Since there are so many different brands of flashlights on the market these days, they’re beginning to share similarities in style and design. The biggest trend is lesser-known brands, taking on their more established competition, with models that offer the same features. Today’s review is a good example of that trend. Please welcome, the Nitefox UT25.
Popular Accessories
The UT25 is presented in a plain cardboard box with minimal identification.
The light itself is placed securely in a plastic cutout. For accessories, there’s a user manual, a Velcro belt holster, a micro USB charging cable, am adjustable lanyard, a spare o-ring and switch cap, a removable pocket-clip (attached), a detachable tactical ring, and a Nitefox 2600mAh rechargeable 18650 battery.
Specs
Smooth reflector
CREE XP-L LED
- Battery; 1 – rechargeable 18650 or 2 – disposable CR123’s.
- Working voltage; 2.75 to 6.0
- Length; 5.7″
- Weight; (w/battery) 174 grams
- LED; Cree XP-L
- Lens; toughened mineral glass
- Body; TypeIII, hard anodized aluminum alloy, w/scratch-resistant finish
- Beam distance; 285 meters
- Waterproof; IPX-8 (submersible)
- Impact resistant; 2 meters
Features
- Ultra-durable aerospace aluminum body
- Mode memory recalls the last mode
UT25 and branded battery
- Dual-switch design allows for tactical operation
- Micro USB charging port
Output and Runtime
- Low; 30 lumens – 120 hours
- Medium; 300 lumens – 3.8 hours
- High; 1380 lumens – 1.5 hours
Also includes three emergency modes; strobe, SOS, beacon
Operating the Nitefox UT25
There are two switches; tail and side. Since it’s a tactical flashlight, the tail offers momentary light from a soft press of the button. A full click activates constant light. Once on, the side switch changes modes from low to high. Mode memory works to ensure it’ll turn on the next time in the same mode it was turned off in. There’s no “instant access” to any of the regular modes.
For the emergency flashing modes to work, the UT25 needs to already be on. For strobe, press and hold the side switch from any mode. A regular side-switch press returns it to the previous constant mode. To advance to SOS from strobe, press and hold again. A third press and hold turns on beacon flash. It’s the most UNIQUE beacon mode I’ve ever seen! It works completely different from any other. If you turn the light OFF via the tail switch from any of the flashing modes, “memory” will return it to the last regular mode used… for the next activation.
Beam Check
Low mode
Low
High
High mode
Medium
On low
On high
Distant tree – high
Low Battery Indicator
Low battery indicator
Once the battery becomes about half-full, the indicator beneath the side-switch flashes green. This appears to happen quite quickly when used on high. Even after the Nitefox battery was completely charged, I noticed the low battery warning after about 12 minutes! Switching the output down to low, turned the indicator off. The head was also becoming uncomfortably hot as well. Generally speaking, the low indicator shouldn’t appear until battery current reaches approximately 3.4 volts. If you ignore the green flash, it’ll eventually turn RED, and begin flashing faster!
Checking the voltage anytime;
To verify battery power, the light must be OFF. To check it, quickly press the side-switch two or more times consecutively, WHILE clicking the tail-switch (ONCE) at the same time. Clicking the tail will then activate the indicator beneath the side-switch. It’ll blink green for the number of volts (3 for example)… then red for “hundredths” of a volt… (.8 for example) for a reading of 3.8 volts.
Micro USB Charging
The charging port
For charging to work, the flashlight must be ON. So, after connecting the micro USB, click the tail switch. If you fail to do that, it won’t charge. The stupid part about that, is the green indicator blinks, whether it’s actually charging or not! It should’ve been designed so it blinks RED, until you turn it on. When the charge is complete, the green turns solid. It should also be noted that charging internally will take awhile. The current it uses at roughly 400mA is pretty low. At that rate, a depleted battery could take up to eight hours to charge.
The Final Analysis
The Nitefox UT25 is a decent flashlight for the price paid. Output isn’t bad, but what Nitefox claims as “high” is somewhat exaggerated. Max output for an XP-L LED is 1150 lumens… and the UT25 isn’t even quite THAT high.
On the plus side, it’s made from quality components, and is tactical all the way. There are also no restrictions on running high mode for as long as the battery can sustain the output. In my tests, I’ve detected a slight drop in lumens after the first fifteen minutes on high. It’s very slight, and not noticeable to the naked eye. Running for extended periods will cause more noticeable decreases in output, and the manual warns to expect it. The only concern is heat… whereby the head gets very hot. Continuous operation on high also causes the battery voltage indicator to flash prematurely.
For EDC carry, it has the holster… and at just under 6″ long, it’s a reasonable size.
My only real complaint is that ‘high’ should be brighter.
Click the Link
If the Nitefox UT25 looks like a good addition to your flashlight arsenal, then click here for the Amazon product page. It’s available with Prime, so you’ll get it without delay.
This Nitefox seems to be a reasonable good light. Thanks for your review.
I just bought two flashlights, the Nitecore MH20 and the Klarus XT11GT. Both are excellent lights, like made of solid steel. They are completely different, the Nitecore is very small but very powerful, 1000 real Ansi lumens is a lot of light and the Klarus is superb under tactical circumstances. And the 2000 lumens are ansi-real too. Insanely bright. Both lights get hot, but electronic watchdogs help you out. What I see is that lower lumens, 400 for both lights, are enough for most situations. But turbo is always fun. Great fun.
Your site shows the problem. Cree is the supplier of almost all leds and a great number of Chinese flashlights and a very great number competitors try to get a share of the market. This Nitefox UT25 is good but the fact that you have to turn on the light before charging is insane. And that it does not warn you that it will not charge without turning the light on is bull. Personally I would not buy this one and you gave the perfect reasons for that.
For new customers it is not easy to make a good choice these days.
Thanks for your reviews
Thanks for the comment Carel!
The Nitecore and Klarus that you bought are great choices. Regarding your comment about charging on the UT25. For some reason, it’s usually the cheaper USB lights that require it to be switched on, for the charging to work. Obviously this is the way the circuitry is built, and I have several cheaper lights that operate the same way, so for me, it’s “whatever”. I know reading the manual can be tedious, but at least it usually explains when requirements such as those are necessary.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂