Fireflies E12R, NOV-MU, T9R, T1R prototype test results

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I preordered in December last year and received them for over a month already but have been too busy to test and post results until now. I've been using them here and there especially the NOV-MU and they are absolutely amazing. Most of my gripes in the older FF lights have been fixed in the new series. The build quality also seems a notch above the older series especially the T1R prototype looks identical to Olight quality, which so far is second to none and I own over 400 flashlights.

Lumen output measured at 2seconds from turn-on using the Texas Ace Lumen Tube calibrated with Maukka lights. Spectrometer used is the Sekonic Spectromaster C-800-U

FF T1R CULNM1 Turbo 689 lumens 7827K -0.0079 DUV 74.3 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 5.8 R9 44.7 R12 66 Rf 96 Rg included 22430 battery
FF T1R CULNM1 M3 402 lumens 6564K -0.0019 DUV 70.3 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -17.2 R9 40.2 R12 65 Rf 96 Rg included 22430 battery
FF T1R CULNM1 M2 111 lumens 5587K 0.0085 DUV 69.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -39.1 R9 32.9 R12 68 Rf 93 Rg included 22430 battery
FF T1R CULNM1 M1 11 lumens 5447K 0.0100 DUV 68.6 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -42.2 R9 32.3 R12 68 Rf 92 Rg included 22430 battery
FF NOV-MU w/o lens and bezel Turbo 5,578 lumens 5013K -0.0099 DUV 94.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 82.8 R9 83.2 R12 91 Rf 104 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU w/o lens and bezel Top of Ramp 1,652 lumens 4862K -0.0052 DUV 96.2 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 83.2 R9 75.0 R12 92 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU w/o lens Turbo 5,224 lumens 4913K -0.0095 DUV 95.3 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 83.1 R9 77.8 R12 91 Rf 104 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU w/o lens Top of Ramp 1,597 lumens 4779K -0.0051 DUV 96.3 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 83.7 R9 75.3 R12 92 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU Turbo 5,353 lumens 30T
FF NOV-MU Turbo 5,155 lumens 4856K -0.0084 DUV 95.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 87.3 R9 77.5 R12 91 Rf 104 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU Top of Ramp 1,574 lumens 4734K -0.0042 DUV 96.8 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 87.0 R9 74.9 R12 92 Rf 102 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU M3 734 lumens 4708K -0.0034 DUV 96.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 86.2 R9 74.0 R12 92 Rf 102 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU M2 263 lumens 4695K -0.0027 DUV 96.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 85.8 R9 73.3 R12 92 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU M1 50 lumens 4671K -0.0025 DUV 96.8 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 85.3 R9 72.8 R12 91 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF NOV-MU Moonlight 3 lumens 4599K -0.0020 DUV 96.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 86.1 R9 72.8 R12 91 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI Turbo 4,319 lumens 4542K -0.0089 DUV 95.4 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 96.6 R9 79.2 R12 90 Rf 104 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI Top of Ramp 1,471 lumens 4484K -0.0071 DUV 96.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 94.1 R9 74.8 R12 90 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI M3 703 lumens 4504K -0.0074 DUV 95.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 92.9 R9 75.0 R12 90 Rf 104 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI M2 256 lumens 4462K -0.0073 DUV 96.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 91.7 R9 74.1 R12 90 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI M1 49 lumens 4458K -0.0076 DUV 96.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 89.4 R9 73.8 R12 90 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI Moonlight 3 lumens 4370K -0.0076 DUV 96.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 898.5 R9 74.6 R12 90 Rf 103 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI Turbo 5,871 lumens 3892K 0.0038 DUV 90.0 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.83 66.3 R9 76.5 R12 89 Rf 102 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI Top of Ramp 1,853 lumens 3861K 0.0056 DUV 90.7 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.83 67.4 R9 74.9 R12 91 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI M3 881 lumens 3837K 0.0058 DUV 91.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.08 68.4 R9 74.6 R12 91 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI M2 321 lumens 3820K 0.0062 DUV 91.3 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.82 68.6 R9 74.0 R12 91 Rf 100 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI M1 64 lumens 3809K 0.0055 DUV 91.8 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.83 70.2 R9 74.3 R12 92 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI Moonlight 5 lumens 3814K 0.0052 DUV 92.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 0.84 71.1 R9 74.1 R12 92 Rf 101 Rg 40T
FF T9R CULNM1 Top of Ramp 802 lumens 7049K -0.0060 DUV 67.9 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -12.9 R9 41.9 R12 60 Rf 98 Rg 40T
FF T9R CULNM1 M3 554 lumens 6225K 0.0002 DUV 64.6 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -32.9 R9 37.4 R12 58 Rf 97 Rg 40T
FF T9R CULNM1 M2 253 lumens 5994K 0.0031 DUV 64.1 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -39.9 R9 35.9 R12 59 Rf 96 Rg 40T
FF T9R CULNM1 M1 62 lumens 5744K 0.0066 DUV 64.2 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -46.2 R9 34.5 R12 60 Rf 95 Rg 40T
FF T9R CULNM1 Moonlight 6 lumens 5460K 0.0092 DUV 64.5 CRI Blue light relative amplitude 1.00 -49.6 R9 32.8 R12 62 Rf 94 Rg 40T


I was very lucky that FF offered to include a T1R prototype in my order for testing. I really like the looks of the T1R. It is noticeably smaller than the Acebeam E10 and you really feel the difference in your hands or in your pocket. They sent me a red and the color looks amazing even though I'm not even a fan of red! The aux light works so much nicer with this optic compared with the other Fireflies lights or any other flashlight with Aux lights for the matter. The only issue is that the beam is squarish almost like a beam from an overly focused aspheric lens. FF said they may be able to fix that in the final version but then again that beam shape might give it the highest intensity so not sure if it is worth fixing. One thing interesting is that the hotspot is noticeably larger than that of the MC13 and E10. Basically it is like comparing the hotspot of a Osram W2 vs Osram W1 yet still providing comparable intensity is real impressive. I guess this optic collects the spill and concentrates it into the hotspot.

Please note that the TA lumen tube favors throw lights over flood. I estimate actual output of the NOV-MU mule is 15-20% higher than what I measured. Flashaholic measured an output much higher than what I measured but he also measured the output of the T9R much higher than what I measured

I have been using the NOV-MU constantly for work related indoor photo taking and inspection. It is the best indoor photography light I've ever used and the battery can last through the entire job whereas my previous light the KR4 E21A mule with the 18650 often ran out of juice before my job is done. However, I accidentally turned on the light several times in my pocket and smoke came out. The protruding button makes it very easy for accidental activation so please remember to lockout the light by untwisting before putting it in your pocket. I have not experienced any accidental activation with the E12R because the head protrudes farther than the switch button.

The E12R is probably the largest I would carry as an EDC. It is actually much smaller than I originally thought and much smaller and lighter than the Noctigon K9.3. It is awesome to carry around so much power in such a small package. I do wish that there exist a 10deg optic for this light. I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to have a 12x W2 10deg optic high output thrower! I do not recommend the LH351D 4000K because of the positive DUV and not being too much brighter than the 219B version. I can drop the DUV by installing minus green filter but then the output will probably reduce to 219B level. Might as well get the 219B or SST-20 FA3. I would love to try the LH351D 5700K 80CRI high bin though. Maybe in the future I will get that to test.

The T9R is also much smaller than I originally expected, especially when compared side by side with the Noctigon K1. The beam is nicely focused and very tight and is probably the farthest throwing light with this head diameter. Unfortunately it cannot out throw the bigger K1 with the CSLNM1 but I guess we cannot defy the physics governing reflectors. The spill is also very narrow due to the deep reflector so good if you want to minimize light pollution up front. I also have the SBT90.2 on order and I'm anxious to test that one.

I measured the discharge capacity of the new Fireflies HIZY 22430 2000mah battery at 2,112mah. That is incredible considering the larger Acebeam 26350 that came with the E10 measures 2,111mah. This battery came with the T1R prototype.

I also took some throw measurements. I'm not sure how accurate they are but at least they should be consistent for comparison among the lights tested in this list.

Noctigon KR1 CULPM1 94,080 kcd 613 M
KR1vn SBT90.2 81,905 kcd 572 M
Emisar D1S XPL HI 4000k 115,109 kcd 679 M
Acebeam L19 345,328 kcd 1,175 M
GT Micro XPL HI 4000k 48,700 kcd 441 M
Speras T1 408,417 kcd 1,278 M
Manker MC13vn CULPM1 114,003 kcd 675 M
Manker MC13 CULNM1 131,712 kcd 726 M
Noctigon K1 CSLPM1 534,595 kcd 1,462 M
FF T9R CULNM1 464,865 kcd 1,364 M
FF T1R CULNM1 95,187 kcd 617 M
FF E12R LH351D 4000K 90CRI 17,045 kcd 261 M
FF E12R 219B 4500K 90CRI 22,579 kcd 301 M
FF NOV-MU 4,317 kcd 131 M
Acebeam TK16 CSLNM1 14,721 kcd 243 M
Acebeam E10 115,109 kcd 679 M
Acbeam L17 133,925 kcd 732 M
Acbeam K75 1,375,779 kcd 2,346 M
Acebeam W30vn CW 1,863,887 kcd 2,730 M
Acebeam W30vn Hi CRI 999,459 kcd 1,999 M
Eagtac TX25Cvn CULNM1 84,118 kcd 580 M
Olight M2R Pro 26,564 kcd 326 M
Olight Javelot Turbo 426,126 kcd 1,306 M
Olight Warrior X Pro 96,293 kcd 621 M
Armytek Barracuda Pro 4000K WW 168,237 kcd 820 M
2

That E12R output on turbo you measured was a bit disappointing. I expected mid 6k and I am surprised at how much output the nov-mu has. A valuable test. Thank you for the info!

Edit: did you also get throw numbers for the Nov-mu? No one seems to publish those but I’m curious what a small surface area domeless emitter can do.

Holy is turbo making the T1R go blue? 7800K!

3

For comparison,

Measurements for Emisar/Noctigon’s recent releases

Measurements of ROT66 w/ 219B 4500K

4

Keep in mind that is a 219B 4500K. The E07 219B 4500K IIRC was about 3000 lumens. Also my numbers are usually significantly lower than manufacturer’s specs (besides Olight and Fenix that seems to be accurate most of the time) since I calibrated my meter using Maukka’s calibration lights. FF output specs are normally calculated so sometimes they are overconservative and sometimes they are underconservative.

I didn’t get the throw numbers for the NOV-MU because it is a mule but let me charge up the 40T and test it for you tonight.

7800K for the Osram W1 and W2 is not surprising. I’ve tested several lights using these emitters at 8000+ K at max output. It is actually not blue at all surprisingly. The hotspot looks pure white.

5

Thanks I appreciate it!

Perhaps a 30T would be a good idea for max lumens with the E12R since it has 33% more LEDs than the rot66 and only one battery. I had been worried we might see some more angry blue 219Bs but my fears have been assuaged.

I appreciate the measurements without the bezel and lens so we can see how much they affect the Lumens

6

Fireflie’s mule design is much better than the KR4 mule because the emitters are lumped at the center whereas the KR4 emitters are near the edge so much of the spill is blocked. Also NOV-MU uses a white MCPCB and SS bezel which maximizes reflection.

7

Thanks for posting your results. Do you have any run times for high and turbo? I am particularly interested in what levels the E12R (219b) and NOV-MU sustain.

8

Yeah, that turbo Lumens number for the E12R is disappointing, but about what I’ve experienced. I thought I had bought a 12k lumen light (as advertised), but the LH351D 5500k version I bought is just about as functionally bright as the E07 XPL HI V3 I own. The beam is a little wider on the E12R, but it just doesn’t seem to light up much. The broad “hotspot” on the medium throw E07 is brighter and more functional than the broader, dimmer E12R. Thank goodness I also bought at the same time then Imalent MS06. Its also a floody, and advertised at 25K, and actually LOOKS like its close to 25K. Makes the E12R look like its offf, lol. Which is a shame - I love the light design, and Fireflies is an excellent company, responsive and cares about quality control.
If the light were just.a.bit.brighter…

9

12k lumen probably for the XPL2 version.

The E12R I measured uses 90+ CRI emitters. They are brighter than what you would get with the E07 with the same emitters.

I think there’s something wrong with the E12R you have or you aren’t hitting turbo. You said in another thread your E12R with the LH351D 5700K is as bright as your D4 with XPL HI v3 and that your E07 is much brighter than your E12R. That clearly shows something is not right because even my E12R 219B 95CRI is noticeably brighter than my D4 with the XPL HI V3 and E07 with the 219B.

Have you tried cleaning all contact points including the terminals on the batteries? I’ve measured many lights that loss huge amounts of output due to grease getting on contacts. The first time I noticed it, I was measuring a D1S with XPL-HI that was outputting about 600 lumens. After cleaning the contacts, it returned to normal at 1300 lumens or whatever it is.

10

No way I would have time to do that. It took me over a month just to get these data. However, I’ve seen others posted runtime graphs for the new FF lights already. Also from using these lights, I can say they can sustain usable output way better than the Emisar, Astrolux, Lumintop, and older Fireflies lights. This new driver is really good and efficient.

Here are runtime curves and beam shot comparisons from 1lumen.com. I’m sure Zeroair.org will have some reviews up soon too. I believe I saw someone else did some runtime curves on BLF also.

11

Haven’t tried a good cleaning yet, that’s my project for today.
In regards to function, I’m definitely getting to “turbo”, or what’s passing for it. When I ramp up to full ramp (supposedly around 2800lm), I can double click and it instantly gets a little brighter. “Little” being the operative word. That brightness seems to he about the same as when using the 2H method of getting to turbo. And I’m also sure I’m not in any simplified mode, as all.other functions are available.
So either my eyes just really don’t like the combination of the LED tint and beam spread (possible, but really disappointing), or I’ve got a software/power delivery problem.

12

That just proves there is something wrong with your specific unit because the difference between Turbo and Top of Ramp is HUGE 3x difference in Lumens!

13

You’d think!

14

I think this is one of reasons why loneoceans say he doesn’t like fet mode, because it is unregulated. Unregulated means that it can change with so many variables, for example led type and the led voltage, the resistance of whole system which include spring contact, battery to spring contact, screw thread electrical contact, driver to flashlight body contact, and etc. Next, the exact battery use in the flashlight and the chemistry type and the charged level and the age of the battery also make a big difference in the output. it seem like there is some limitation in your system so I will make sure all contacts are cleaned well including body thread, and also make sure that the battery is genuine high drain cell like samsung 40T, and make sure it is fully charge.

15

SKV89, thank you for detailed report!

I think you must be first person to try out T1R! I am interested in this light and I think many people is interested.

If you have time can you please give us a preview of the performance on the forum page here New Fireflies T1R Mini Thrower-- Release date 25th Jan with some photographs? Thank you

16

I updated the OP with NOV-MU throw data and tested its lumen output with the 30T at Turbo. Output went up not too much vs using 40T so seems like 21700 is maxing out the 21xE21A. I’m hoping there will be a 40+ E21A version so we can probably get 10k+ lumens of ultra high 95+ CRI

Not think but verified. The output is measured scientifically and is posted in the OP.

Sorry I don’t have time to figure out how to post pics but I’m sure there will be a bunch of reviews by others once it is released.

17

Fantastic, thanks! Yep it does look like the Nov-MU is in the decreasing portion of the output curve with a 30T. I do believe the E12R should be able to gain a bit from a 30T though seeing as the Rot66 worked with 3x18650 and only 9 219Bs

18

Not in my light.