For illumination, Nitecore is a brand I keep coming back to. They tend to strike a good balance between tech and portability. I’m not a flashaholic. I don’t obsess over emitters, drivers, or spec sheet flexing. What I care about is operation, weight, and real-world usability. Because of that, I was genuinely excited to see a new addition to their EDC lineup in the form of the EDC17. Nitecore has leaned hard into numbered model names, and while I still think this light deserves something more memorable, the number at least fits the theme.
Visually, the EDC17 immediately reminded me of an out-the-front automatic knife. It’s not a one-to-one copy, but the flat profile, sliding switch, and overall layout make the comparison unavoidable. It’s almost like a switchblade, but for light. Maybe “switch-light” isn’t marketable, but the resemblance is there.
The body is constructed from steel with a PVD coating, which honestly surprised me given how manageable the weight is at just over 106 grams. If I didn’t know better, I would have guessed aluminum. That steel construction does explain the durability though, especially considering it’s rated for a two meter drop and carries an IPX7 water resistance rating. It isn’t ruler-straight either. There’s a subtle rear swell that fills the palm nicely and a gentle ramp leading up to the controls. In hand, it’s extremely comfortable. The diamond texturing along the sides gives your fingers plenty of traction without being abrasive. I’ve had it side by side with my Tekto A5 Spry and the design similarities are hard to miss.
Pocket carry is handled by a deep carry steel clip that feels robust and confidence inspiring. There’s a good amount of tension to it and I never feel like the light is going to make a break for freedom. The clip does cover a good chunk of the body, probably close to forty percent, but that’s the tradeoff for secure carry. There’s also some weight reduction milling on the clip. It’s not necessary, but it adds a bit of visual interest. At the rear, Nitecore added a glass breaker. It’s one of those features I don’t actively look for, but if all you have on you is a blade and a light, you’ve got a lot of emergency bases covered.
Where the EDC17 really stands out is up front. Nitecore managed to pack three distinct functions into the head. You get a white light, a UV light, and a green laser. The primary emitter is their in-house NiteLab UHi 25 LED, capable of pushing out up to 1,500 lumens with a beam distance rated at 230 meters and peak intensity of 12,400 candela. In practice, it’s plenty bright. The white light is adjustable through ultra-low, low, medium, and high settings, delivering 1, 50, 220, and 1,500 lumens respectively.
Operation is simple and intuitive. Sliding the switch forward cycles through low, medium, and high. Moonlight mode is accessed by holding the mode button while sliding the switch forward, and at one lumen it’s perfect for close-up tasks without destroying your night vision. I don’t use it often, but when I do need it, I’m glad it’s there.
The UV light comes in at 1,350 mW, which is fairly powerful for a light this size and is more than just a novelty. It’s useful for inspection work, leak detection, and even tracking after a successful hunt. It’s not something I need daily, but it’s strong enough to be genuinely useful. Cycling to UV is done through the mode button once the light is on.
The final mode is the green laser, rated at under 5 mW with a maximum runtime of up to 72 hours. Lasers are great for pointing things out without waving your hands around, and yes, they’re still fun for playing with pets. The laser can also be activated on its own while the light is off by pressing and holding the mode button, which is a nice touch.
Powering everything is a 1,500 mAh internal battery charged via USB-C. A cable is included, but you’ll need your own wall adapter. Runtime numbers look impressive on paper, with up to 260 hours on the lowest white light setting, but as always those figures are best taken in context. Nitecore ditched the LCD display this time around and instead uses a four-LED battery indicator on the side of the light. It’s simple, effective, and tells you quickly whether it’s time to plug in. With my daily use, I can go weeks between charges. If I were using the UV or white light professionally, I could see charging becoming a weekly habit, but never a daily chore.
The Nitecore EDC17 packs a lot into a slim, flat body that carries comfortably and handles well, even with gloves or cold hands. It may not be a headline-grabbing lumen monster, but it doesn’t need to be. It delivers practical brightness, useful secondary functions, and solid ergonomics in a form factor that works for everyday carry. If you’re looking for a versatile light that balances features with usability, the EDC17 is absolutely worth a look.
