(Review) Rofis R3

Rofis R3 Review

I received the Rofis R3 from skyben.trade for evaluation purposes. I’d like to thank skyben.trade for their generosity. I’ve purchased numerous items from skyben.trade myself, and can personally verify that the experience has been completely positive every time.

Skyben.trade Amazon store

Rofis R3 Owner’s Manual

Rofis R3 features

Listed at $79.95 on the Skyben.trade Amazon store , the R3 has an available feature that is not found on its two smaller siblings: neutral white. The R3 comes in two options: cool white or neutral white (temperature of the beam). My sample is the cool white version.

Apart from that option the R3 is a bigger, more powerful, version of its siblings (R1 and R2). I have had the opportunity to use all three and would likely choose the R2 as my favorite. But that comes with a bit of a caveat: for EDC carry my choice would be the R2, due mostly to its smaller size. For a light that is kept in the vehicle, or used for things like hiking, camping, and walking around at night, the R3 would be my choice – mostly due to its increased output and the more hand-filling form.

You can read my thoughts on the R2 here: Link

The R3 comes in with an overall length of 4.79 inches. That’s with the head being in-line with the body (zero degrees). It is a comfortable carry in my front pocket; depending somewhat on what else I’ve got in that pocket, but I do think that the average person would be perfectly comfortable carrying the R3 all day, everyday.

On the tail end the cap features a pretty robust magnet; it’s strong enough to securely hold the flashlight in place. It’s a feature that has repeatedly proved itself to be very useful – a third hand, if you will, but one that can be made to output light exactly where it is needed. Thanks to the flat tail, the R3 will tail-stand all day long. And if it’s on a metal surface, it will “tail-stand” upside down, ninety degrees, or just about any position you’d like. Even the lanyard attachment is done correctly – positioned in a manner that allows a lanyard to be used, without it obstructing the flat tail.

Inside the tail cap is a stout spring; with another spring located inside the tube, behind the head of the flashlight. The R3 opens at the tail cap only; the threads are well cut, square, and nicely lubricated when received. The cap twists on/off with just a whisper, but no indication of obstruction whatsoever. With the tail cap off, the battery stands a bit proud inside the tube; meaning the end of the battery extends out above the threaded end of the tube. You’ll also feel a bit of a tug, thanks to the magnetic tail pulling on the battery (as you remove the tail cap). Neither of which is any sort of an issue: the flashlight goes back together with ease.

Fit and finish are the norm for Rofis – excellent. The feel of the flashlight is excellent as well, with the body’s grooves and the shape of the head combining to provide the user with excellent grip. Personally I find the R3 to be a very nice looking flashlight.

The included clip is removable, as well as being reversible. It is attached a bit too far forward for my preferences (I prefer head down carry, deep in my pocket). It does take a bit of effort to remove the clip, but that effort is not unreasonable (it helps prevent the clip from accidentally coming off). The spring portion is probably a little bit weaker than I’d like, but it isn’t bad.

The lone switch is found on the side of the flashlight, back just a bit from the head. It is covered in a rubber cap and gives the user excellent grip, along with feel. In the center (of the switch button) is a hole – used to convey (via led lights) information such as battery status and charging status to the user. I am quite fond of the switch itself, as it provides very good tactile feedback. It also has an audible click sound when pressed and released.

The switch sits just a bit proud of the flattened body area where it is located. I find the switch easy to locate, even in pitch dark conditions. Part of that is the slightly raised switch, part of it is due to the rubber cap, and part of that is due to position of the clip. Looking down, with the head of the R3 pointing away from my body, I position the clip so it is to the right of the switch and roughly 90 degrees from the switch. Due to the way the head itself rotates, that clip position seems to be the most viable.

Opposite the switch is the magnetic charging port. I very much like this feature, as it is really simple to use and I believe it helps keep moisture (and dust) out of the interior of the light. I suppose the negative is the potential for losing the (included) cord, but I’d solve that by charging the battery in one of the chargers I own.

The reflector is fairly shallow, and smooth. The bezel is also smooth, and stainless steel. Just inside the lens is a glow-in-the-dark ring. I’m not sure what purpose it really serves, since it doesn’t glow for long once the flashlight is turned off.

The feature that makes the R3 the incredibly handy tool that it is – is the ability to rotate the head from zero degrees to ninety degrees, and anywhere in between those two extremes. It’s not a gimmick; it works extremely well; allowing the user to place the beam of light exactly where it is needed.

There is a bit of resistance when rotating the head, but I’m finding that with use the resistance is decreasing a little bit. I think that bit of resistance is a good thing because it keeps the head positioned where the user wants it. There is no creep, no sliding; choose the position wanted and it stays there.

Rotating the head is a simple process too. With my right hand I hold the R3 body (head facing away from my body) and using my left hand I grasp the head between my forefinger and thumb and twist/pull toward my left. There are grooves cut into the head, for the position of my left forefinger/thumb. Rofis did an excellent job of engineering the head so there are no sharp areas in any position.

Cree XM-L2 U3 LED

The R3 is available in two versions: neutral and cool white. My version is the cool white. The beam itself is biased more toward flood than it is throw, but it does maintain a respectable ability to reach out.

Rofis rates the maximum distance of 194 meters. Cut that in half and you’ve got the rough usable distance – about 100 meters.

The center beam is noticeably brighter than the outer portion of the beam. The center beam is fairly large; from there the brightness drops off somewhat abruptly but still gives the user excellent peripheral vision. For my tastes the beam of the R3 is perfect for the type of use this flashlight is designed for.

Included with the R3 is a head strap for use as a head-lamp. The strap itself is about 1 inch in width and adjustable. There are two orange rubber rings that the R3 slides into. While it is easier to do this without the clip attached, it isn’t absolutely necessary.

Being right-handed, I prefer to attach the R3 so the head is easily reached by my right hand. That makes turning it off/on and changing modes much easier for me. Those of you who are left-handed would likely be better off if you attached the R3 so the head could be easily reached with your left hand.

The head-strap allows for attachment with the R3 located on your forehead, or you can attach the R3 so it is on the side of your head (with the head pointed straight ahead) if you prefer. The strap does a good job of keeping the flashlight in the position desired. I don’t see myself using the head-strap very often, but it is nice to have the option if I choose to.

There are a number of features that I haven’t touched upon. Instead of repeating the owner’s manual, I’ve include a link to the owner’s manual and photographs that highlight the features found on the R3. You can click on the pictures (owner’s manual) if you’d like the option of making those pictures larger.

The R3 comes with a 5 year warranty. That’s a feature that deserves a special mention.

I’ve said, in my reviews of the R1 and the R2, that Rofis had hit a grand-slam. I think the same is true with the R3; as it offers all the features of those two models, with higher output and longer run-times. I think the R3 is the perfect choice for mechanics, truck drivers, home inspectors, pest control technicians, plumbers, home repair contractors…. anyone and everyone who needs a tough, waterproof, flashlight that can put the light exactly where it is needed.

I like these style of lights, but the price is up there. Too rich for my blood. Lol

even with coupon the price is quite high,but soon i will buy one :slight_smile:

Order from Neal gadget
DEEEEEEP discount on the R3 from him !!!

I don’t like it any more now that I know it doesn’t fit my needs.

Curious,how so

Something I did not realize about all twisty head lights is they weigh a lot. They are very heavy which is no good for my needs. Plus the button placement is no good. I’d rather have the button and charger connection swap places.

A non-twisty, 90° light with button on the end is more what I need. Something like an Eagle Eye X1R, but with a better UI.

Everybody’s needs are different.