Nitecore EDC29 flashlight review – Everyday Carry is the name of the game

REVIEW – Everybody should know that every EDC kit should include a flashlight of some sort. If you don’t have a kit, you should at least have one at the ready should you need one. You don’t have to work as a security guard or be part of a special forces unit to need a flashlight at a moment’s notice. Me? I have one on my key chain and a few spread around my house. Living in NW Florida, we can have some serious storms frequently that can knock out power, so it’s nice to have options close by. In my search for the perfect flashlight for me, I’ve come around to the flat flashlights. You see, flat doesn’t tend to roll. It’s a shocking revelation, I know. I’ve now had a couple I’ve reviewed, one I loved and lost, and 1 I wasn’t as fond of. Now I’m checking out a third, the Nitecore EDC29. Can it fill the void in my heart that formed when I lost my Olight Arkfeld? Man, I hope so.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $109.95
Where to buy: Nitecore

What is it?

The Nitecore EDC29 is a 6500 lumen USB-C rechargeable flat flashlight with an over 400-yard throw, 6 brightness modes plus strobe, and a physical lock.

What’s included?

• Nitecore EDC29
• Lanyard
• USB-C charging cable
• User guide

Tech specs

 

LED	2x UHi 20 MAX
Maximum brigtness	6500 lumens
Peak Beam Distance	437 yards
Peak Beam Intensity	35360 cd
IP Rating	IP54
Impact Resistance	1 m
Dimensions	L-5.26″ x W-1.36″ x H-0.89″
Weight	5.64 oz

Brightness Output

 

MODE	OUTPUT	RUNTIME
Floodlight	6500 lumens	< 1 hr
Spotlight	3000 lumens	< 1 hr
High	1200 lumens	2 hrs
Mid	400 lumens	3 hrs
low	100 lumens	13 hrs
Ultralow	15 lumens	61 hrs
Strobe	6500 lumens	< 1 hr

Design and features

Let’s see what my new little buddy has to work with. According to Nitecore, the EDC29 uses the NiteLab UHi 20 MAX LED that has up to a 6500 lumen output with a throw of up to 437 yards. Nitcore says the UHi LED series was specifically designed for professional portable lighting and features high light density and high beam intensity. It also has 4 different brightness levels along with a spotlight, a floodlight, and everyone’s favorite migraine-inducing strobe mode.

The EDC29 has two tail buttons, and both are two-step switches, meaning they have functionality for both a half and full press. It also has a sensor protection feature to automatically reduce brightness if it is turned on accidentally in high mode to prevent overheating. It does this by detecting an obstruction near the light. That’s cool in more ways than one.

One feature some may have issues with is the built-in Li-ion 2500 mAh battery. So, no, you can’t replace the battery or pop it out to charge it separately. It is, however, USB-C rechargeable, so no proprietary connectors are necessary. Even if you lose the one that comes included, we all have numerous cables lying around that will work just fine.

The Nitecore EDC29 also has an OLED real-time display that can tell you the brightness level, battery voltage, remaining runtime, power remaining for the mode in use, and lockout mode.

There are two lockout modes that can be set up to work in conjunction with the lockout switch. The first is semi lockout, which disables the smaller power button but leaves the larger customizable button available for the flood light and strobe. Full lockout mode locks both buttons.

The EDC29 also has a large pocket clip with a lanyard hole incorporated. With the lanyard hole, you can use the included lanyard and carabiner or spice things up with your own.

The clip is beefy but not designed as a deep-pocket clip, so expect it to stick out of your jeans pocket if that’s how you want to carry it.

Just in case you haven’t been able to tell by now, the Nitecore EDC29 is built to be rough and tumble. There are plenty of textured surfaces that make it quite grippy in the hand. It’s also built to IP54 waterproof and dustproof standards. The body is made from stainless steel, which is then coated with a PVD titanium coating.

Performance

The Nitecore EDC29 is beyond bright enough for my needs. I mostly use it to light my way through the house at night so as not to disturb my family, taking the dog out at night, working on my beater truck, and other normal flashlight needs. The floodlight and search modes are crazy bright, so it’ll definitely be going with me on any night time drives I may have to take. Better to have and not need it than to need it and not have it.

The runtime so far has been great. I’ve hardly put a dent in the battery using it as I do. I believe it will certainly live up to Nitecore’s claims. I’ve also noticed that it only gets hot around the end, not throughout the whole body. Also, the physical lockout switch has a satisfying tactile click and doesn’t rattle like a similar flashlight I reviewed in the past.

Final thoughts

I like the Nitecore EDC29 flashlight. I like its form factor, the solid build, and the multiple lighting modes it offers. The UI can be a little confusing with having to do half presses on the two different buttons to achieve some features. I will say, though, that the buttons also have a positive feeling and click between each step, so that helps. It’s just hard to do it with one hand. I also wish there were a removable battery, but that probably would make it larger in order to facilitate that. Most of my complaints are nitpicky. Overall, I think Nitecore has a winner with the EDC29.

What I like about Nitecore EDC29 flashlight

• Solid build, no rattling
• Easy-to-read display
• Plenty of lighting modes

What needs to be improved?

• An easier method for using both tailswitches one-handed

Price: $109.95
Where to buy: Nitecore
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Nitecore. Nitecore did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.

Check out these other flashlight reviews!

• NITECORE TINI3 flashlight review – Lightweight EDC flashlight for your keychain
• Loop Gear SK-05 Helm Pro dual-lens flashlight review – A fist full of flashlight fury with some cool tricks!