[New][Review] Nitecore P18 - 1x18650, tail e-switch, XHP35 HD, red mode

[bmengineer]

Nitecore sent over a pre-release sample of this light and I've been testing it out for weeks now. It really checks a lot of boxes. As an EDC light,

• It's compact - I'm pretty sure it's the shortest 18650 light with a tail switch and a reflector.
• Shortcut to a low 1 lumen mode
• Intuitive UI
• Great pocket clip (if not a very deep one)
• Voltage-based battery check

For the "tactical" user, the light also has:

• A tail switch
• One touch turbo
• Two touch strobe
• Red mode

Overall it's one of the most innovative and exciting lights I've used recently. The three main cons quoted in my review are the lack of a lockout mode, aggressive step down from turbo, and lower than average water resistance claims - but I will definitely be recommending this light. If you want both a tail switch and a compact body, I think this will be the best option until the FW3A comes out, and even then the two aren't directly comparable.

Click through to my site to read my full review

 

[thermal guy]

This looks interesting. I like the format and the duel red/white

 

[Roger Sully]

I got excited when i first saw it thinking the battery door was a brightness dial! Alas it is not. Still a pretty interesting light though.

 

[bmengineer]

I got excited when i first saw it thinking the battery door was a brightness dial! Alas it is not. Still a pretty interesting light though.

No, it's not - that would be cool though! Sounds along the lines of an HDS.

 

[Fireclaw18]

That looks like a pretty cool light!

Nice to see some out-of-the-box thinking going on here. It's not just another cylindrical light made on a lathe.

 

[celler]

Incredibly well-done and thoughtful review. Thank you looking into the lockout which no other reviewer seems to have mentioned. The lack of a physical or software lockout is a deal breaker for me in a flashlight that gets this hot. Nightcore, don't forget this important feature.

 

[bmengineer]

A lockout would be nice, but I personally don't usually have to much trouble with tail switch lights. The switch used here specifically would be pretty hard to accidentally activate. I haven't had a single turn on in my pocket, and it's seen a lot of pocket time since I swapped the emitter. YMMV of course.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk