I’m sorry, this review was actually done months ago but was never published…
Let’s have a look at the Fireflylite T9R, featuring the FFL909MX@6500K emitter and using the Lume1 6 amps + FET driver.
Purchased in January 2025, it is my second Fireflylite and second dedicated thrower. I will compare the light with a Wurkkos TS30S Pro (SBT90.2@5700K).
The Anduril’s ramp style was set to 7 steps ranging from 1 to 150.
I tested level 5, 6 and 7 with a thermal ceiling set to 55°C.
Cell used:
1x 21700 Samsung 50S. Note that this cell is not brand-new, so capacity have changed over time. Measured at ~4650 mAh.
1x Molicel P45B
2x Molicel P50B only used for beam shots.
For each level where thermal regulation kicked in, I ran a second test under cooling conditions using compressed air.
All tests were conducted in a rudimentary amateur setup, utilizing a shoebox, a cellphone and Zak Wilson’s Ceiling bounce app. I used an array of lights to calibrate the shoe box. Although, I am very happy with the results and get consistent results with other top reviewers, please don’t take these numbers as the absolute truth.
Final thoughts
The FFL T9R does push a bit more lumens and candela for a similar TS30S Pro size. It does it at the cost of a greener tint. The Lume 1 driver is the real bonus in this light. I really like it.
Thanks for the excellent review. VERY nice Duv check showing the persistant Duv drop with increased output. The runtimes are great. Questions please regarding Level 6/7 Ambient curve: What on earth happens to Wurkkos? Lower output AND durationg almost half!? Is this advantage a result of TR9’s Lume driver?
Level 5/7 doesn’t look too pretty for Wurkkos either. Worse driver or worse heat dissipation?
These are two of my most favorite throwers. Wurkkos available on sale for ~$60 (?) in the past is the lowest cost for a good SBT90.2 light I’ve seen. In that sense a no brainer.
I think what’s odd about the TR9 is despite of the strange proportion, it feels fantastic in the hands. It throws like crazy and thankfully the green is not as annoying for a super thrower. I feel lucky to have bought it before Firefly stopped production. I actually hope Firefly would bring it back because I really like the host. Feels so nice and balanced.
The T9R on sale was a real upgrade compared to the TS30S Pro. At least for the driver ! The level 5/7 says it all. Looking at this graph, I had similar results. He used the provided 5000 mAh cell and I used a 4500 mAh Molicel. I’m a bit disappointed by P45B performances. I now use my P50B cells anyways.
I’ve read nothing but praises on the lume driver - super nice to see such clear evidence. Again, thanks for the great runtime comparison. Still love my two Wurkkos TS30 though LOL.
Enough of green throwers. I am looking at Firefly E90 with the FFL707RD 4200k CRI 95 Rosy. 900m thrower with ROSY beam! Yummy.
1100 lumens is for level 6/7. Max ceiling is set to level 150 (or turbo) and it is producing definetly more than 1100 lumens if you look at the two first graphs.
LOL - one problem with Firefly is that the LEDs come in small batches so if there’s a LED you like, need to get it right away before they run out. And I’m a cheapskate who waits until big Holidy season sale. Hopefully they’ll have this FFL707RD CRI 95 by Xmas.
Anyone please correct me as needed but I don’t think there exists a 900m, even 700-800m, thrower that has high CRI, let alone rosy tone? Also 4200k. The stars are aligned for this LED.
BTW in Firefly parlance, supposedly (not confirmed) the R stands for rosy, and the M indicates “mildly rosy.” There we go. Crucial info that tint-snobs memorize LOL.
Thanks for the testing. Not really a fair comparison though. The ts30s pro has a fet driver, the lume1 is a fet+buck. The ffl909mx isn’t as nice with the tint either…green. now that the t9r is no more and only the $100 E90 as an option, the ts30s pro still represents the cheapest sbt90.2 thrower available
Too bad about the tint on the T9R you received. I would expect a lottery, so some might get better on the T9R, and some worse on the TS30S. Selfbuilt, for example, measured +0.0149 on level 6 on his TS30S Pro review with an Opple. Zeroair, on the other hand, also got one that goes from significantly positive DUV at low levels to slightly negative at max.
Your runtime test on level 5 really shows how great the Lume1 efficiency and regulation is.
I posted question on reddit HERE. My take (YMMV) is output and throw both lower than what was posted as possible specs. The 6v version does appear to have high CRI and negative Duv, but not low enough to receive FFL’s “ROSY” designation, which implies very negative Duv and very rosy tint.
Output seems to be around 2000 lm. 6v FFL707MD version on Convoy M21D by user Punga32 has 127 Kcd/~700m at turn on (non ANSI).
Contrast this with my Firefly X1L with FFL707A: 2500lm output, 470m ANSI throw, CRI 97, Duv -0.0090 . So 707MD is ok and you could special order it on E90, but to me not worth the asking price and reflector (which I prefer) is not possible. For me, SBT90.2 still the one to beat at this point.