Hello to everyone 
Thanking them for the trust, today we will review the TM10K which was kindly provided by Nitecore itself.
CLICK HERE to go to the official product page on the Nitecore website.
I want to clarify that my reviews are made at an amateur level, so without the aid of science fiction tools or tests in secret laboratories and cutting edge. Therefore, among the lines that follow, there will be my humble observations and even my humble opinions.
Official features:
- utilizes 6 CREE XHP35 HD LEDs to produce a max output of 10.000 lumens
- maximum beam intensity of 20.000 cd and maximum throw of 288 meters
- lightweight, rigid and fast cooling tube built from unibody die-cast CNC technology
- multifunctional OLED real-time display for lumens, voltage, runtime and temperature etc.
- built-in 4.800 mAh 21700 rechargeable Li-Ion battery
- intelligent Li-Ion battery charging circuit
- high efficienct constant circuit provides stable output up to 200 hours
- combination of dual side switches and a tail switch controls 5 brightness levels
- customizable HIGH brightness level
- an optical system combined with crystal coating and "Precision Digital Optics Technology" (PDOT)
- optical lenses with double-sided scratch resistant coating
- constructed from aero grade aluminum alloy
- HA III military grade hard-anodized finish
- waterproof in accordance with IPX8 (2 meters submersible)
- impact resistant to 1 meter
- tail stand capability
Where to buy it
The Nitecore MT12GTS could be purchased from NitecoreStore.com
The package and the accessories
The Nitecore TM10K is sold in a sturdy black cardboard box with a minimal appearance.
On the front stands the photo of this flashlight with its maximum of 10,000 lumens putted clearly in evidence along with the model name. Then there is the writing "Compact and Intelligent Sharp Light" and the Nitecore logo.
On the back we find a brief description of the product, the CE and RoHS certifications, the company data, a QR-code that directs to the product page on the Nitecore website and small boxes that show the model's key data.
On the 2 long sides there is only the Nitecore logo
while on the short ones there is written "Tiny Monster Series". On one of this two sides there is also attached a sticker that shows the name of the model, the number and type of LEDs used and the identification number of the flashlight.
Opening the package we find a sponge placed to protect the flashlight on the left side and a further box in light cardboard that hosts the accessories represented on it on the right .
Once extracted everything from the package, we will find:
- the TM10K
- the Samsung 48G battery, a 21700 of 4,800 mAh, inserted inside the flashlight and not removable
- the metal clip (already mounted on the flashlight)
- the wrist strap
- USB cable -> USB Type-C for charging (long just over 60 cm)
- Cordura sheath
- the warranty card
- the multilingual manual
NB: the flashlight is sold with a protective film of light blue color on the lens that have to be removed before making the first use.
The sheath supplied in the package is made in cordura and its opening / closing is entrusted to the velcro.
I inserted the flashlight with the LEDs facing downwards. In this configuration the clip partially covers the velcro but, despite all, the closure of the cover is guaranteed.
On the back we find a plastic D-ring, a belt loop and a loop with Velcro to attach the scabbard to a MOLLE system.
On the side there is a flap on with the Nitecore logo.
Note that the scabbard is opened at the bottom, probably to give a way to use it even when hosted in it (later we will see the use of the various switches).
And here is the cable that takes care of recharging the battery. It can be connected to any device with an output of 5 or more Volts (car charger, wall charger, powerbank, solar panel, etc. also compatible with Quick Charge) which is not included in the package.
The cable has the classic USB plug and a male Type-C USB plug.
Here is the manual in the English and Italian languages. Alternatively it can be viewed and / or downloaded from the Nitecore website by clicking HERE .
The flashlight
The TM10K is the last flashlight of the Tiny Monster family putted on the market by Nitecore and distinguishes itself from its other sisters for its very compact dimensions.
This new flashlight, with an anodised aluminum alloy body and almost entirely machined from a solid bar thanks to the CNC, is shaped like a small parallelepiped. Do not be enchanted by its small size because, thanks to the 4800 mAh high performance (not removable) 21700 battery, it is able to burst as many as 10,000 lumens even if for a few seconds.
Due the impossibility of opening the flashlight, Nitecore declares protection against liquids and dust according to the IP68 standard.
The body has clean lines, the grooves on the body are reduced to a minimum and the various angles have been blunted.
Looking at it sideways, on one of the two larger facades, we find the Nitecore logo, its website, the name of the flashlight and its maximum output (well highlighted).
On the opposite side there are other information but they are covered by the metal clip hooked to the flashlight body with 3 torx screws.
Once we removed the clip we can see that most of the hidden information is about the battery used, a 21700 Samsung 48G INR able to be recharged to a maximum of 4.8A and able to deliver up to 35A of discharge.
And here is the metal clip that, once hooked, offers a firm grip on the clothes.
Among the most important facades there is the one which you can interact with the UI thanks to 2 of the 3 switches on the flashlight. The electronic switches are made in metal and are surrounded by rings that are also made in metal, have a short stroke and a click not too noisy even if slightly metallic due the material used. Next to the two switches there is an OLED display through which we can see different information (we will see them in detail later).
On the opposite side there is the last of the four facades on which there is a knurling formed by large squares that improve the grip.
On the two thinner sides there are also 2 torx screws (one on each side) that would allow the tail to be removed, the only separable part of the flashlight body (besides the clip). Obviously, because it is not necessary to disassemble the flashlight in order to access to the battery compartment, I do not recommend this operation to avoid compromising of the warranty.
On this side there is also a hole that, if needed, allows the user to insert the wrist strap.
The flashlight have 6 LED CREE XPH35 HD CW (cold dye) that has slight yellow dominant at low levels but which turn white to high ones. The LEDs are placed in a multi-dish composed of 6 small SMO dishes partially fused together .
The whole thing is dominated by a lens with anti-glare treatment (which I could not take pictures of it) protected by a small bezel that offer protection from small bumps.
On the collar around the head there is the identification number of the flashlight which, together with the other written, does not present smudges.
In the flashlight's tail there is the third and last switch, always made in metal and with a short stroke and a click not too noisy, this time in the middle we find a hole that let shows the light of the blue LED underneath.
Next to the switch there is the flap used to protect the USB Type-C port which recharges the battery.
Obviously everything is in flush with the flashlight body and allows the tail stand.
Here is the illuminated indicator.
The protective cap is made of silicone and has printed an arrow indicating the small tongue that facilitates its opening.
After removing the cap, we find the USB Type-C port.
The screen
As anticipated in the previous paragraph, on the TM10K a small OLED screen is mounted to provide a lot of useful information to the user.
Among the various information it tells us the level and the lumens in use,
the bar with the remaining time of the Turbo (since it can be activated for only 7 seconds),
the residual voltage of the battery when it is in standby
and when the flashlight is lit on,
The battery bar (like on a smartphone),
the remaining runtime of the level in use
and the internal temperature reached by the flashlight.
This is followed by the information on the activation of the Beacon (which is the locator positioned under the tail's switch)
and activating or deactivatinge of the 2 electronic flashlight locks.
The battery and the charging system
The Nitecore has chosen to use for its flashlight the 21700 Samsung 48G INR battery that, according to specifications, has a capacity of 4.800mAh, supports a maximum charging speed of 4.8A and is able to withstand a discharge up to 35A .
In order to not compromise the flashlight I thought it was not necessary to open it to extract the battery.
However, according to the specifications, it is possible to charge this TM10K with a charger / powerbank able to provide a fast charge (9V - 12V) as the flashlight is compatible with the QC2 standard. Do not despair if you do not own anything compatible with the QC2, a classic device that delivers 5V (car charger, wall charger, powerbank, solar panel, etc.) will be good even you will have longer charging times. Of course, the messages provided by the OLED monitor will also change: "Q. charge" for fast charging and "charging ..." for the classic one.
Once the charging is complete, regardless of the charger used, the word "Finished" appears on the OLED screen. With the integrated battery discharged (about 3.10 V), the entire charging process takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes with a charger compatible with the Quick Charge 2 (9V 2A max, the only one in my possession) and about 3 hours and 30 minutes using a classic 5V and 2.4A charger.
NB You can not light the flashlight if the battery is charging and even if you try to connect the cable having the flashlight on, the LEDs will turn off and then turn on automatically when you unplug the cable.
How does it work
The M10K T has five selectable levels and no special levels.
According to official Nitecore data, normal levels have the following characteristics:
- Turbo -> 10000 lumens (the duration is not specified because the level lasts only 7 seconds at activation and can be recalled several times until the battery has enough charge)
- High -> 1000 lumens for 2 hours *
- Mid -> 300 lumens for 7 hours
- Low -> 100 lumens for 14 hours
- Ultralow -> 3 lumens for 200 hours
NB The declared durations have been recorded in the laboratory by Nitecore with the 4800 mAh battery (obviously) charge already built inside the flashlight.
* High level can be customized, the runtime telled by Nitecore is of the 1000 lumens preset at the factory.
Remember that the flashlight has 3 switches: the Mode Button ( MB ) which is the one on the body closest to the LEDs, the Power Button ( PB ) which is the one on the body closest to the OLED screen and the Tail Switch ( TS ) that is positioned in the tail.
Power On / Off
With a single click on the PB we will turn the flashlight on or off. Due the presence of memory, the last level previously used will always be repeated.
Change levels
With the flashlight on, just click on the MB to cycle 4 of the 5 available levels in ascending order. Obviously 1 TAP = 1 change level.
The Turbo is to be recalled separately.
NB With the display off, the first pressing of MB will activate it to show the information on that level and to change the level it will be necessary to press the switch a second time.
Quick access to Ultralow, High and Turbo
Due the presence of memory on every normal level, it may happen that in a given situation we should quickly access the lowest or highest available level or directly to the Turbo.
To quickly access the Ultralow level, when the flashlight is turned off, press and hold down the PB until the LEDs light up.
To quickly access the High level, when the flashlight is turned off, press and hold down the MB until the LEDs light up.
With the flashlight on, it will be possible to recall the Turbo level from any level keeping the MB pressed.
With the flashlight on or off, we quickly access the Turbo by pressing and holding the TS with the flashlight holded in dagger grip.
NB Due the presence of 6 LEDs and since the internal temperature in Turbo rises very quickly, Nitecore decided to limit the activation of this level to just 7 seconds per activation. On the OLED screen a countdown will be shown to inform the user of the expiry of the time and, once expired, it will go to the High level. A second (or third) immediate turn on of the Turbo is possible (but not recommended to avoid internal overheating) only in cases where the external temperatures allow it or if the remaining charge of the battery is enough to guarantee the necessary power. In cases where the Turbo can not be operated, the High level will be selected.
Lock / Unlock
This particular model is equipped with 2 types of electronic blocks. Due the impossibility of physically extract the battery from the flashlight body, the physical lock-out can not (obviously) be used.
As I said, the locking modes are 2: "Half Lockout Mode (Lockout 1)" or "Full Lockout Mode (Lockout 2)". The only difference is that with the first lock only the side switches are blocked, while the second one also blocks the switch in the tail.
Both blocks can be activated by performing the same procedure. When the flashlight is on, press and hold the PB until the LED flashes and Lockout 1 will appear on the screen. If we continue to hold it down, the LED will flash again and by this time the word Lockout 2 will appear on the screen. Having the flashlight locked will make the written Lockout 1/2 appear in such a way as to remind the user that the flashlight is locked.
To unlock the flashlight, double-tap the PB making sure to keep it pressed. The lighting of the LEDs will inform us that the flashlight has been released.
Program the High level
The peculiarity of this TM10K is to be able to program the High level (factory preset at 1000 lumens) by choosing the output power at intervals of 100 lumens between 400 and 2000 lumens (so we will have 17 levels available).
To set the level that most suited to our needs is very easy. With the flashlight turned on you have to go to the High level, press and hold together the MB and the PB until the LEDs emit 1 flash and the OLED monitor starts blinking, at this point we will be sure to have entered the programming. Once this is done, just press the MB or the PB to decrease or increase the light output (as mentioned before, 100 lumens at a time). Once you have chosen the desired level, simply press and hold the MB and the PB together briefly until the LEDs turn off and the settings are saved.
By pressing the TS during programming instead, we will immediately reset to the factory setting (1000 lumens)
If during the programming we do not press any key for 10 seconds, the flashlight will exit the programming returning to the starting level.
Locator
In the manual it is called Beacon but it is nothing more than a Locator, a method to easily find the flashlight in the dark thanks to the blinking of the indicator under the TS (1 blink every 2 seconds).
With the flashlight off, just press and hold both the MB and the PB simultaneously to enable or disable the locator. According to Nitecore, with the battery charged, the flashing will last 3 months .
Call up other information on the screen
In the paragraph "the screen" we have seen the various screens showed by the OLED monitor. Most of the screens available inform us if the flashlight is blocked or not, if the locator is active or not, or to inform us of the level information in use but we have not yet seen how to retrieve the other information.
A single press, with the flashlight off, of the MB will show the writing Standby with the residual voltage of the battery.
A single pressure, with the flashlight on, of the MB will show the written (will change by themselves) related to the level turned on at that time, the battery voltage, the remaining battery power (with smartphone style bars), the remaining runtime of the level in use and the internal temperature of the flashlight.
ATR system
This is the Nitecore system to adjust the light output of the highest level of the flashlight depending on the outside temperature. More the conditions are favorable to the flashlight (low temperatures / cool wind) and higher the higher levels will emit light.
Dimensions: weights and dimensions
The Nitecore TM10K measures 11.06 x 4.10 x 2.50 cm (without the clip). It weighs with the clip 247 gr.
Here below there is the dimensional comparison with a big BIC lighter and the NL1835HP,
with the Concept 2
and with a powerbank which have 3x18650 inside.
Lumens, runtimes, candles and beamshot
NB The tests to follow were made (obviously) with the battery built into the flashlight. Since the Turbo level is only available by recalling it, I took advantage of it to record the level curves at 2000, 1500, 1000, 700 and 300 lumens. Everything was done in a 24 ° home environment with and without forced ventilation.
The following values have been taken with the battery charged and are considered to be peak .
The following values have been taken with the battery charged and are considered to be peak .
NB The discharge curves are obviously indicative, the result could vary in positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or the conditions of use that may vary from mine during my tests.
Any slight discrepancies related to the tests carried out on the same level can be attributed to a different positioning of the measuring equipment in my tests.
The following values have been taken with the battery charged and are considered to be peak .
All the following photos were taken with the white balance set to 5200K.
This photo was taken at a distance of 40 cm from the wall.
Beam width
Beamshot at Turbo (10,000 lumens), High (2000, 1500, 1000, 700 lumens) and Mid (300 lumens) levels. The tree line is about 25 meters away. The spill, with the spot facing the infinity on the horizontal plane, starts from about 45 cm from my feet.
The cottage is located at 70 meters away, I used the levels Turbo and High at 2000, 1500 and 1000 lumens.
The trees at the bottom are about 150 meters away. I used only the Turbo (10,000 lumens), High (2000, 1500, 1000, 700 lumens) and Mid (300 lumens) .
I also take this opportunity to attach a short video that makes the idea of the potential of the flashlight bettet.
www.youtube.com/embed/CNzav_LEu-U
Personal considerations
All you need is the name of the flashlight to briefly describe this model, TM10K: Tiny Monster (small monster) and 10K (10000 lumens).
It is small, compact, light and is able to burst, when needed, an enormous amount of light. The UI is easy and intuitive, the OLED monitor is an impressive convenience and is positioned in an optimal position (for those that hold the flashlight with the right hand), allowing the user to read the innumerable information provided.
Even the switches with which the UI is controlled are comfortable to operate and easy to be reached, even in the dark. The material used and the "raw" effect given to the switches give an extra edge to the aesthetics of this model.
By holding the flashlight we perceive the high build quality of Nitecore and, due the presence of the switch in the tail, it is possible to use the dagger grip to immediately activate the 10000 lumens available.
For matters that are easily imaginable, unfortunately it is not possible to maintain all this power for a long time and has been chosen to make it available only for 7 seconds before the step down intervention.
As for Concept 2, all this power is available to us only for emergency, for all the other uses we have the other levels and the customization of the high level.
I want to make a final clarification on the regulation: I have never seen any high model that, for the first 10 minutes, had an almost regulated tread on all the levels I tried ... hats off on this TM10K!
As seen from the discharge curves, up to the level of 1000 lumens, the flashlight has a good adjustment while, to rise, we see the ATR system in action when the environmental conditions do not entrust a good heat dissipation but 0 problems when it is good
At all it is a very valid, compact and powerful model. I did not find any serious flaws.
The only drawback (which perhaps to other users does not bother) is a detail of the UI: I find boring to have to press twice the MB to have to change level when the screen is off. Obviously with the habit it will most not give more trouble but, initially, I find it slightly unsettling.
What do you think of this TM10K? Would you buy it?