Review: Nitecore – EDC37

Introduction

Nitecore has become a well known name in the flashlight industry since 2007, producing high-quality tools that often balance tactical utility with everyday carry practicality. With the EDC37, the company presents a compact yet powerful light that aims to bridge professional/tactical and civilian use. 

Overview

The EDC37 is marketed as an everyday carry light with a tactical design. Its compact form factor, robust build and versatile output levels target law enforcement as well as outdoor enthusiasts. With a maximum short-burst output of 8,000 lumens, a built-in OLED display and a dual-button interface, this flashlight offers practical output levels ranging from 15 to 1,500 lumens plus a 3000 lumens search mode – more than sufficient for most real-world applications.

Specs

• Dimensions: 108.0mm x 39.3mm x 31.0mm (4.25″ x 1.55″ x 1.22″)
• Max Output (peak): 8,000 lm (short bursts, Lumin Shield™ mode)
• Normal Output Levels:
  • Ultralow: 15 lm, ca. 190h
  • Low: 100 lm, ca. 30h
  • Mid: 400 lm, ca. 8.5h
  • High: 1,500 lm, ca. 7.5h
  • SEARCH: 3,000 lm
    
• Max Beam Distance: 420 m (SEARCH mode)
• Peak Beam Intensity: ~44,000 cd
• LEDs: 2 × NiteLab UHi 20 MAX
• Battery: Built-in 8,000mAh Li-ion Battery
• Charging: USB-C, PD/QC up to 20 W, ca. 2h full charge
  
• Dimensions: approx. 105 × 39 × 27 mm
• Weight: 199 g
• Protection rating: IP54 (splash-resistant, not submersible)
• Extras: OLED display, glass-breaking tips (removable), Rapid Lock™ switch, belt clip

The EDC37 – Built up (Construction)

The initial impression of the EDC37 is that of a sturdy and chunky flashlight. Looking at the construction, one can note that this is not the usual machined piece of Aluminum. As a matter of fact, Nitecore uses at least three different materials for the body construction of the EDC37. The main body or heat sink is made of Aluminum Alloy and consists of head and tail. This part contains the LEDs, ATR Module, Display and buttons. To the side you have two Stainless Steel shells that provide further heat dissipation as well as added protection. Last but not least you got a Carbon Fiber Composite frame with an armor-inspired anti-slip design. This should give you more grip when using gloves.

The dual 9-core LED setup sits behind an orange peel reflector, providing a beam that blends both flood and spot characteristics. At the front, hardened Silicon Nitride glass-breaking tips can be swapped for flat screws, depending on preference.

On the side of the light, Nitecore integrates an OLED display — a premium feature that provides immediate feedback on brightness, battery status, and remaining runtime. The included pocket clip is functional but not deep-carry, leaving part of the light exposed when carried.

A lockout switch prevents accidental activation – a feature which I learned to appreciate especially with flat flashlights and EDC carry in your pockets.

Two integrated 18650 cells (8,000 mAh total) provide long runtimes, especially in lower modes. Fast USB-C charging (up to 20 W) refills the battery in approx. 2 hours. That being said, the batteries are not replaceable by the user.

The EDC37 comes with an IP54 rating. This means that the flashlight is splash-proof but not designed for submersion. For rugged outdoor or tactical use, this is worth noting.

User Interface / Functions / Modes

The EDC37 features a dual-button layout at the tail:

• Tail Switch (round):
  • Full press: on/off
  • Half press (switched on): cycles through Ultralow – Low – Mid – High
  • Half press (hold) temporary switch to ultralow
  • Memory function recalls the last used brightness
    
• Customizable Flat Button: needs to be pressed permanently
  • Configurable for instant access to SEARCH, Lumin Shield™, or Strobe
  • Two pressure levels (half/full press)
  • Designed as a momentary switch for tactical scenarios
    
• Rapid Lock™:
  • A lock switch that prevents accidental activation in pocket or bag
    
• OLED Display Feedback:
  • Shows current mode, runtime, brightness, and battery data
  • During special modes, it shows a progress bar to visualize thermal regulation

The Nitecore EDC37 in use

Picking up the Nitecore EDC37, one immediately feels the weight of the lamp. With roughly 200g, the overall small package of the lamp feels heavy, albeit sturdy. This surely comes in handy when using the four ceramic tips for glass breaking.

Overall, the flashlight feels comfortable in the hands, and the shape fits perfectly into the user’s palms. The flat profile makes it easier to carry in your pocket, even though you feel the weight there as well.

When using the EDC37, its ergonomics come into play and one can easily use both buttons on the tail as well as the lockout switch intuitively. One thing that really is practical is the OLED display, which gives you constant info about the mode, battery life and the remaining time, especially for the high output modes.

The User Interface is very easy, and if you have a Nitecore flashlight already, you will immediately know how to use the lamp. What is really nice is that you can actually switch through the various modes with the tail button, without activating the lamp. Thanks to the OLED Display, you can easily navigate to the mode you need.

Use the tail button to switch on the EDC37 with a full press. Switch through the modes with a half press. Keep the half press pressed, and you will temporarily switch to the ultralow mode.

The flat Customizable Button gives you either Search, Lumin Shield or Strobe. You can program the lamp by pushing down the flat button, and switch to the desired mode with the tail button. Half press the flat button for Search mode, and fully press the flat button for your custom mode (Search/Lumin Shield/ Strobe).

Heat is a noticeable issue with the EDC37, and while the lamp has a really high output, one cannot use the lamp for extended periods in the Search or Lumin Shield mode. In room temperature, the lamp (or better said, the ATR Module) regulates the Search Light output after 12 seconds, the Lumin Shield after 8 seconds. In that timeframe, the lamp gets warm/hot very quickly. That being said, it also cools down easily because of its construction.

Beamshots of the EDC37

As always, let’s add some beamshots to give you an idea about the EDC37’s performance. The following pictures were taken with 16mm focal length and starting with an automatic ISO starting at 10.000, f / 4 with a shutter speed of 1/8 sec. 

The camera switched from ISO 10.000 in Ultra Low Mode (15 Lumens) to 12.800 in Low Mode (100 Lumens) and in the Mid Mode (400 Lumens) and back to ISO 10.000 in High Mode (1500 Lumens).

When engaging the Search Mode and LUMIN SHIELD, the automatic setting stayed at ISO 12.800.

Tree Target

The following pictures show the spot of the Nitecore EDC 37 directed at a large tree roughly 30m away.

The Ultra Low setting (15 Lumens) provides barely enough light to see the tree, without giving attention to the flashlight and its user. Additionally it is very comfortable to the eye, making a change between dark and illumination very easy.

Changing to 100 Lumens of the Low Mode, the tree is visible, as well as the vegetation next to it. Parts of the area in front of the tree are illuminated as well. As a result, the power of the EDC37 is good enough to navigate without stressing the eyes too much.

The Mid Mode with 400 Lumens strongly illuminates the area in front of the tree as well as its trunk. The spot is somewhat visible and very bright on the tree, while the beam evenly distributes light in the vicinity.

The High mode with 1500 Lumens creates an immense increase in brightness on the tree at this distance. The spot is less visible because of the overall high output, but increased in brightness as well.

Switching to the Search Mode (3000 Lumens) shows a noticeable difference in the beam. It is more pronounced and stronger. Here you can see why it is called Search mode: a strong spot gives you an area of focus, while the surrounding area is illuminated as well so you don’t miss anything.

The LUMIN SHIELD with 8000 Lumens shows an incredible flooding of light. It is almost blinding for the user and leaves you to wonder how strong the blinding effect on the receiving end is.

Search Mode and LUMIN SHIELD

This picture shows the EDC37 with the 300 Lumens of the Search Mode illuminating a field. While the beam is directed at the center of the field, roughly 100m away, the trees in the distance are 200m from the camera and are clearly visible.

The next picture shows the LUMIN SHIELD with 8000 Lumens in action and also the power of the lamp quite clearly. Interestingly enough, because of the flood light, the distance is not as long as with the Search Mode. According to the specs, the Lumin Shield has a range of ca. 380m while the Search mode throws a spot to 420m.

Conclusion

Coming to an end it is fair to say that the EDC37 has its Pros and Cons. On the one hand you will get a Flashlight with an excellent running time, user interface and a very good mix of modes. The OLED display is a really added value, as it gives you plenty of useful information, and lets you switch through the modes without activating the lamp.

Programming and using the lamp is as easy as it gets and the overall look and feel are very high quality.

On the other hand the limited time with the high modes is somewhat of a down side, plus the heat they create. This gives you only limited time to use the search mode or Lumin Shield. As the Lumin Shield is more of a defensive mode, just like the strobe, this is no big deal, but modes like the Search Mode might be of use for a longer running time.

Adding to that is the IP54 rating – it is only splash proof, contrary to other Nitecore Lamps with a higher grading IP rating like the Nitecore EDC33 with an IP68 rating.

All things considered, the EDC37 will be of use for both outdoor enthusiasts as well as LEO/MIL users who are aware of its limits and benefits. Especially users who need a heavier lamp for breaking glass and having various light mode options for search and seizures, might find the lamp useful.

With that being said, I want to thank Nitecore for making this review possible!

Many thanks for reading!

Take care!