Bronte Ra03
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary:
| Battery: | 2xAAA (alkaline or Ni-Mh) |
| Switch: | Tailcap reverse clickie switch |
| Modes: | 3 (High, Med. Low) |
| LED Type: | CREE XP-G R5 |
| Lens: | Coated glass lens |
| Tailstands: | No |
| Price Paid: | 20$ |
| From: | DealeXtreme |
| Date Ordered: | June 2013 |
Pros:
- Good, smooth and anodized threads
- Runtime on high
- Bronte quality/finish
Cons:
- Clip is not strong
- Not 120 lumen as declared, more like 100...
- No memory
Features / Value: ★★★☆☆
As I have told many times, I love flashlights powered with "normal" AA or AAA batteries, easy to find everywhere. I use to avoid "Li-ion only" powered lights, so I prefer "hybrid" Li-ion/NiMh ones, or lights that dont use Li-ion only as the power source. And, for me, of course, the lights powered with AA/AAA must have good eficiency and give the highest runtime and output possible.
I currently own most of the Ra series from Bronte. I have tha ra01, ra03 and ra04. I knew what I was going to get when ordering the light.
This is my second 2xAAA penlight.
This Ra03, altought it fits my needs, it seems that it lacks "something"... it is difficult to explain. Well, after having and testing the Nextorch K3, with it´s powerful 180 lumen high mode... you know.. now I test this one... and despite declaring 120 lumens on high, I think it is just 100... it is just barely brighter than the single AAA version of this light, the ra01... that claims to give 80 lumens....
Ok, just the initial impressions. The output, not as great than I tought. The rest (quality, regulation, etc) is what I espected from Bronte.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★☆☆
Received in the typical "bronte" box, with manual and spare o-rings...
The light can be dissasembled both from the head and from the tailcap, meaning it consists in 3 parts.
The tailcap seems to not being possible to dissasemble and replace the switch. The switch has good travel and is firm.
The clip could be better. I dont know how long will it last. It is not strong, and it is not firmly attached to the body.
Tailcap threads are not anodized, but the ones in the thread are. Very smooth, clean and lubed threads.
No polarity protection.
Orange peel reflector, similar in depth and witdh than the one found on the ra01.
Small comparison to the Nextorch K3:
Battery Life: ★★★★★
This one has a veeery good runtime, both on med and high.
HIGH: 125 minutes aprox
MED: 7 hours aprox
LOW: not measured
Current draws not measured yet.
Light Output: ★★★☆☆
In this aspect.... I espected more. It is barely brighter than it´s small brother, the single AAA ra01.
Manufacturer claims 120 lumen... I would say it is just 100.
My lumen estimations, are:
HIGH: 100 lumen
MED: 30 lumen
LOW: 10 lumen
Some beamshots, from 3 meters, H,M,L:
Summary: ★★★☆☆
IMO, it is a good light. but I espected more light output. However the quality/finish is very good, and the runtime, even better.
