[Review + Discussion] Nitecore TM9K

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.

I tested the Nitecore TM9K using the Texas Ace Lumen Tube calibrated with Maukka lights and a Sekonic C-800-U spectrometer. Output taken at 2s from turn-on.

Nitecore TM9K Turbo 8,190 lumens 6637K 0.0017 DUV 69.7 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -25.2 R9 44.2 R12 65 Rf 96 Rg included battery
Nitecore TM9K M4 1,879 lumens 6247K 0.0057 DUV 69.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -34.7 R9 41.2 R12 66 Rf 95 Rg included battery
Nitecore TM9K M3 446 lumens 6109K 0.0072 DUV 69.2 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -37.1 R9 40.0 R12 67 Rf 95 Rg included battery
Nitecore TM9K M2 124 lumens 6121K 0.0066 DUV 69.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -35.9 R9 40.5 R12 67 Rf 95 Rg included battery
Nitecore TM9K M1 33 lumens 6543K 0.0025 DUV 70.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -26.6 R9 41.7 R12 66 Rf 96 Rg included battery

Note: the TA lumen tube gives lower readings for mules and extremely floody lights. I think we can add 5-10% to the measured output of this light.

The light looks good and it is extremely floody with a somewhat noticeable hotspot at the center. Makes for a great indoor light especially for large spaces. The output is really limited by the 5000K battery in it. I think it is a 50E or M50T rated at 10A continuous. If they used the brand new Samsung 50G rumored to have 15A continouous, it should be able to hit 10k lumens. I'm sure if it used a high current battery like the P42A or 40T, it can do 12k+. I know this is meant as a tactical light but I just wish it could tail stand. I don't like the CCT and tint though so probably won't ever use it as a tail stand light.

Thanks for the numbers SKV89! I've now finished my review and posted it to https://www.bmengineer.com/2020/03/nitecore-tm9k-review.html for anyone that wants to give it a read. I'll add a short summary to my original post as well.

For anyone thinking of buying, it's now available on Amazon.

Thanks, SKV89 and bmengineer for updated data and teardown pics.

I ordered this light when it was first announced by Nitecore, I was excited when a major quality manufacturer decided that Everyman can have 9,000 brief burst lumens from a single 21700 cell flashlight. I got mine January 6th, and I really like it a lot. I showed it off to many people, and a few people actually were sufficiently impressed with its size/power ratio to immediately order it.

It is kinda neat to see seven topic threads on two forums for an exciting light bumped up weeks later at the same time to receive data updates .

Thanks again!

For this,it is not possible to open it easy.I don’t try to force it open.Also,the mode button is not designed well,it is not easy to use it.

That’s interesting, what difficulties do you have using the mode switch? Nitecore is using that design on a huge chunk of their lineup.

I know it,but the design was not exactly the same.Unfortunately I can’t find the correct words to describe the situation.

The Nitecore TM9K switch controls are designed to be marketed towards law enforcement, so there should be no problems, no nonsense operation of the controls.

Except for users who prefer side switch, or who are not used to "tactical" switch controls. I prefer side switch because that is where my fingertips are. My TM9K is my only light that is "tactical", which means that it is marketed towards LE personnel.

Look at this design of a Lumintop.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chQsUdfcpfU .
You can see that the second switch,ie the turbo-strobe switch, is more easily used.
Even better design,is that of Klarus XT11S.Look at this site and magnify the tail switces photo.Φακός Χειρός Klarus XT11S .
Plus this video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=177&v=rhyfKvxP4U4&feature=emb_logo

Ah, so you think the Nitecore design is either too difficult to locate or to press?

I think to press.I am going to buy a Klarus XT12GT these days,with a very good second tail switch.

I picked this up on the Black Friday sale. While it will hit 9600 lumens (9550 in my calibrated box) it only puts out the big numbers for about 6 seconds before dropping down into the lower 4000’s then stabilizing around 3000.

The emitters do not appear to be XP-L, look like flip chip Xp-L2 to me complete with the weird tint shifts.

I will be installing 5000K LH351D emitters and swap their cell to a 40T or possibly 30T.

The “reflectors” are in s machined disc not even a quarter inch thick, pretty much a mule. Neat little light, the expected proprietary nature from Nitecore. We’ll see if I can improve it…

I would love to see what you can do with this light. The built-in battery seems real difficult to get to because the head and battery tube seems to be continuous without any joints. I guess that helps with the heat transfer.

Mine is mixed tint 5x 2700K XPL2 and 4x stock XPL2 6500K. The resulting tint is about 4300k and turbo is 8,621 lumens calibrated with Maukka lights. The tint shift is obvious though but using it outdoors, it’s not really noticeable. I have a ton of fun playing with turbo on this little light.

The cell they used is a Samsung 48G. And typical of Nitecore, getting in is not easy!