It's $19.99 now. Not too far from previous group buy price.
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_366735.html
The above was never answered. From what I understand, the included battery is not an IMR.
I placed my order for the M3 1A last evening. I have little to no experience with LiIon batteries, so I'd like to also know the answers. Since the M3 itself has all the built-in protections, would there be any benefits to using an unprotected IMR in it? Would an IMR give any extra brightness? Would an ICR be better for this light, and give longer runtime per charge?
The included 16340 was similar in output to the Klarus 16340. Surprisingly the light was much dimmer with a Fenix 16340.
I measured the M3 with 725lumens in a DIY sphere, so it is a very bright 16340 flashlight. I guess only the nitecore EC11 with the IMR cell is brighter
Got my M3 earlier together some other lights.
I am really surprised how small it is. This will definitely bump off my Convoy S2+ with 18350 tubes as my current main EDC light.
For reference, my protected Trustfire Flames “almost” fit. I hope the Windyfire IMRs I ordered will also fit.
Update:
Got my Windyfire IMRs. They are the same dimensions as the yellow OTR battery and fit perfectly. Will put the flames on backup duty.
This thread is 6 months old. I wanted to bring it back up to see if anyone that has the M3 has good/bad opinions on it now that they’ve been using it for a while. I just ordered a Utorch UT01 but also have had my eye on the OTR M3.
How’s it working out for you?
Abit worn finish and thinking of changing the led othervise it works great.
Looks like the 5C version is no longer offered in a package with a battery… or at least I’m not seeing it.
If that’s the case, what 16340 battery would you guys recommend for this light?
Thanks!
I like the IMREN here, but my M3 is modded for high performance and these cells work pretty well. EFEST's are also good,
Thanks, Tom.
Yeah, I saw the EFEST ones on imrbatteries.com as well, but the button-tops are out of stock, and I’m not sure if the flat-tops would work with this light.
Oops, I also have and use the IMREN flat tops in the M3, so any flat tops should work ok.
Good to know. Thanks.
I just ordered the OTR M3 with 5C tint. I was going back and forth between 1A and 5C… I guess I will be losing a bit of output with 5C, but I’ve seen people speak highly of this 5C tint on the M3, so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m hoping I can just attach it to my baseball cap and use as a walking light.
So… IMREN vs EFEST… is one generally considered better than the other, or should I toss a coin?
I suspect they are the same cell under the label, but not sure. Dunno - the IMREN's do better than my EFEST's but the EFEST's are older, so hard to say.
The 850 mAh capacity protected EFEST may do well in the stock light, but not sure if it fits.
I like this flashlight a lot - it's perfect as a travel light. The low voltage indicator is a really nice touch too. But it's well made, and I like that you can pull it apart fairly easily.
The only negatives (for me) are:
- I'm skeptical about the 900lm claim, but it's fine, it's still plenty bright
- The UI
- I really don't like the long press to switch it on. I much prefer the Olight UI. A long press for on is counter-intuitive, and annoying (for me)
- I wish there was a way to go straight to moonlight/ultra-low from off (again the Olight can do this), or if I could turn off mode memory, and always start from ultralow?
- It would be great if they copied the Olight's timer feature
Otherwise, I love this light - it's very practical. If OTR does an upgraded version, I'll certainly look at it.
ooi - has anyone swapped out the driver in their M3 yet?
This cree flashlight look like same as Olight S1. According to your comparison Olight S1 flashlight is more powerful than M3. S1 is one of the best edc flashlights. totalguide and comparison review is here. Then why buy that M3 flashlight?
How long did it take for you to get it ?
Because the M3 costs 20 USD and the S1 costs 40 USD. Remember, this is BUDGET light forum.
A 5C tint is available as well, Olight is cool white FWIW
I have had one for 15 months, full kit, 5C
I cannot fault it.
Uses very-slightly long press for on and off, then cycle through modes. Last mode memory. Triple press for useless blinkies. Very low, low, med high. Simples.
Never tried anything but the included cell (excellent). Never tried the included charger.
Also have Olight S15. Different UI, very low “moon” but it is not obvious how to enter it, otherwise just low-med-high, much worse tint, blinkies, if used, can switch back to original setting with a long press.
Mode changes take long press. Also has last mode memory. I get it, most don’t.
M3 very-low is perfect.
S15 has slightly involved procedure for lockout, M3 doesn’t at least not one I’ve found, but tailcap twist does that.
Simple test: hand M3 to novice user, they all get it, straight away. Not so with Olight.
Quality appears identical, Anodisation equal although different colour.
Still EDC S15 because of AA cells. Favourite by far is M3. So small. So easy. Just right.
Both have negligible parasitic drain when off. Almost unmeasurable.