the 1.48v comes first). Then they do a top off charge at 100mA for 2 hrs. That's likely how Nitecore got their published runtimes on 2400 mAh cells.

A German flashlight forum did some comparable runtime tests too. http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/nitecore/20499-eindruecke-nitecore-ea4-nw-3.html#post264185
1. Eneloop XX with forced Turbo after every three minutes,
2. Turbo with Alkalines (why?),
3. Eneloop XX on Turbo with step down to Hi [dead on with 1hr 46min!]
The cut and pasted Google translation is below:

To test the battery LSD cells were used by Sanyo, as alkalines batteries of AeroCell. The lamp was operated in the test runs at the brightest level and cooled by a fan. Since the EA4 approximately every three minutes in the second brightest mode switches in order to avoid an overheating of the LED, it was immediately after each downshifting cycled in the brightest level to verify the duration at maximum power.

Transit time batteries Sanyo Eneloop XX (2.400mAh):
On power: 23,500 Lux
after 5 minutes: 23,100 Lux
after 10 minutes: 22,900 Lux
after 20 minutes: 22,700 Lux
after 30 minutes: 22,700 Lux
after 40 minutes: 22,600 Lux
After 50 minutes or 11,000 lux were displayed, removed the battery and measured with open circuit voltages of 1.05 to 0.97 volts - Test end.

Transit time AA alkaline:
On power: 23,500 Lux
after 5 minutes: 19,700 Lux
after 10 minutes: 17,300 Lux
after 20 minutes: 11,100 Lux
after 30 minutes: 2,000 lux
after 40 minutes: 1,400 lux
after 50 minutes: 1,100 Lux
I did not want to know more.

Finally, the lamp could compete with the Eneloop batteries again as they wanted - without having to be after the downshift switch back to peak performance. (ie. letting Turbo step down to High)

Transit time batteries Sanyo Eneloop XX (2.400mAh):
On power: 23,500 Lux
after 5 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 10 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 20 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 30 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 40 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 50 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 60 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 70 minutes: 14,300 Lux
after 80 minutes: 14,400 Lux
after 90 minutes: 14,500 Lux
after 100 minutes: 14,600 Lux
After 106 minutes, the lamp began to darken. After 108 minutes or 7,000 lux were displayed, removed the battery and measured with open circuit voltages of 1.10 to 0.97 volts, the end of the test

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

The rattle mystery has been solved.

 

[windsurf]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

The rattle mystery has been solved.

Brave soul! Thanks for the report and what are your impressions of the internal build quality?

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Actually, the brave soul was Craig a Illumination Supply.

Brave soul! Thanks for the report and what are your impressions of the internal build quality?

 

[RBH]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

Thanks

I guess the higher capacity cells don't hold their charge as long ? The 2400mah Imedion looks very interesting .

Maha, which owns the Powerex name make very good cells. I'm still using some 2002 Powerex 1600mAh AAs, with diminished capacity, in low power devices.

Since I prefer the low self discharge types, I've been using Maha Imedion 2400's as a cheaper alternative to the Eneloop XX. But you probably can't beat those 2700's for raw capacity. Here's one link I've used for the Imedions :http://thomasdistributing.com/-Maha...rgeable-Batteriesbr-Low-Discharge_p_2252.html

 

[Landshark99]

Re: NITECORE EA4 PIONEER (cool white) review

got mine last week love the light, may just buy a second NW one this month