OSTS R5: Little Body - BIG Throw!
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
Battery: 18650
Switch: Reverse Clicky
Modes: High, medium, low, strobe, sos
LED Type: XP-E R4 dedomed
Lens: glass
Tailstands: No
Price Paid: $40 + 7.50 shipping
Where Purchased: http://www.onestopthrowshop.com/
Ordered/delivered: Ordered January 18/Delivered January 26
Pros:
Great throw for size
Nice tight clip
Driven hard on high
Nice useable low
SS bezel
Annodized tailcap for lockout
Did I mention it throws really well for it's size??
Cons:
Blinky Modes not hidden PWM on lower modes (doesn't seem too bad)
Can't tailstand
No mode memory (resets back to high after 10 seconds)
Low on spill (though this is probably more of a plus on this light)
Size Comparison:
Left to right: Xtar 2600 battery, Ultrafire 504B (p60), OSTS R5, Armytek Predator, Crelant 7g2cs
Size Comparison to similar throwers:
Left to right: UltraOk 26650/4xaaa (19.5 kcd), OSTS R5 (32.8 kcd), LED Maglight (28.5 kcd)
The Skinny:
The OSTS R5 is a very impressive thrower for it's size. It was advertised at 29kcd and on my meter it reads 32,800cd taken at 4 meters. This is achieved in this small light by driving a de-domed XP-E R4 at 2.2A, and whatever other magic Michael Johnson (aka saabluster) puts into the light. Modes are the usual budget light H-M-L-Strobe-SOS. It has no mode memory, it always comes back on in high if left off more than 10 seconds.
Output:
High 250 lumens - Medium 137 lumens - Low 35 lumens Current draw H 2.26A, M 1.006A, L .211A
The low mode is pretty nice, as it isn't too low that the spill is unuseable. You won't be using this for reading though, as the intensity makes it seem brighter close up, and there is a donut hole in the first 1 meter of the beam. Strobe is fast, and SOS is fast as well, but at least it does a true S O S - S O S
Views of the four sides:
The clip is part of the flashlight tube and the tailcap is fairly long. This means a lot of tailcap sticks out of your pocket when you carry it clipped.
The annodization is pretty even, of course this is a budget host, so durability is questionable. I plan on mine getting worn through use pretty quickly.
The only wording on the light is "CREE R5" This is from the R5 xp-g emitter this light originally came with. I searched DX and found an identical host called the Fandy Fire A2. Thankfully the unbranded host was used.
No knurling on the light, just some grooves on the battery tube. It provides enough grip for a small light like this.
I'm a sucker for the Raidfire/Deifer type exposed cooling fins. They might be hard to keep clean if they get muddy or whatever, but I think they look nice.
The clip is very sturdy and tight. The raised section on the end makes it easier to clip, but also can get caught on things (shirt for instance) accidentally due to the end sticking out. I'm not taking the screws out, but it looks easy enough to remove should you want to. Might want to put the screws back in afterwards though.... actually that might make the screws go in too far and scratch the battery, so maybe that's a bad idea.
As you can see the tailcap is rounded on the end and the switch boot sticks out ever so slightly. No tailstanding for this one. The clicky has a good taunt feel and makes a pronounced click when used. No issues with mode changes.
Tailcap threads are fine. They are annodized for lockout. They were very well lubed when the light arrived... too well lubed. I had to remove some excess when the light went out and wouldn't change modes. I also experienced the same issue from the tube/body threads which are of similar quality and lubed too much. Cleaning the excess solved all the problems. I've overdone the threads myself a couple times, so I knew that was the culprit.
The bezel unscrews to find an o-ring in front of the glass lens. I am too afraid to mess up my throw by taking anything else apart. If the reflector/led position is optimized I'm not going to screw anything up!
The bezel is SS... or whatever. All I know is I like the "hey your light is on" indents better than an attack bezel. Also I like this feature on all lights, because I like to be able to set the light on any surface (like concrete) without worrying about the finish coming off.
The head spring has one of those covers on it. The tailcap spring is the same. Like I said before, I'm not taking this light apart to see the driver and such. I don't think anyone is going to buy a already modded light from OSTS with the intention of modding it again anyways.
Here is the money shot. The de-domed XP-E R4 creates all the magic. Perfectly centered.
Left to right: UF 504B xml (p60), OSTS R5, Armytek Preadtor
Left to right: UltraOk 26650, OSTS R5, LED Maglight
Now for my first attempt at white wall beamshots. All are ISO 100, F3.5. First set at 1/60 second
OSTS R5
Armytek Predator
Crelant 7G2CS
Crelant 7G3CS
LED Maglite
BTU Shocker
This next set is same settings but 1/1250 seconds
OSTS R5
Armytek Predator
Crelant 7G2CS
Crelant 7G3CS
LED Maglite
BTU Shocker
As you can see, the R5 has a donut hole at close range. Over 1 meter the donut disappears and an intense small circle of light appears in the middle of the hotspot. Maybe I'll get a picture of this soon, but trust me the hole is only visible up close.
SUMMARY:
All in all I think this is a great light. Heck half the reason I like my Predator so much was the throw it provided in a small package. The OSTS R5 outdoes it in that regard and is even smaller! This light is all about throw in a small package and it delivers. Say what you want about the budget host or tailstanding or blinky modes... this light gets a 10/10 for it's intended purpose. I highly approve, though it is a bit pricey - but you pay a premium for the best of anything, and in pocket-sized throwers this thing is it. Now I just need a tiny 16340 light that throws over 20kcd and I'd really have an edc....
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
Battery: 18650
Switch: Reverse Clicky
Modes: High, medium, low, strobe, sos
LED Type: XP-E R4 dedomed
Lens: glass
Tailstands: No
Price Paid: $40 + 7.50 shipping
Where Purchased: http://www.onestopthrowshop.com/
Ordered/delivered: Ordered January 18/Delivered January 26
Pros:
Great throw for size
Nice tight clip
Driven hard on high
Nice useable low
SS bezel
Annodized tailcap for lockout
Did I mention it throws really well for it's size??
Cons:
Blinky Modes not hidden PWM on lower modes (doesn't seem too bad)
Can't tailstand
No mode memory (resets back to high after 10 seconds)
Low on spill (though this is probably more of a plus on this light)
Size Comparison:
Left to right: Xtar 2600 battery, Ultrafire 504B (p60), OSTS R5, Armytek Predator, Crelant 7g2cs
Size Comparison to similar throwers:
Left to right: UltraOk 26650/4xaaa (19.5 kcd), OSTS R5 (32.8 kcd), LED Maglight (28.5 kcd)
The Skinny:
The OSTS R5 is a very impressive thrower for it's size. It was advertised at 29kcd and on my meter it reads 32,800cd taken at 4 meters. This is achieved in this small light by driving a de-domed XP-E R4 at 2.2A, and whatever other magic Michael Johnson (aka saabluster) puts into the light. Modes are the usual budget light H-M-L-Strobe-SOS. It has no mode memory, it always comes back on in high if left off more than 10 seconds.
Output:
High 250 lumens - Medium 137 lumens - Low 35 lumens Current draw H 2.26A, M 1.006A, L .211A
The low mode is pretty nice, as it isn't too low that the spill is unuseable. You won't be using this for reading though, as the intensity makes it seem brighter close up, and there is a donut hole in the first 1 meter of the beam. Strobe is fast, and SOS is fast as well, but at least it does a true S O S - S O S
Views of the four sides:
The clip is part of the flashlight tube and the tailcap is fairly long. This means a lot of tailcap sticks out of your pocket when you carry it clipped.
The annodization is pretty even, of course this is a budget host, so durability is questionable. I plan on mine getting worn through use pretty quickly.
The only wording on the light is "CREE R5" This is from the R5 xp-g emitter this light originally came with. I searched DX and found an identical host called the Fandy Fire A2. Thankfully the unbranded host was used.
No knurling on the light, just some grooves on the battery tube. It provides enough grip for a small light like this.
I'm a sucker for the Raidfire/Deifer type exposed cooling fins. They might be hard to keep clean if they get muddy or whatever, but I think they look nice.
The clip is very sturdy and tight. The raised section on the end makes it easier to clip, but also can get caught on things (shirt for instance) accidentally due to the end sticking out. I'm not taking the screws out, but it looks easy enough to remove should you want to. Might want to put the screws back in afterwards though.... actually that might make the screws go in too far and scratch the battery, so maybe that's a bad idea.
As you can see the tailcap is rounded on the end and the switch boot sticks out ever so slightly. No tailstanding for this one. The clicky has a good taunt feel and makes a pronounced click when used. No issues with mode changes.
Tailcap threads are fine. They are annodized for lockout. They were very well lubed when the light arrived... too well lubed. I had to remove some excess when the light went out and wouldn't change modes. I also experienced the same issue from the tube/body threads which are of similar quality and lubed too much. Cleaning the excess solved all the problems. I've overdone the threads myself a couple times, so I knew that was the culprit.
The bezel unscrews to find an o-ring in front of the glass lens. I am too afraid to mess up my throw by taking anything else apart. If the reflector/led position is optimized I'm not going to screw anything up!
The bezel is SS... or whatever. All I know is I like the "hey your light is on" indents better than an attack bezel. Also I like this feature on all lights, because I like to be able to set the light on any surface (like concrete) without worrying about the finish coming off.
The head spring has one of those covers on it. The tailcap spring is the same. Like I said before, I'm not taking this light apart to see the driver and such. I don't think anyone is going to buy a already modded light from OSTS with the intention of modding it again anyways.
Here is the money shot. The de-domed XP-E R4 creates all the magic. Perfectly centered.
Left to right: UF 504B xml (p60), OSTS R5, Armytek Preadtor
Left to right: UltraOk 26650, OSTS R5, LED Maglight
Now for my first attempt at white wall beamshots. All are ISO 100, F3.5. First set at 1/60 second
OSTS R5
Armytek Predator
Crelant 7G2CS
Crelant 7G3CS
LED Maglite
BTU Shocker
This next set is same settings but 1/1250 seconds
OSTS R5
Armytek Predator
Crelant 7G2CS
Crelant 7G3CS
LED Maglite
BTU Shocker
As you can see, the R5 has a donut hole at close range. Over 1 meter the donut disappears and an intense small circle of light appears in the middle of the hotspot. Maybe I'll get a picture of this soon, but trust me the hole is only visible up close.
SUMMARY:
All in all I think this is a great light. Heck half the reason I like my Predator so much was the throw it provided in a small package. The OSTS R5 outdoes it in that regard and is even smaller! This light is all about throw in a small package and it delivers. Say what you want about the budget host or tailstanding or blinky modes... this light gets a 10/10 for it's intended purpose. I highly approve, though it is a bit pricey - but you pay a premium for the best of anything, and in pocket-sized throwers this thing is it. Now I just need a tiny 16340 light that throws over 20kcd and I'd really have an edc....
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