My RRT01 and RRT03 arrived (both 2020 editions). Both are the neutral white Nichia versions.
First impressions:
RRT01 has a perfect beam pattern with nice tint. No rings or artifacts in the beam. Reflector is light orange peel.
RRT03’s main beam also has a fairly nice beam pattern. Floodier and less throwy. However, the aux LED beam pattern is as expected pretty bad since its coming up through the gap between the optics.
I haven’t double-checked, but it looks like the RRT03’s optic might be a Carclo 10507. There is a glow gasket under the optic
The rings in both lights are very smooth. Smoother than the 2019 RRT-01’s ring. The RRT03 has detentes at each setting. The RRT01 has no detentes at all. The rings in both lights feel great. However if you plan on using the RRT01 in standby mode (switch always left on and only use the ring to turn on and off the light), there is a chance the ring might turn on in the pocket.
RRT01 will dim all the way to off using just the ring and not using the button.
RRT03 is not infinitely variable. It has 3 brightness settings plus disco-mode aux LEDs.
Dimmest main LED setting on the RRT03 is still quite bright. Closest thing to a moonlight it has is the red aux LED.
Aux leds in RRT03 have the option to have red, green or blue on as a solid color. Or you can have the flashing. To get to aux led mode, move the ring one notch past high. Changing aux led settings is controlled with the forward clicky using off-time memory. If you don’t leave the light off for several seconds between turning off and on in aux led mode, you’ll probably advance to the next color or blinky option in the aux LED sequence.
The extension tubes that come with the new RRT01 and RRT03 work perfectly with the 2019 RRT01.
Head is about the same width as the 2019 version and like that light contains a brass pill. For 18350 lights these are not tiny.
Tailstanding - works but is slightly wobbly. Inserting an extra o-ring between the rubber boot and the switch mechanism should fix this.
Stock battery is a 700mAh 16340. IMHO protected 1200mAh 18350 is the best choice for this light since it’s already pretty long and shorter length seems like it would make being able to manipulate both the ring and tail switch easier. Can’t say that from experience since mine isn’t here till the 29th though.
The highest cap 18500s I’ve seen are only ~2000mAh or less, doesn’t seem worth it to me.
Yes. Just like the 2019 or 2012 version…. you can turn the control ring and get a gradual smooth dimming all the way until you can barely see the emitter is lit when staring directly into it from close range.
Appears to do nothing as far as I can tell. The RRT01 has the hole in the ring but the RRT03 does not.
Yes, the 2019 head fits and works with the 2020 body tube.
I don’t have any protected 18350, but they should have no trouble fitting.
The 18350 that the new 2020 RRT-01 and –03 comes with, includes a built-in USB port and charging circuit. It’s much longer than my Aspire 1100 mAh 18350 and is probably longer than any protected 18350 cell.
The overall light is pretty big for an 18350 light. Especially so for the RRT-01 which is slightly longer than the RRT-03 due to the longer reflector. In 18350 configuration the new RRT-01 is about the same size as an FW3A with 18650 tube.