A Review of the Nextorch UT Line of Safety Signaling Devices: UT41, UT51 & UT51L

There’s a particular kind of satisfaction in using gear that does exactly what it’s meant to do. That’s the feeling I got when testing the Nextorch UT series signaling devices. Whether you’re on the side of a highway, in the middle of a tactical simulation, or simply out in the wild, visibility isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Nextorch was gracious enough to send over some personal identification apparatuses for this review. In particular, we have the UT51, the UT41, and the UT51L. The latter being a longer version of the UT51. Both offer red and blue signaling capabilities, while the UT41 adds yellow, green, white, and infrared options.

The UT51 and UT51L: Snap-On Simplicity for Emergency Visibility

We'll begin with the Nextorch UT51 and UT51L. These are red-and-blue slap-style bracelet signaling devices. These aren’t your childhood slap bracelets with the holographic dinosaurs—though they’re just as fun to snap onto your arm. They’re highly visible, rechargeable personal signaling tools designed to be as practical as they are easy to use.

Features That Matter

The UT51 offers red and blue lighting options with multiple flash settings: blinking red, blinking blue, and alternating red-and-blue flashes.

Let’s pause here for a moment. While red-and-blue flashing lights scream “law enforcement,” the red setting alone can be a lifesaver for civilians. Whether you’re signaling danger or marking your position, it’s an easy way to stay visible.

The UT51L builds on this design with an extra four inches of length. If you’re like me and often find yourself layering up in winter, this is a game-changer. It wraps snugly over thick jackets without sacrificing comfort or visibility.

Practical Applications of the UT51

Personally, I see the slap bands as perfect for roadside emergencies. Whether I’m towing someone out of a ditch, fixing a flat, or helping someone change a tire, I’ve found myself on the shoulder of busy interstates more often than I’d like. Visibility can mean the difference between a close call and staying safe, and these devices provide a fast, reliable way to make yourself seen.

Traditional signal flares are great but slow to deploy. Reflective triangles? Also useful, but they require setup time. The UT51, on the other hand, snaps onto your arm in seconds, and with a press of a button, you’re lit up like a Christmas tree.

The UT51L, being four inches longer than the UT51, is particularly handy when you’re wearing bulky winter clothing. While the UT51 works fine with lighter gear, like long sleeves or thin jackets, the added length of the UT51L makes it more comfortable over heavier coats.

These aren’t just for roadside use either. They’d be fantastic for military simulations or war games, where you need to signal team affiliation or positions clearly and reliably.

With a runtime of up to 12 hours, these slap bands are built to last through long tasks. I’ll admit, I was surprised to read about that battery life—given how light and thin these are, I didn’t expect much room for power storage. I didn’t test the full runtime, but the specs hold promise.

The UT51 weighs just 38g, while the UT51L is slightly heavier. Both are waterproof to IPX4 and impact-resistant up to two meters, powered by a 1.5mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

Comparing the UT51 and UT51L

The UT41: A Versatile Clip-On for Tactical and Emergency Use

Next up is the Nextorch UT41, a clip-style signaling device that’s the most versatile of the three. Unlike the bracelet designs, this one attaches securely to almost anything: the shoulder strap of a tactical vest, the brim of a hat, a seatbelt, the edge of your backpack, a sling, or any other webbing you find. Its MOLLE compatibility makes it a tactical favorite.

Features & Functionality of the UT41

The UT41 is equipped with 13 beacon and flash patterns. These include LEDs in white, red, blue, yellow, green, and infrared. The device is water-resistant up to two meters (IPX8) and impact-resistant from the same height. Despite its capabilities, the UT41 remains incredibly lightweight at just 29 grams and features a 50mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery—significantly larger than what you’ll find in the UT51.

Similar to other Nextorch lights, the UT41 is a highly visible emergency light that can be used in tactical situations, emergencies, military simulations, and other specialized tasks.

Using the Infrared Option

Like the GLO TOOB lights, the UT41’s infrared setting is best used with night vision equipment. However, there’s a small caveat: the infrared light doesn’t have a visible indicator, so it’s easy to accidentally leave it on and drain the battery. A simple workaround is to use your smartphone’s camera to check if the infrared is active. This isn’t a dealbreaker but is something to keep in mind when using the device in the field.

Operation and Controls

The UT41 is straightforward to operate. One button turns the light on and off, while a second button cycles through the various modes. These include red and blue flashing lights, as well as constant and flashing patterns in red, blue, yellow, green, white, and infrared.

While the controls aren’t entirely intuitive at first, they’re simple enough to grasp after a bit of practice. The real challenge comes when switching between flashing and solid modes. This is possible but requires consulting the included user guide. Here’s how it works:

1. Double-tap the power button within three seconds of turning the light on to switch between solid and flashing modes for each color.
2. Cycle through the colors using the second button.
3. To access a specific mode, turn the light off and then back on, ensuring you make your selection within three seconds.

Although this might sound complicated, the UT41’s memory function simplifies the process. The device remembers the last-used setting, so when you turn it back on, it resumes where you left off. This makes it easy to manage since most users typically rely on just one or two modes during a task.

Both the UT41 and UT51 come with USB-C charging cords but no chargers. You’ll need a USB block, like the one used for a phone.

Comparing the UT51 Series and the UT41

Practical Considerations: Which Device Should You Choose?

Depending on your intended application, the UT41 or UT51 might be a better fit. The UT41 is brighter, lighter, and packed with more features. However, the UT51 is simpler and faster to deploy.

For example, I’ve decided to keep the UT51 in my roadside emergency kits for each vehicle. Its slap-bracelet design and ease of use make it ideal for quick deployment. A simple push of a button is all it takes to activate the light.

The UT41, on the other hand, is reserved for my plate carrier. Although it’s slightly more challenging to deploy, its brightness and versatility make it the better choice for tactical or defensive situations. If I ever need to don my plate carrier, the UT41 will be set to red light mode. This ensures that local law enforcement and emergency personnel can identify me as a civilian, which could be a lifesaver in high-pressure situations.

Pros and Cons Recap

UT51 and UT51L

Pros:

• Simple, quick, and intuitive design.
• Lightweight and highly portable.
• Excellent for emergencies.

Cons:

• Limited to red and blue lights.
• Law enforcement restrictions on some settings.

UT41

Pros:

• More color options and patterns.
• Durable and versatile clip design.
• Superior battery capacity and waterproofing.

Cons:

• Slightly more complex controls.
• Heavier than the UT51.

Final Thoughts: Nextorch Delivers Again

At the end of the day, Nextorch has proven once again that they excel at crafting ingenious and practical personal signaling devices. The UT41 and UT51 each bring unique strengths to the table, catering to a wide range of needs for civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel alike.

The previous review of the Nextorch GT-AAA PRO Glo Toob and GT-AAA IR Tactical Signal Lights highlighted their impressive manufacturing capabilities and their ability to push boundaries in terms of water resistance and pressure tolerance.

With the UT line, Nextorch demonstrates once again their knack for innovation, delivering solutions tailored not only for civilians but also for law enforcement and military personnel.

Whatever the situation, Nextorch has a light designed to meet your needs. Be sure to visit their website and discover the next spark of creativity and ingenuity they have to offer.