Which Nitecore? Nitecore Extreme Vs. EX11.2?

[CPFBiology]

I am looking for a smallish light from Nitecore. I hear their products are pretty good, up there with other manufacturers such as Fenix and Jetbeam. If you had to pick, which of Nitecore Extreme, or Nitecore EX11.2 would you choose? They both seem similar to me, just one is a tad bit brighter, but that amount is almost not perceptible to the human eyes. I am not quite sure of the differences in interface, can someone please elaborate? It seems the Extreme has a tactical mode when you tighten the head, but what is the "shortcut" to maximum lumens from the EX11.2? How would you rate durability and reliability of the Nitecore compared to Fenix? Does the Nitecore Extreme have issues with parasitic drain compared to the "fixed" EX11.2? Thanks CPF for your insights! :wave:

 

[CPFBiology]

Just to add, I already own an HDS Clicky, and I don't need a second EDC light, but just sorta "want" one. It seems the Nitecore may be a good backup to the EDC. Two is one right? I have spent too much time on CPF. You know, how bad of an idea would it be to get a second HDS? Would it be okay to just go ahead with the Nitecore, to add variety to my collection?

 

[Moonshadow]

Hi CPF;

Two excellent but quite different lights from Nitecore. The Extreme has a standard forward clicky and you have two light levels available - max with the head tightened and a user-settable level with the head slightly loosened.

The EX11.2 works on the smart PD system: click on, click off. When on, press and hold to adjust the light level up and down, with shortcuts to high and low: double-click for low, click and hold for high.

If you are happy with the HDS clicky you will have no problems figuring out the interface on the EX11.2.

The interfaces are very different: the Smart PD system on the EX11.2 lends itself to on-the-fly adjustments, whereas the adjustable level on the Extreme takes longer and is slightly more permanent.

This makes the choice easy: if you like to adjust the level frequently to suit the task and ambient lighting conditions, then the EX11.2 is better. If you prefer to set your adjustable level once and know that you will always have that set level, then get the Extreme. If you don't like twisting the head to change levels, get the EX11.2.

Other differences: Size-wise, the EX is quite a bit smaller than the Extreme. The Extreme has more throw, the EX11.2 will have a broader and possibly smoother beam.

Neither has parasitic drain.

Both are great-looking, and to be honest, you probably can't go wrong with either.

Let us know what you end up with !

 

[Moonshadow]

Size comparison:

 

[Stephen Wallace]

Just to add to Moonshadow's otherwise very comprehensive answer, there is one other preset mode on the Extreme, though most people probably wouldn't have a genuine use for it. Worth mentioning though, just for sake of completeness. With the head tightened, you have the preset maximum high mode, and with the head loosened, you switch to a level set by yourself, via the infinite brightness adjustment feature.

On top of this, there is also a preset strobe function, accessed by starting with the head tightened, and then loosening it and tightening it again. Loosen and tighten a second time to turn strobe off again.

 

[Woods Walker]

EX10 is a great light, in fact it is my EDC for a single CR123 however it was SHAMEFULL for nitecore to sell the EX11 with it's high parasitic drain. :shakehead Once people found out Nitecore said it was normal. Did they ever fix this issue? In any case Nitecore lost a pile-o-customer loyalty over that debacle.

Edit.

Sorry OP if that was a bit Off Topic but make 100% certain the EX11 doesn't have the drain as it was high to a fault. If the EX11 is anything like my EX10 R2 it will fit your pockets well. Also the SS bezel guard works great as mine took a 10 foot header on the road and only got a small dent in the SS. An Al bezel would have been messed up more.

 

[Moonshadow]

Did they ever fix this issue?

Yes, parasitic drain is apparently fixed in the 11.2.

Lots of good information here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?312316-Nitecore-D11.2-EX11.2

 

[Woods Walker]

Yes, parasitic drain is apparently fixed in the 11.2.

Lots of good information here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?312316-Nitecore-D11.2-EX11.2

I just read in that same thread the parasitic drain issue has not been fixed. I would need to see more testing though.

 

[bondr006]

I just read in that same thread the parasitic drain issue has not been fixed. I would need to see more testing though.

From the above link....http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?312316-Nitecore-D11.2-EX11.2

Woo-hoo ! The shortcuts are back. Thank gawd for that. If ever there was a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it . . . "

I hope the battery drainage issue is resolved.

Meanwhile, the SYSMAX’s latest power management technology can effectively lower the consumption of electric current of D11.2 while it is in inactivity mode. In this case, using one AA battery could have a period of approximately 3 years of inactivity.

I think that translates as a 'Yes'

 

[MashBill]

Yes, parasitic drain is apparently fixed in the 11.2.

Lots of good information here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?312316-Nitecore-D11.2-EX11.2

Thanks for the info. I was considering the EX11 but was unaware of the drain issue. It looks like they have it worked out.

Bill

 

[chaoss]

FWIW, i have 2 EX11.2's & they have been great.
It's my current EDC.

 

[Woods Walker]

Bondr006.

This is what I read on the last page/post in the thread.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?312316-Nitecore-D11.2-EX11.2/page6

Parasitic drain was measured by a friend to be the same as the original EX/D11. It was measured at 6-7mA, same as before. The EX/D10 measures in at 0.1mA or something (cant remember exactly) or maybe it was more like 0.025ma. The point is. Its false advertising to be claiming that the torch has solved parasitic drain problems. Looks more like status quo.

I will hold off for more CPF testing as been looking for an updated D10 from the time I got my EX10 but was made a bit gun shy by this issue.