A tale of two Romisens...

Hiya Folks,

This is going to be a brief look at two models, spefically the RC-G2 and the RC-29. The Dickensesque post title is slightly misleading, because even though I'm going to cover 2 models, I have 4 lights total. I'm going to be comparing one of each as delivered from dealextreme to their counterparts from shiningbeam.com. I'm sure most of you have seen the "upgraded" models sold on that site for ~$6-8 more. So, what does that extra money net? Let's take a look:

Well, this is embarrassing. I was just looking up the links to the above lights from dealextreme and SB, and I realized I have no idea where my original RC-29 came from. Hell, I think I ordered it awhile ago from SB as well...Doh! Well, at least the data makes more sense now. So, I shall sheepishly continue.

The candidates:

Romisen RC-G2 from Dealextreme $11.99

Feautres a Cree XR-E LED Emitter
- Glass lens with aluminum reflector
- Powered by 1 x AA battery (1.2/1.5V)
- Single mode tailcap clicky on/off
- LED bin code: XRCWHT-L1-WG-P2-0-01

Romisen RC-G2 II R5 from shiningbeam $19.75

* 200% brighter than the regular RC-G2 Cree P3/P4 model with the older driver
* 48% brighter than the latest RC-G2 stock model
* Customized aluminum reflector to take advantage of the XP-G emitter
* This new model comes with latest driver and Cree XP-G R5 1B tint LED
* LED type: Premium Cree XP-G R5 1B tint
* Up to 150 lumens output
* Orange peel aluminum alloy reflector
* Tactical momentary-on forward switch
* Glass Lens

Romisen RC-29 II R2 from ? (SB I think....crud, this is bad..) Here's the token link to the one from DX $15.10

* I know it's got an R2
* hell, it looks brighter than the stock model (which until now I thought I had...)
* The lens has been custimized by my car keys in my pocket for about 3 months
* No clue on the driver...but it gets sad if fed anything more than 1.5v
* Tactical momentary-on forward switch - Confirmend!
* Plastic lens much like any other flood to throw....

Romisen RC-29 II R5 $21.75

* This is the customized version of the RC-29, which uses a brighter Cree XP-G R5 LED, 1B tint
* Using the latest driver and it is 45% brighter than the regular model
*
Tactical momentary-on forward switch
* Water resistant design
* Aluminum alloy casing
* Using a convex lens which enable the output beam from flood to throw
* Compatible 1x AA Alkaline or 1 x AA NIMH
* ShiningBeam.com is the only store carries this model of light

Ok...so now we've established basic facts like specs, price, and my goldfish like memory. Let's briskly move onto the more interesting details. All testing done on fresh alkalines, because odds are that's all these will ever be fed. I did try the SB RC-G2 on both eneloops (2.2a meh) and NiZn (3.7a whoa):

Model Tailcap Current Lux@1m Ceiling bounce
DX RC-G2 2.4a 4.0k 3.7
SB RC-G2 2.6a 3.1k 5.1
? RC-29 2.0a 550/4.6k 3.6
SB RC-29 2.5a 490/3.1k 3.2


I double checked the results because it looked like there were a few anomolies, such as the current and output of the R2 RC-29, but the data was the same every time. So, let's conclude with a few observations:

- The SB RC-G2 with the upgraded driver and XPG put out a lot more light, at the cost of a litle throw as compared to the standard DX affair, and looks like it's worth the extra coin.

- The standard dx rc-g2 throws about as well as the SB RC-29 in throw mode.

- There doesn't seem to be any compelling reason to get the xpg version of the rc-29.

- I've confirmed I'm not fond of twist to throw.

- I really need to keep better track of where I get stuff...

Thanks for your time,

-Match

Interesting.

Thanks.

Know what you mean about remembering where stuff came from.

Thanks for diving in Match,

Ive always wondered if SB's "upgraded" verbiage amounted to any real differences. Its nice to see that it does.

DX doesn't sells Romisens with R2-R5 bins, only Q3, Q5 or P4. AFAIK only SB sells them with R2 and R4/R5

BTW, interesting results, yeah. Thanks for the comparison, mate

Match, thanks for the information. My SB RC-G2 is one of my favorite lights. For a AA light its hard to beat

Whereas I've given or thrown away every RC-G2 I've bought. I want to like them but have failed completely.

I have heard you say this so much i almost want to put it as my tag line // like.. don says getting hit with a wet seagull while windsurfing is like owning a roman son rc-g2.

on the other hand you'll be proud of me i pulled the trigger last month on a hugsme 31/32.I wanted to be hip and cool like you and Mr.admin. a Hugsby 31 we'll see if it's a 3 mode or not ??.

secabob ..one question ..reds or indians ?

Match I have heard people talking about liking a twisting flood to throw better than a straight push pull ..can't imagine why .

Hello

Have you measured the drivers's output current of each light?

No. That would entail taking the pill out and separating one leg of the emitter. I didn't touch these as most will end up given away. ('cept for the rc-g2 R5).

I've also heard of people who prefer anchovies on pizza or others who insist their pants waistline should reside just above the knees... I've long ago stopped trying to figure out other peoples tastses. As my father is fond of saying - "Different strokes for different folks..."

I like the P31 as much as the RC-G2, is that wrong ?

Ps; when I order one pizza always ask 'mitad de anchoas' half of anchovy

Don, I hear you! I have lights that produce a better beam I also have lights that have a better feel but I think what makes me like it so much is that it is more than sufficient 99% of the time and most importantly it's powered by what's probably the most plentiful battery on the planet AA

Having grown up a fan of the "Big Red Machine" I had no idea that Cleveland had a baseball team. It wasn't until I saw Charlie Sheen taking the mound did I learn that the Indians were a real team :)

Reds all the way baby!

Question:

Does the RC-G2 tailcap fit exactly on the tail threads of the RC-29? (and do the tail threads have the exact same length?)

And if they are interchangeable, anyone wants to share a photo with the exchange? :steve:

The threads are the same, but the depth is different. I can't remember which one is longer. When I get back to work I'll snap a pick of them and let you know....I have a whole mess of dead ones there.

Oh great, thanks!! ( if you can show off pictures (pron), cool, otherwise no big deal )

Dead ones? .. i guess they could be repaired.

If the RC-29’s tailcap won’t work on the RC-G2, will the RC-G2’s head work on the RC-29’s body?

Apologies for the 2+ year bump.

^on this issue, apparently some threads aren’t even the same between different examples of rc-g2’s, depending on where you buy them.