By: Greg Chabot
Photos Sasha Steadman
Note: Nitecore provided the test sample prior to release.
Nitecore was established in 2007 with the goal of bringing innovative and industry-leading products to the market. It has been a rising force in the industry for the past 16 years. Recently I was contacted and asked if I had interest in testing their recently released EDC27 UHi (Ultra-High Intensity) flashlight. Always looking for new products to test, I said yes and have been eagerly awaiting their arrival by snail mail. If you have been following me, you know I tend to run gear into the dirt, lights included. My current EDC light is a Nitecore EDC25 that I had tested earlier this year.
The EDC27 UHi is a flat design which has been catching on in the market. The design is more comfortable for EDC in one’s pocket over the traditional round design. My focus was power and beam distance for the size, ease of use and battery life from extended use and in adverse conditions and overall quality and value for one’s money.
I’ll cover some of the features, full specs are available on Nitecore’s webpage.
- Built-in 1,700mAh Li-ion battery.
- Dual tail buttons enable intuitive operations.
- Two lockout modes available (Half Lockout Mode and Full Lockout Mode) which I’ll cover.
- Constructed from high-strength stainless steel with a PVD titanium coating.
- Waterproof and dustproof rating in accordance with IP54.
- Impact resistance up to 1 meter.
- 3100 max lumens output and 305 meters long throw, via 2x Nitelab UHi LEDs.
- Weighs 4.30 ounces.
- Comes with a multifunctional OLED that gives battery life, etc.
The light will arrive with a USB charging cable and a lanyard. The instructions are in multiple languages and easy to understand. The clip provides excellent retention in the pocket and is long enough to provide good concealability. There are knurled sections of polymer along the sides to keep a firm grip on the light.
The EDC27 UHi comes with four power levels and the option for a blinding Turbo or Strobe mode. There are two buttons on the end, the power and the mode button. The power button is the smaller of the two and is used to turn the light on and select the desired power level. To select power level, turn the light on and half-press to desired level. If you half-press and hold the power button it will activate in Ultra-Low. The mode button is larger and is used to activate Turbo or Strobe mode. To activate Turbo mode, half-press the mode button. To activate Strobe, fully press the mode button.
The light also features two lockout modes to prevent accidental activation. In half-lockout, only the mode button will work for Turbo or Strobe. The regular light cannot be activated, full-lockout deactivates both buttons. Lockout is done using the power button and there is an indicator on the OLED screen. Play around with it and find what works for you, I kept the sample unlocked and had no issues in my pockets or in a backpack.
Battery level is displayed in the OLED and is self-explanatory as is the output setting. Nitecore states a fully charged battery depending on what light level is used can last up to 55 hours or 2.29 days. The EDC27 UHi features an intelligent charging function to prevent overcharging and will shut off when the battery is at full charge. There is also a sensor protection function that automatically decreases if there is an obstruction in front of the lens to prevent damage from overheating. Yes, this function does work when activated in a pocket or near a wall, etc.
Testing
Testing was done inside and outside in various weather conditions. The first thing I tested was the impact rating of 1 meter/ 3 feet. I threw the EDC27 UHi as high as I could, letting it hit the ground with no damage to the finish or OLED. I dropped it down a flight of stairs onto concrete with the same results.
The EDC27 UHi has an IP54 dust/water rating meaning it can be exposed to splashes from all directions. I put the light in a five-gallon bucket full of water and left it for five minutes to exceed the rating. The light worked afterwards without issues. If you fall into a pool or stream with your light, you should be good to go. The light worked fine after being left in the freezer with minimal charge loss. The clip kept the EDC27 UHi in place regardless of what activities I was doing. Running, jumping, skateboarding or riding mountain bikes, the light stayed in my pocket and didn’t bounce around.
I picked a clear night to test distance and brightness of the four modes and the Turbo and Strobe functions. Everything worked as advertised and I could see out to the maximum throw distance. The Turbo was blinding and disorientating as was the Strobe function. The EDC27 UHi got slightly warm but not uncomfortable to hold with extended use. It is wise to let it cool before putting it in one’s pocket after continuous use.
Overall, it was a good experience testing the EDC27 UHi. It was lightweight, ergonomic, and comfortable to carry in a trouser pocket all day. It held up to rough handling and wet/cold conditions at an MSRP of $89.95. In my opinion it is a good bang for your buck for the features you get. I had full confidence with it on outdoor adventures and daily activities and would have no issues using this light in dangerous situations. If you are in the market for a slim EDC light with plenty of output and advanced features, head over to Nitecore and check out the EDC27 UHi.