NLightD E1 Flashlight Review

The NLightD E1 flashlight offers the new and remarkable Luminus SFT25R emitter and can run a 14500 (included) or an AA cell, too. Read on for more info!

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Official Specs and Features

Here’s a referral link to the NLightD E1 flashlight product page at nealsgadgets.com.

Versions

The NLightD E1 flashlight is available in quite a few options! There are different metals available – copper, titanium, and aluminum. Most of those are available in different finishes, too. There are at least 6 emitter options as well – check NealsGadgets.com for all the options!

Price

This version of the NLightD E1 flashlight comes in at $39.95 and is the least costly option. The 14500 cell seen in this test adds around $9.

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What’s Included

• NLightD E1 flashlight
• NLightD 920mAh 14500
• Spare o-rings (2)
• Manual

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

Build quality of the NLightD E1 flashlight is good. I have no complaints, in particular given that this is a ~$40 flashlight.

Notably, the tail of the NLightD E1 flashlight has a number of tritium slots. I count 5 slots.

Both the head and tail are removable. In fact, the internals of both those are accessible too. They’re (both) held in place by a removable brass ring.

Size and Comps

Size 99mm x 23mm (Length x Head)
Net Weight 72g

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or just go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!

Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!

Retention and Carry

Only a pocket clip is included for carrying the NLightD E1 flashlight. The clip is a “two way” style. Not only that, but it’s also a collar style clip, which means it’s very secured to the light.

The clip doesn’t have any holes where a lanyard might be attached, though. That’s some room for improvement (though a lanyard is not included anyway.)

Power and Runtime

The NLightD E1 flashlight is mainly powered by a 14500 lithium-ion cell. A standard 920mAh button-top cell is optional. NLightD does say a flat top will work, too.

The cell goes into the light with the positve end (the button) toward the head. Because of the collar-style clip, I found removing the head for cell swaps to be the right way.

Below are a few runtime tests with the included 920mAh 14500. Performance is good, I’d say, hitting the 1000 lumen claim for more than just “FL1” targeting – it holds around 1000 lumens for nearly 2 minutes! Once it steps down, the output is quite stable, too.

The NLightD E1 flashlight will also run on 1.5V cells such as AA primary and AA NiMH.

Charging

While the NLightD E1 flashlight itself does not have charging, the optional 14500 does. It has a USB-C charging port on the positive end.

Charging looks good. It’s very stable with both A to C and C to C charging. Both take around 2.5 hours.

Modes and Currents

Mode	Mode Claimed Output (lm)	Claimed Runtime	Measured Lumens	Tailcap Amps
14500 – Turbo	1000	–	1064 (0s) 1029 (30s)	2.76
14500 – High	400	–	375 (0s) 374 (30s)	0.67
14500 – Medium	150	–	136	0.21
14500 – Low	1	–	1.66	[low]
AA (1.5V) – Turbo	350	–	–	3.96
AA (1.5V) – High	200	–	–	1.65
AA (1.5V) – Medium	80	–	–	0.17
AA (1.5V) – Low	1	–	–	0.04

Pulse Width Modulation

It seems that at least the highest and lowest modes with 14500 have pwm. You might notice it on the lowest mode, but you’re unlikely to notice it on the highest!

Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor.

Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.

User Interface and Operation

The NLightD E1 flashlight offers a single forward mechanical switch. The switch has a very proud metal cover. It’s flat, though, so tailstanding is possible.

I’m pleased to say that there’s no slop at all in the switch cover, as is often the case with metal-covered, proud mechanical switches. This one is very good!

The switch (fully depressed below) doesn’t go below the edge of the body when pressed. That’s good, too.

Here’s a user interface table!

State	Action	Result
Off	Click	On (Memory)
Off	Repeated taps	Mode advance
On	Click	Off

I think that’s acutally it for the user interface! There are no strobe modes and nothing else covered in the manual. (In fact, the manual doesn’t even cover how to advance the modes…)

LED and Beam

Among many emitter options on the NLightD E1 flashlight, this test is of the Luminus SFT25R. This is the only cool white option (I believe) but does offer the highest output and throw.

The throw benefits from a smooth reflector.

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

The CCT claim is 6500K – very cool white. Fortunately, reality is something a bit warmer, starting at around 5700K and peaking at only 6200K. CRI is very low (mid 60s) and the Duv is positive, so you may notice some green in the beam. That said, if you’re looking for high output and throw, this is the emitter option for you!

Beamshots

These beamshots are always with the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right. These photos are taken around 18 inches from the door.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Summary and Conclusion

I am specifically pleased that this light holds higher output than the claim for more than just 30 seconds. I appreciate that after stepdown, the output is very stable. I also like the body/host of the NLightD E1 flashligh, and I’m pleased that multiple emitter options are available. One more thing I like about this light: the bodies availble! Titanium, copper, MAO aluminum – all of those are great! I don’t love the PWM, and it could be said that the user interface is a little simple, but still it’s a solid, inexpensive option!

The Big Table

Nlightd E1 Flashlight
Emitter:	Luminus SFT25R
Price in USD at publication time:	$39.95
Cell:	1×14500
Runtime Graphs
LVP?	Yes
Switch Type:	Mechanical
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	USB-C (on cell)
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port	–
Claimed Lumens (lm)	1000
Measured Lumens (at 30s)	1029 (102.9% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen	26.61
Claimed Throw (m)	342
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	865lux @ 5.862m = 29724cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	344.8 (100.8% of claim)^
Claimed CCT	6500
Measured CCT Range (K)	5700-6200 Kelvin
Item provided for review by:	NealsGadgets
All my Nlightd reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What I like

• Low cost
• Body material options
• Many emitter options
• Very simple user interface
• No strobe in user interface

What I don’t like

• Cool white
• PWM on lowest mode
• Fairly broad spacing between low modes (I could handle a fifth mode!)
• Mode memory

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Notes

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