Problem with new flashlight... Nitecore Smart PD EX10

[AnonymousD]

Hello guys. I got into flashlights about a year ago. I got a Surefire G2 for one of my AR-15s, and have since been getting better lights. I currently have a Fenix TA-21, Streamlight Super Tac, Surefire G2, and the Nitecore EX10 I got today.

If you arent familiar with the light, it is a piston drive, and you are able to switch between the bright mode, and dim mode in a few different ways. Heres a link to the light.

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?products_id=501

Heres the problem. If I tighten the head down to put it in click mode, it will be MUCH dimmer. And it will not get brighter. If I change the brightness, it will actually get dimmer, like its already on bright mode, and once its on dim mode, its so dim the head only emits a faint glow that doesnt even provide light in a dark room. You can actually look directly into the light its so dim.
It works fine in momentary mode though.

Let me know if I made that clear enough.
Thanks

 

[hyperloop]

what cells are you using in the light? i use rechargeables in mine but found that the Trustfire cells are too long and if i tighten the head all the way, the piston doesnt work.

The behaviour of your light sounds weird. I have 2 EX10s and they dont behave that way at all. Have you tried taking everything apart and giving it a good cleaning with isopropyl alcohol?

Then also try it with fresh cells and if cleaning and fresh cells doesnt work you may have to send it back. You could try contacting Nitecore directly, they were very helpful when my EX10 GDP died and i just got it back last night and its workin like new.

you can get them at:-

[email protected]
[email protected]

i used the gmail address

hope you get your light working, its a really nice little light.

 

[Henk_Lu]

That's really unexplainable odd behaviour! If the battery is OK, it shouldn't go lower than low, whatever happens.

If it works correctly in momentary however, there must be something not correct in size, perhaps jamming up the brass ring when the light is tightened and making wrong contacts?

Check if piston action is still possible with a tightened light, check if the spring sits correctly in the piston and if teh brass-ring moves freely and best would be taking it off to clean izt thoroughly, they are often dirty and responsible for no-contact issues. The sticky and stinky blue grease Nitecore uses doesn't make things better, best is wiping it off completely everywhere and relubing with something serious like Nyogel...

 

[AnonymousD]

Thanks guys. Ill go and clean it. And the batteries Im using arent the best, they are some cheap no name ones. I was out of my Surefires and Streamlight batteries. But these work fine on all my other lights. I e-mailed 4sevens after I posted this, but havent heard from them yet.

 

[hyperloop]

Thanks guys. Ill go and clean it. And the batteries Im using arent the best, they are some cheap no name ones. I was out of my Surefires and Streamlight batteries. But these work fine on all my other lights. I e-mailed 4sevens after I posted this, but havent heard from them yet.

you can email Nitecore directly, they WILL look after u, both my EX10s were bought from 3rd party sellers but when i had some problems, i emailed nitecore directly.

they stand by their product

 

[AnonymousD]

It seems to be working fine now. Hasnt went dim by itself since yesterday, and Ive been messing with it alot. I guess it had some of hat lubricant they put on it where it shouldnt have been.

 

[Rexlion]

Glad you got it sorted out. They can come from the factory with excess lube, I've read several comments on that.

I was starting to wonder if you were tightening it too much or something... I only do mine just enough so the PD works (non-momentary). That way I can easily choose whether to use it as a pushbutton or a twisty.

 

[bedazzLED]

When I got my EX10, it was doing strange things such as no ramping up/down, or sometimes ramping down only, switching to high mode or low mode randomly, and sometimes just switching off.

I pulled it apart, cleaned it completely and lubricated the piston with super-lube oil and it started working normally.

The grease that it came with was VERY sticky so I think it was gumming up everything.

As soon as it starts playing up I simply oil up the piston and it's back to normal.

Touchy little thing but still love the piston mechanism.

Wish there were more torches using it.

 

[AnonymousD]

Im going to have to contact Nitecore. It started acting up really bad today.

 

[AnonymousD]

So nitecore got back to me. They said to try and change the battery, and if that doesnt work, I can ask 4sevens for help.

WTF kinda customer service is that?

 

[Henk_Lu]

So nitecore got back to me. They said to try and change the battery, and if that doesnt work, I can ask 4sevens for help.

WTF kinda customer service is that?

That's normal procedure for all manufacturers who sell their lights by dealers.

They have their dealers to not having to be busy with individual claims. Do what they told you, contact 4Sevens, they will help you and arrange everything needed with Nitecore.

As you cleaned the whole light, there must be an electronic issue somewhere and they will probably exchange your light. If I were you, I'd tell them that I've cleaned all contacts and threads, but no details what had to be taken apart.

By using that awfull lube in excess, Nitecore forces us to take the lights apart completely, if they paid attention to install clean brass rings without oxydations and without grease traces, we would leave that ring where it is. I really preffer to receive lights in clean working conditionsand I'm not keen on disassembling brandnew lights, but one of my D10 simply didn't work correctly before I took the brass ring off and cleaned it. They may consider that as a warranty void, which wouldn't be fair! I plan to do that operation on all my piston drives one of these days and treat everything with Deoxyd.

 

[AnonymousD]

Well I got in touch with 4sevens also. They will take the light back, but they are out of them, so I can get a refund or swap it out. Im thinking about this one.

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297&products_id=1600

What do you guys think? Are there any better small flashlights for $59 there? It needs to be $59 cause thats how much the NiteCore cost.

 

[Warp]

That is a loaded question subject to personal opinions.

BUT a Quark 123 R5 is a very good, rather popular light that...as a recent release using an XP-G R5...is currently at the head of the technology curve.


Some would rather have the Quark, some the Nitecore, and some would rather have something different. You can't really go wrong with either one, though, provided that the UI (user interface) suits your needs.

 

[AnonymousD]

Yea, I know everyone has their own opinion. I think ill stick with that one. Seems like a good light.

On a side note, how do you like your G19? Im going get mine Friday (hopefully). What kind of holster do you carry it in? Cause mine will also be for CC.

 

[Warp]

Yea, I know everyone has their own opinion. I think ill stick with that one. Seems like a good light.

On a side note, how do you like your G19? Im going get mine Friday (hopefully). What kind of holster do you carry it in? Cause mine will also be for CC.

I like it. A lot.

This is my EDC in picture format.

The holster is a Comp Tac M-TAC. It is very popular and highly recommended. Don't forget that a good belt made to support the weight is every bit as important as the holster.






If you have more questions regarind the Glock/firearms/carry feel free to PM me and/or visit this site/forum:

www.glocktalk.com

Specifically the Carry Issues forum within Practical Issues.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=21

 

[AnonymousD]

Nice. I was thinking about the M-TAC, but I think Ill go with a Raven Concealment.
I probalby do need to join glock talk soon though. Probably wont get too many glocks though, since all my gun find seems to go to AR-15s. lol

 

[Warp]

You don't need any Glocks to fit in on Glock Talk. It is a huge site that covers all kinds of things in various forums.

I have a Raven Concealment Systems Phantom LC for the G19 as well. It accepts a mounted Streamlight TLR-1. It is a good holster, just not as comfortable due to the bulk of the attached light.

I'm happy with both it and the Streamlight TLR-1, though.

 

[AnonymousD]

Thats another light I need to get. I have an Insight M3 on my XD45, but its just not as bright since I started getting all these good LED lights. And the battery life is terrible. Ill probably get a TLR-1 with the C4 LED one day. It wont be EDC though, cause like you said, it adds too much bulk.

Ive also heard that Insight released a drop in LED for the M3 at SHOT recently. Im going to have to pick one up if this is true.