AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
NiteCore EX11
NiteCore has once again returned to what has become their signature design, the Piston Drive switch. The EX11 tries to bring back the best features of the previous lights in this line, but how do these choices stack up to actual usability?
NiteCore EX11
Meat and Potatoes
The latest iteration in the evolutionary design of NiteCore's Smart PD series brings back the original selling point of continuously variable operation. Once again the light takes the form of a programmable, single mode torch, allowing you a customizable light level for daily use. The EX11 ramps from min to max slightly faster than the older EX10, but still maintains excellent control when doing so.
PD Evolution
Though this light covers much of the same range of output as previous versions, the use of a newer R5 bin Cree XP-G brings the light up to a claimed 200 lumens on maximum. Also, thanks to the wider beam inherent to XP-G based lights, this torch has never had a more beautiful looking illumination path. It is a little floodier than even the R2 version last released, and just about perfect for most EDC type activities. This isn't a thrower by any means, but is is excellent for short to mid range lighting.
NiteCore EX11
The beauty of the piston drive's nickel plated button once again shines in this lights newest form. NiteCore has attempted to show it off even more with addition of some tail scalloping. These are designed as an attempt to both allow easier, protruding access to the switch, while at the same time retaining a modicum of tailstand-ability. Generally speaking this is a very bad choice. Usually it merely results in a light that topples at the slightest instability and yet still hinders button access sometimes even more than a fully shrouded one. This particular version, however, manages through a combination of low center of gravity and well rounded edges to pull of the blend as well as can be expected. It's not my favorite setup, but it isn't bad either.
PD Switch Button
Though it is odd for NiteCore to have abandoned their previous dark mahogany colored anodizing for a plain black look, they have still maintained anodized excellence without chips or flaws. Their knurling is also as excellent as ever, providing buckets of grip without being a pocket shredder. NiteCore has apparently planned to include a pocket clip in the future at some point (even though it is not currently available) because the tail includes a pair of holes that are drilled and tapped with minuscule threads.
Constructive Criticism
Though NiteCore has gone back to their roots some by bringing back continuous variability, however they have also chosen to ignore the widely popular shortcuts to minimum and maximum that the original had. A better choice in my opinion (and many others as well) would have been to keep those shortcuts and find a way to preserve the selected mid-level so you could shortcut back to it if so desired. I guess apparently the majority of their target audience is much more interested in strobe and SOS, though I am personally starting to find those modes cumbersome.
Another downfall that has become a concern about these lights is the presence of parasitic drain on the battery when the light is in standby mode. Normally I have shied away from statistics such as drive current in these reviews but I believe it to be relevant in the current scenario. I tested the EX11 using a primary CR123A cell and saw a 3.3mA draw with the light switched "off". This translates to a cell that is drained to completely empty in around 3 weeks, without even turning it on! When using the higher voltage 16340 Li-ion rechargeable cells, the current drops down to a more reasonable 0.7mA. This gives you a more manageable 6 weeks or so even accounting for the lower capacity of these cells.
NiteCore EX11
Conclusions
With its slightly smaller size, higher output and much more attractive beam, the EX11 starts to look like a capable upgrade to the original EX10. When you factor in the parasitic drain that counters any efficiency benefit you might receive from the newer LED module, it really casts doubt on the lights viability. The tiebreaker, unfortunately has to be the UI which really comes down to personal preference. Myself? I love the continuous variability, but not the blinkey modes. Thankfully these don't register as a deal breaker to me. The final piece of the puzzle is the PD switch itself which is a design I really like. This allows this light to finish in the win column, but it was a very close call.
NiteCore EX11
Provided for review by the kind folks at NiteCore.
NiteCore has once again returned to what has become their signature design, the Piston Drive switch. The EX11 tries to bring back the best features of the previous lights in this line, but how do these choices stack up to actual usability?
NiteCore EX11
Meat and Potatoes
The latest iteration in the evolutionary design of NiteCore's Smart PD series brings back the original selling point of continuously variable operation. Once again the light takes the form of a programmable, single mode torch, allowing you a customizable light level for daily use. The EX11 ramps from min to max slightly faster than the older EX10, but still maintains excellent control when doing so.
PD Evolution
Though this light covers much of the same range of output as previous versions, the use of a newer R5 bin Cree XP-G brings the light up to a claimed 200 lumens on maximum. Also, thanks to the wider beam inherent to XP-G based lights, this torch has never had a more beautiful looking illumination path. It is a little floodier than even the R2 version last released, and just about perfect for most EDC type activities. This isn't a thrower by any means, but is is excellent for short to mid range lighting.
NiteCore EX11
The beauty of the piston drive's nickel plated button once again shines in this lights newest form. NiteCore has attempted to show it off even more with addition of some tail scalloping. These are designed as an attempt to both allow easier, protruding access to the switch, while at the same time retaining a modicum of tailstand-ability. Generally speaking this is a very bad choice. Usually it merely results in a light that topples at the slightest instability and yet still hinders button access sometimes even more than a fully shrouded one. This particular version, however, manages through a combination of low center of gravity and well rounded edges to pull of the blend as well as can be expected. It's not my favorite setup, but it isn't bad either.
PD Switch Button
Though it is odd for NiteCore to have abandoned their previous dark mahogany colored anodizing for a plain black look, they have still maintained anodized excellence without chips or flaws. Their knurling is also as excellent as ever, providing buckets of grip without being a pocket shredder. NiteCore has apparently planned to include a pocket clip in the future at some point (even though it is not currently available) because the tail includes a pair of holes that are drilled and tapped with minuscule threads.
Constructive Criticism
Though NiteCore has gone back to their roots some by bringing back continuous variability, however they have also chosen to ignore the widely popular shortcuts to minimum and maximum that the original had. A better choice in my opinion (and many others as well) would have been to keep those shortcuts and find a way to preserve the selected mid-level so you could shortcut back to it if so desired. I guess apparently the majority of their target audience is much more interested in strobe and SOS, though I am personally starting to find those modes cumbersome.
Another downfall that has become a concern about these lights is the presence of parasitic drain on the battery when the light is in standby mode. Normally I have shied away from statistics such as drive current in these reviews but I believe it to be relevant in the current scenario. I tested the EX11 using a primary CR123A cell and saw a 3.3mA draw with the light switched "off". This translates to a cell that is drained to completely empty in around 3 weeks, without even turning it on! When using the higher voltage 16340 Li-ion rechargeable cells, the current drops down to a more reasonable 0.7mA. This gives you a more manageable 6 weeks or so even accounting for the lower capacity of these cells.
NiteCore EX11
Conclusions
With its slightly smaller size, higher output and much more attractive beam, the EX11 starts to look like a capable upgrade to the original EX10. When you factor in the parasitic drain that counters any efficiency benefit you might receive from the newer LED module, it really casts doubt on the lights viability. The tiebreaker, unfortunately has to be the UI which really comes down to personal preference. Myself? I love the continuous variability, but not the blinkey modes. Thankfully these don't register as a deal breaker to me. The final piece of the puzzle is the PD switch itself which is a design I really like. This allows this light to finish in the win column, but it was a very close call.
NiteCore EX11
Provided for review by the kind folks at NiteCore.
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