Nitecore CU6 flashlight review
The Nitecore CU6 flashlight was released in 2014. It uses 1 x Cree XP-G2 R5 LED, 1 x 365nm UV LED, SMO reflector and 1 x 18650 Li-Ion battery. The powerful emitter in this flashlight provides up to 440 lm output, 9000 cd intensity, and a beam distance of 190 m.
Want to know if the Nitecore made a really good flashlight? You'll find out by the end of our article!
Table of Contents
- Nitecore CU6 specifications
- Body, materials, weight, colors
- System, LED, lens, reflector
- Performance, flux, intensity, throw
- Software, user interface, modes
- Features, battery, protections
- Accessories, package contents
- Links
- Conclusion, pros and cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
The content of this article reflects our own experiences and viewpoints. We aim to offer insights on a topic, and we hope others find it helpful and motivating. Additionally, we make every effort to provide accurate and comprehensive coverage.
The flashlight is a must-have tool for outdoor activities, it offers guidance and safety. This light has 5 modes of lighting. The lack of mode memory means you need to adjust the flashlight's settings each time you turn it on. You can use the strobe function as a self-defense tool.
Nitecore CU6 specifications
| Brand | Nitecore |
|---|---|
| Name | CU6 |
| Type | CU6 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
| Form | flashlight |
Flashlights let you navigate in the dark. They help you find supplies and signal for help.
Body, materials, weight, colors
| Weight | 138 g |
|---|---|
| Length | 143 mm |
| Body diameter | 25.4 mm |
| Head diameter | 40 mm |
| Material | aluminium alloy with HAIII hard-anodized finish |
| Colors | black |
The CU6 is generally comfortable to hold for a long time. The length of a flashlight can affect how it feels in your hand and how you can grip it. The aluminium body of the CU6 has excellent thermal conductivity. The HAIII coating is often matte or textured. The CU6 flashlight comes in a stylish black color.
System, LED, lens, reflector
| Emitter | 1 x Cree XP-G2 R5 LED, 1 x 365nm UV LED |
|---|---|
| Color temperature | 6500 K |
| Reflector | SMO |
| Lens | toughtened AR coated glass |
| Switch | dual electronic side, mechanical rear |
Cree is widely regarded as a reputable LED manufacturer. Warm, white light is generally more comfortable. The SMO's main job is to focus and project light from the source. The AR coating reduces the loss of light due to reflections, allowing more light to pass through the lens. The CU6 flashlight has multiple switch options. The electronic switches may have a higher chance of standby drain. Mechanical switches are usually robust. A simple press or click of the rear switch turns the flashlight on or off.
Performance, flux, intensity, throw
| Flux | 440 lm |
|---|---|
| Intensity | 9000 cd |
| Throw | 190 m |
| CD/LM factor | 20.45 |
440 lm can provide a decent amount of brightness and be suitable for many everyday tasks. The CU6 flashlight has 9000 cd, it provides a much brighter and more intense beam. The throw is the distance in meters at which the flashlight produces a light intensity of 0.25 lux. Candela per lumen (cd/lm) measures a flashlight's beam intensity.
Software, user interface, modes
| Modes | 5 modes |
|---|---|
| Mode memory | no |
| Ramping mode | no |
| Strobe | yes |
| SOS/Beacon | yes |
A flashlight's modes are different output settings or brightness levels. Designers created the strobe function to produce a disorienting or attention-grabbing effect. The CU6's SOS mode produces a specific sequence of long and short flashes.
Features, battery, protections
| Battery | 1 x 18650 Li-Ion battery |
|---|---|
| Battery indicator | yes |
| Charger port | no |
| LVP | yes |
| Thermal regulation | no |
| Protection | IPx8 |
| AUX LEDs | yes |
| Magnetic | no |
| Specials | UV light blue light green light red light white light |
The CU6 flashlight's power source is 1 x 18650 Li-Ion battery. The battery indicator prevents surprise power failures. The CU6 cannot charge batteries. You may need an external charger to keep your battery going. The flashlight detects when the battery's voltage has dropped to a certain level. Flashlights without thermal protection may rely on other design elements to dissipate heat. The "8" in the IPx8 rating means the highest level of protection.
Extra LEDs have different colors or modes, they can help with specific tasks. UV light is known to cause scorpions to fluoresce or emit a distinctive glow.
Accessories, package contents
| Package contents | clip lanyard nylon holster spare o-ring spare rubber cover tactical ring |
|---|
The holster keeps your flashlight secure. The clip is very helpful, it lets you quickly access your flashlight while keeping your hands free for other tasks. The lanyard of the CU6 protects the flashlight from accidental damage. When using spare O-rings, follow the maker's instructions.
Links
| Official site | https://flashlight.nitecore.com/ |
|---|
Conclusion, pros and cons
This Nitecore flashlight, like any other, has its strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a close look at both sides to understand this flashlight better. I share my thoughts on its standout features and the parts that might need improvement. Keep in mind, these are just my opinions, and you might have a different perspective.
Pros
- lightweight
- aluminium body
- AR coated lens
- side switch
- tactical switch
- multiple modes
- tactical strobe
- SOS/beacon function
- battery indicator
- low-voltage protection
- waterproof
- auxiliary LEDs
- UV light
- protective holster
- clip
Cons
- cool light
- moderated performance
- no mode memory
- no built-in charger
- no thermal regulation
- non-magnetic
Photos
Comparisons
According to our statistics, the Nitecore CU6 flashlight was most often compared on our site with the following flashlights.
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Updated: April 30, 2024
