REVIEW - Rofis MR30 -  rechargeable and dischargeable  -  21700  battery

mikobiker · 2018-10-23T05:48:32.000Z

Review copy was sent in by Rofislight to me here in Italy, whom I thank very much.
Site page: http://www.rofislight.com/products/rofis-mr30/

Premise:

last spring Rofis asked me if I wanted to review their new R3 (I had already reviewed the R1 and the MR70) and I said ok, asking to review the R2 as well, to complete the series;
after more than a month, seeing that nothing was coming, I contacted Rofis; they assured me that they would make another shipment; also the second shipment had no results;
after a long time, in early September, Rofis asked me if I wanted to review their new MR30 and again I said ok, recalling the problem of R2 and R3 non-delivery, without receiving any answer to this last observation;
on October 10th I found in the letterbox a notice of non-delivery a parcel from Singapore, available at the post office, after two days: I understood it was Rofis expedition;
on October 12 I went to the post office thinking to get only the MR30, but, to my surprise, from box came out R2 and the R3 too:

so now I have three flashlights to review!

Let’start from MR30 (and sorry for my bad English!)

The first element to highlight in this last child at Rofis home is 21700 battery power supply, in order to have only a slightly larger tail diameter than flashlights using 18650, but moooore runtime.
It’s a relatively new battery size, but already used by other brands (see Manker U22, Acebeam EC65/T36, Wuben A21, Astrolux FT01/FT02, etc.) and by the same Rofis in MR50 model.
The second element to highlight is CREE XHP35 High Intensity Cool White led, in order to deliver maximum candela, in a throw-flashlight.

in following image are briefly summarized all the characteristics and operation modes (according to Rofis):

here is the full text of the instructions manual:
_
Main Features:

Uses a 21700 5000mAh high-rate discharge lithium battery.
The light utilizes CREE XHP35 High Intensity CW LED, output up to 1600 lumens.
One-touch control all functions, it is easy to operate.
Body with Micro-USB charging, which supports up to 2A charge.
Can be used as a mobile power supply, use the USB adapter provide power to other devices, the maximum output to 2.4A; with a discharge capacity reminder.
Uses constant current circuit, with high battery efficiency, stable output, no flashes.
Anti-reverse design to prevent incorrect battery installation causes the circuit damage.
Battery power detection, charging instructions, low battery reminder function.
With locking function prevent accidental illumination.
Made of aero grade aluminum alloy, premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish.
With flashlight self-location function.

Usage Instructions

I Before Use
When using for the first time, please unscrew the tail cap and remove the plastic insulation tab from the flashlight.
Please charge the flashlight battery completely before using for the first time. Battery performance will be better if it is fully charged.
Installing the Battery
Unscrew the tail cap and insert the battery inside the flashlight with the battery’s positive terminal facing inwards and the negative terminal facing the flashlight tail cap. After inserting the battery, tighten the tail cap to complete installation.
Charging

Before charging, ensure that the battery is correctly loaded into the flashlight, and the tail of the flashlight has been tightened;
Insert the charging cable Micro USB port into the flashlight charging port, then insert the charging cable USB port into the power port to recharge. Charging light red indicates charging, green indicates charging has been completed. The flashlight can only turn on medium mode while charging.

II Operation Instructions
Switching on/off
Press the button to switch on/off the flashlight. When switched on, the flashlight turns on at the last used Memory Brightness mode. Memory Brightness modes include: Low brightness, Medium brightness and High brightness.
Brightness Changes
When the main lamp or the side lamp is on, press and hold the switch for more than 1 second and hold it for a long time. The flashlight goes into the “low - medium - high” circularly. After letting out, it will enter into the currently selected brightness level.
Turbo Mode
With flashlight on/off, double-click the button quickly, the flashlight enters into the Turbo mode.
Location Mode
With flashlight off, press and hold the switch button for 3 seconds and open the flashlight location mode, red light flashing at a fixed frequency.
Lock and Unlock
Turn off the switch, press the switch button for more than 4 seconds, the flashlight flashes twice, the flashlight into the lock state; lock state click the button, the red indicator light reminds the flashlight locked status. Press the switch button for 3 seconds, the main light into low-mode, flashlight in unlock status.
Special Mode
1)Strobe: Under any status, press the button rapidly and continuously to enter the Strobe mode.
2)Strobe-SOS mode: After entering the Strobe mode, long press the button for more than 1 second, to enter the SOS mode. Long press the button again for more than 1 second to enter Strobe mode.

III Other Functions
Battery Power Detection
When the battery is first installed into the flashlight, the flashlight automatically detects the battery power capacity.
Green light on for 2 seconds and off indicates battery power is over 40; red light on for 2 seconds and off indicates battery power is below 40.
Low Battery Reminder Function
During use, when the battery power is too low, the flashlight flashing red light remind users that the battery is about to run out, please charge the flashlight.
Discharge Function
Flashlight with discharge function, users plug adapter into the flashlight to provide power for other devices. Flashlight discharge process, the normal use of other functions.
Discharge Power Reminder
If flashlight is in the external power supply process, the battery will show the situation:

The green indicator light flashes continuously 4 times, indicating the remained capacity of the battery is more than 80%.
The green indicator light flashes continuously 3 times, indicating the remained capacity of the battery is 50–79.
The green indicator light flashes 2 consecutive times, indicating that the battery power is 20% - 49%;
The green light flashes, means the remaining battery power is less than 20%;
When the battery power is less than 5%, stop charging the external device.

IV Explaining Matters
When the battery power is less than 2%, the flashlight stops working.

V Notes
1)Please use a soft cloth to clean the flashlight threading every 6 months, and lubricate the threading with silicone oil.
2)When the flashlight is not used for a long time, please remove the battery and store separately, to avoid damaging the flashlight and battery.

Warranty
In case of any quality problem within 15 days of purchase of this product, you can ask for free replacement from the dealer. You can enjoy 5 years’ free warranty service from the date of purchasing this product. After the 5-year free warranty has expired, the product has a lifetime limited warranty service, and only costs are chargeable if any part needs to be replaced.
This warranty does not apply in the following cases:
1)Intentional user damage, dismantling or modification of the product. 2)Product damaged due to incorrect usage.
3)Product damaged due to battery leakage.
To avail ROFIS warranty service, please contact your local dealer or send an email to service@rofislight.com.

Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
Tel.: +86-755-82552272
Email address: rofisinfo@rofislight.com
Official website: www.rofislight.com
Mainland China office address: No. 2990 Songbai Road, Shiyan, Bao’an District, Shenzhen.
_

Here’s how it comes and what’s coming:

packaging:

in the box: flashlight with included 21700 5000 mAh battery marked Rofis (total weight with clip 152 gr.) - cable for integrated battery charging (microUSB - USB male length 52 cm.) - microUSB - USB female cable length 9,8 cm., wich, coupled with integrated charging cable, convert MR30 in a power-bank (this cable is an OTG adapter, which can also be used to connect smartphones or tablet to accessories such as pendrives, external hard disks, cameras, mouses, keyboards and in some cases even printers) - holster (weight 24 gr.) - lanyard - transparent sachet with spare microUSB protection cover and two spare black 21/24 O-rings - manual in English, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese - warranty coupon

inside flashlight 21700 5000 mAh protected battery (weight 74 gr. - diameter 21 mm. - lenght. about 76 mm.), with the negative terminal protected by contacts by a transparent plastic tab

Battery details:

battery positive terminal:

dimensional comparison with some 18650 (protecteted/unprotected) at my disposal:

dimensional comparison with two 26650 unprotecteted:

I tested MR30 with 18650 batteries at my disposal: Eagletac (68.5 cm length), Nitecore (69 cm length) and Rofis (68.8 cm length) and it works; it doesn’t work with flat-top Samsung Q30 (65 cm length), because it dances inside and circuit doesn’t close.

To use 18650 unprotected batteries, 65 cm. I found these adapters:

while charging, red indicator in the middle of the button lights up; green indicator lights up when charging is been completed:

charge time for battery completely discharged with the supplied USB cable goes from 4 hours and 30 minutes to about 5 hours
charging current reaches max. 2 A
flashlight is equipped with Low Voltage Protection circuit

flashlight exterior look:

details:

glass AR treatment, OP reflector and Cree XHP35 HI led:

tailcap detail:

body thickness:

contact to positive terminal detail:

threads detail (sliding and well lubricate)

as you can see in following image grommet of microUSB door follows perfectly the flashlight profile: it’s a little difficult to lift it (better for waterproofing):

micro-usb port and its cover:

the contents of the sachet:

but what is this?:

spare micro-usb cover:

cables:

with attached lanyard:

holster:

Note fixed ring (sewed) and M.O.L.L.E. attachment with double security, automatic button and velcro:

N.B.:thanks to elastic band flashlight doesn’t move from its holster, even upside down

flashlight inside holster in both positions:

when battery power is too low, red light start flashing:

using as power-bank:

during use as a power-bank flashes of green light indicate remaining battery power (in the GIF with 4 intermittent flashes it is more than 80%):]

dimensional comparison with some 18650 flashlights in my possession (from left: Zebralight SC600w MkII L2, Convoy S3, Rofis R3, Convoy L4, Rofis MR30, Solarforce L2P, Emisar D4):

dimensional comparison with two 26650 flashlights in my possession (from left: Rofis MR70, Rofis MR30, Haikelite SC02):

Reduced diameter of tailcap allows me to use flashlight holding between index and middle like a cigar and at same time helping me with a trekking pole in mountain walking

my runtime test (indoor - temp. 20°C - Rofis 21700 battery):

Turbo/Mid:

other tests:

PWM: at low level, detected to the naked eye:

its first little bath:

after half an hour soaking, (condition much more difficult than possible in real use, in my opinion), I don’t detect any infiltration or trace of condensation, even in microUSB socket )

Some indoor beamshots (shoot distance from wall: 50 cm.; spill diameter at this distance is about 76 cm.:

spill angle:

Holding flashlight parallel to the ground at a height of one meter, spill starts at about 140 cm. from feet

Outdoor beamshots:
daytime scene:

Drawing conclusions from my tests with Rofis MR30, in my opinion, real throw is about 180 meters

Conclusion

What i like:

contained weight and dimensions, for a flashlight with such an extended runtime;
21700 protected rechargeable battery included;
power-bank function;
excellent anodization - excellent grip / handling;
solid construction;
sliding threads;
responsive button in a balanced way;
output max 1600 lm;
OP reflector;
two-way clip
location mode
good beam geometry, with pleasant tint (CW without dominant, with yellowish spot);
battery charge level indication (especially in power-bank function);
LVP protection circuit for use with unprotected cells, which near the lower limit value of the voltage, stops the supply;
range of infinite use;
wellmade holster included;
aesthetic;
very interesting price, considering the constructive level, functions and equipment;
tailstand possibility

What I don’t:

only CW color available: I would prefer a version with NW color (5000 K);
High level with timed step-down (from about 750 Lm to 450 Lm after 7 minutes): this configuration is incomprehensible to me; it would have made sense to separate the two levels, being 450 Lm. (H1 - flat) the most usable level and not being immediately accessible, having to wait for step-down, IMHO is really annoying. A High level of 750 Lm. (H2), on the other hand, could also be useful with stepdown, when necessary to have more brightness for a few minutes;
PWM at Low level

At last my final evaluation:

Would I recommend it? Really, I don’t know!
It is a nice multipurpose flashlight, to be kept at home or in a garage/car or for outdoor use, with its great autonomy - suitable for those who practice hiking and camping, but could also be of interest in searching, law enforcement, inspection industrial areas, and other endless everyday uses, constructively solid, and it seems to me that between 21700 flahlights out there is the less expensive, even considering equipment and functionalities
but
I’m afraid that the High level with stepdown, for which I expressed strong perplexities just above, can be a deal-breaker for many people (… or not?).

Thanks for reading/watching my review (the tenth I did, but the first in BLF) and forgive my bad English.

I leave you with some photos taken in the woods:

Coming soon Rofis R3 review

x-ray · 2018-10-23T08:07:00.000Z

Great review - Thanks

I think the stiff red wire you mention in the contents list (“but what is this?”) is to aid in threading the lanyard onto the light

mikobiker · 2018-10-23T13:28:39.000Z

Tks x-ray, :+1:
in fact, to introduce the lanyard in the narrow hole of the tailcap I had to use a needle

Trasnodel · 2018-11-01T01:31:59.000Z

Great review mikobiker. Thanks

mikobiker · 2018-11-01T08:42:14.000Z

TKS Trasnodel! :+1:

fluke · 2018-11-15T21:17:29.000Z

Hi do you have a link to the 18650 - 21700 battery sleeves?

nokoff · 2018-11-16T01:15:51.000Z

mikobiker:

Tks x-ray, :+1:
in fact, to introduce the lanyard in the narrow hole of the tailcap I had to use a needle

just fold a 6” piece of dental floss around the lanyard. Feed the thin floss through first and pull the lanyard through…works every time on any type of lanyard hole.

No risk of damage with a needle or anything metal.

teacher · 2018-11-16T19:03:06.000Z

Excellent review, thank you.
.
Edit: I forgot to mention…. Your photos are fantastic!! .

wstrachan · 2018-11-16T05:33:32.000Z

I am very happy with mine so i ordered another. ’becoming a big fan of 21700 lights. Especially with a code amd Amazon prime: 2 days I have a great all purpose light with a cell for under $30. Thats hard to beat!

mikobiker · 2018-11-16T13:11:28.000Z

fluke:

Hi do you have a link to the 18650 - 21700 battery sleeves?

here
here
here
here
here
here

teacher · 2018-11-16T19:24:37.000Z

wstrachan:

I am very happy with mine so i ordered another. ’becoming a big fan of 21700 lights. Especially with a code amd Amazon prime: 2 days I have a great all purpose light with a cell for under $30. Thats hard to beat!

Have you got a link to that “under $30” Amazon Code you mentioned for this light??
Thanks in advance…… :+1:

TexasToasted · 2018-11-16T20:10:08.000Z

teacher:

wstrachan:

I am very happy with mine so i ordered another. ’becoming a big fan of 21700 lights. Especially with a code amd Amazon prime: 2 days I have a great all purpose light with a cell for under $30. Thats hard to beat!

Have you got a link to that “under $30” Amazon Code you mentioned for this light??
Thanks in advance…… :+1:

Amazon Deals post 475

Mine should be in my mailbox tonight.

fluke · 2018-11-16T20:37:29.000Z

Thank you.

teacher · 2018-11-16T22:24:46.000Z

TexasToasted:

teacher:

wstrachan:

I am very happy with mine so i ordered another. ’becoming a big fan of 21700 lights. Especially with a code amd Amazon prime: 2 days I have a great all purpose light with a cell for under $30. Thats hard to beat!

Have you got a link to that “under $30” Amazon Code you mentioned for this light??
Thanks in advance…… :+1:

Amazon Deals post 475

Mine should be in my mailbox tonight.

Thank you TT…… I appreciate that!! . :+1:

emptypocket · 2018-11-16T22:49:43.000Z

teacher:

Have you got a link to that “under $30” Amazon Code you mentioned for this light??
Thanks in advance….

I think you’ve missed the boat.

I posted the vipon deal a few days ago for the MR30 and there was an additional 10% off coupon available from the seller, which is no longer there when I checked it moments ago.

http://www.vipon.com/product/5585976-Rofis-MR30-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Cree-XHP35-LED-1600

teacher · 2018-11-17T00:10:19.000Z

emptypocket:

teacher:

Have you got a link to that “under $30” Amazon Code you mentioned for this light??
Thanks in advance….

I think you’ve missed the boat.

I posted the vipon deal a few days ago for the MR30 and there was an additional 10% off coupon available from the seller, which is no longer there when I checked it moments ago.

http://www.vipon.com/product/5585976-Rofis-MR30-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Cree-XHP35-LED-1600

Nope, lucky for me the ‘Vipon Coupon Boat’ had not sailed. . I got it for $29.97 using the Vipon Coupon.

But as you stated, the additional coupon from the seller was gone. I think that would have got it down to $23 & change. Oh well, live & learn.

For the life of me I can’t figure out how I have not heard of Vipon until today. :person_facepalming:

I appreciate you guys sharing this so I can spend some more money. :money_mouth_face: . :money_mouth_face: . :+1:

TexasToasted · 2018-11-17T13:10:56.000Z

Received my MR30 last night. I’m very pleased with this light so far. The emitter may be cool white, but it’s quite good- not the harsh blue of some lights (Wuben TO46R comes to mind). I was worried about mikobiker’s comment “PWM: at low level, detected to the naked eye:”, but I’m happy to report that my eyes don’t see the PWM at all.
The protected cell that comes with the light is too long for my Opus BT-C3100, XTAR WP-6, XTAR Dragon, and MiBoxer C8 chargers, but it fits easily in the new MiBoxer C4 Plus charger. And, of course, the lights internal charger works just fine.
One very nice feature is that while the light is plugged into the USB charger, you can still turn the light on. It is a single mode light and appears to be on the medium level. You can even remove the battery and the light will still work just on USB power alone.
I hope the next version of this light uses a USB C port. That’s about the only thing I want changed.

nokoff · 2018-11-20T23:25:08.000Z

Thanks mikobiker for the review and all those great pics. I got my MR30 recently from an Amazon and Vipon good deal. I didn’t think I’d actually use it. It’s not the brightest. The tint is white which I’m fine with but usually I edc more neutrals. It’s kinda big for an edc. There’s no moonlight. The UI forces holding the button to change modes. The button is nearly impossible to feel in the dark. I mean there is a lot not to like, however I really like the knurling on the body tube and it feels good in the hand. I keep it on high and carry it in the holster. Again I’m not sure why I have been carrying it quite often. Can you tell me why, have I been hypnotized? TIA

FireHawk007 · 2018-11-20T23:40:02.000Z

What a great and thorough review.

teacher · 2018-11-21T05:36:02.000Z

Mine was waiting by the front door when I just now got home. It sure looks to be an impressive little light!! Well packaged, plenty of accessories & fit n’ finish appears perfect.

Charging battery now.

Edit: Battery charged, by on board USB charger; to 4.16 V. Not bad at all.

I am liking this light. It is my first ‘21700’ light too.