Is the NDI the 'King' of the 1 AA/14500 Format Flashlights?

Just wondering if you guys think the NDI is considered the best one AA/14500 flashlight in terms of output, efficiency and built quality???

At present I would say yes but of course nowadays things change pretty fast in this field.

There's also to be considered that some major players have apparently neglected the 1xAA form factor and this of course helped NDI in becoming so popular.

I don't know if I would call it the "king", but it's definitely on the Royal Court.

I'm not sure about king either. I've had both switches go bad with mine in about 1week and can't get anyone to send me a new one. I am told they should be in in about a month. In the mean time no ndi.

That would depend upon one's expections for a AA/14500 EDC. there are a number of people out there who like their IU real Simple one stage or two stage, so for them probalbly not the king. For what it is designed for probably yes.

I don't think the NDI excels in any particular area but is solid in nearly all, eg. the new jetbeam is brighter, fenix is always going to be more efficient, generally well built but some minor niggles...

I would'nt call it the king as there is a lot of room for improvement.... it's just no one else has got it completely right yet!

The UI could not get much more simple than the NDI. Click the button, and it comes on in the level you want. Twist the bezel and it goes to the other level. That's it...all there is to it. 2 levels, and it will come on in what ever one you prefer, depending on if you leave the bezel tight, or loose.

Yes. Yes it is.

Bigsy said:

I don't think the NDI excels in any particular area but is solid in nearly all, eg. the new jetbeam is brighter, fenix is always going to be more efficient, generally well built but some minor niggles...

I would'nt call it the king as there is a lot of room for improvement.... it's just no one else has got it completely right yet!

Click to expand...

The new Jetbeam is only brighter on lithium cells. The NDI will happily punch holes in the darkness with NiMH.

Oh - yes, it is.

sixfellas said:

I'm not sure about king either. I've had both switches go bad with mine in about 1week and can't get anyone to send me a new one. I am told they should be in in about a month. In the mean time no ndi.

Click to expand...

Sixfellas, just PM me your address and I'll send you one - no charge.

My NDI seems to have a mind of its own. Sometimes it comes on, sometimes it starts blinking slowly, sometimes it doesn't come on at all. I also find the twisting action not really reliable since the threads are sure to get dirty/oxidised with frequent use. I just leave mine on high mode.

Anyhow, for now I'll stick to my Jetbeam MKIIX.

At the moment, I agree, yes.
It's been a faithful EDC since the day I got it in the 1st batch.
Pretty much the brightest AA form factor you can get using NiMH (though i use it with Li-Ion now). Great UI. Simple enough during normal use yet having programmability. Plus it's done with a forward clicky that doesn't switch modes in every tap (personal preference. I'd rather switch modes by twisting).

It seems like some of you are having issues with the NDI as well. I think so far, there isn't really one AA/14500 light that is always reliable. We already know some are having issues with the Jetbeams and the NDIs also have problems.....the Fenix L1D loses lower modes with a 14500.......there is still a lot left to be desired in this format.

To be a great King, you have to rule well in every respect.
There is no other light like the NDI, being both user mode programmable and allowing for the use of a single AA/NIMI or 14500 lithium rechargable.
But, to say the build quaility is great except for the tailswitch is like saying the play President Lincoln attended was great except for the second act when he was assinated. Until the tailswitch is improved, the NDI will not rule very long. The spare switch provided with every light is a sad excuse for a solution. Personally, I have had no problem with my switch, but it looks and feels very flimsy. I don't expect it will last, nor will this King of a light, if it is one.

I do not think of NDI as a King, it is a very good quality light and support both AA and 14500 cells.

But it only has two light levels where one is user adjustable and it is a twisty.

My favorite "advanced" light is NovaTac but it is CR123A, with Liteflux in second place (Functions are very good, but UI is :hairpull and favorite AA is Fenix L1D.

i know the best 14500 is jetbeam R2

I think that there is yet to be a king crowned in the 1aa light category. I like the NDI, it has alot of potential, and it really really puts out given its size. I think what most people are enamored about is the form, which makes it the most aggressive and "tactical" looking of any 1aa light, but there is room for improvement. I would like to see a spring at the head end of the battery as well as a methon of preventing the battery from impacting directly on the board on the event of a fall. The crenelations are thin and too sharp for EDC in my book, but the light is too short for it to be use as an impact weapon. The way the lanyard attaches and the hardware it uses seems engineered to almost insure that there will be irreparable damage to the light.

I like the output, the programable levels, and the AA's. I really LOVE LOVE LOVE that the PWM it uses or whatever dimming method it uses is smooth and not all strobey. I like the longish runtimes it has and the way it will make the most out of a NiMH.

It is not the king, but it is a step in the right direction and I think that soon a real king will arise....well maybe 2 of them, one leading down the "tactical" road, and the other the more "executive" side.

NDI is a great AA light. However, I would not say it's the king in AA domain.

L1D has the most efficient driver but ringy beam. Jet-1 Pro has best machine work, better thrower (I prefer floodier beam) but strange driver if not considered poor. NDI is somewhere in between. Generally, I used NDI more than the other 2.

Alan

King, if they can source a better quality switch. Emperor, if they can develop a low putting out a fraction of a percent max output.

I was initially incredibly impressed with the NDI. After EDCing it for a few weeks I've gradually experienced a certain lack of confidence in the torch. Mostly the issues are small but they add up over time. Basically I just don't like not being 100% certain that the NDI will do what I want. If I press for momentary, I want it to come on in momentary, not flicker. If I change modes, I don't want the light to occasionally start strobing, or the user mode to suddenly come on in max. When I turn the head, I don't want everyone in the room to hear it scratching.

I feel that a bit more care and attention to detail would help the NDI live up to its potential.

Here's what the NDI needs to elevate it to true 1xAA royalty (and to get me to ever buy another one):

1 - A decent click switch. Surely there's been enough negative feedback by now for edgetac to take notice and put in a reliable $5 switch instead of 2 flimsy 50c ones.

2 - Better machining. The light looks very nice and the nickel plated threads inspire confidence, right up until you put a battery in and feel how rough the action is. I have 2 NDIs, one is so hopelessly unfixably rough that it's gone back into the cupboard and will be given away. The other feels reasonably smooth but you can hear it hissing as the head it turned. No amount of cleaning and lubing can compensate for poor machining - nor should it have to for a $70 torch. My L1D-Q5 feels smooth and solid as a rock in comparison.

3 - Better beam. The tint is great, the raccoon eyes aren't. Even fenix, who used to specialise in beam rings, have worked out how to get a reasonable Cree beam profile.

A good torch, not a great one. Just because the torch turns on the factory should not mean it passes QC.