Nitefighter F30C (XM-L T6, 1x18650, 2x(R)CR123A) review

candle lamp

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
1,572
Location
South Korea
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Nitefighter is a new flashlight manufacturer on the scene. They sent F30C(XM-L T6 emitter) test sample to me. The sample light came in a cardboard box with cut-out cardboard packing insert, and a good quality holster.
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The wrist lanyard, pocket clip, spare o-rings, user manual, and extension tube came with my sample.

Manufacturer's Specifications :

- LED : Cree XM-L T6 cool white
- Max Output : 750 lumens
- Battery Type :
1) 2xCR123A lithium batteries / 1x18650 Li-on battery
2) 3xCR123A lithium batteries (with extension tube)
- Run Time : High(2.5Hrs), Medium(5Hrs), Low(50Hrs), 75Hrs with ext-tube, Strobe(2.5Hrs), SOS(15Hrs)
- Color : Grey
- Material : Aero grade aluminium alloy
- Finish : Type III hard anodizing
- Size : Ø25.4mm x 220mm, with ext-tube length : 259mm
- Weight : 210g(w/o battery and ext-tube)
- Standard Accessories : 1xHolster, 1xLanyard, 1xClip, 2xSpare o-rings, 1xExt-tube

Manufacturer's Features :

- Cree XM-L T6 LED - Up to 750lumens
- Specially designed for Military, Law Enforcement, Self-defense, Hunting, Search & Rescue and Outdoor activities
- Uses two CR123A batteries or one 18650 rechargeable Battery
- Uses three CR123A batteries (with ext-tube)
- Two sets of modes, selected by turning the head
1) General mode : High - Medium - Low - SOS(Hidden)
2) Tactical mode : Strobe - Turbo
- Activate SOS function by click the tail button three times within 1.5 seconds in any general lighting mode
- Quick Flashing Frequency for Self-Defense
- Smooth reflector for long beam
- Ext-tube design for long runtime
- Aero grade aluminium alloy construction
- Anti-roll, slip-resistant body design
- Tactical tail switch with momentary-on function
- Stainless clip for easy attachment
- Stainless steel strike bezel adds protection capabilities
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
- Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Waterproof to IPX-8 standard
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Anodizing is a slightly glossy dark grey-brown color and HA(type III). The letterings such as maker, model name are marked on the battery tube.
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The clip is basic and simple, but my sample seems to be holding on well. The clip is head-facing, and not reversible.
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The head of the light has a scalloped stainless steel bezel ring and two cooling fins. There are many fine fluted ridges on the bezel.
[Edit : 2012.04.15]The included ext-tube allows the light to be used in a 3xCR123A configuration for extended runtime and better regulation. [Edit : 2012.04.15]
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Knurling is presented on battery tube, and is reasonably aggressive.
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The light has 3 parts(i.e. head, battery tube, and tailcap). There are square-cut threads at both ends of the battery tube.
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The F30C comes with a large reflector, and use a cool white XM-L T6 emitter. Centering of the emitter is perfect. There is a spring on the positive contact plate in the head, all my flat-top batteries work fine in the light.
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There are square-cut threads at both ends of the battery tube. They are smooth with no cross-threading or squeaking. Tailcap threads are anodized for lock-out.
[Edit : 2012.03.25] As you can see, the pitch of the head & tail side looks same, but the crest width isn't same. (I am not sure why they are different.) [Edit : 2012.03.25]
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[Edit : 2012.04.12] The above shows the screw threads which was delivered from Nitefighter again, the both pitch and the crest width looks same. :shrug: [Edit : 2012.04.12]
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[Edit : 2012.04.17] The thinnest part of the battery tube is 1mm thick. [Edit : 2012.04.17]
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The forward clicky on-off switch has a good feel and slightly stiff. The switch cap sits slightly recessed within the tail cap which mean the F30C is able to tail stand without problems.
The switch is housed within the tailcap which allows the for momentary activation by half-presses.
Overall build quality is nice.
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[Edit : 2012.04.15] Addition of User Interface

User Interface
There are two sets of modes, i.e. general mode adn tactical mode.
- General mode : High - Med. - Low - SOS(hidden)
- Tactical mode : Strobe - Turbo

The lights use a forward clicky switch for on/off, and head twists for mode control. Press and hold the clicky for momentary, press and release for constant on (i.e. click on).
Mode switching is controlled by a loosen-tighten twist of the head. With the head tight against the body, you get the general mode. Do a loosen head to advance to the tactical mode.

Sequence of the general mode is High –-> Med. --> Lo, in repeating sequence. Light has memory, and retains the last used after turning off and back on.
SOS is activated by clicking the switch three times quickly within 1.5 secs in any general mode.
Sequence of the tactical mode is Strobe --> Turbo, in a repeating sequence. But no memory in tactical mode.
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The light can be powered by 1x18650 or 2xCR123A or 2xRCR123A. The battery tube can accept flat-top or button-top 18650 cells in my sample. Regular CR123A or RCR123A fit fine. Also the light can use 3xCR123A with an ext-tube. Nitefighter(Andy Wong) informed me that F30C can use 3xCR123A only with an ext-tube. Note it can't use 3xRCR123A due to high voltage.
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The light feels reasonablely solid and has a good grip.
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From left to right, Panasonic unprotected 18650, VicLite protected 18650, Spark SL6S-740NW, Jil-Lite Stern, Solarforce L2T, Nitefighter F30C, XTAR TZ58, ThruNite Scorpion.
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The F30C including ext-tube is slightly longer than Skilhunt Defier X3 excluding ext-tube.
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PWM
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I was unable to detect any signs of PWM with my test(waving the light sideways). It appears to be current-controlled on all modes.
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Runtime
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F30C steps down on turbo after around 11 minutes runtime, on 3xCR123A battery tested. I guess it will step down on other batteries(i.e, 1x18650, 2xCR123A, 2xRCR123A) as well. This is a common feature on a number of heavily-driven lights to protect from overheating.
The runtime for 50% output of turbo on 3xCR123A is appr. 78 mins in my test.
[Edit : 2012.04.15] I've added the runtime for 1x18650, 2xCR123A. The light steps down on turbo after around 11 minutes runtime on 1x18650, 2xCR123A as well.
The runtime for 50% output of turbo on 2xCR123A and 1x18650 is appr. 41 mins and 101 mins respectively in my test.
Regulation is maintained nicely through turbo level of output on 3xCR123A, though it drops rather quickly towards the end of the battery life. [Edit : 2012.04.15]
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[Edit : 2012.04.15] Addition of Beamshot

Beamshot
1) White door beamshot (about 50cm from the white door, Auto White Balance)
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The light has a bright hotspot with a bit irregular small-sized corona area which show slightly greenish tint. The beam color temperature looks high on my sample. There is a very thin ringed banding both inside & outside of the spill region, but it doesn't affect practical use.
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2) Indoor beamshot (about 7m from the target)
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3) Outdoor beamshot (about 55m from the target)
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4) Outdoor beamshot (about 60~65m from the target)
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The light has good throw as expected for such a large and deep reflector.

I fried F30C when using 3xRCR123A according to the user manual(i.e. it says three RCR123A batteries with extension tube is available) on March 13.
However Nitefighter confirmed the working voltage of the light is ~9v(i.e. 3xRCR123A is banned). I had to returned it to the manufacturer and received new one after a long time. :tired:

F30C provided by Nitefighter for review. Thanks Andy Wong!
 
Last edited:

kj2

Flashaholic
Joined
May 22, 2010
Messages
8,082
Location
The Netherlands
Re: NItefighter F30C (XM-L T6, 1x18650, 2x(R)CR123A) review

Hope this light will come soon in stores :)
 

iso9009

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 22, 2010
Messages
149
Location
South Korea
Re: NItefighter F30C (XM-L T6, 1x18650, 2x(R)CR123A) review

Good review.:clap:
What's the suggested retail price?
 
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