Nitecore extreme or novatec 120p?

YoelPaco

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Joined
Jun 22, 2009
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2
Some help to decide, please??!!!! Which has the better strobe mode? I´m very interesting in it.

I have seen that there is a considerable diference of money between both models....

Than you for your time and help, people!
 

mmajunkie

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Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
93
I have both and I prefer the Nitecore Extreme over the 120p. I HATE the UI of the 120p, most complicated of all flashlights IMO.
 

gswitter

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 26, 2006
Messages
2,586
Location
California
Don't let the NovaTac's UI scare you off. There is a learning curve, but it's not that steep, and once you're comfortable with it, it's both very simple and very flexible.

As far as the strobes...

  • The Nitecore Extreme's strobe is significantly brighter.
  • The NovaTac's strobe is quicker/easier to access and strobes at a faster rate.
I find them equally disorienting, but which is better for you will probably depend on your intended use.

As for the lights in general...

  • The Nitecore Extreme is significantly brighter and the head is compatible with Surefire E-series bodies, so there are many more body, switch and battery options (if you're willing to spend more or already have them). The stock body and switch could be better - tactile feel of the switch isn't great, body doesn't allow for tail-standing, etc
  • The NovaTac is better in every other way. Four programmable modes, all instantly available. Easy, one handed operation. SOS mode, locator mode, etc.
And there isn't a price difference. The NovaTac 120E can be found for the same price as the Nitecore Extreme, and the 120E has a backdoor for enabling all of the 120P's programming features.
 

gallonoffuel

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Mar 11, 2008
Messages
570
Location
Northern MD
I bought an NEI years ago and used it a bit, I never had it fail, but sometimes it would switch modes on me because of the way they designed the interface. I'd wind up trying to find something in a vehicle in the low mode, and instead having it strobe at me killing any sense of night vision i might have had. Or it would do the opposite mode switching and wind up ramping my low mode up to the high mode. Just too much hassle for an EDC.

I still use it, with a Surefire F04 beam shaper, with the head unscrewed a full turn, on the lowest mode, as a bedside reading light and for when nature calls in the early morning. As a battery vampire in its lowest mode, it does work very, very well. I'll just never use it on high again.
 

tx101

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 17, 2008
Messages
2,357
Location
London UK
I have had both the Extreme and the 120P
I still have the 120P after using it as a EDC for the pass year
Yes the UI is more complicated but once I have setup the 4 modes how
I wanted them, thats it I have not had to reprograme it
 

Moddoo

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
1,243
Location
Minnesota
I have both and I prefer the Nitecore Extreme over the 120p. I HATE the UI of the 120p, most complicated of all flashlights IMO.

Let me ease your suffering, send it my way.:nana:

IMO, the 120P is a great light that is very easy to learn in about 10 minutes.
Best switch I have used thus far.
 

Budman231

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
373
Location
Connecticut USA
I dont have the Nitecore but can say that the 120p is an awesome light !

It is tough, incredible beam, and very programmable. There is a great cheat sheet in the sticky at the top of this forum.

120p !:thumbsup:
 

Yapo

Enlightened
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
669
Location
Sydney, Australia
I dont have either...but my brother's got a HDS and i find its UI is very intuitive and only requires clickin to change modes instead of changing your grip/use 2 hands to twist the head.

Also the beam pattern of the nitecore to me looks horrible compared to the novatac.

So price aside, I'd definately go for a novatac and if they had a single AA model i'd have 1 in my hands already!
 

dmonay

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Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
74
Location
Northern Calif.
I went through the same dilemma as you. I liked the good reviews of the Nitecore and the lower price but in the end I bought the Novatac 120P. It can be programed to four of your most important levels. Mine is 1- 60 lumen, 2- strobe 3- .08 lumen for night adjusted eyes and a click hold gives me 120 lumens. It is on my night stand while I'm sleeping and clipped in my back pocket during the daytime. It has been on me 24/7 since I got it 8 months ago. It's made in the USA and Novatac gives you a lifetime warranty.
Do yourself a favor and get 2 rcr123 rechargeable batteries and a charger, and it will cost you nothing to power this light. I find that I use mine several times a day/night for various dark encounters.
The 120p is a great light!
:twothumbs
 

YoelPaco

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
2
Well, finally I´m going to buy the 120p. Thank you very much to everybody for your answers! They have been very useful to me!!

Thanks a lot!
 

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