Review - Nitecore SENS range of torches - AA, CR123, CR2

[TallNHairyDave]

The SENS line of torches is a range three new single cell torches (AA, CR2 and CR123) from Nitecore that feature 4 operating modes - Low, Medium, High and the new "Active Dimming Technology".


Left to right - Eneloop AA for scale, SENS AA, SENS CR, SENS Mini

They were provided as "pre-release" units, without packaging or extras so I cannot comment the quality of the extras that will come with the production releases, but as far as I am aware the torches are identical to the final release versions. According to the electronic copy of the manual for the AA version that I was sent, the boxed release units will come with a keychain and a spare o-ring.

They all feature the following, the only difference being the overall size of the torch based on the cell they take:

• Black HA3 anodising
• Nitecore's new "Active Dimming Technology" - ADT for short.
• A nice contrasting line of brass is visible from the LED Pill once the cell is installed in them.
• Brass LED pill with o-ring seal
• IPX-8 waterproofing - happily survived the "dunk test" in the bathroom sink.
• TIR optics (Total Internal Reflection) instead of a reflector and glass lens
• Nice beam pattern with a surprising amount of thrown
• Holes in the tailcap to take a split ring to attach a keyring or lanyard.
• Three brightness levels
• All feature Cree XPG-R5 LED
• All are suitable for use with primary cells or rechargeable LiON cells
• Really nice knurling
• Good smooth threads
• Reverse polarity protected
• no strobe or SOS modes (a good thing as far as I'm concerned!)

All stand up to the high quality of fit and finish I've come to expect from Nitecore products, and after pocket carry with keys etc for a couple of days, no scratches on the anodising of the CR123 one - just pocket fluff

Here are the individual stats for each torch I was given by Nitecore.

Nitecore SENS AA Specifications:

• Battery: One AA, NiMH or 14500 Li-Ion
• ANSI Lumens & runtimes: 6lm (60h), 20lm (12h), 120lm (2h) (measured using a 1200mAh AA Lithium)
• Head Diameter: 19.8mm
• Tail Diameter: 19.8mm
• Length: 64mm
• Weight: 23.8 grams (without battery)
• Beam distance: 76 meters
• Waterproof to IPX-8 (2 meter submersible)

Impact resistant to 1.5 meters

Nitecore SENS CR Specifications:

• Battery: One CR123A or 16340 Li-Ion
• ANSI Lumens & runtimes: 20lm (27h), 60lm (6h30m), 190lm (2h) (measured using a 1550mAh SYSMAX CR123A)
• Head Diameter: 19.8mm
• Tail Diameter: 19.8mm
• Length: 64mm
• Weight: 23.8 grams (without battery)
• Beam distance: 76 meters
• Waterproof to IPX-8 (2 meter submersible)
• Impact resistant to 1.5 meters

Nitecore SENS Mini Specifications:

• Battery: One CR2
• ANSI Lumens & runtimes: 20lm (14h), 50lm (4h), 170lm (1h) (measured using a 850mAh CR2)
• Head Diameter: 19.8mm
• Tail Diameter: 18.5mm
• Length: 57mm
• Weight: 19.4 grams (without battery)
• Beam distance: 69 meters
• Waterproof to IPX-8 (2 meter submersible)
• Impact resistant to 1.5 meter

As you can see from the official figures, unsurprisingly the CR123 model has the highest output of the three when run on primary cells. I have not yet tested then with LiIon rechargeable cells, but will follow that up later with the CR123 and AA torches (as I don't have any 17335 cells)


TIR optics - Please excuse the dust from pocket carry of the Nitecore CR!

They are all "twisty" torches where you twist the head tighter to turn them on or looser to turn them off, although mode changing is completely different to what you might expect as they can either operate on a single fixed brightness, or can auto adjust the brightness level between low, medium and high. They also feature a nice "soft start" function so that the brightness ramps up (quite quickly) when you turn them on to hopefully give your eyes a chance to adjust if you turn it on in total darkness.

Nitecore provide the following animated explanation regarding the ADT technology and the three static modes - it does explain nicely how they see it being used, and as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words"

(picture refers to the AA version, but all three work in exactly the same fashion)

To activate the torch in one of the three "fixed modes" (i.e. disable ADT)
Hold the torch (turned off) at the relevant angle to the ground as shown below then turn it on.
Straight ahead - HIGH
45 degree angle downwards - MEDIUM (ideal for lighting the path right in front of you and a way ahead)
Straight down - LOW (ideal for lighting up the path in front and map reading or just to save battery.)

The torch will "soft start" and ramp up to the chosen brightness, then stay at that brightness regardless until you turn it off again. The torches do not have a memory mode, and will always turn on based on the angle you hold them at when turning on.

This is especially nice for using it as a torch on a bedside table as if you have it on the table lens downwards and turn it on with it pointing down (you can easily identify the head end in total darkness due to the knurling on the head and the shape of the tail end), it will come on in Low every time, regardless of the last mode you may have used it on.

To activate the ADT "Active Dimming Technology" (i.e. automatic level adjust)
Hold the torch (turned off) with the lens pointing straight upwards, then turn it on. It will come on with a "soft start" in "high" mode and then each torch uses its built in accelerometer to pick up the angle you're holding it at and adjust the brightness automatically as follows:
Straight up, or straight ahead - HIGH
45 degree angle downwards - MEDIUM
Straight down - LOW

My Conslusions & Thoughts
I've been alternating between carrying the CR2 and CR123 since receiving them, and I find the auto levels mode to be really effective! It's really "idiot proof"� to not have to think about changing the mode on the torch - just point it "over there" and it switches to high mode. At no point was the ADT too sensitive to movement and I haven't find it changing modes unexpectedly on me.

I can see one of these becoming a constant part of my EDC rotation, but unfortunately not the AA version as my wife has pinched it to be her new EDC torch! She's not a flashaholic by any stretch (her usual reaction to a torch is "Wow, another torch. Big deal") but she had a look at the SENS AA and asked if she could have it as she was extremely impressed with it and has declared that "it's perfect for me" - high praise indeed!

My only complaint is that the LOW brightness on the CR123 and CR2 versions could be a bit lower than it is (I'd love it if the Low on them was the same as the 6 lumens of the AA version), so that there could be a bit more separation between the brightness levels and so that you could use low when you have fully dark adapted eyes as its just a little too bright for my personal preference.

To sum up - I think Nitecore are onto a winner with these simple to use "intelligent" lights as I feel they will appeal to non-flashaholics due to their simplicity and ease of use. Although I'm sure the auto-dimming technology will get mixed responses from fellow flashaholics though!

These all roll in at �30.95 from Flashaholics (before the BB discount) regardless of the model - and that sounds like a damn good price to me!

My camera memory card has died, so beam shots need to be redone - watch this space! - Cheap memory cards are a false economy, that's two that have died now in the last 6 months. Time to go back to buying Sandisk!

Disclosure - These three torches were provided free of charge by Nitecore for the purpose of this review, via Antony at Flashaholics. Thanks to both for picking me to do a review of them.

[TallNHairyDave]

Reserved for beam shots and extra photos.

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

Sounds like fun.....I like the idea of the active brightness. Not sure if I'd actually use one as my edc, but nice nonetheless especially for non flashaholics.

Any idea what the prices will be?......oh. Ok. I just looked on flashaholics. Good price to be honest.

[TallNHairyDave]

Sounds like fun.....I like the idea of the active brightness. Not sure if I'd actually use one as my edc, but nice nonetheless especially for non flashaholics.

Any idea what the prices will be?......oh. Ok. I just looked on flashaholics. Good price to be honest.

The active brightness is weird at first and then you get used to it and think to yourself "why don't more of my torches have this option?"

I really like it

[Essexman]

Nice review Dave. Do they have any way of attaching to keys etc? Just thought the CR2 looks small enough to be a keychain light?

[TallNHairyDave]

Nice review Dave. Do they have any way of attaching to keys etc? Just thought the CR2 looks small enough to be a keychain light?

Thanks!

The production ones come with a keychain mate. Whether that's a split ring or a clip I have no idea.

Looking at nitecore's pictures I reckon it's a small split ring to fit the tail of the torch and maybe a bigger one for your keys to go on.

[Nice65]

P.S. Could a mod move this to "Kit & Gear Reviews" please? I posted it in the wrong section.

Done.

Thanks for the review. Id be interested to try one of these, my first impression is that Nitecore have invented a possible problem and then "solved" it.

[Essexman]

I've just thought of a perfect application for this light. Attached to the loo seat at night for children who can't reach the light switch!!!!

Loo seat down - light off

Loo sseat up - tada! light on to see what you are doing

Oh No wait, thinking about it that's the wrong way round?

Dave can you try it out?? Please??

[TallNHairyDave]

I've just thought of a perfect application for this light. Attached to the loo seat at night for children who can't reach the light switch!!!!

Loo seat down - light off

Loo sseat up - tada! light on to see what you are doing

Oh No wait, thinking about it that's the wrong way round?

Dave can you try it out?? Please??

Unfortunately they don't turn off, just go between low and high so that won't work! And that's the wrong way round - with the lid down it'll be on high, and lid up it'll be on low...

I've started a Passaround for the CR2 version (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...d.php?t=150392) if anyone want to have a play with it.

[Martyn]

The AA version arrived today. Nice build qyality and the UI is funky. Not sure if I'll be able to get on with it, but Nitecore claim an increaded battery life of up to 8x whern used on auto. I'll EDC it for a bit and see how I like it.

[TheAuditor]

I got the CR2 version today. The battery rattles unless the head is tightened to the point where the torch is almost on. I might put some tape on the battery. It does work though. I am concerned about it turning on in my pocket, or if the head is loosened, it coming apart. Not a bad price for a gadget with those specs.

[TheAuditor]

Just solved the rattle by dropping the split ring that comes with the torch in beneath the battery :-)

[Martyn]

Been playing with the single AA version most of the evening now and I really quite like the UI. I didn't think I would, but it's growing on me. One thing though, it's really not very bright. Quoted 120 lumens on high. In real world comparisons, it's probably one of the dimmest single AA torches I have now. Although physically bigger and heavier, the Jetbeam BA10 knocks it into a hat and the tiny Zebralight SC51 just blows it into next week. I know high power output isn't everything, but sureley they could have squeezed a bit harder? Shame. Interesting UI that I think could become very popular, but let down by a below par high beam. In such a competative market, I would have expected 160 lumens at least, especially since we have had 200 lumen torches in this category for over 12 months now. I really do like the UI though and if the battery savings are to be believed, then it will probably stay in my pocket. C'mon nitecore, give us a torch with this UI, the same output as a Zebralight SC51 and a clickie tailcap instead of a twisty head and you'd sell em by the wheelbarrow.

[TallNHairyDave]

C'mon nitecore, give us a torch with this UI, the same output as a Zebralight SC51 and a clickie tailcap instead of a twisty head and you'd sell em by the wheelbarrow.

I'm with you on that Martyn! An 18650 XML version with this UI and a tailcap clicky for power, with a low "low" (10 lumens or so) a good medium, and full output "high" would probably never leave my pocket.

[Martyn]

I'm with you on that Martyn! An 18650 XML version with this UI and a tailcap clicky for power, with a low "low" (10 lumens or so) a good medium, and full output "high" would probably never leave my pocket.

The Zebralight uses a Cree XP-G to put out 200 lumens for an hour running on one AA battery. The head diameter is no bigger than this Nitecore. I think the 120 stated lumens is a bit optimistic too. I really like the auto dimming, but I'm put off carrying it because I have other torches with the same form factor and run on the same batteries that are nearly twice as bright. The torch is well built, the size and weight are nice and the auto dimming makes me really want to carry it, but every time I wanted to reach out on full power I was left feeling a bit 'meh' by it. Perhaps the CR123 version with it's higher output is more satisfying in use, but there is no need for it these days. I think they are on to a winner with the UI, but it wont be long before someone copies it.

The only other comment about the UI I would make, is I would like the auto dimming to be activated by pointing the torch straight down, so that it comes on in dim, rather than pointing it straight up and having it come on in bright.