Very bright and solid - switch principle confusing and Electronics Battery tugging!

Subsequent devaluation because even good batteries in standby are completely emptied by high intrinsic power consumption in about 2 months! Only quality chargers assets in this case these batteries revive limited.

Actual text:

From quality LED flashlights the company Fenix ​​now very spoiled, I now chose this super bright EA4 of NiteCore because they can be used in identical light output for Fenix ​​TK35, with AA batteries, with no restrictions.

Perhaps the most nearly comparable EA4 lamp would be a Led Lenser M14, which in contrast to EA4 and TK35 has by far not this high light intensity, but only 225 lumens.
In addition, the manufacturer of Led Lenser M14 prohibits the use of batteries, which is rather inconvenient and costly with regular use.
Nevertheless, and perhaps a little help, I will be included in this review a few points for comparison between these flashlights.

It ships in my eyes very shapely and weight, balanced NiteCore EA4 with lanyard, English manual, a seemingly cheap holster without batteries!

The EA4 has a maximum brightness of 860 lumens in conjunction with 4 AA cells instead of 4 CR123A at the Fenix ​​TK35. Presumably, to this day the highest light output from standard AA batteries.

Recommended in my view are AA 1.5 volt lithium batteries or high-current Eneloop rechargeable batteries, as they can provide the needed from the LED chip high currents without significant voltage drop in the longer term, when the highest light line is required.
Conversely, this total significantly longer endurance means a conservation of energy.
The use of said lithium batteries significantly reduces the overall weight by about 60g instead used on their rechargeable batteries. In figures 225g to 285g with battery.

The Led Lenser M14, which has an extremely solid case with the obligatory Advanced Focus System, as mentioned above, the not nearly rich EA4 regarding brightness and beauty of the photograph the water.
The M14 uses an LED chip of the day before yesterday, which is why only 225 lumens are achievable for a few minutes with the same battery voltage. This residue can be partially offset by the reflector technology and focus on what the spot beam coverage similar shows.
When the housing M14 is considerably larger and heavier, the photograph of part unsightly and really aufälligen rings with bright - marred dark areas.

The processing at the NiteCore EA4 can be described as very good and could be the Fenix ​​TK35 (identical number of lumens in CR123A battery assembly) my favorite handier when the switching concept intuitive and faster circuit would be safer against faulty operation.

The TK35 uses a head - and mode switch with which the light levels bright switched from dark to and stored in each case after switching off remains. The M14 has a rear switch of all light programs, regulated or unregulated mode, dimmer etc. constitutes.
This operation is a certain patience and experience to deal with this rather unconventional concept befriend.

The batteries in the Fenix ​​TK35 are held in a removable battery cage made of plastic whose assembly with two consecutive CR123A or two 18650 batteries, in the dark hardly safe against false insertion and in combination with the robust housing made of aluminum, a fairly cheap impression leaves.

The housing of MT2A is milled from a solid, the batteries must be inserted here far better and confusable than the Fenix. The screw connection of the rear cover works wonderfully supple.
The fitting of the juxtaposed batteries in NiteCore EA4 performed by highly visible marker. Each battery is held securely in place. All contacts are gold-plated. The thick screw has two metal pins which are inserted into the opposite holes on the housing. The thread slides well and is precisely cut. Top class.

The case is short enough to still well fit into a larger pocket. The Fenix ​​TK35 is significantly longer and really no longer a case for stowage in a jacket pocket, The Led Lenser M14 considerably bulkier and heavier, but always a little shaky and not as acting from a cast like the EA4.

Now the so-called, patented switch:

There are at EA4 only one, in my view, much too small switch, which activates all light levels in half or by holding down the stage.

The use and safe operation designed to eignetlich never intuitive and operator error free.
I would not even try to convince my mother of the service or selecting a small stored light level and half-pressed switch. That would not work because it does not feel - or are audible tactile feedback for half switch position what the familiarization phase more difficult and tact is required.

Only slight pressure on the switch is also restarted with the last stored light level. A firmer pressure on despite storing preselected (smaller) light stage obviously the Turbo mode. Often you just pressed too hard as the starting right in Turbo mode. Very idiosyncratic operating concept that a simple operation under everyday conditions all very precludes!

In my practice text prolonged outdoor use with gloves, the operation proves expresses faulty. The switch is much too small and faintly discernible to be operated from the chassis by approximately fail.
The weak blue standby flashing is made in the operation of the lamp. Only empty becoming Batteries / batteries are in operation, the corresponding "flashes".

Think that the manufacturer hereby over the top shot, and a two-switch technique or a mechanical switch as the P15-P16 etc. clearly the better choice would have been.

The poorer handling overall concerns the more comparable Led Lenser M14, which has a very smooth housing without significant corrugations and flattened for a secure grip position.

In any case the EA4 is due to their thick but short casing very comfortable to hold and fits well even in a winter jacket.
The ultimate good of each torch, the photograph The use of lithium AA cells with up to 1.7 volts is expected exellent and evenly to super bright. Reduces weight even further.

The light image itself is excellent and equally far-reaching. In subjective comparison with many H4 to H7 equipped car headlights the EA4 can loose Hold.

Automatic Abdimmung of Turbo in high after just three minutes, I think not useful for inexpedient and for longer use precisely because of this brightness. Although this is currently the maximum possible advertised and shown; in daily practice, however, include only the long-lived brightness levels.
So it's settled a lot more practical better at Fenix ​​TK35 with about 30 minutes. Even though the local CR123A batteries deliver more power.
Because the level of the High EA4 with max. 550 lumens is still very bright, the fühzeitige dimming is yet to be accepted and the subjective difference in brightness without direct comparison not appreciably!

To complain about is the lowest level of brightness, which is 65 lumens within the meaning of power saving or reading books, finding keyholes, still much too bright. 10-20 Lumen as in the Fenix ​​would be completely sufficient.

The price - performance ratio in view of the need for a quality and light output in everyday life relatively indestructible LED flashlight I think is good to very good. From my daily practice I have the EA4 banished because she applies too thick, too heavy, and as mentioned above nciht simple to use.

Buy recommendation there of me only for the successor model with 2-switch technology in the Ea41 NITECORE flashlight Ea41 Pioneer, NC Ea41

If the operating concept The entire operation would be better thought out and Wintersday alike with gloves "easily" possible, there would be full of me Stars number!

Thank you that you have read this far in the hope I could contribute something to your purchasing decision or general informational content. Have created the review to the best knowledge and personal experience only without external influences.

I would be very happy if you rate my review "fair" and, at best, with "helpful". Thank You Very Much. :)