I own dozens of lights, I have owned dozens more and this Nicron N7 is a heck of a value. What’s more, it’s not particularly what I would call a “value light” either. It stands on its own as a quality light with great features that just happens to be a great value.
My work requires the regular use of lights. In addition to that, I ride (motorcycle) and I am somewhat ‘outdoorsy’. I use lights ALL the time. There are MANY criteria to take into account when choosing the right light for the right job and, at the end of the day, priorities become a judgement call.
There is NO perfect light so, in this case, maybe I value ruggedness over optimal usefulness. In that case, maybe I value portability over brightness.
After years & years of using dozens & dozens of lights for numerous situations I have a starting point for light purchases. I want my lights to have a rechargeable power source that can be replaced with commonly available batteries. There are exceptions to every rule (my core lights for work are Milwaukee Red Lithium... judgement call on priorities) but I’m tired of going through tons of disposable batteries or being caught in a situation where I can’t use the light because I used up the battery & I have to charge it.
The N7 meets that basic requirement. I have a rechargeable lithium 14500 battery in the light and a backup. In addition, in a pinch, I could use regular AA batteries which I commonly keep on me but, also, I could get anywhere. I can literally buy them at any gas station. That is the height of power source flexibility and the best of both worlds since the 14500 rechargeable lithium version gives outstanding performance due to output and the standard alkaline gives longer life with a lower output.
The size is excellent. The brightness is excellent for the size. The battery longevity is very good considering the brightness and size. This light balances these three features exceptionally well.
The build quality is very good. The light is quite sturdy. The magnetic base is strong enough and improves the usefulness of the light. The head, which turns to 90˚ and can be left anywhere in between does the same. The spring steel pocket clip enhances that usefulness even further.
While I prefer a tail cap button I understand that the magnetic base makes this impossible and feel that is a fair trade. I like the button operation. It has a positive click & engagement even without perfect finger position & at imperfect angles. The 2 second hold for on & off decreases the likelihood of accidental engagement. Additionally, you can loosen the tail cap 1/4 turn or so to “lockout” the light so, if you’re carrying it in a full pocket, you don’t have to worry about accidental engagement.
As if all that wasn’t good enough I have never seen a better button cycle operation. 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, single click back & forth between high & low. It is straight forward & simple. It takes absolutely no deep thought & causes no confusion even if you haven’t picked up the light in 6 months. Strobe & SOS are a 4-5 second hold on the button. Light manufacturers could learn something here. Options are nice. Everybody loves options. WAY too many options & settings to cycle through creates confusion & wastes time when you don’t use the light EVERY single day. Well, even then it still wastes time & sometimes you need to see something RIGHT NOW. Another 3, 4 or 5 seconds cycling through options just shouldn’t be necessary.
That’s a lot of features! What does all this mean? It means this is one of the best options I’ve ever seen for an EDC light. For daily work I have better options. Headlamps & lights with longer battery life & more secure mounting options. For trips & every day carry this light is perfect for me. It has the right balance of features to make it one of a few favorites for this purpose and this $17 light is among much more expensive company for that role. Just a heck of a value.
| Special Feature | Lightweight, Weatherproof, Rechargeable |
|---|---|
| Color | Gray |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Material | Metal, Steel |
| White Brightness | 600 Lumens |
| Included Components | Manual, Flashlight |
| Product Dimensions | 0.82"D x 0.82"W x 4.4"H |
| Voltage | 4 Volts |
| Light Path Distance | 413 Feet |
| Item Weight | 1.92 ounces |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Warranty Type | Manufacturer |
| Brand | NICRON |
| Brightness | 600 Lumen |
| Battery Description | a single 14500 rechargeable battery or a single AA battery (Not Including Batteries) |
| Finish Type | Black |
| Manufacturer | NICRON |
| UPC | 799355649117 |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Finish types | Black |
| Special Features | Lightweight, Weatherproof, Rechargeable |
| Switch Style | Push button |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
