These piston lights are among the most unreliable lights, sorry, THE most unreliable light ever made. It's sad because the idea and UI behind it is great. I had 3 EX10, 1 D10, 1 D11 and 1 EX11.2 and they all failed. Broken bezel after a drop of 2' on a wood floor, fried driver, uneven ramping sequence, turn off unexpectedly after about 10 seconds, huge parasitic drain that empty a cell in couple of days, etc... I really tried to like them but a light that I don't trust can't be my EDC...
These piston lights are among the most unreliable lights, sorry, THE most unreliable light ever made.
I agree with both of these sentiments. The UI on these lights was revolutionary. It is my favorite UI of all time. I also love the levels - a real low level and a reasonably selected high level. Unfortunately, the switch (and, in some cases, the body of the light) is the Achilles heel of the NiteCore SmartPD design.I love the UI. It is one of my favorite lights.
I have two EX10's currently - one is my nightstand light and the other is my wife's nightstand light. I carried one as my EDC for almost a year - until the body broke in half in my hands during normal activation. I can't bring myself to trust the design again.... I really tried to like them but a light that I don't trust can't be my EDC...
Can't blame you for this decision. Though I must say the replacement has worked without a glitch. But if you can swing spending about twice as much, look into an HDS clicky or executive. IMO, it's a much better light then those you mentioned. Though they are decent lights, I think the HDS lights are far more durable, and the UI allows many options on how you want your light to operate.Thanks for all the contributions. Will not be spending hard earned cash on an expensive toy that may or not work. <BR><BR>Retought my EDC needs (swich on high and focus to low lumens by twist or rapid switching) and have settled on one or all of the following<BR><BR>Sunwayman V10R<BR><BR>Jetbeam PC10<BR><BR>Jetbeam PA10<BR><BR>
I'm looking at the new D11.2 and a used but clean D10 for 1/2 the price, but the D10 is a known battery vampire.
Am I crazy to consider purchasing the D10? I don't have a problem with removing the batt when not in use.
It just seems to me that I'm gambling for the same issue on the D11 at twice the price.
-Edit- I pulled the trigger on a EX11- hope I am one of the lucky ones!
Sorry I've been away for a while.I take it since you haven't said anything since, that you were one of the lucky ones with no problems?
Let us know!
I have bought a good number of EDC lights, but keep coming back to two of them as my favorites: Fenix PD20 and the Thrunite Nuetron 1C. Fenix is my first choice. Super compact, well made, pocket clip, 4 brightness levels plus strobe & SOS. 180 lumens max. Slight OP reflector so you get a nice blend of throw and spill. Thrunite is slightly larger with no pocket clip. 255 lumens, XML LED, 5 brightness levels, more of a floody beam, but super bright for short or medium distance needs. I have other EDC's from nitecore, Lumapower and ultra fire as well, but keep coming back to these two for most needs. Just my two cents......Can't blame you for this decision. Though I must say the replacement has worked without a glitch. But if you can swing spending about twice as much, look into an HDS clicky or executive. IMO, it's a much better light then those you mentioned. Though they are decent lights, I think the HDS lights are far more durable, and the UI allows many options on how you want your light to operate.