Nitecore D20: Strong With the Force

The Nitecore D20 gives great pride of ownership. There are many great multi-mode lights out there that can do what the D20 does and, depending on criteria, do it better. But the design is sound, accomplishing a wide variety of lighting tasks with style and an innovative UI. The quality level is high and its lighsaber-like construction would make a Jedi proud. Hard grey anodizing, tough glass lens, a strong (and deep carrying!) pocket clip, demonstrated waterproofness at depth (officially meeting the IPX-8 standard), toughness and durability, included accessories (o-rings, spare clip screws, 550 cord lanyard), and a very cool presentation box are some of the hallmarks of this Nitecore quality. Like other Nitecore lights, the D20 uses its proprietary Piston Drive (PD) actuation system and pulse wave modulation (PWM) to turn on and regulate output levels. A thin metal sleeve rides within the lights housing to accomplish this to complete the turn-on circuit. Turning the light on takes a bit more force than some other designs but Nitecore says this system has the advantage of very low current drain in the OFF mode. This helps preserve power cells in storage (big advantage of the design I say). Shown and reviewed are both the Nitecore D20 Q5 and the R2 version with max stated illumination levels of 180 and 200 lumens respectively. The R2 LED version is preferred for this somewhat higher brightness level and, for me, a cooler-appearing beam output. Also the R2 version corrects a major gripe over the original D20: it seems to add tacticlity and feedback to the rear switch actuation which had been completely lacking. As shown in the vid, this improvement is demonstrable and will give the user UI feedback in loud environs. Some may say another fault may be the D20s (both Q5 and R2) lack of ultimate beam throw as well. It just depends on user needs and I feel most users will welcome the Nitecore's area lighting capability. Expect about 25 meters of good throw before washout with the D20s orange peel textured reflector. The beam has a usable spot, excellent spill characteristics (for peripheral illumination), and few artifacts (some halo-ing evident at some distances). The UI provides pretty much unlimited lighting states with an amazingly low and still-effective moonlight mode at about 3-7 lumens. This low light capability makes the D20 an excellent wilderness light choice since it will preserve both your batteries and night vision in these ultra-dark settings. Another welcome feature: the Nitecore memory function remembers your last used lighting level, restores it upon turn on, and there are no Beacon or Strobe modes to cycle through either (both are completely absent actually). The demonstrated shortcuts to various D20 illumination states will take practice to master but become second nature and are cool and useful features. They offer quick ways to max or min lighting. However don't expect to use them effectively under stress (you will get confused) and the D20 may not be the best choice as a tactical light because of this (unless you leave it in the desired illumination state and just turn it on). Weight with rechargeable cells comes in at 5.8 ounces (approx 5.0 oz with Lithium cells) and that's more that several other also-outstanding competitors like the Fenix LD20 and Quark AA2 Tactical. This is a downside. But many will like the ergos and hand-filling design of the D20 which makes it a comfortable duty light. Value is not as good as other ultra-quality multi-modes, running around $80 for the D20 in 2010 (all models/prices subject to change). But for many, including me, it's money well spent on a lifetime multi-mode light that offers amazing levels of coolness, utility, durability, and versatility. It is strong with the Force. /////////////////////////// Nutnfancy LIkability Scale: 9 out of 10 //////// Original music created by TNP fan, UK-based ElDudio (www.youtube.com/user/eldudio)

Category:

Science & Technology

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[jake262144]

TNP magic man :) IDK if there's another guy on earth who could discuss a flashlight for 40 min and not put everyone to sleep.

[chipmunksoi]

as soon as real lightsabers hit the market, I'm getting one.

[JediWitness2]

If anyone wants to get a REAL COMBAT LEVEL LIGHTSABER, check out h ttp://w ww.advanced-light.co m/ and htt p://w ww.ultrasabers.co m/category-s/59.htm (remove the spaces). They can be a bit pricey, from $200-500, but they're actual combat sabers, as hard as ratan and you can hit as hard as you want without damaging them. The New York Jedi uses them in their demos You can actually hurt someone with them so be careful, but they're Very cool, custom built, real sound effects, handles, etc.

[hugomontgoery]

Id love to see a review on those lightsabers. lol

[josefcrist]

Where can I buy one?

[YeuLaKho]

NiteCore, Fenix, Sunwayman, Icon, Xeno, JetBeam, 4Sevens ( wondering all of these companies got the same LED supplier)...... oh my, how fast technology changed. Surefire no longer the only high quality choice.

[baikalio]

@RECONCAMO69 These are out of production. Discontinued. I've tried to find one fo myself but no luck so far.

There is only the new version/successor IFD2 which is much more expensive.

[K9LLL]

22:35 "I better get crackin this review is going long" Shall I point out the video goes 42 min thanks TNP we love your stuff keep it comin

[RECONCAMO69]

Im trying to find a D20..anybody know somewhere that has them in stock?

[VinceFull]

Hey Nutn, hey Veri,

what kind of cord is that you use a lanyards for your lights and knives?

[alanvalentinus]

Do you find that ALL Petzl headlamps are bad or just the one your friend had? I have a Quark AA2 and a Zipka Plus and I really love them both. The Petzl doesent quite have the same power as the AA2 and it is AAA wich sucks but I really like it and use and carry one all the time. What do you find cheesy about all or some of Petzl's head lamps?