Some questions about Nitecore D11 and other AA lights

[LiuChuan]

I'm looking for a edc light runs on AA battery. Nitecore D11 seems very interesting for its piston switch, but I'm a little worried about it. If I accidentally drop the light on some hard objects, will the piston be stucked by the deformed outer shell? My English is not very good, I hope I made myself clear. BTW could anyone recommand some other AA lights which are better than D11 whithout higher prices? How about Fenix LD10 LD12 and Jetbeam BA10? THX

 

[davecroft]

The D11 is pretty well built so should not suffer if you drop it. The problem is that a lot of users have reported issues with the reliabilty of the light and the piston switching. I think you might have to be prepared to spend time on cleaning and lubricating it for it to work properly.

The Fenix LD10 is well regarded and should be fine, as should the revised LD12 model out now. You might pick up a LD10 at a reduced price.

The Jetbeam BA10 is a great light for the money, well built and low cost, I use mine a lot. But it only has 2 brightness levels.

I also have a Fenix E11 which is a very good light for the money, and a couple of others I would recommend are Fenix LD15 and Olight i2 - the Olight is not quite up to the standard of Fenix in my view, but is a cheap light and has some nice features.

I don't have any 4Sevens lights but I am sure you will get plenty of votes for the Quark series.

 

[LiuChuan]

The D11 is pretty well built so should not suffer if you drop it. The problem is that a lot of users have reported issues with the reliabilty of the light and the piston switching. I think you might have to be prepared to spend time on cleaning and lubricating it for it to work properly.

The Fenix LD10 is well regarded and should be fine, as should the revised LD12 model out now. You might pick up a LD10 at a reduced price.

The Jetbeam BA10 is a great light for the money, well built and low cost, I use mine a lot. But it only has 2 brightness levels.

I also have a Fenix E11 which is a very good light for the money, and a couple of others I would recommend are Fenix LD15 and Olight i2 - the Olight is not quite up to the standard of Fenix in my view, but is a cheap light and has some nice features.

I don't have any 4Sevens lights but I am sure you will get plenty of votes for the Quark series.

Thank you for your valuable advice. E11 seems very nice for its forward clicky switch and small size,but some people reported issues about its beamshot which is not quite round. How about your E11?

 

[davecroft]

The E11's beam is not like most lights, its a bit oval shaped, has no real hot spot and is not clearly defined at the edges. This is due to the use of a plastic optic rather than a glass lens and reflector combination. However in real use it is absolutely fine. The E11 seems brighter than it's stated output and is as bright as my Nitecore EZAA R5 (rated at 160 lumens).

The E11 has a nice white beam as well. There were a few issues with quality of some lights early on but I haven't heard of any such problems lately so i hope Fenix have resolved this.

It's a great light for the money if you just want a robust, reliable, simple light.

 

[LiuChuan]

The E11's beam is not like most lights, its a bit oval shaped, has no real hot spot and is not clearly defined at the edges. This is due to the use of a plastic optic rather than a glass lens and reflector combination. However in real use it is absolutely fine. The E11 seems brighter than it's stated output and is as bright as my Nitecore EZAA R5 (rated at 160 lumens).

The E11 has a nice white beam as well. There were a few issues with quality of some lights early on but I haven't heard of any such problems lately so i hope Fenix have resolved this.

It's a great light for the money if you just want a robust, reliable, simple light.

Thanks for your reply! I guess I'm gonna pick a E11. Do you know any other similar sized light with a forward clicky switch? I guess 4sevens have some but I can't buy any 4sevens in my country. BTW shall I say "I'm gonna" or "I gonna"?

 

[davecroft]

Apart from the ones you listed there are quite a few 4Sevens with forward clicky, but also Jetbeam have the PA10, and Klarus the XT1. The Balder SE-1 is quite cheap, or if you want to spend a bit more the Balder BD-1.

For the money, though the Fenix will be hard to beat.

It's 'I'm gonna' 🙂

 

[LiuChuan]

I have spent a LOT of hours today on checking reviews and discussion about those light. Unfortunately,it seems that every flashlight,which I can buy in my country and I can afford,has problems which I can't put up with. Only E11 could reach the most of my requirements,so I'm gonna buy it. Again,thank you very much!