Nitecore EA4

[bob_dobalina]

I just got a Nitecore EA4W. The switch flashes a blue light every 4 seconds while powered off - is it supposed to do this?

 

[jimboutilier]

Yes, unless you lockout the light with a long press to turn it off (which will then require a long press to turn it on). The blinks you see after a lockout are the voltage. But there is not a lot of need to do that as it would take months to wear down your batteries with the switch beacon.

See your user manual or selfbuilt's review of the light for more details.

 

[Imon]

Hey bob,

One of our CPF members selfbuilt writes great reviews on lights.
You might want to check out this thread. Probably more than you'll ever want to know about the EA4.

 

[bob_dobalina]

I am not a fan of that. so you have to keep it locked to not drain the battery (although minimal like you say), then when you need it a few weeks later you have to remember how to unlock it. other than that I really like it. is this standard with high end lights? I am new to this

 

[bob_dobalina]

thanks for the link

 

[jimboutilier]

I am not a fan of that. so you have to keep it locked to not drain the battery (although minimal like you say), then when you need it a few weeks later you have to remember how to unlock it. other than that I really like it. is this standard with high end lights? I am new to this

Well, the unlock is simple - just press for a few seconds same as the lock so not much to remember but annoying if you need light fast. If you are using Eneloop batteries just give em a charge periodically and leave the locator beacon on for finding the light in the dark.

All of the Nitecore Explorer series have a similar feature. I actually like this feature for the most part - it is great for camping and hiking and stuff to locate your light in the dark. But it is a bit of a pain for lights that sit a lot.

I would say say most lights do not have this feature but Nitecore is not the only one to offer it. If you are looking for a similar light without that feature take a look at the EagleTac GX25A3 or Sunwayman D40. Discussions on these three lights are on this forum, and selfbuilt has reviews on all three.

 

[bob_dobalina]

I will say if you don't lock it, the switch is so sensitive it easily turns on the light when you slide it into the case. I found this out the hard way this morning with 4 dead energizer lithiums. I guess it's time to buy some eneloops.

 

[jimboutilier]

I don't think the Explorer series is well suited to occasional use with primary cells. They all have parasitic drain (although some allow tail cap lockout) and a locator beacon that requires conscious effort to lockout. That makes them much better suited to regular use with rechargeable batteries. My rule of thumb is to recharge them based on a maximum of 1 week per cell - the one cell lights at least weekly, 2 cell lights et least every two weeks etc). This can be extended if you lock out the locator beacon or use the tail cap lockout (where available) but I still wouldn't use them with primaries or as low use lights.

The EA4 does have a very prominent switch that's a mixed blessing. It's easy to find and use even with cold or wet or gloved hands but it's prone to unintentional activation when being carried unless you lock it out (and it's not foolproof even with lockout as all it takes is a few second press to unlock it). As a result I think its a great nightstand light but that there are better lights out there for most other things.

I still keep my EA4 as a regularly used nightstand and utility light that I recharge regularly. But I've since replaced it with an EagleTac GX25A3 for most of the things I bought the EA4 for. If I had of gotten the EagleTac first I wouldn't have gotten the EA4.

 

[peter nap]

I'm glad I saw this. I watched the review and since I was looking for an AA battery as a pack light this winter, I ordered one. Should be here on Tuesday if Amazon doesn't send it with Lasership. If they do, I'll reorder and hopefully get it via UPS on Thursday.
That was a 1st rate review.

 

[jimboutilier]

I'm glad I saw this. I watched the review and since I was looking for an AA battery as a pack light this winter, I ordered one. Should be here on Tuesday if Amazon doesn't send it with Lasership. If they do, I'll reorder and hopefully get it via UPS on Thursday.
That was a 1st rate review.

The EA4 is a great light in a lot of ways, and I guess it depends on how you pack it, but I wouldn't choose this light for that purpose due to its prominent switch and lack of practical tail cap lockout. Maybe I'm just over cautious but I wouldn't pack any light without a tail cap lockout or at least a well recessed button.