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Mike Williamson's Product Review: Nitecore Flashlights and Battery Chargers
I need to review several products from the Nitecore company, as they’re accumulating around my office and seem to be multiplying.
First, the Nitecore Intellicharger i4. We’ve been using this at the house for a year now, and it’s excellent.
Unlike many battery chargers, this doesn’t require them to be charged in pairs. Singles of different amp hour ratings, and even different types, can all be charged at once. It handles Ni-Cd, NiMH, Li-ion, and various types and sizes up to C. If you have a battery that needs charged, stick it in and let the charger have at it.
Every cell has come out topped off to peak voltage and power, with no issues. There’s not much more need be said.
While D cells don’t fit, I found I was able to use a metal shim to get one between the poles and charge it that way. This is not recommended by the manufacturer, and I offer it as an emergency option only.
MSRP is $30, and I highly recommend it.
Next is the SRT7 light, which I’m carrying in my car for business use. 960 lumens is a lot of light, and useful when setting up or unloading in the dark. For tactical purposes, it’s blindingly bright, uncomfortable even with eyelids closed.
The SRT7 is a rheostat controlled light that starts with a rescue strobe, dials through flashing blue/red LED setting for emergencies and police use, red, green and blue LEDs for signaling, maritime, aircraft or night illumination, to a white setting that is very white, the brightness dialing from a spark all the way up to full intensity, then to two different strobe speeds. The tail cap is momentary or on/off, and the light remembers its last setting because the rheostat ring is a physical switch.
With the color settings, I can foresee someone taping one to their craft in an emergency.
Battery life and toughness are excellent. It’s a bit large for carry in business wear, but still compact enough for a tool or gun belt, or a box or console. The large reflector increases beam throw and range over the smaller lights.
The light comes with a holster, lanyard, clip and spare switch and gasket assembly.
The SRT7 retails at $129 and is often available cheaper.
Last is their MH25 Hunting Kit that comes with the light, a USB cable (the battery can be charged in the unit via USB), the Li-ion battery, two filters (red and green), a remote switch and rail mount for weapon mounting, holster, lanyard, clip, spare switch, all in a hardshell case that would also double as a small handgun case. The MH25, in “turbo” mode, goes straight to 860 lumens, and lowers it after three minutes to conserve batteries. This is for spotlighting game (where legal) or threats, or to disorient an opponent. The user defined settings involve loosening the head slightly, then pressing the tail switch to select mode. I found this awkward and non-intuitive. It will take practice to learn.
Source: http://www.survivalblog.com/2013/10/mike-williamsons-product-review-nitecore-flashlights-and-battery-chargers.html
