The Drop: Nitecore SRT7i Tactical Rotary Flashlight

It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.

The Nitecore SRT7i offers high performance and flexibility, with a smart selector ring that allows you to adjust the brightness and modes with high precision to get the light strength you need for the given situation. It’s the latest light in one of Nitecore’s oldest (and very missed) series, bringing one of our favorite flashlight mechanisms back into the market.

At the heart (brain?)  of the SRT7i’s chunky head is a Luminus SFT-70 LED, which can produce up to 3,000 lumens and reach a beam distance of over 634 yards, powered by the modern 21700 li-ion battery platform. This LED has a high color rendering index (CRI) of 90, which shows more accurate colors on the objects you’re looking at. The light also has a smooth reflector that creates a uniform and far-reaching beam, ideal for outdoor activities.

Like most Nitecore lights, the SRT7i comes in a durable aluminum alloy body and heavy-duty springs that protect the battery from impact and vibration. It’s waterproof up to two meters deep and dustproof, thanks to its IP68 rating. It also has a covered USB-C port that allows fast charging of the included 5000mAh battery, providing a maximum runtime of over 800 hours on the lowest mode.

The SRT7i’s standout feature is a smart selector ring on the tailcap, which gives you precise control over the brightness and modes. You can turn the ring from the locked position to access the stepless adjustment mode, where you can smoothly adjust the brightness from 1 to 3,000 lumens by rotating the ring clockwise or counterclockwise, allowing you to intuitively dial the exact brightness you need for any task, and also remove the risk of engaging the light at its brightest setting. You can also click over to TAC mode, allowing instantly deployment of Turbo and Strobe with dual tail switches. These switches have two activation levels, giving you more options for momentary or constant on.

As befitting the more tactical nature of the light, it comes with a stainless steel bezel with three silicone nitrided inlays, which can be used to break glass or as a self-defense tool. Its tail stand capability prevents accidental activation and allows you to use the light as a candle or attach it to a lanyard. It also has a blue power indicator showing the remaining battery level when the light is on.

What we like: A rotary light in 2023! Our flashlight prayers are answered.

What to watch out for: The larger head and overall profile aren’t the best for EDC, but with the right carrying setup via lanyard or holster, it can still be a daily option.

Final verdict: Tactical and practical and a welcome return of the SRT series.

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