NiteCore

Nitecore is a Chinese manufacturer of flashlights established in 2007 and specializing in compact multi-mode lights, including some models with variable output. Website

Flashlights
D11 - 1xAA 1-mode light with Cree XP-G R5. Output level can be set to any level (3 to 145 lumens, but significantly brighter with 14500 lithium ion battery) and remembered with Strobe and SOS modes available as well via a double-click-and-hold and double-click respectively. Introduced in August 2010. Manual

Defender Infinity (NDI) - 1xAA 2-mode forward clicky. For the Q5 version, the maximum output is 130 lumens with AA batteries, 190 with li-ion. Other LED's included the Cree XP-E R2 (maximum output 145 lumens) and OSRAM Golden Dragon Plus (maximum output 130). Tighten the head for maximum output, loosen the head for a low mode that can be set to any brightness down to 3 lumens. Get to strobe by loosening and tightening quickly. Introduced in January 2008. manual Reviews: Light Reviews

EX10 - 1xCR123A using the Smart PD SP interface. Earlier editions had the original SmartPD user interface with Cree XR-E Q5 LED (OSRAM Golden Dragon Plus and Cree XR-E R2 also available). 21.5 mm x 77 mm long. manual Reviews: Light Reviews Selfbuilt

Extreme - 1xCR123A 2-mode forward clicky. 200 lumens of output with Q5, 220 lumens with an R2. manual Reviews: Light Reviews

EZ 123 - 1xCR123A 2-mode twisty. Low mode is 20 lumens, high is 180 lumens for the Cree XR-E Q5. Also available in a neutral white XP-E Q3, 5A tint (max 140 lumens), and an XP-E R2. Light is off with head loosened. As you tighten the head it goes to low mode and then is high when fully tightened. 19 mm x 70 mm long. Introduced in March 2009 with the neutral white following in August 2009. manual

EZ AA - There are two very different versions. The new version, introduced in August 2010, is a 1xAA 1-mode twisty with a Cree XP-G R5 that can be set from 6-160 lumens. To set the brightness twist on-off-on quickly and the light will begin a ramping sequence. Turn the light off to set the brightness you want. This light is a little brighter with a 14500 lithium-ion battery. Reviews: Light Reviews. The original version was a 1xAA 2-mode twisty. Low mode is 20 lumens, high is 180 lumens for the Cree XR-E Q5. Also available in a neutral white XP-E Q3, 5A tint (max 100 lumens) and an XP-E R2 (max 145 lumens). Light is off with head loosened. As you tighten the head it goes to low mode and then is high when fully tightened. 16.6 mm x 83 mm long. Introduced in March 2009 with the neutral white and R2 following in August 2009. manual Reviews: Light Reviews

EZ CR2 - 1xCR2 2-mode twisty. Low mode is 10 lumens, high is 130 lumens for the Cree XR-E Q5. Also available in a neutral white XP-E Q3, 5A tint (max 100 lumens). Light is off with head loosened. As you tighten the head it goes to low mode and then is high when fully tightened. The CR2 is a battery used with some cameras, the size being 15270 as opposed to a CR123A's 17340. 17.5 mm x 63 mm. Introduced in March 2009 with the neutral white following in August 2009. manual

IFD2 - Infilux 2xAA forward clicky with infinitely variable brightness selector ring. 0.5 to 260 lumens of output with Cree XP-G R5 LED. Introduced in July 2010.

IFE1 - Infilux 1xCR123A forward clicky with infinitely variable brightness selector ring. 0.5 to 260 lumens of output with Cree XP-G R5 LED. Introduced in July 2010.

IFE2 - Infilux 2xCR123A/1x18650 forward clicky with infinitely variable brightness selector ring. 0.003 to 345 ANSI lumens of output (133m throw; output figure seems suspicious even though they claim ANSI) with Cree XP-G R5 LED. Output is the same with either battery configuration. Strobe available past the Off position. SOS is hidden, but can be activated by rotating the ring from max to min 3 times. Introduced in January 2011. Reviews: Light Reviews, Selfbuilt

SR3 - 1xCR123A 8-mode forward clicky with selector ring bezel. Low of 5 lumens, maximum output is 220 lumens with Cree XR-E R2 LED. One mode can be programmed to strobe. manual Reviews: Light Reviews

Past Lights
Nitecore developed the SmartPD user interface based on the piston drive. The battery fits in a metal sleeve (the piston) which slides inside the body of the light and is activated by pushing the piston into the head to make electrical contact. This mechanism allows the light to be turned on like a twisty or by pushing the tail of the flashlight. The minimum light level is instantly available by double-clicking the switch. Maximum is available by clicking and holding the switch. With the light on, holding the switch in will activate variable ramping and allow any light level to be locked in by releasing the switch again. By loosening the head somewhat, the light can be used with momentary on. This UI has been replaced by the SmartPD SP system which does not have the ramping. Due to the popularity of the original interface, however, a limited edition Tribute Edition D10 with a Cree XP-E R2 emitter was introduced in February 2010 by Battery Junction. YouTube video

D10 - 1xAA SmartPD user interface using Cree XR-E Q5 LED (OSRAM Golden Dragon Plus and Cree XP-E R2 also available). 19 mm x 89 mm long. D10 tribute, a CPF discussion with extensive details manual Reviews: Light Reviews Selfbuilt

D10 SP - 1xAA version of D10 without the classic SmartPD interface. Manual

D20 - 2xAA SmartPD user interface using Cree XR-E Q5 LED (later a XR-E R2 LED was available). Now only available in the more conventional SP interface. 25 mm x 154 mm long. Reviews: Light Reviews

Popular Dealers
Battery Junction has an extensive NiteCore catalog in addition to many other brands of flashlights. Discount available in the CPF Good Deals thread (requires registration).