[Review] Nitecore SRT9 ... 2K+lm + RGBUV = Lightpainting Extravaganza!

Hi all! Nitecore sent me the SRT9 to test and so I wanted to share some of my thoughts and touch on my new hobby LIGHTPAINTING!

Have you been looking for 2k+ light with multi-color outputs? Still use cash and want to check it's authenticity? Would you like to have god-like dimming control? Are you a lightpainter, woodsman, or detective? Got the SRT7 and want to double down? If so, say hello to the Nitecore SRT9!









QUICK SPECS

Here is the specs from Nitecore's website(link is external).



Other Features:

• Diecast unibody
• RGB + UV secondary LEDs (4 separate LEDs)
• 365nm UV light
• Infinite brightness fading
• Power indicator
• Built-in, large, titanium-plated stainless steel pocket clip
• Strong and clear mineral glass with AR coating
• IPX8 water proofness
• Aero-grade aluminium
• Hard type III anodizing
• Impact resistant to 1.5 meters
• Tail stand capable

LOOK & FEEL

Off the bat this light looks much smaller than I expected it to be as it packs a lot of LEDs and 2×18650 tube. Also the light looks pretty aggressive with all of its heat sink type fins and other sorts or knurling everywhere else but overall it is much smoother to hold than I expected.

The ring selector is a very neat feature and has very defined clicks, using a magnet, as it comes to each mode.

The light can tail stand but is pretty unsteady and needs a very flat surface.

Even though the light is made from 2 different die cast pieces (in order to make the ring flush) the light maintains a much cooler temperature than would have expected after have been using the Nitecore P36 for a year now.

The main tactical switch is a forward clicky switch, so it has a momentary on function and the button has a decent range of motion before it latches.

The tail cap like none I've ever seen before which is kind of neat but sort of challenging. Unlike the EC4S, the SRT9 uses mechanics instead of rubber friction to hold the cap closed using brute force. This is Nitecore's first (that I know of) die-cast light to feature a tactical switch so they likely will have some ideas of refining this design a bit more in the future.













BEAM PROFILE

White has 70 degree (total edge to edge) spill with slight spot having 20 degree. The color LEDs have a bout a 50 degree spill.












USER INTERFACE

For all the modes in this light the UI is very straight forward, you turn the dial to the mode you want and then click the tail switch to turn on and of the light, simple. There are no other secrets in the UI as the tail switch is only 1 click to turn on and off.



BATTERY

The light uses 2×18650 or 4xCR123 batteries. The light has an indicator light that helps ball-park the remining power in the battery. To perform the check, turn the control ring to the standby mode (between low white and UV), and click the light on; look at the indicator, if it flashes about once every couple of seconds the battery is about 50% level or less; if the light is blinking rapidly, the battery is about 10% or less.




WARRANTY

The warranty is for 5 years for free repair (cost of parts not included), so make sure you only buy from an authorized dealer (you can contact Nitecore's customer service to find one) or you will possibly waive your rights to the warranty . Also, take care to store your light properly, as the warranty does not cover damages caused by batter leakage. Check their website for their full terms of service(link is external).



COMPARISON

Comparing the bodies of SRT9 to Nitecore's P36 it's surprising to see just how much shorter the SRT9 is. Similarly, the P36 can be dimmed (10-steps) but by using a dial at the end of the light instead of a control ring.





HIGHLIGHTS

• Very bright for a small package (for a 2×18650 format)
• Die cast construction allows for good heat dissipation
• Great "knurling" / grip all over the light and the selector ring, takes the EC4 type knurling to the next level
• Tail cap is mechanical instead of friction
• Built in flat style belt clip is very sturdy and easy to hold
• Many beam output color choices, with solid clicks in between modes
• Love the smooth fading so YOU can pick your brightness
• Great heat dissipation

OBSERVATIONS

• Hard to remember which way to turn the ring the first time you pick it up
• Would have liked some small braille-like bumps to give reference for the ring
• Tail cap takes some strength to close
• Colors are dim, but this may be a tactical choice, but I would have liked to seen some Cree XP-E color LEDs with 50+ to 100+ lumens
• No SOS mode, similar to SRT7 and SRT7GT
• No integrated charging
• Need two hands for it to be a multi-purpose light or only one hand for a single function light
• Ring selector has stronger magnets than might be necessary
• Not really meant for weapon mounting, due to the built-in pocket clip, the lack of double springs in the battery tube, and no remote switch was made for this model.
• Hard to select the lowest output, it seems to turn off before you get to standby mode
• Although the blue is rated only 3 lumen, it seems brighter than the red which is around 10 lumen.

IN-USE

Photos taken using the brightest output.


















LIGHT PAINTING!

Some thoughts on light painting with the SRT9, as all the color options makes this a great tool.

• Being able to change colors without having to spend time changing gels or filters is so freeing and you can change color mid-swing even
• I didn't realize that you can mix the RGB in different way to get different colors
• Switching colors while holding and painting with one hand is a little tricky, but doable
• Need to memorize the order of the color modes, and may need two hands to turn off the light in-between switching colors
• The beacon mode is really quite bright and can be substituted for a speed flash
• The UV light can come in handy if you plan to use a subject with UV reactive makeup or clothing
• Although the color LEDs have low lumen values, the are still very usable for light painting
• The white primary is so much brighter than the colors so it's tricky to match the lumen between the colors and the white
• The white light tends to fade on after turning on the light which can cause a delayed start
• It has a pretty uniform strobe and can add some cool texture to your light art
• Does not have a compatible remote pressure switch for controlled bursts

PRICE

The current price for the SRT9 is about $120 USD.



THANKS FOR READING!

Disclaimers:

• CivilGear Reviews received this product for testing and providing an honest review.

Thanks for the great review. Relatively dim colours and large head size (larger than Universal Connector) would make me give this a miss for Light Painting. I'd love to see a LED Lenser P7QC like light, but with a decent UI!

Hey stephenk! Thanks yeah I forgot about the universal connector since I don't own one, just made my own . Yeah I was honestly surprised that the low lumens still worked out fine for studio stuff but likely would be on the dim side for outdoors. Thanks for the comment

In the section where Warranty is listed in the review, here is what is written:


Because the light has an integrated battery, the warranty is only for 1 year for free repair (cost of parts not included), so make sure you only buy from an authorized dealer (you can contact Nitecore's customer service to find one) or you will possibly waive your rights to the warranty . Also, take care to store your light properly, as the warranty does not cover damages caused by batter leakage. Check their website for their full terms of service(link is external).

Does the light come with an integrated battery ? Did your review sample come with an integrated battery ?

I could not find a retailer who listed the light coming with a battery

Oops copy and paste error! It's a 5 year warranty, no integrated battery.

How is the UV compared to the Nitecore CU6?
How is the UV over all?

Lateck,

I don't have the CU6 but I was pretty happy with the UV. I'm pretty sure the cu had more power. In my outdoor beam shot video I did some outside and got decent florescent from standing to about 3 or 4 feet away, with ambient light, but inside light up stuff like crazy. Seems very much like a 365nm but don't have a technical way to test that. Hope that helps!

I like the size, form factor and UI of this light. Personally I'd love to have a light like this with more throw and less features. Do they make or are they planning to make a light like this but with a XHP 35 HI and no colors/strobes?

The one unfortunate thing about the SRT9 is that, unlike the EC4 which is all one piece (head and body) for good heat transfer, the SRT9 head is probably a separate piece. I assume this due to the control ring which looks like it cannot be assembled without taking the head off first.

My wish list for this light:
1) built-in recharger port.
2) Instead of four different color LEDs, I prefer four RGB LEDs and no UV - who uses UV anyway?
3) High and low modes for each color.
4) A wider tail standing feature at the tailcap - this light may tailstand but not very well with those two very small nubs at the tailcap.
5) An XHP70.2 version of this light. A light this large with 2 batteries should put out more than 2200 lumens.
6) Small crenulations on the stainless bezel.
7) A true low to less than lumen using the main white LED.

wow WHAT A BIG HELP!! THANKS!!! I really like the green LED on my CR6 because it has several brightness levels .aside from that possible issue the SR9 would have everything else I need.