[Review + Discussion] Nitecore TM9K

Nitecore has just announced quite the hotrod, the TM9K. This is a 1*21700 light, like many of their new models, using 9 emitters to reach a claimed 9500 lumens. The XP-L HD wouldn't be my first choice, and the cell sounds like it's sealed in the light, but I'm sure this forum will be interested in seeing more hot rods on the market.

Update: Nitecore shipped me a sample of this light and I've now had time to finish up my full review. Click through to read it and see some teardowns and runtime graphs, but here's some key takeaways:

  • This thing is tiny considering the cell inside and the output
  • This is the only light I've tried that will charge with a USB-C to USB-C cable, and even seems to support PD
  • Turbo is only for very momentary use
  • The cell is soldered in place and not easily replaceable
  • Great UI for what it is

If you're interested, you can buy this light on Amazon (affiliate link) or check out the official product page.

Seems interesting. Bums me NC never produces any of their popular lights in NW. Would be interested in pricing

It is ugly

This is interesting. USB-C instead of micro-USB charging :+1: 9 emitter with 21700 is exactly what I was wishing Fireflies would come out with next. It might actually dethrone the Fireflies E07 as the brightest single cell flashlight. Looks wise it is not attractive. The heat fins are shallow unlike the E07, which I think looks better and performs better for heat shedding. I also dont like the fact that it cannot tail stand. I would buy it if they use 5000K emitters instead of CW but I doubt it.

Nice new release. There are very few multi emitter lights that use an efficient constant current driver. Too bad it uses a built in battery. That’s a deal breaker.

I wonder how open to persuasion the light is…

Nightwatch nsx3 3*xhp50.2 3V is rated 9900 lumen, single 21700. I dont think e07 í single cell brightest flashlight

We also have nitecore TM10k, which is also single cell flashlight and can do 10k lumen in……10s

Bat not removable

Yeah basically you are looking at a 12LED that pulls 35A and your runtime is zero. Supposedly there is no limit to how much direct driver one wants but at some point it becomes highly redundant to label how many lumens something does if the cells is empty in 2 seconds.

The point of these flashlights is not runtime, but to get the highest brightness at small form.

If i care about runtime, i won’t buy these

That turbo ready button seems weird. Seems flat like you can’t even press down on it. Would be hard to access with gloves.

Floody reflector lights this bright dont work all that well for actual real world use. Reason being is that the bright spill floods the foreground with too much light and blinds you. TIR lights are much better in this respect.

This light would have been way better with the KW CULNM1.TG LEDs.

Dont worry if it’s not bright enough… Next year I’m making a single cell light with 35000 lumens 2 seconds turbo runtime 10kcd. Built in fire extinguisher. 1300mah battery… and best of all it’ll only cost two kidneys.

Just because it has a poor skirt cap to protect the refill, it’s far from my interest. I am not against the possibility of charging, but a single rubber cap makes it too exposed to weather events

I’ve tested some Nightwatch lights before and their lumen ratings are exaggerated a bit. I’m guessing their 9,900 lumens is more like 7,000 lumens. Until someone on BLF measures with a calibrated lumen sphere, I’ll take it with a grain of salt.

Well said. :+1:

I saw in a video that the turbo lasts 7 sec.

I got one earlier this week, looks like a time step down at 7 second yup

Just a note, turbo is only momentary by holding down the dedicated turbo button, which makes a bit of sense with the rapid step down.

I look at it as a mini MS18. Capable of depleting almost all of its entire fuel supply in a brief brightest burst for size, if I want to. I ordered one, for starters.