Nitecore LR12 review

 

 The Nitecore LR12 is not the sort of torch I usually tend to go for, my choices are more EDC or tactical, this isn't really either, although it's certainly got possibilities as an EDC torch.  I suspect the  main target market for this will be hikers/campers, but as I say it's got possibilities.

 The LR12 is pocket size at 11cm (bit over 4 inch) long retracted 16cm (about 6 inch) open and about 2.5 (1 inch) wide.  It feels solid and has a magnetic tailcap.

 Theres 5 light modes low 1lm 900 hours.  Medium 60lm 24 hours. High 230lm 6 hours.  Max 1000lm 1 hour..  And becon, no time listed but it's a 1000lm (I'd guess and say a good few hours runtime)

 The torch works like a lipstick, you twist the ring near the bottom and the white diffuser slides out to give you a lantern, the end of the diffuser is open so you still have a torch beam as well, and retracted it's just a normal torch.  The base twists to turn on and cycle through the modes.

 Well done to Nitecore for using a standard 18650 battery, this means spare batteries are cheap, easily available and can be " borrowed" for other items that use the standard battery.  Other torch companies could take a lesson from this, custom batteries are a PITA.

 The beam itself is quite floody, as it needs to be to light up the diffuser, but that said theres a decent throw as well, this isn't a long range search the hillside from a mile away torch, but with the spread beam for a walking search it's lights up a good area.  As a lantern it also works well, easily lighting up my biggish living room at night, I could read by this no bother with it on a bedside table.

 The beacon mode flashes about once a second (roughly) and is bright.  If your lost on a hillside this would be visible from a long way off, probably miles in the pitch dark.

One thing that struck me early on was the lack of texture in the body, most of the torch is smooth, I've not tried using it with thick gloves but I wonder if it might be a bit slippery in the wet with gloves, it does come with a lanyard though.

 So with power cuts planned for the coming winter/next year this could be a usefull addition to any home, I'm hanging onto this one, I suspect with the floody bright beam it might come in handy for photography too, lighting up things in low light.

Shown here with a double A battery for scale and the diffuser all the way out.