Nitecore EDC37 tactical flashlight review

REVIEW – If you’re into flashlights like me or just looking for a serious everyday carry upgrade, then the Nitecore EDC37 USB-C Rechargeable Bright Flat Flashlight is one worth checking out. It’s compact, pocket-friendly, and packed with features you don’t always see in a flashlight this size such as an OLED display, two dual-stage tail switches, and a super bright 8,000 lumen mode.

After spending some time with this EDC37 flashlight, I can honestly say that this isn’t just another everyday carry flashlight; it’s a mix of power, design, and usability that makes it stand out.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $139.95
Where to buy: Nitecore Store

What is it?

The EDC37 from Nitecore is a compact high-performance everyday carry flashlight designed for users who want a flashlight with serious brightness, everyday use, as well as emergency and tactical use. It has an unconventional flat body style and has four different brightness levels, plus SEARCH (Spotlight), LUMIN SHIELD™ (Floodlight), and STROBE modes making this pocket-friendly flashlight very powerful and versatile.

What’s included?

• Nitecore EDC37 Flashlight
• USB-C Charging Cable
• Lanyard
• Wrench
• 8 Screws
• Nitecore Velcro patch

Tech specs

Design and features

Unlike the typical cylindrical flashlight shape, the EDC37 has a flat body that makes it easier to carry in your pocket or snagging on gear. It’s designed to fit comfortably in the curve of your hand. Its body is made from high-strength stainless steel, a carbon fiber composite frame, and an aluminum alloy heat sink, making it impact resistant up to six feet (two meters).

The EDC37 has a dust and water resistance rating of IP54 meaning it’s well-protected against dust and splashes, though definitely not completely waterproof. It’s built to take rain or accidental spills with ease, but definitely avoid dropping it into water.

For me, it’s got just the right amount of texture on the body, and the build quality feels sturdy from the moment you pick it up. It boasts an armor-styled and anti-slip textured body. I really like the feel of the flashlight’s flat rectangle shape. It just feels natural in my hand when I’m holding it. It even has the some heft to it for being as compact as it is. It does not feel cheap by any means, in fact, it feels rather rugged and very solid.

A neat and practical feature on the EDC37 is the set of high-hardness silicon nitride ceramic tips on the front bezel. These aren’t just for show or cosmetics. They’re designed to function as emergency glass breakers, so this flashlight would be great to keep in your vehicle’s glove box should you need it or if you can assist someone else needing it. What’s convenient is that they’re detachable and replaceable. Nitecore includes a small wrench and extra screws so you can remove or replace them. It’s a nice addition to have for emergency, rescue, or tactical use, especially for those who carry this light as part of an EDC or during duty.

On the back end of the EDC37, there two dual-stage tail switches. One is a small round button (Tail button) and the other is a rectangular button (Customizable button). These buttons work like the shutter button on a camera . You can half-press the round button to turn on and let go to turn off. Or you can full press and then half press to cycle through the brightness modes (Ultra low to High). It also has a memory function that remembers your last setting. For the rectangle button, you can half press and/or full press to use. The rectangular Customizable button gives you instant access to the blinding 3,000 and 8,000 lumen modes.

Both of these buttons allow you to customize settings on the flashlight. They can each be customized to allow assigning half‑hold and full‑hold actions giving you immediate access to their preferred emergency or tactical modes. It’s probably best to refer to the EDC37’s manual on the proper way to customize the buttons because I tend to make explanations long winded. There are also steps to reset the flashlight back to factory settings if needed.

When Search, Lumin Shield™, or  Strobe is activated, the flashlight will automatically adjust the brightness to prevent overheating and prolong the lifespan of the flashlight.

At the high 1,500 lumens setting, the flashlight has a runtime up to seven hours and 30 minutes. During the ultra low 15 lumens setting, the runtime is expected to be 190 hours. When the EDC37 is fully charged, the standby time is approximately 12 months.

The EDC37 has a built-in 8,000mAh Li-ion battery which takes approximately two hours to charge. It can be also be charged using an external power source such as a power bank or other charging device.

And there is a small door covering the USB-C port to keep the port protected when not in use. I really like this door cover because it seems to seal the port rather well. It has a rubber seal on the inside acting like an O-ring to help keep water and debris out.

The door is easy to take on and off, which is a huge plus. And I really like that the door sits nice and flush along the body of the flashlight.

On the side of the EDC37 is a small OLED display screen that shows the flashlight’s status for brightness level, lumens, battery, and more. I really like this display because it’s nice to have that info on the flashlight in real time.

As you cycle through the light settings, they will be displayed on the small screen. You can illuminate the display again during use via a half-press of the tail switch.

When the higher output lumens are used, a power bar displays in reverse. Kind of like an energy status bar in a video game, if you will. Once the high power is exhausted, the flashlight will automatically go into a lower output mode to cool down and charge back up.

Alongside the LCD display is the Lockout Switch, or Rapid Lock™ switch, which is a slider switch next to the LCD screen that instantly disables both tail and customizable buttons. This is ideal if you carry the flashlight in a bag or your pocket. This way, there is no worrying about accidentally turning on the flashlight and draining the battery or the light heating up. It’s simple, but really effective. You just slide it into the lock position and the flashlight is completely inactive until you unlock it. It’s one of those thoughtful features that make the EDC37 feel like it was built with real-world use in mind.

The EDC37 is capable of producing 8,000 lumens thanks to its two NiteLab UHi 20 MAX LED lights and orange peel reflector for a smoother beam. It has a maximum beam intensity of 44,010cd, or candela (a measure of light intensity in a particular direction). This heat is expected for a light this powerful, but it’s definitely something to be aware of.  Be that as it may, I’d recommend short bursts for those high modes, and give it a moment to cool down before repeated use. The brightness of the EDC37 is very impressive. But trust me, it runs hot, as it should for a flashlight that produces 8,000 lumens. More on this down below.

The EDC37 comes with a deep-carry pocket clip on the back of the flashlight. It holds the flashlight securely in your pocket, waistband, or your gear. The clip is made from strong stainless steel so it feels trustworthy for everyday use. What’s nice is that it sits flush to the body and doesn’t interfere with the Rapid Lock switch or tail button access. There are two screws holding the clip to the flashlight, so you have the option to remove the clip if you wish. Plus, the placement of the clip helps shield your fingers from the heat sink after high-lumen bursts, which is a smart design choice.

Nitecore includes a 550 paracord lanyard in the box, which can be attached to a lanyard hole on the pocket clip. There is also a small plastic carabiner clip on the end of the lanyard. The lanyard is a nice addition if you want to carry the flashlight around your wrist and just want extra security when using the flashlight. The lanyard itself is basic but functional, and it works well for quick access if you keep the flashlight tucked in a pack or hanging off a belt loop. However, the only issue I had with the clip is that the lanyard hole was not wide enough to easily allow the lanyard to thread through without struggle. I had a difficult time trying to attach the lanyard, but I finally got it attached.  Between the clip and the lanyard, the EDC37 gives you flexible carry options depending on your daily setup or activity.

Performance

For a flashlight this small and compact, it can produce a blinding  8,000 lumens. Bright enough to flood an entire backyard or shine a beam 420 meters (approx. 1,378 ft.) into the darkness, which is the EDC37’s maximum beam distance. The dual UHi 20 MAX LEDs give it a nice balance between throw and flood, so it works just as well for scanning a distant treeline as it does for lighting up a campsite or work area. The four brightness levels give you a selection that is right for the task at hand, and the specialized modes like Search, Lumin Shield™, and Strobe add an extra edge for emergencies or tactical situations.

Keep in mind that the EDC37 can also be a good device in personal protection with its blinding 8,000 lumens Lumin Shield™ setting or the Strobe setting. The Strobe can produce dizzying effects and possibly confusion when directed at a an intruder or a person of the unsavory sort. Plus, the Lumin Shield™ or the Strobe could also be used to alert your location from the ground or to the skies. That’s why the EDC37 is a great tactical tools for military or other official use.

I mentioned above that when using the EDC37 at higher brightness levels modes (Search, Lumin Shield™, or Strobe), it can generate intense heat within seconds from the LED lights onto the body of the flashlight. And as powerful as this flashlight can be reaching a peak of 8,000 lumens, it can only sustain for about 15 seconds before its thermal regulation system begins bringing down the output to prevent overheating since the EDC37 is not meant for continuous full-power operation at high modes like the Search, Strobe and Lumin Shield™ modes.

I felt the intense heat the flashlight can produce and let me tell you that it is really something. It can burn your skin. You’ll notice right away just how hot the flashlight gets using these powerful modes. So, when you are using the higher brightness modes, be aware and make sure to give it the time it needs to cool down.

In practice, that means you still get maximum performance when you need it, but the EDC37 will step down gradually to prevent overheating or damage. It’s the flashlight’s way of balancing extreme brightness with long-term reliability to protect the flashlight, as well as your hand.

The EDC37 is constructed with a high strength stainless steel body with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating and armor-style grip pattern which delivers durability and non-slip handling. The EDC37 definitely has a unique feel to it considering its smooth steel body. I was even able to comfortably hold and operate the EDC37 while wearing mechanics’ gloves. I had no issues pressing the tail buttons to switch between modes.

Final thoughts

After spending some time with the Nitecore EDC37, I can say it’s one of those flashlights that really impresses once you start using it. On paper, the numbers are impressive with 8,000 lumens and with 420 yards of beam distance (also known as throw). But in the hand, it’s the design details that stand out. The flat body makes it easy to slip in and out of your pocket, the dual tail buttons and Rapid Lock™ Switch give you confidence in how you control this flashlight, and the OLED display is just very useful and handy to have. The heat is definitely noticeable on the higher modes, but that’s the trade-off for packing so much power into this small, EDC sized flashlight.

Overall, the EDC37 feels like a serious tool disguised as an EDC flashlight. It’s compact, smartly designed, and powerful enough to cover everything from daily chores to emergency situations. Plus, I like how easy it is to go between low light and a super bright light just by moving my thumb over the tail buttons. If you’re looking for a flashlight that combines extreme performance with practical features, the EDC37 from Nitecore is hard to beat.

What I like about the Nitecore EDC37 flashlight

• Bright light output
• Small rectangular shape and size
• LCD screen
• Lockout feature
• Customizable settings
• Dual tail switches

What needs to be improved?

• Improve heat from flashlight body

Price: $139.95
Where to buy: NITCORE Store
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.

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