Review: Roche M170 XML-T6-3C from FastTech AND FancyFlashlights.

Which Roche do you prefer. The CW or NW?
It looks like the NW doesn’t give up much if any brightness to the CW? Is that true or is it just the way it seams in the pictures?

I prefer NW version colour, but it’s just my opinion… as well as 3 mode version - it’s very easy to use, %100-40-5, turns on/off within 0.5 second only, switch is more springy. but overall both versions very bright, it’s just camera cannot take good pictures at night, but anyway did good job for compare RM170 and SRK. below the brightest picture that was done:

Thanks very much for the review! Frontpage’d and Sticky’d.

Hello! Does anybody know where to buy spare parts for Roche m170 flashlight? Thank you.

only one place I know that can help you with spare parts for RM170 is www.doingoutdoor.com, I’ve got today 3 reflectors and glasses for my Roche M170 (thank you Bill!). I suppose you can order other parts as well also, just ask Bill for details(bill.qiao@163.com), prices are very democratic and shipping so fast.

by the way, some thoughts… I don’t know why this torch not so popular with people - we’ve got everything that we wanted to get from SRK (but not got…) - middle mode, deeper reflectors/longer light distance, good driver(123min. on high(2000lm+) with PN3400mAh before first blink(and 10-15min. more after, before turns off), with memory, very good heatsinks, and light are better than Nitecore TM15 - no joke, really, and with 1/3 of price only. also torch feel in hand MUCH BETTER than any 4x18650 torch I had. REAL FLASHLIGHT. I’m talking about 3 mode version, not ramping version(but if you like to play with torch more than use - ramping version just for you made)).



by the way, best offer/price you can get at this moment for RM170 - www.doingoutdoor.com too, and this place only offer holster for Roche M170. but I’m not sure about 3 mode version, so again - just ask Bill for details.

Damn, My wallet seems to get thinner when I read threads like these. I might have to pull the trigger on this one....

I have successfully resisted so far, but..

Stan, you are not helping.

What are the modes in 3-mode version? 100% - 40% - 5%?

lol :bigsmile: I understand how you feeling there and now, be sure)))) but everyone who have/had SRK, must have this one. but 3 mode only, forget about ramping version!

I think modes are %100-50-10, something like that… on my look. and this mean - 123min./311min./~50hours at low mode on 3400 Panasonics. I’m waiting for unprotected 3400’s, will see how they will work. hope this information helped to you! :slight_smile:

I was never interested in the SRK because of the thin positive contact design. This one looks like it will never wear out

yep, you right; quality of this one much better than SRK ever made, and for my opinion - better than TM15 at all(for this price). and if so - we have now Bill/doingoutdoor.com for replace parts if something going wrong with our RM170. I guess)))

The fact that we can get replacement parts makes it much more desirable. I'll probably end up getting one...

I have had this Roche M170 for about a month. Really enjoyed this light used it enough to have to charge the batteries 3 different times.
Then a buddy came over to borrow some batteries, and I had just charged the Keeppowers’ that I had in it
So I opened the M170 and said “Take these”. As I had tested them all between 4.10 to 4.14V…
He left and I put some other charged batteries in the M170.
Then it would not work. I put in a total of 4 different sets of batteries that all tested over 4.0V
Tried unprotected…Protected…Button…Non-Button.
Nothing .
I am open to suggestions before I tear it apart or throw it away.

Check the contact between the board and the body. The screws may have come loose and let the board lose contact.

I’m going to swap out my springs tomorrow so I can run protected cells. I’m glad you solved that one. I’ll probably add some copper braid to replace the wires they used to reduce resistance.

I swapped out my springs today and now my M170 will accept Panasonic NCR18650B Protected...the longest of them all.

I even added copper braid to the springs...never done that before. Might help, might not.

good work! glad you happy now more than previously :slight_smile:

something happened with my RM170 CW 3-mode version yesterday… with driver… something REALLY NICE! :bigsmile: it works now on high mode 03:44min.(tested with these Panasonics - light still 2000lm+(still more bright than SRK U2), but not getting hot as previously. I’m not so “advanced user”, and have no idea what happened, but I’m SO HAPPY from this “fix”! any ideas? first ramp down on 3100 unprotected PNCs - 3.44min.(3.16V), turns off - 3.58min.(2.85V) AWESOME! :party:

More runtime on high mode and not getting hot can mean only one thing, lower brightness due to lower current.

I’ve never noticed any heat issue with my M170. I really couldn’t say what’s going on with yours. Perhaps it was running on direct drive in high for some reason. Is there a step down? Perhaps it’s stepping down after time when on high.

yes, I know it, just don’t know what exactly happened with driver, no any smell that there burned something, nothing… and yes, it lost some of the brightness, maybe like ~200-300lm, but added 100% of runtime and not hot as before, and thats awesome - 242 min. on high with 3400 Panasonics before first ramp down. so sad I don’t know how to do this “mod” with my second, ramping NW RM170 :bigsmile: have no idea why this torch not released like this from begin - 2000+ lumens, not getting crazy hot, and with loooongest runtime. below beamshots for compare;

no, driver works fine, all modes available, just lost some of brightness and temperature on high mode, but these “losses” for me looks like acquisitions, hope it will work like this within a looong time, it’s awesome! :slight_smile:

I’ve been thinking lately of getting the well-liked SRK but instead ordered the Roche M170 nw from Bill of Doingoutdoor. almost the same price with CNQ’s SRK (got it at $68.99, shipped), together with Panasonic NCR unprotected 3100 buttontops from FT, I wonder which package will arrive first.