EDIT - 11 Novmeber 2018: MOD into Triple
Hi BLF!
This is my review of the On The Road M1 flashlight. It was bought on Banggood, here (non-affiliate), with a coupon from Fin17 (thank you!): https://www.banggood.com/On-The-Road-M1-T6-5C-5Modes-Dimming-Memory-function-USB-Rechargeable-Portable-Mini-LED-Flashlig-p-1263539.html?rmmds=detail-left-viewhistory\_\_5&ID=533522
YES, this is an old model, it is or will be discontinued, but I’ve been “dating” it for a while, so I decided to give it a shot (well…after Fasttech let me down on a budget flashlight that they hadn’t marked as discontinued…) .
AND, why am I doing this review of an old flashlight model? Because I can’t find any review (post them if you got them, please), written or in video, here on BLF or around the internet!!
So… I decided to make a short review, with just some information for those that may still want it (Banggood and Enogear still sell them)!
So, here it goes!
_
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body Material: T6061 Aluminium
Body Colour: “Titanium” colour
Emitter: XML2 U3-1A (Cold White)
Lens: Glass (non AR-Coated)
Reflector: OP (aluminium?)
Switch: Reverse Clicky Switch (tail)
Beam distance: 120 m
Beam intensity: 3600 cd
Waterproof: IPX8 (underwater 2m)
Impact resistance: 2 m
Batteries: 16340 Li-Ion / RCR123 / CR123
Low voltage warning: 2.9V (light will blink)
OTHERS
Driver: Intelligent control; Constant Current circuit (by manufacturer)
Battery Protection: Built-in battery protection circuit
Other: Active intelligent temperature control
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THE FLASHLIGHT: Packaging and Accessories
Unlike other models of On The Road, or the options of some stores that sell them, this light doesn’t have the KIT option (that includes charger and battery). So, this is what I got: the flashlight, user manual, a pouch, extra o-rings and a lanyard.
The cardboard box is well made and protective for the flashlight, and has some information on the sides and in the lower part as well. I didn’t make more photos just to go straight to the point. It was well packed by Banggood, with some foam wrapping the box!
The flashlight, besides being “cute” (personal opinion), fits well in the hand and has a great touching feeling regarding the anodizing.
On the one side you find the brand’s logo, and on the other the model’s reference (M1).
It has a tail clicky reverse switch that is operated smoothly and without problems. The pocket clip arrived already on the flashlight, it is quite sturdy and doesn’t get out easily. In comparison with other similar lights (S1R Baton, Jaxmnve M3) this clip is stronger. It as OTR engraved on the side as can be seen on the photos.
One awesome thing about the anodizing is that it is scratch resistant (unless you use a really pointy object to scratch it…). I took the clip out some times and no mark was left
Another thing about the pocket clip is that despite it is reversible, it will not fit so well it pointed towards the top. As the light is larger on the head, the tip of the clip will not fit so well!
The flashlight is composed by 2 major parts, head and tube/tail!
On the head, the flashlight has a stainless steel bezel, with nice finishing and with grooves so that one can access the lens / reflector / o-ring / led! Also on the head, it has a 15mm driver surrounded by a brass ring.
The Led on this one is a Cree XML2 U3-1A (Cold White), but it is also sold in other version (XML2 T6 5C). The glass lens is non anodized, it is well cut and with no imperfections.
The tube/ tail is composed by one module and it can be accessed by unscrewing the rear of the flashlight. The module has an outside “ring”, rubber tailcap OTR branded, the switch module and a brass ring that makes contact between the switch PCB and the battery tube (with is narrower than the tube extremities). The tail module can be unscrewed with a nose pliers.
DIMMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Just some idea of the dimensions and weight!
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USER INTERFACE & OUTPUT / RUNTIMES
The flashlight has memory: if the flashlight isn’t switched ON within 2-3 seconds after being switched OFF in the last used mode, it will be memorized (except for Strobe).
Ultra Low > Low > Medium > High + Strobe (with double click from any mode, while ON)
Ultra Low - 5 lm > 45h
Low - 90 lm > 3h40m
Medium - 260 lm > 1h30m
High - 650 lm > 35m
Some shots of the USER MANUAL. Simple, well, written and clear! Straight to the point and with the information needed!
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BEAMSHOTS AND FLASHLIGHT COMPARISON
Looking at batteries, the protected (long and fatter) battery of Wuben will not fit. Unprotected or small protected 16340 batteries will fit on the OTR M1!
And a comparison with some similar shaped flashlights: Olight S1R Baton (top) and Jaxmnve M3 (bottom) and with an Olight M1T Raider and a Convoy S2+ (18350 version), its direct contenders presently for my use as EDC
And some beamshots against the wall (1,70 m, more or less). Please note that there was not white balanced and taken with smartphone! The beam has some yellowish shifts on the hotspot and the corona. It is a know thing on these types of LED. I believe a Neutral or Warm White Led would be better, for sure but this doesn’t bother me much… })
Ultra Low > Low > Medium > High
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SOME FINAL THOUGHTS…
Well, I thought about buying this flashlight due to:
a) its size,
b) having a tail clicky switch,
c) be relatively thin (although not the thinner 16340 flashlight)
d) be very moddable (mostly the LED and driver, of course)
e) its built and working quality (inferred by the shown quality of the On The Road M3 and other OTR flashlights).
For all this reasons it was bought and for all of them I am happy It was not the cheapest flashlight (if compared with other 16340 moddable flashlights), but it will worth the acquisition!!
HOWEVER, if this light was bought just to be used as it is, it would be a good choice! It as a tremendous good anodizing, fits well in the hand, has a very nice output on every level.
I would change the “memory” so that it would always start on Ultra Low mode, but it doesn’t bother me that much(well, maybe because I will change the driver… )
Other than that, I just have to reinforce the excellent quality of this flashlight!!
If you have any question or remark on this please let me know
My best regards to all 8^)