Nitecore’s EDC27 is Slim, Flat, and Perfect for Your Vest

Over and over, Nitecore has innovated in the flashlight and electronic category and has found its way into my paddling kit. With the introduction of the EDC27, a everyday carry (EDC) flashlight, I’m now using three different Nitecore devices for various trips. The first device is lightweight NU25 headlamp that I carry on all my canoe and kayak camping trips. The next is the NB10000 power bank. The final is the EDC27.

What is the EDC27?

The Nitecore EDC27 is a high-performance EDC (everyday carry) flashlight. This flashlight has an ultra-slim and flat design that’s easy to carry in your life vest, but is packed with features. It’s most eye-catching feature is it’s thin and flat as opposed to typical compact flashlights that are round. It’s just a touch over half an inch thick (14.2mm).

How thin it is might not seem important, but I’ve found that it fits better in my pant’s pocket and in my life vest compared to the round compact flashlights that I own.

The Nitecore EDC27 Body Looks Built Tough

The EDC27 has a stainless steel body with a PVD titanium coating and a carbon fiber reinforced polymer frame. The finish is a matte black and is claimed scratch and fingerprint resistant. Over the month or so that I’ve tested it, I’ve gotten a small scratch on it while carrying it in my pocket with my keys. Nitecore claims impact and bending resistance with a 3-foot (1m) impact resistance rating. The body also has four anti-slip texture pads on its thin sides. There are six screws that let you into the inside. There’s a heat dissipation system made from copper and aluminum that Nitecore claims leads to longer-lasting lighting.

On the outside of the body, an LCD info screen provides information about the mode the flashlight is in as well as battery life in hours and minutes. Two buttons on the top provide access to the normal light functions on one button and the turbo and strobe functions on the other. Both buttons can be locked to prevent accidental power on. On the back, there’s a detachable belt clip which clips perfectly in a pocket on my life vest. There’s also a loop for the included lanyard or cordage up to 4mm.

The flashlight is IP54 rated, which means that it’s resistant to being sprayed with water and resistant to dust, but it isn’t rated for immersion.

It weighs 4.3 ounces (122 grams).

Lighting Features

Like other Nitecore flashlights, it offers several lumen levels and a strobe. The various levels range follow: 15, 65, 200, 1000, and 3000. In feet, those levels throw about 46, 105, 187, 427, and 720, respectively.

The 3000 lumen level is only available in the Turbo mode and throws a wide flood beam to about 720 feet (220m). It gives you about 15 seconds of bright light before it drops down to your current setting.

As you’d expect, the 15 lumens level is low but provides up to 37 hours of light. The lowest level that I found myself using was the 65 lumens level. It gives 11 hours of runtime. 1000 lumens was handy for walking around at night and looking into the wood. When used non-stop at 1,000 lumens it offers 1 hour and 45 minutes of lighting. The 200 lumens level strikes a balance. It would be a normal light for camp chores at night when you need a bit more than the 65 lumen level. It offers 3 hours and 45 minutes of runtime.

I found all the modes to provide plenty of options in brightness levels. And while it is winter here and it didn’t get to try it at night kayaking, it will meet USCG regulations that state paddlecraft must carry a light that can be used to show location when needed. The only mode that it doesn’t offer that I wish it did is an SOS mode. With and SOS mode on your flashlight, you aren’t required to carry flares.

The light itself is mainly uniform except for a brighter center. It’s blue-ish in colors, so it’s likely around 5,000 Kelvin in color temp.

Battery and Charging

The EDC27 has a 1700mAh Li-ion battery that’s built-in. It recharges via USB-C that allows for rapid charging. Nitecore claims 75 minutes to fully recharge. I didn’t time it. They include a charging cable, but most people own multiple USB-C cables already so likely won’t need it.

My favorite part of the flashlight related to the battery and charging is the LCD screen. The LCD tells you the current power setting, the runtime at that level, and when charging the LCD shows the voltage and a battery display showing how much of the battery has been charged so far.

Overall

Overall, I like the Nitecore EDC27. It’s now the flashlight that I grab first. When the paddling season starts, it’ll find its way into my vest during any night paddles. As an outdoor photographer, it comes with me when doing night photography. Whether you’re looking for a light to bring with you paddling or just for everyday carry, check out the Nitecore EDC27. For me, it’s the best compact flashlight that I’ve tried.