Nitecore/Keychain

Nitecore TIP SE

Name: Nitecore TIP SE
Brand: Nitecore
Price: 25 USD
Availability: Discontinued

DiscontinuedNitecore no longer makes this light; what dealers have left is the last of it. Its current replacement is Nitecore TIP3.

Two buttons ran the TIP SE, a Nitecore keychain light with a clean interface and a clip that fit a hat brim. It served as a backup light rather than a primary one. The TIP3 is its replacement.

Beam profile

Balanced, about 29° wide. A usable hotspot with enough spill to see around it.

Estimated from 700 lm ÷ 3,500 cd — how this works

$25

Specifications

Output: 700lm
Peak intensity: 3500cd
Beam distance: 118m
Emitter: Osram P9
Colour rendering: 70 CRI
Beam type: Balanced
Cell: Built-in
Runtime: 1 hr (high)
Modes: 4 Stepped
Interface: Dual Button
Water/dust: IP54
Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.0 in
Weight: 1.4 oz
Warranty: Lifetime

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

Features

USB-C Charging Pocket Clip

What owners report

Nitecore TIP SE/5 sources reviewed

A dual-emitter keychain light giving quick access to 700 lumens through a two-button interface that reviewers rate as genuinely good — with shortcuts to useful modes, which is rare at this size. The form factor works for both keychain and coin-pocket carry, the body is durable, and proper USB-C charging means no extra cable to carry. The detachable pocket clip covers the charging port. IP54 and rated for a 1 m drop.

The standout complaint is DEMO mode: it's very easy to trigger accidentally, and reviewers report the light almost always being in the wrong mode when they reach for it. Beyond that, several would prefer recessed buttons and a glass lens rather than plastic, charging is surprisingly slow for USB-C, and there's no neutral white option. Some also prefer the TIP2's one-piece body to this one's plastic core.

Consistently praised

700 lumens with quick access, from a keychain-sized body
Two-button interface with real shortcuts to useful modes
Proper USB-C charging — no extra cable needed
Detachable pocket clip that also covers the charging port
IP54 and rated for a 1 m drop

Common complaints

DEMO mode is very easy to trigger, and the light is often in the wrong mode
Buttons aren't recessed, which is why DEMO gets triggered
Charging is slow despite being USB-C
Plastic lens rather than glass, and a plastic core body
No neutral white option

Questions people ask

What is DEMO mode and why is it a problem?: A display mode intended for retail. It's easy to enter by accident because the buttons sit proud, and reviewers report reaching for the light and finding it in the wrong state. Learning how to exit it is the first thing to do.
Is USB-C charging fast?: No — reviewers were surprised how slow it is given the connector. The cell is small, so it still fills reasonably quickly in absolute terms.
TIP SE or TIP2?: The SE has USB-C and a better interface; the TIP2 has a one-piece body some prefer to the SE's plastic core. On balance reviewers call the SE the better light.
Is it durable enough for a keyring?: IP54 and a 1 m drop rating, with a body reviewers call durable. The plastic lens is the part most likely to scuff against keys.

Sources (5)