• First of all, BEFORE you order it, contact the respective store to make sure it has the NEW version with the NEW UI (User Interface). For the uninitiated, the user interface of a flashlight is the way you turn it on, turn it off, switch between brightness levels, and activate features like turbo, strobe, moonlight, etc.
Whether the E4K that the store owner has is the new or old version, it is VISIBLE on the box in the upper left corner (photo with annotation). DO NOT get the old one. You can also see in video reviews that the old user interface is problematic. That's why they changed it, after all. The new version uses a new two-position switch (fully pressed and half-pressed). It has nothing to do with the old one.
• I chose the E4K because it is the only flashlight I could find that can consistently produce the - in my opinion - ideal brightness level of 1000 lumens for hours WITHOUT asterisks, meaning without needing to reduce its brightness due to overheating. The fact that it can also output 4400 lumens (5000 in some reviews), and instantly switch back to the previous brightness level, is a useful and pleasant bonus for me. But it's a "bonus" because if it didn't meet the requirement of a thousand lumens, I would look elsewhere.
• It is smaller in size than you imagine, and it seems to have very good construction. However, this will become apparent over the years.
• It includes a battery, a USB A -> USB C cable for battery charging, a clip, a lanyard, a belt holster, and a spare o-ring for sealing.
• The battery takes about six hours to charge with its cable. For those considering charging the battery externally, keep in mind that a charger that supports charging PROTECTED 21700 batteries is required. The XTAR X4 that I have, for example, comes in TWO versions, one that supports protected batteries and one that does NOT. Unfortunately, I have the second one. So, be aware of that.
PS. The Greek instructions included in the box contain instructions for the OLD User Interface (don't ask me why..), so read the English instructions (photo) unless you want to think it's broken.. lol
EDIT: 20/09/2023 (exactly 2 years later)
I'm removing all the stars..
The switch started having a problem. The second level of the switch now requires you to press it with force. When you press it all the way with normal force, it behaves as if you pressed it halfway and changes the brightness instead of turning off. Similarly, when it is off and you press it all the way with normal force, it shows you the battery level instead of turning on.
Is that it? It lasted 2 years? If we have to spend 100 euros every 2 years, it's like paying a subscription to have a flashlight..
Planned obsolescence.. the phenomena of our time.. Let's try another company then..
EDIT: 22/09/2023
I sent it for repair under warranty: https://nitecore.gr/support/#:~:text=%CE%A0%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AD%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B5%20%CE%B5%CE%B3%CE%B3%CF%8D%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7%20%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1%20%CF%84%CE%B1%20%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%AF%CF%8C%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1,%CE%AD%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%B9%20%CF%80%CE%AC%CF%88%CE%B5%CE%B9%20%CE%BD%CE%B1%20%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%AF%20%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AC.
I spoke with the store from which I purchased it (Petroloulos), which is an official reseller of Nitecore, and they gave me these phone numbers to contact them for the shipment: 2310540847 - 2310536191. The shipment to them is done at their own expense through ELTA Currier with their company code. The return to me will be at my own expense. I will provide an update when I have more information.
EDIT 28/09/2023
I am giving it all the stars.
It returned from the service repaired under warranty, and I only paid the shipping fee of 10 euros through ELTA Currier. They honored the warranty. Well done to them.
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