Nitecore/Tactical

Nitecore P20i

Name: Nitecore P20i
Brand: Nitecore
Price: 90 USD
Availability: Discontinued

DiscontinuedNitecore no longer makes this light; what dealers have left is the last of it. Its current replacement is Nitecore P20iX.

Compact and throw-oriented, the P20i was a Nitecore duty light with a clean beam and USB-C charging. Nitecore's replacement is the P20iX.

Beam profile

Balanced, about 16° wide. A usable hotspot with enough spill to see around it.

Estimated from 1,800 lm ÷ 29,000 cd — how this works

$90

Specifications

Output: 1800lm
Peak intensity: 29000cd
Beam distance: 340m
Emitter: Luminus SST-40
Colour rendering: 70 CRI
Beam type: Throw
Cell: 21700
Runtime: 2 hrs (high)
Modes: 4 Stepped
Interface: Dual Switch
Water/dust: IP68
Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.0 in
Weight: 3.6 oz
Warranty: Lifetime

Manufacturer figures, measured to ANSI FL1 where the brand states it.

Features

USB-C Charging Pocket Clip Waterproof (IP67+)Tail Switch Momentary Mode

What owners report

Nitecore P20i/4 sources reviewed

A duty-oriented 21700 light with 1,800 lumens and 344 m of throw from an SST-40, IP68 to two metres and rated for a 1 m drop. Reviewers praise the build, the legible markings and the proportions — a body narrower than the head and tail, which gives it a natural grip — and the included NTH20 holster, which fits belts from 1¼ to 2¼ inches and works with MOLLE.

The two complaints are both about hardware compatibility. The pocket clip's bend radius seems designed for a thinner light, so it doesn't clip on cleanly. More significantly, the P20i only takes two CR123As or Nitecore's own proprietary i-series 21700 — a protected cell that can only be charged inside the light. There's no using a standard 21700, and no charging the cell externally.

Consistently praised

1,800 lumens with 344 m of throw — genuine reach for a duty light
IP68 to two metres and rated for a 1 m drop
Well-proportioned body with natural grip from the wider head and tail
Included NTH20 holster fits a wide belt range and MOLLE
USB-C charging with Power Delivery support

Common complaints

Only takes CR123A pairs or Nitecore's proprietary i-series 21700
The proprietary cell can only be charged inside the light
The pocket clip's bend radius doesn't suit a light this thick
Cool 6500K SST-40 with low colour rendering
Three levels plus strobe is a thin mode set for the price

Questions people ask

Can I use a normal 21700?: No. It takes Nitecore's protected i-series cell or two CR123As, and the i-series cell can only be charged in the light. That's the main ownership constraint.
Is the holster any good?: Yes — reviewers rate it as sturdy and it accommodates a wide range of belt widths plus MOLLE, which is unusual for an included accessory.
How's the pocket clip?: It holds, but the bend looks sized for a thinner light so it doesn't sit flush. It's the sort of detail that annoys daily, though it doesn't stop the light working.
P20i or P20iX?: The P20iX is the higher-output version at around 4,000 lumens with a dual-switch tail. Same platform, more light and more money.

Sources (4)