Key Specs: Nitecore EDC27
5.34″
4.37 oz
3000
220 meters
1700mAh Li-ion
About $90
Nitecore is known for high-end flashlights and the ultra slim EDC27 is an impressive new addition to their lineup. This pocketable beauty can put out 3000 lumens over 220 meters with help of two Luminus SST40 LEDs powered by a built-in 1,700mAh battery. There’s a ton of cool features too:
- 5 light modes (ultralow to turbo) plus an intense strobe function that operates with random frequencies at max power.
- Multifunction OLED display for info on battery, brightness, voltage, runtime, etc.
- Advanced power cutoff (APC) tech which provides very low standby power
- Dual tail switches
- Dual lockout modes
- USB-C charging port for convenience
- Up to 37 hours runtime at lowest setting
- IP54 waterproofing and durable PVD coating
I continue to be amazed at how flashlight technology has evolved over the years and the EDC 27 is a great example of the sheer power available to us in such a small form factor these days. I found this thing super easy to use and perfect for both everyday use as well as tactical applications. At max output (3000 lumens) it does get hot quickly and Nitecore has limited this output to something like 15 seconds at a time for safety.
At mid-output levels I found the battery lasted about at 4 hours and then took just over an hour to fully recharge. Of course at lower levels the runtime is considerably more. I tested outdoors in pitch darkness and was very impressed. The beam is white but not overly cool – no noticeable yellows or greens.
While some may argue the OLED display is somewhat of a gimmick I actually found myself referring to it quite regularly. The form factor of this flashlight is just amazing too – with it only being just over 1/2 an inch thick and a near-perfect length at 5.3 inches. The pocket clip worked very well and there is an included lanyard too although I found it unnecessary for my application.
Overall I’d highly recommend the Nitecore EDC 27 – it’s a great combination of practicality and performance in a well-built package. Check it out at the Nitecore Store.