Hello everyone, today I'll review the Rofis R1 kindly sent me from the Rofis itself, whom I thank for the confidence afforded me.
CLICK HERE to go to the official page on the Rofis website.
I want to clarify that the reviews are done at the amateur level and without the aid of scientific instruments or test in secret Labs cutting edge therefore, between the lines that follow, there will also be my humble observations.
Official features taken from Rofis:
- max output: 900 lumens
- max runtime: 20 days
- max beam distance: 150m
- max Beam Intensity: 5625cd
- LED: CREE XM-L2 U2 LED
- battery: 1*RCR123A/1*CR123A
- weight: 67g(With battery)
The Packaging and Accessories
The R1 comes in a light cardboard box where, at the front, is showed the name of the brand and of the model, the photo of the flashlight and some most important features.
At the back we find the description and specifications of the flashlight and the data of the company.
On one side of the pack instead, we find most relevant data
While on the other there are two drawings that depict the flashlight both fitted around the elastic band and in linear configuration.
You can even open the pack as a book (a small magnet is concerned to hold it closed), showing us some drawings illustrating the transition from linear to angular configuration by the rotation of the head, the various parts of the flashlight and the accessories contained inside.
There is also a small window on the right that allows us to catch a glimpse of the flashlight.
Once extracted everything from package we would have:
- the R1
- 16340 battery from 700 mAh
- the clip
- two O-rings
- the wrist strap
- a USB cable-> magnetic connector, long about 55 cm
- the headband
- the slip of paper for warranty
- the manual in different languages
Here is the manual scan only parts in English and Italian that, if you wish, you can view directly from Rofis by going to THIS page.
The Flashlight
The R1 is the new Rofis flashlight, heir to the TR10, that show the new guidelines adopted by the brand.
The body is made of aluminium and is waterproof IPX8 standard.
The central part, under the groove that hosts the clip, has a horizontal lines knurling. Head instead, aided by the fact that it can rotate (we'll see later), has special geometries with vertical and oblique lines (which will become horizontal too when we will rotate the head) and triangular grooves, deep enough that the give an air quite aggressive.
On this side of the flashlight is the brand name,
and on the other side you will find the model name. I find the font used very nice. Below it is the identification number of the model, which becomes invisible when we will insert the clip. All written have a lettering done very well.
The body host also the key (electronic) with which you handles the UI. The button has a very short run and has a muffled sound.
It is surrounded by a shiny metallic ring that creates a very beautiful to behold visual separation from the flashlight body, it also has a slightly domed shape that facilitates detection in the dark unless you're wearing gloves.
The black button is completely smooth and is rubberized. Despite the color, still maintains a transparency that makes possible to see the 2 colored LEDs (one red and one green) placed under it and that provide a variety of information to us (we will see later).
On the opposite side of the button, there is the patent magnetic connector, Golden, that allows you to recharge the battery via the USB cable provided.
The R1 has a CREE XM-L2, well centered thanks to the presence of a LED-center, LED with CW tint (even if the spot is slightly yellowish, but you notice more at lower modes).
The parable that surrounds the LED is of type SMO.
The lens has a anti-reflective treatment and the smooth bezel which blocks all has the same gloss finish that has the ring around the button.
At about half of the body there is a groove that holds the clip, which can be inserted both facing down
or upward. The clip has a good stain on light clothing even though is best with thicker ones. Anodizing is of good quality and does not come off with the removal of the clip.
Recommend the use of the clip only if we want to use this flash light in linear configuration, since often it hinders the rotation of the head. Just putting it aligned to the key (as pictured above) to do not have any problems.
Passing in review the tail, we notice how the tailcap is perforated to permit the insertion of the wrist strap (available among the accessories).
The flashlight can be divided only into two parts. Threading comes shortly oiled and, nevertheless (in my example), everything goes well and smoothly.
Thanks to the anodizing on the thread we can use the lock-out physique.
The first time that we open the flashlight, we will find a translucent plastic film that prevents contact between flashlight and battery. The film obviously should be removed.
The bottom of the tailcap is flat, so you can put the flashlight ad a candle.
Inside the tailcap there is a magnet that has the necessary strength to attack the flashlight on all metal surfaces, even (and especially) the vertical ones. The spring at the negative pole is golden and can be taken off easily, but in the package there is no substitute for non-magnetic usage.
Inside the flashlight the positive pole (also gold) is raised from the circuitry that can be seen. The ring placed at the sides is part of system protection against polarity reversal and safeguards the flashlight by improper placement of the cells that are to be inserted with the positive towards the LED.
Transformation into Angular Headlamp
This R1 has the distinction that can be transformed from linear flashlight to angular headlight. This is possible simply by rotating the head.
The entire rotation is performed with one hand but you should use them both. The whole movement is fluid and the head rotates by 90° with respect to the initial position. The entire rotation is only in one verse.
To follow some photos that show us the rotation.
And how it looks like with the head fully rotated.
In this position can be used with clip, but the real comfort is to attach it to the headband and use it as angular headlamp.
Of course to enter into the orange silicone attachment you have to remove the clip. Silicone rings convey a good feeling of strength and the flashlight can be inserted without removing the tailcap.
Having regard to the lightness of the flashlight, the elastic band does not have the top bracket.
Once inside the silicone holder, the flashlight can be rotated vertically and the location choice is maintained without any problem.
Using the flashlight in this way, the key is partly cloudy but in the head will still easily accessible.
The Battery and the Charging System
As mentioned above within the R1 there is a 16340 (comes with a tension of 3, 68V) with the nominal capacity of 700 mAh. On the sheath are missing a lot of information (like the name that has been assigned to Rofis).
According to my tests, the actual capacity of the cell is 767 mAh.
The cell is a protected button top, has the black and orange sheath and there is the name of the brand and a few other details.
To follow the photos of the poles
and sheathing all around.
In order to charge the battery inside the flashlight, we must use the cable supplied that has the patent magnetic connector. Do not miss it and don't break it.
At the other end there is a classic USB connector that must simply enter in any appliance that cede power to start the charging process.
Thanks to the two poles on the circular magnetic connector, charging the cell is guaranteed.
Simply bring the two contacts to make them stick and start the charging process.
Charging start at a speed of 0, 44A, the red LED underneath the button will turn on to let us know that charging has started.
The charging process, with the cell discharged, takes 2 hours and 10 minutes to finish. The Green LED below the button will light up to warn us that the battery is charged. The final charge voltage is 4, 22v.
How Does that Work
The Rofis R1 has seven selectable modes, two of which are special modes (the strobe and the SOS).
According to official data of the brand, normal modes have the following characteristics:
-Turbo-> 900 lumens
-High-> 300 lumen
-Mid-> 60 lumens
-Low-> 10 lumens
-Moon-> 0.5 lumen
I begin by saying that, as soon as we lock the tailcap, your flashlight warns us approximate the battery percentage, igniting one of the two LED under the button. From 100 to 50% green LED will light for 2 seconds, from 50 to 10% the Red light up always for 2 seconds while with a percentage of less than 10% the red LED will Flash for 3 seconds. With 3 flashes you should charge the cell. The latter will also notice when we use the flashlight.
With a single press will turn on or turn off the LED on the last mode used, the flashlight has the memory (only for modes High, Mid and Low).
When it is off, with a long press of the button, you access the mode Moon.
While pressing the button, with the flashlight on, you cycling modes in ascending order up to mode High and then start again. The mode Moon will not be recalled. If we need, we should turn off the flashlight and call it back.
By double click with the flashlight off or on, we access to the Turbo. The nice thing about this is that, in order to avoid a too strong visual impact to the eye, will turn on dimming the light in a controlled manner.
By executing a triple click with the flashlight off or on, we will call the Strobe. If you keep the button pressed from here, we will call the SOS.
The flashlight can be electronically locked. From turned-off, we will have to press and hold the power key until the mode Moon will not turn off. To unlock the flashlight will repeat until the Moon will not turn on.
Dimensions and Weight
The R1 in linear configuration, is 8 cm long and has a diameter ranging from 1.87 cm to 2.22 cm. In a angular configuration 6.88 cm long and becomes front 3.13 cm.
The battery is long 3.48 cm and has a diameter ranging from 1.67 1.65 cm to cm.
The flashlight, without clip and battery, weighs 43gr. With clip weighs 48gr and by adding additional battery, weighs 68gr. The battery alone weighs 20 g
Following, pictures for a comparison with a 18650, the 16340 supplied and a big BIC lighter, in linear configuration
that front.
In linear configuration liken to OTR M3 and Astrolux S42
While in angular configuration liken with the Fenix HM50R and Olight H1R NOVA.
Lumen, Runtime, Candles and Beamshot
N.B. The tests to follow were made with the supplied 16340. The whole thing was done in a homely environment at 21° with or without forced ventilation, since the proof breezy was identical to the non-ventilated I preferred for reasons of time, not to bring it on the chart.
The following values were taken with 16340 charge and are considered peak.
The following values were taken with 16340 charge and are considered peak.
N.B. Discharge curves are obviously indicative, the result may vary in either positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or by the conditions of use that may vary from mine during my tests.
Any read discrepancies relating to tests made on the same mode are due to a different positioning of the measuring equipment.
The following values were taken with 16340 charge and are considered peak.
The following photo was taken at a distance of 20 cm from the wall.
Beam width
Beamshot in Turbo and High modes. The tree line is 25 meters and I used both the flashlight as a line, and that as a headlamp. The spill in the linear version, with the spot facing the infinite horizontally, starts at about a half a meter from the front foot, the distance becomes a meter.
Given the presence of the magnet in the tail I thought to attack the flashlight to the bonnet to see High mode performance in the event of a control to the engine.
Always have a High mode but the flashlight attached to the wheel arches to simulate a change tire or a possible assembly chains.
Personal considerations
Small flashlight, lightweight, versatile and transformable.
I enjoyed particularly this Rofis R1 for its versatility. In fact, thanks to the head that rotates, to the elastic band included, to the clip and to the magnet in the tail, this flashlight can be used in many different ways. Comfortable also the integrated charging method and good runtime that provides the battery (taking into consideration the limits of a 16340).
Although I think the patent cable with the magnet is his biggest flaw because, if it will be losted or damaged, we will not be able to use the integrated charging on the flashlight.
For the rest I see it very shown as small handyman or back-up flashlight.
What do you think about it? You would to buy it?