Nitecore TM03 - 2800 Lumens Single 18650 Flashlight for Defense

The Nitecore TM03 is one of the high power EDC self defense flashlight that I have been long waited to try, but too bad they did not come out with a proper holster yet, so the combo is really not complete here. The light itself is great, but not the best so far.  If I have to choose between this and the Klarus XT11GT, I will vote of the klarus because of the USB charging feature and the fact that I have a proper holster for the light with quick deployment setup. This light is missing a USB port and a nice holster, period. But, if you do not mind that, feel free to grab one!  2800 Lumens, instant strobe button, and super tough body which can withstand any abuse you can imagine.  You think a surefire is tough?  maybe this is over-tough.

 

Buy Nitecore TM03 - http://tidd.ly/69f7b56
Coupon: GB17LED ( 12% off discount from the full price when not at sales for led lights and flashlights http://tidd.ly/25feb1d4 )

 

 

The first thing you noticed is, 2800 Lumens of FLOOD and not throw. Therefore, it is not meant for a blinding purpose, but more of a flood light, for illumination. I did tried to be blinded by this and it does the job well too, just that I would much not be preferred to be blinded by a focused beam on the face or the eyes.

 

 

This is the typical "strobe" ready setup for Nitecore, just like how the klarus also does their light. Very simple. You press the lever for strobe or instant turbo depending on your light's setup, and you can also use it for mode changing once the light is turned on by pressing the main button.

 

 

The body is anti-roll and you can see the fins and everything is just typical nitecore quality, meaning - WELL BUILT and tough.

 

 

The other side... not sure if you come from cheapo flashlight background, but the crappy "CREE": or ultrafire crap really does not give you this kind of coating on the body and it feels VERY different touching a good light versus a crappy cheap light.

 

 

I do like the stainless steel bezel here, it is very useful for a defense light. The Nitecore P80UV or P80 is also meant to be a fighting light, but they forgot to put this bezel on the light, making it a big problem when it comes to smashing and crashing fights.  However, the P80 got its own holster, and this TM03 doesn't...?! WTF nitecore?!

 

 

To be honest, the light is kind of on the long and heavy side, but that is for a good purpose if you do use it for fighting and defense.

 

 

Here goes the legendary Nitecore TM03 body tube. You can try to shoot it with a 12ga slug and it won't penetrate, LOL!  Why do you need the wall to be that thick?  I don't understand but I love it.

 

 

The threads are well cut, and you see the double thick red orings there? Wow!  They made it as if this light is going to explode or something, so they need to make sure everything stays inside and not come out!    The light is crazy, it feels like science fiction flashlight specs.

 

 

Gold plated spring, thick spring...!  

 

 

So here is the IMR18650 from Nitecore, and it is labelled "For TM03" only, while they do not give you the USB charging feature on the light, how weird. 

 

 

By luck, here i snapped a shot inside the tube and you can see the inside wall is actually polished!

Very special setup on the front end with the "flaps" springs protecting the board. This is one very special setup, and i think it is supposed to protect the board when you smash things with the light.

 

 

The Nitecore TM03 is a good flashlight, but it is not complete. At the mean while, they are lacking a USB port, a moonlight mode, and a good holster, in order to call this a "great" light.

 

 

Frmo the left - Nitecore P80UV, Lumintop TD15S, Nitecore TM03, Klarus XT11GT.  I do like the Klarus much more if I am going to recommend someone new to tactical lights for defense.  The Nitecore TM03 is powerful, but if you wait a year or so, there could be another light that is smaller, with the USB port, and it will output 3800 lumens instead of 2800, with just one 18650.  Who knows?!  Technology for flashlight is flying like rockets these days!

 

Buy Nitecore TM03 - http://tidd.ly/69f7b56
Coupon: GB17LED ( 12% off discount from the full price when not at sales for led lights and flashlights http://tidd.ly/25feb1d4 )

My YouTube Review on the Nitecore TM03 2800 Lumens Flashlight!