Hello!
I’d like to show a rather unusual light here: probably the most powerful single-emitter lamp in the world.
Some time ago, an NBD1200 LED was developed and manufactured in small quantities. The number 1200 indicates the target power output in watts. I do not know the manufacturer of the LED. This flashlight was developed specifically for this LED as a kind of “technology demonstrator”; again, I do not know the exact manufacturer.
I am referring to the flashlight here as the “NBD1200” because there is no specific model number.
I obtained the flashlight through a user in Hong Kong; the price, including shipping and customs duties, was around €190. The required 46950 battery is not included.
As far as I know, there are only about 100 units of this light; the production numbers for the LEDs are also very low due to costs and especialy the yield.
The quality of the host is acceptable to good. There are minor imperfections in the anodizing, but these are only noticeable upon closer inspection. There are no sharp edges.
There is no fan or handle. Overall, this light looks like a significantly enlarged version of a small, compact light, though it doesn’t completely lose its proportions.
The side switch is easy to operate, though it clicks very loudly, which isn’t necessarily a disadvantage.
(from left to right: NBD1200, Convoy C8, Wuben X1 Pro, Convoy S2+, Emisar D4V2, Emisar D3AA)
Compared to other models, this lamp is large and heavy.
The NBD1200 light weighs 1,052 g empty and a hefty 1,466 g with the battery. It is 233 mm long and has a diameter of 89 mm at the head and 54 mm at the battery tube. The reflector has a diameter of 75 mm.
It uses an XBY 47 mm buck+FET driver. This driver was developed by enthusiasts in China and is specifically designed for extremely high-power LEDs and emitter setups.
It features a 20 W charging function via USB-C, which uses PD 12 V.
Additionally, a power bank function is integrated, which must be explicitly enabled.
The latest revision 4.0x is equipped with a 35 A Buck and 100 A+ FET (Rev 3.x 30 A Buck). The custom UI is kept quite simple.
- 1C: Start at last saved brightness level (Buck; Turbo is not saved)
- 2C: Turbo FET
- 3C: Switch from stepped to smooth ramping, then operate at the last saved brightness level
- 4C: Strobe
- 5C: Tactical mode (momentary at the last saved level)
- 6C: Battery check (in volts)
- 7C: Turn switch illumination on/off
- 8C: Turn switch illumination on/off when the light is on
- 9C: Power bank mode on/off
- 15C: Temperature control on/off
The ramping is very direct and fast, which feels surprisingly good during operation.
The LED is a custom NBD1200. It is equipped with 144 (!) 55-mil LED chips in a 12x12 array.
With a package size of 24x24 mm and a LES of 265 mm² (!), it is the largest LED of conventional design that I am aware of. Only COBs are larger, but they have a completely different design, which results in poorer heat dissipation and virtually no potential for overcurrent.
The emitter is mounted on a 60 mm MCPCB, which was also specially designed for this LED.
The performance is impressive.
Testing was conducted using a “Varicore” 46950 battery, which was charged inside the flashlight.
Immediately after switching on:
66,000 lm at 331 kLux (FET Turbo).
13,750 lm at 69 kLux (35 A Buck).
Lowest brightness level: 308 lm at 1,550 lx.
The maximum discharge current in FET-Turbo mode is likely between 170 and 220 A (!), which should translate to somewhere between 500 and 750 W of power. It’s quite possible that a different battery or a different MOSFET with a lower Rds(on) could boost performance even further.
However, the latter is not really recommended, as the flashlight heats up extremely quickly as it is. With a cold start at an outside temperature of 10 °C and in FET-Turbo mode, it takes less than 20 seconds for the flashlight head to become hot and too hot to touch. At 35 A in Buck mode, however, it takes significantly longer - more than 3 minutes.
The color temperature is acceptable; at the lowest brightness level, the DUV is 0.004 and 6500 K. At the highest level in Buck mode, it is DUV 0.002 and 6620 K. In FET-Turbo mode, it shifts to pure cool white with a slightly negative DUV (-0.002) at 7000 K, which looks very good. The spectrum corresponds to a typical cool-white low CRI LED with a pronounced cyan hole.
FET turbo, 300 meters to the curve:
FET turbo:
Buck turbo (35 A):
lowest brightness setting:
FET turbo:
The beam is surprisingly usable. Unlike many ultra-high-power lights with a floody beam, where a lot of light lands directly in front of the user and causes self-glare, this beam can be described as an all-rounder. The reflector is relatively deep and produces a relatively small spill.
The spot is clearly defined, as is the corona. The slight ring formation is not distracting and is only visible on smooth surfaces.
There is a slight donut hole. This is noticeable on smooth surfaces, but not outdoors.
The perceived brightness is impressive. Thanks to the all-rounder beam, the flashlight is also well-suited for longer distances, and the self-glare remains reasonably contained even in hazy conditions.
In summary, I can only say: I like it! 
Not only is the uniqueness factor pronounced, but the flashlight is - aside from the weight - surprisingly useful outdoors. With 66,000 lumens, it’s arguably the most powerful single-cell, single-LED flashlight. The beam is its greatest strength, as it clearly resembles a classic flashlight with a standard reflector.
Add to that a simple UI, the charging function, and the good color temperature, especially in higher brightness modes.
Thanks for reading.
