It is true, build quality of the KD Romisen RC-29 Q5 is much higher (switch+threads) and it is brighter than my 2 C78s. But it is very bulky and needs 3 full turns of twisting, resulting in 5-6 actions to go from flood to throw. If it was push-pull and had the switch of the C6/C8 ... it would be the perfect flood-to-thow light on 1xAA.
Arbi-lux (arbitrary-lux) just refers to the fact it's lux not referenced to distance (as lux itself isn't) because I didn't bother to bust out the meterstick. However it's self-consistent and thus can be compared among themselves. What are Don's numbers measured at?
The c78 as I've mention in other threads has better optics than the c29 (and thus likely similar romisens), and pretty decent quality if you get the LT version. The only place the romisen is better is at the widest flood when it finally smoothes out.
I like the optics of the the RC-29 better , because it has a larger flood angle and beam has less artefacts on flood. So it is better if you want to use it as a pseudo Zebralight.
Hey, thanks for the replys For 1xAA light 1 mode should be enough, but for 2xAA or 1x14500... I think multimode is a must.
Ok, on the one hand, we have an AA-S1 with good spill and on the other hand we have a zoom-to-throw lights. So... is there any beam shots comparisons? I mean, "normal" lights like AA-S1 and one zoom-to-throw light.
Which c78 are you comparing it to? The one I have has no unevenness in the whole zoom range, whereas the rc29 has squarish (cree) artifacts until all the way in flood.
agenthex: I was talking about full flood , which is my most used mode on flood-to-throw lights. I don't have any real usage for the throw or half-flood. The RC-29 are from KD and the C78 from DX. Maybe we have different models of those lights. I am thinking about buying those pseudo Zebralights from Ultrafire.
I don't see any artifacts on flood other than the typical "ring" around the edge of the flood that all these light have, and different c78 "batches" are known to be completely different.
And I wondered about your complaints about the optics of the RC-29. I should have said: The RC-29 has an even smoother beam than the C78 on full flood and the brightness is more evenly distributed from centre to the edge on the RC-29 (on full flood).
On the other hand I have given away all my RC-29 (had 3-4) and kept the C78 .... go figure. I like the C78 overall design better (blantant copy of the led lenser P5), but the RC-29 is the better light in my opinion. But the twisting action + the already mentioned sharp (tactical ) switch ruins it for me a bit. I would buy a C78 for myself and RC-29 as a gift/present for others. I personally like the ability that the C78 fits perfectly in this headband and makes it into a cheap high power headlamp.
And I wondered about your complaints about the optics of the RC-29.
To clarify again, when you start with square image at full zoom on the rc-29and start twisting to flood, artifacts of the cree square remain in the beam until you get to almost full flood. Now, it's probably not a big deal like cree reflector rings aren't a big deal in real world use, but it does indicate that the lens design is not as good. Still, I would agree the rc-29 is more versatile at full flood since it can illuminate over twice the area, it just takes a while to get there and sometimes you accidentally turn the light off. The slightly better build quality/polish also helps makes it a better gift.
Also, for my specific samples, the rc29 at 2.5A draw is same brightness as c78 at 2.0A, and a bit blue.
Sashix, if you read forolinternas you will see that the sipik http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39585~r.43033281 has a better construction, quality and same power as all C78´s. Also capable of both AA and 14500. Pity only 1 mode. I have ordered 1, still not arrived
Also in gray http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39584~r.43033281 but a little more expensive
What do you mean? New versions have gotten worse or something happens to yours? And as far I remember, Xtar charges batts a bit higher than Shekor. I found Shekor @ KD for $10,28. But where I can buy Xtar? Only found it @ ebay for about $15. Is it a good price? Thanks, Matt ;)