[Review + Discussion] Nitecore TM9K

mr_magoo · 2019-11-15T20:48:55.000Z

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.

Th558 · 2019-11-15T21:00:05.000Z

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.

The_Last_Katun · 2019-11-15T22:01:12.000Z

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

SKV89 · 2019-11-16T01:11:00.000Z

mrheosuper:

SKV89:

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.

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

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.

toddcshoe · 2019-11-16T02:00:36.000Z

djozz:

It is ugly

Well said. :+1:

Theodore41 · 2019-12-04T14:38:52.000Z

SKV89:

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.

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

bmengineer · 2019-12-04T14:48:15.000Z

Theodore41:

SKV89:

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.

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

bmengineer · 2019-12-04T17:35:33.000Z

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.

richbuff · 2019-12-14T01:56:38.000Z

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.

SKV89 · 2020-03-22T21:01:35.000Z

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.

bmengineer · 2020-03-24T00:23:59.000Z

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.

richbuff · 2020-03-24T00:47:59.000Z

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!

Theodore41 · 2020-07-31T04:43:10.000Z

Bearbreeder:

Bat not removable

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.

bmengineer · 2020-07-31T11:26:49.000Z

Theodore41:

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.

Theodore41 · 2020-07-31T11:44:34.000Z

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

richbuff · 2020-07-31T19:50:48.000Z

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.

Theodore41 · 2020-08-02T07:33:23.000Z

bmengineer:

Theodore41:

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.

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

bmengineer · 2020-08-02T12:26:08.000Z

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

Theodore41 · 2020-08-02T16:09:22.000Z

bmengineer:

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.

DB_Custom · 2020-12-04T04:19:07.000Z

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…