single 18650 + XHP70: nitecore TM03

Awesome review vid. That shows us, ermmm, exactly nothing. Why bother???

That’s like reviewing a car without driving it.

Because that’s not a review, just showing the light and the modes. Submitted by a flashlight selling website.

May I have the code?

Using P2 flux bin, 90% optical efficiency and 85% driver efficiency, will take 22.10 Watts to reach 2817 lumens. So 6.13A input from battery @ 3.6V.

The problem with using a different battery is going to be the proprietary end cap or PCB. Streamlight has been building batteries like this for a long time. I’ve modded higher capacity batteries to work, but it requires re-using the parts of an OEM battery or machining a replacement cap out of delrin and wrapping your own.

Looks like a nice light, I’m interested.

-Michael

ETA: Those numbers looked somewhat conservative to me, so I went back and checked, seems the PCT program isn’t loading parameters correctly. Not sure what the deal is, installed a No Track plugin a few days ago and it may be responsible. They should be fairly close but the Tj and Optical Efficiency are going to cause it to be lower than actual.

Also, no runtime listed for Turbo, so I’m guessing with its thermal regulation it won’t stay there long.

He states that the video is not a review.

Because he sells at https://www.selected-lights.de/ he does the videos just to show the products on camera and any revues will be done by members of http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/.

Ahh, ok, didnt speak the lingo so what he said meant nothing to me.

Still, if I was trying to sell something I’d try to show off what it can do a bit more.

Hopefully a proper review comes along soon which gives a better overall impression.

I downloaded the manual from the link provided in the first post. The light will NOT operate in turbo mode without the proprietary battery. Everything else apparently will function with a regular 18650. Obviously, this means putting another powerhouse battery in the light will be counterproductive.

Turbo mode is good for 15 minutes of runtime.

Nice find! with a normal 18650 the highest mode would be 1350lm for 4minutes, bummer…

http://flashlight.nitecore.com/html/uploads/ueditor/image/product/TM03/TM03_UM_EN.pdf

Anyone want to know more about the “proprietary” cell? The expensive Nitecore TM-03 battery that is “high drain” and “high capacity”?

I bought a back-up directly from the “NitecoreStore”. It came in today, before the light made it. And who’d a thunk what I found inside? A simple little ol Panasonic PF! That’s right, with circuitry top and bottom making it proprietary! Figure I’ll take the circuitry off and attach it to a Samsung 30Q and see what happens. :slight_smile:

Yep, I paid $20 for an old Panasonic PF with a circuit on it (that now won’t work in the light it was made for!) Wish me luck on the 30Q….

Do you have an article about batteries explaining those nomenclatures?

I did think those panasonics are the best. :open_mouth:

Wow Dale… I seriously did NOT expect that. I was expecting a 30Q or HG2, since Nitecore made so much fuzz about this “special high drain battery”. I hope you have made it work with the 30Q.

I’m also surprised on how wrongly used is the “IMR” chemistry term.

Many years ago, probably true. But for today’s standards the PF does not even compare with a medium-drain.

We don’t have articles explaining nomenclatures, we have tests: (actually I think we do have such articles but a test shows it better)

The orbtronic 18650PD is based on the panasonic PF cell as per [HJK’s review](Test/Review of Orbtronic 18650PD 2900mAh (Black) | Candle Power Flashlight Forum.

That applies for 3400mha too?

Whats considered med and high drain?

The PF is/was a decent cell, but lower internal resistance cells took over by allowing much higher currents in our FET driver based lights. Cells like the Efest Purple 35A, LG HE-2, HE-4, Samsung 30Q, there are quite a few these days that outperform the PF series from Panasonic. Even their own BD has higher capacity with better current capabilities.

To the best of my knowledge the circuitry is a protection circuit for over-discharge and low voltage protection, we’ll need someone more familiar with electronics to verify what that circuit is. There’s no components at the tail.

There isn’t a fixed definition but for our use a high drain is a battery rated to supply constant 10A, or a triple XP-L direct drive setup. If the 3,400mah you refer to is the panasonic NCR18650BD than that is a very low drain cell.

Med drain:
-Sanyo GA
-LG MJ1
-Samsung 35E

High drain;
-Samsung 30Q
-LG HG2
-Sony VTC5/6

Thanks Dale and Will34, I’m newbie with that :smiley:

Those high drain cannot come with protection circuit?

I bought those too: http://www.banggood.com/4PCS-3_7V-2600mah-Button-Top-Protected-18650-Lithium-Battery-For-Samsung-p-913785.html

How many amps those can push?

Wow very unexpected, but nice find Dale. I really hope you are able to wire up that 30q.
And if you do, who knows…we may possibly see 3300 lumens!

I’m actually surprised you purchased this light in the first place. What made you want it?
Would have thought u go klarus g20 or olight r50 route or acebeam ec50 version 2 ?

WOW

nice find Dale!

The stock output are already exceeded 3300 lumens though around 3500, check mhanlen’s review.
I can vouch for his accuracy, as i also have this light and have proper means for estimation.

I look forward to putting the TM03 in the lightbox with the stock specialized cell and hopefully a Samsung 30Q variant, will be interesting to see if there’s an output difference. My TM03 is on the way…

im really hoping the 30q works, and that it pushes the power for the strobe mode because it is waaaay under performing right now in stock form.