Review: ReyLight Pineapple Proto

ReyLight Pineapple Prototype Review

This is a review of the prototype of the ReyLight Pineapple flashlight. A sample was provided for this review but no payment of any kind was accepted for the review.

Summary

Overall, this is an excellent and well thought-out light.
The host is well machined with some nice detailing and features that help with grip and produce a unique look and feel.
The clip has a functional lanyard attachment point and mates well with the light.

The UI (User Interface) is simple and effective with four well-balanced levels. They do vary depending on the battery used (14500 Lithium Ion cells boost the three higher modes), so one can choose optimum lower modes (using nimh batteries) or maximum output (using 14500 li-on cells).
The discrete tritium slot in the tail is elegant and effective and adds a classy touch to the overall design.

There are very few minor points that could be changed or improved for the final design:

- The clip should be thickened and strengthened as it’s rather thin and flimsy at the moment. It could also be a touch longer.

  • The middle modes use PWM for dimming (estimated 3KHz). Increasing the frequency could help make it more invisible,
    though it was not too noticeable as is.
  • The reflector could be adjusted slightly to improve the beam pattern and reduce the appearance of rings in the spill.
  • A few stylistic changes could enhance the look of the light, but this is minor and subjective.

This is a near final prototype however, so very few changes are expected. I would hope at least a thicker clip would be incorporated as this is the only real issue I had with the light.

Host and Clip Quality

The machining on the brass host is very well done. The “knurling” consists of four concentric rings cut into four sections, these and the brass material are what give the pineapple its unique appearance and name. When combined with the combination of ridges in the head and the reduced diameter body, the pineapple is easy to grip and feels good in the hand.

Here are some more views of the light showing the clip with the lanyard attachment point incorporated into the design. While it is functional, I found it a bit uncomfortable at times and may remove it in the future.
The clip is held on by the tailcap which is a great design since it’s reliable and allows adjustment of clip position. It is, however, a bit thin and flimsy. I tried bending it somewhat in order to increase grip strength but this is not effective with the present clip.

Also note the elegant stainless steel button cover. The switch is a reverse clicky to allow for intuitive mode changes and works smoothly with no binding. The switch travel is a bit more than expected but it’s not uncomfortable. The rounded recess around the button adds just a little bit more class, as does the tritium slot (sized to fit 1.5x6mm trits).

The threads are smooth and nicely cut. They are not square cut, but there is very little play and they mate well.
The head has three crenulations that allow one to see when the light is on even when it is resting head down.

One minor annoyance for me was the way the parts did not quite line up. The tailcap has four flats that, when the light is assembled, do not line up with the four sections of the body. This can be corrected with a thicker clip but the design does not lend itself to being perfectly aligned. The three crenulations on the head also don’t really match up perfectly either. Again, this is a just minor annoyance but is noted to be complete.

The LED is well centered and is reported to be a 4000K Nichia 219C, 90+ CRI. Very rare indeed!

Size is a very comfortable 92.9mm x 20.5mm at the widest point of the head. The body varies between 16.5-17.6mm so feels very slim in the hand.

The pill is held inside the head by a retaining ring. Once the ring is removed, the pill can be removed and the reflector and lens will drop out. Note the black plastic centering ring around the LED.

The driver is a useful 14.55mm, a very useful size (if the driver is ever available for purchase, fingers crossed).

The reflector seems to be a custom design that produces a good (but not perfect) beam. The lens is anti-reflective (AR) coated.

Here is the light compared to a common AA battery as well as a few other available AA lights. They include (from left to right): L3 Innovations L10, Eagletac D25A (2014), Thrunite T10T, Reylight Pineapple, Portinga Firefly, and 4Sevens Quark AA (tactical).

Here is the business end (minus the Firefly). I have installed diffusion films and a flood optic on some of the lights so these are not all stock setups.

Beam Characteristics, Levels and UI

The beam is quite good. The textured reflector provides a nice wide spot and spill, with a fairly sharply defined cut-off to the spot. There are some rings present in the middle of the spill however, so I’d say this is a good but not great beam. It is not very noticeable in most use.

Note, this is daylight colour balance, the beam shows no green in reality.

The LED is reported to be a 4000K Nichia 219C, 90+ CRI, a rare LED not yet seen on any production light (or anywhere really!). It compares well to my favourite LED, the 4000K Nichia 219B (90+CRI). The 219C is just a touch less pink, leaning more towards green/yellow, but it’s VERY slight and is only seen when in direct comparison with the 219B. This is a beautiful tint and the 219C should be very easy to drive, providing good output and efficiency.

The UI is a basic Moonlight-Low-Medium-High, starting on moonlight. There is no memory and the reset time is a short three seconds (after the light is off for three seconds, it defaults to moonlight.) There are no blinking or hidden modes.
I don’t have the equipment or inclination for lumen and runtime measurements, so here are the factory numbers.

With alkaline AA:
Output: 0.2-5-30-110 lumens
Runtime: 30 days-50 hours-4.5 hours-1 hour

With 800mAh 14500 battery:
Output: 0.3-12-120-390 lumens
Runtime: 20 days-15 hours-2 hours-40 mins

I can confirm these approximate numbers.
The UI and levels are well balanced and nicely spaced. Choosing differing battery types allows one to choose between higher maximum output (14500 batteries) or more available lower levels (nimh batteries).
I’m very pleased with the simple, effective UI and useful levels. This is an ideal UI for most of my EDC usage, though it is not for everyone.

This is NOT a tactical light or a tactical UI. If you want max brightness quickly or like memory modes, this is not the light for you. If you like preserve night vision and discretely ramp up to your chosen level, this light is ideal.
Do note, however, that the middle two levels use PWM for dimming. I estimate about 3KHz for the frequency. I did not find it objectionable in use but did notice it on occasion. I didn’t notice any PWM on the maximum or moonlight modes.

Beam Shots

Okay, here are some more beam shots to show more beam characteristics. The shots were done on a Nikon D5100, set to daylight colour balance. Tint shots were done with DC fix diffusion film to smooth beam charateristics. Outside shots were done with eneloop (so only 110 lumens or so).

This is the beam profile. There is a strong spot with some rings in the beam.

This wall shot is about 10 feet away.

The tree is also 10 feet away.

Down the fence, the spot is about 20 feet away.

Here is my reference standard 4000K 219B. In real life, lovely tint, with a touch of warmth.

The 4000K 219C might be a touch cooler, but it’s really tough to see the difference in person.

This shot is with a zebralight using “neutral” XML2 (4500K). Looks fine by itself, not so nice when seen next to the Nichias (ugh, green).

Here is a side-by-side beamshot. The 4000K 219B is on the left, the 4000K 219C is on the right.
It’s tough to see much difference on a white wall.

Glow mods!

I did have fun adding a couple glow mods to make this light easier to find at night. I added a small glow sticker ring around the LED and an ice blue tritium vial (1.5 x 6mm) in the slot in the tailcap. Here are a few glamour shots.

Final Thoughts.

Overall, the ReyLight Pineapple is becoming one of my favourite AA lights.
It has its charms:

- Unique appearance that is both striking and functional (provides good grip).

- Super rare 4000K, 90+ CRI Nichia 219C LED. Efficiency coupled with beautiful tint and colour rendering.

- Good fit and finish with thoughtful details (clip mounting, lanyard attachment, head crenulations, solid construction).

- Useful levels with (my) ideal EDC user interface. Changing battery types allows one to customize levels based on intended
usage (more lower modes or max output).

- Classy metal button, equipped with tritium slot.

  • Remarkable value (under $40 projected price).

Here’s a parting shot!

Sheesh this takes a lot of work for photos…

I’ll try to add more beam shots and/or profiles soon.

Stick a green tritium into the tailcap, and it’ll really be a pineapple.

I’m actually thinking of getting another and using a yellow trit. Would look interesting.

By the way, you have some duplicated text in the middle. Look for the phrase “The 219C is just a touch less pink”.

Thanks, a copy paste error. Still not sure how to get the spacing I want…

I’ve been enjoying your review, along with my morning cuppa. What a way to start the day!
This is a serious beautiful light. I like the clip lanyard attachment point combination. Because it would be a shame to drill holes in the tailcap. That is like putting bumper stickers on a brandnew Ferrari. Maybe the weight of the light deserves a clip that’s a bit thicker. BTW, what does it weigh (don’t ask this at home) in relation to the lights next to it.

Looks nice!

Looks real nice. :slight_smile:

101g with Energizer Lithium Primary 1.5V.

Nicely done Gunga. Sweet little light ain’t it? :smiley:

Thanks Dale. Your review came out so fast and was so detailed! Great stuff.

Yep. Now I want one in ti and bare aluminum.

The clip needs to be thicker and stronger. Other than that, it’s awesome. Great job by Rey.

I forgot to note:

I use eneloop and eneloop xx, as well as button top Efest and Windyfire imr 14500 batteries. These were fine but some super fat batteries or super recessed flat tops may not work.

Great review Gunga! Appreciate the detail and have only one question/request. When you have time for the beam shots, would you side by side it on about the same levels with the 4000K 219B? I have been wanting a 4000K 219C and this 90+ CRI is just a bonus….

I really like the looks and function of this light so far, thanks.

I will try to do so. They are VERY close though, so it may not show up in pictures.

Thank you for weighing it.
And thanks to linda@windyfire.com I have already a box of IMR 14500’s standing by to start the fun with.

I forgot to take measurements. :frowning: Had everything apart and totally failed on the digital caliper side of things.

Eh? Your review is great. No worries.

Excellent review! I have learned so much from you guys.

What glow stickers did you use? I really like that.

Looks nice. Any idea when these will be available?

Great looking little brass light. Good job Rey!