Review: Romisen RC-29 3-mode 1x AA/14500

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
5

Welcome to BLF, Kreisler! Well done review with lots of good pics.

I have had an RC-29 for about a year and I agree that it's a very high quality zoomer. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a waterproof zoomer for rainy conditions or surviving brief dunks in water.

Thing I don't like, and the reason I never EDC'd it, is that gorgeous tailcap. While very agressive and what I consider to be one of the sexiest tailcaps on any light, it hurts my leg when pocketed and will tear up a pair of jeans in no time.

It's also not as shock proof as you think. I dropped mine 3 feet onto a thinly carpeted floor by accident and it stopped working. I had to take it apart and resolder the driver to the pill. Now it is better than new and can be trusted as an EDC I can rely on. Before it wasn't.

Once I found the Sipik SK68 I found a more usefull flood-to-zoom light. As bright or brighter than the Romisen and the flood beam is much larger too. No care or tweezers are needed to make it a mule, either. The lens is anchored to the bezel from the inside by a threaded ring. To convert to pocket just unscrew the bezel and put it in your pocket and you have a mule with fantastic heat sinking ability and 180° of light. The Sipik is also easy on the pockets inspite of the aggressive finning. You owe it to yourself to spend the $9 and get one from a reputable source like DX.

Cheers,
Johnny

6

I agree with JohnnyMac 100% re the Sipik SK68.

Also welcome to BLF, Kreisler, great first post.

7

thanks all for the hearty welcome!

i am going to check out the Sipik on the web (it does say "120 lumens" only harha ), hopefully i can find some detailed info re it. then i'll point out the differences to my cherished Romisen 180 lumens :)

Great forum site, i like it already!!

8

I don't doubt that the 14500 with the Q5 would be brighter but since I'd be running NiMH's the R5 would be brighter for my needs and on this type of light I wouldn't really need a disco mode but yeah I would like it to have a medium mode but really sometimes I enjoy a single mode driver for the simplicity of it.

9

Has anyone tried the RC-27?
Similar to this version of the light but in a 2xAA format and still has the Q5 (2 Mode Lo-High) but since I won't be using the LiIon I can still get the increased brightness with 3v over 1.2-1.5 on the R5 model. Also... after thinking more about it... I think in this light an XR-E would be more beneficial as in full zoom (small beam) it would be more effective and both the XR-E and XP-G would be similar in terms of how they did in full flood mode.


Edit: Just Pulled the trigger on the RC-29 R5 version... Couldn't convince myself to get used to the 2xAA form factor and that it couldn't tail-stand... I'll put up a mini-review when I get it... prolly Thurs-Fri.

10

hey nick, congrats to pulling de trigger! (if your 1-mode version (AA only, no 14500) doesnt satisfy you for whatever reason, you could always return the product for a full refund, so you're not risking anything except for the shipping costs.)

meanwhile i have revised the text (OP), included a few more relevant links, etc. To me, getting the 3-mode version (AA and 14500, with 180 lumens!) was very essential to the purchase. people who need the very very brightest light for budget money should look into the Xeno E03 which is a 2 years old model too (and frequently updated with slight revisions and LED updates from Farka E09, Xeno E03 V1, Xeno E03 V2, Xeno E03 V3, ..) and costs 3x as much as the Romisen and doesnt have the elegance and versatility of the RC-29 with mule mode ("zoom 0x"), extreme thrower (zoom 8x), absolutely perfect constant current regulation.

The Sipik SK68, which has the zoom function and price point in common, might be better known and more popular on BLF, but i continue to believe that this particular Romisen model is truely the best flashlight you can get for this money (~13$). Especially those who are non-flashaholics and have been buying and using (rather pricey!) MagLite's should check out this particular "old" Romisen [in fact, this reviewed Romisen is a recent model, and not the 2 years old 1-mode model!] and take it as reference for LED flashlights when they do more research and comparisons. They will come to the conclusion that even much more expensive LED flashlights are in many respects inferior to this Romisen (e.g. the hilariously overpriced best-selling Fenix LD10 and LD20).

If the potential buyer isnt willing to spend more money than ~20$ and he/she wants to buy just 1 flashlight in her/his life for all kinds of usage (i.e. a single all-round torch for indoors and outdoors and any situation and as replacement of an old 3-D MagLite), then this is the one to get: And that's true even at the time of this writing (November 2011!). I bought 3 copies!! i also own a 6.5x more expensive EagleTac T20C2 MkII with 720 lumens (currently on special sale for 89.90$) which is super bright and impressive on its own but honestly does in no way justify the 6.5x increase in expenses (13.40$ x 6.5 = 87.10$).

i wish i could return my EagleTac for a full refund and i somehow regret having bought such an expensive flashlight: i would be perfectly happy and satisfied with the Romisen as my only flashlight. i really like it sooo much, especially with the 14500 cells (i paid 5.50$ for 2 cells!!)!!!

11

I agree... I'm excited to get my light... In all honesty... most "normal" people wouldn't need any other light... 80-100 lumens is plenty bright for most all situations except SAR (search and rescue) type situations. With the functionality of Zoom to Flood you get the best of both worlds and it'll run on Primary AA's which are available world-wide at less than .50c a cell or less if you buy more, (Here I can get 8AA for like 3.50 USD). While I'm sure I'll buy more lights, my point is that I wouldn't "need" another light with this one.

12

..and even when i dont "need" light (or it), i would use mine for the fun of it. in a way, the charging of rechargeable cells is part of the fun and it extinguishes my thoughts that i have only "5 alkalines left". runtime with your model (since it has 1 mode only) will be around 2.0 hours, and thereafter another 30mins max (my estimate; maybe you could run 1 test for us..?). if that is enough for you, then cool. since i have that cheap good charger (ultrafire wf-188) i tend to use the Romisen even when i wouldnt need it. simply because it's fun and doesnt cost me extra alkalines.

"saving energy (costs". no more such thoughts! :D

(i've just come back from hunting mosquitoes in the large house i live in. the Romisen got them all! my zippo did the rest when there was no little spider around ;) )

13

Yeah... with rechargables (I use Tenergy's) you can get "guilt" free lumens... I need to pick up some more rechargables but as of now I have enough for my needs.

14

please run some runtime test (1 alkaline, 1 rechargeable) if you can :)

15

Great review kreisler, looks like I'll have to order one. When I joined BLF I was warned to padlock my wallet and throw away the key. I'm beginning to understand this advice now..

16

oh thanks. i've been streamlining the text for days now.. I wouldnt have put so much time, efforts and care in writing the text if i werent that 100.00% convinced that i am. For this money (i paid 10€ for the version by dealextreme!) there is definitely no better 1x AA flashlight out on the market. The versatility with mule, Fenix diffusers & clip, pocket rocket thrower (Beats my 100$ EagleTac, as mentioned!!), etc etc and the feel and looks .. i really cant stop enthusing about this acquisition. And it's because it's the 3-mode 14500 180lumens edition by dealextreme, and not the original 2-year old 1-mode Alkaline 100 lumens edition (which comes with a smaller number of positive features, logically).

and as i suggested earlier: this is not a torch for flashaholics because they already own pocket rockets, Fenix hyper throwers, Titanium EDC's, several copies of floody Xeno E03's, Zebralights, Klarus Gold keychain lights, and real tactical flashlights by EagleTac or Olight. no.

this is a torch for people who do not already own several modern expensive LED flashlights but just a couple of old MagLite's, dont want to spend any much money on a new light, and are looking for the best modern LED flashlight in the amazon price range between 0$ - 25$. Imho beats the Sipik, the RC-G2, the Fenix LD10, the iTP SA1, and many other well-known 1x AA flashlight models.

In any case, it is perfect as gift!! And dont forget to order a spare lens. (and if not happened yet, the overwhelming wow effect and love will set in, guaranteed!, when you insert a 14500, twist the zoom to 8x, wait for the night, go outdoors, and throw at buildings, traffic signs, .. at 250-400m distance. For 10€'s?? Craazzzziiieeeeee!!)

17

Since i already mentioned in my review several competing products such as Xeno and Zebralight, let's compare the features of affordable (< 100$) "mass-produced" commercial flashlights suitable as EDC, and not necessarily keychain light!, for their sheer versatility, practicability, useful light output and compactness.

DX's Romisen RC-29 Quark "X" AA Tactical Xeno E03 XML Klarus P1A Zebralight SC80
emitter Cree XP-E Q5 CW Cree XM-L T6 CW Cree XM-L T6 CW Cree XP-G R5 CW Cree XP-G R5 CW
tint options no NW / WW / High CRI NW / WW no NW / High CRI
operating voltage 1.2~4.2V 0.9~4.2V 0.8~4.2V "0.8~1.8V" 0.7~4.2V
14500 / Protected 14500 yes / yes yes / yes yes / yes yes / yes yes / limited
tailstand yes yes (for 12$ extra) yes yes yes
switch forward clicky forward clicky reverse clicky forward clicky electronic side softy
tactical momentary on no yes no yes no
ultralow Low no yes (0.3|2.7 lm) no (20|80 lm) no (11 lm) yes (0.12|2.5 lm)
brightness levels 2 5 3 2 6
extra modes 1 (strobe) 3 (strobe, SOS, beacon) 0 0 1 (strobe)
mode memory no yes no yes yes
mule mode possible yes, perfect 180° extreme flood no no no no
net weight (grams) 63.944 (41.104 in mule mode) 45.519 48.760 59 "55"
number of extended parts 3 (+ bezel crown) 4 2 (+ bezel crown) 4 3
body wall thickness (mm) 1.85 1.34 1.91 2.50 ?
length (mm)

tba (mule mode, "zoom 0x")

98.0 (zoom 1x)

108.8 (zoom 8x)

Rtc:95.45

TFtc:99.08

Ttc:99.10

 97.20 106.29 81.6
char. diameter (mm) mule 21.8, bezel 30.0 head 22.0, body 19.0 head 21.5 head 23.1, body 20.9 throughout 23.9
fits LD20 diffuser kit yes (mule mode), tight yes, very tight yes, perfectly no (23mm) no
fits clip / points to LD20 / tail yes / reversible LD20 / reversible yes / head yes / reversible
assault bezel yes no no no no
original anti-roll design yes (by bezel) yes (by clip) no yes (by clip) yes (by clip)
reverse polarity protection no yes yes yes yes
water-resistant yes (4 o-rings) yes, IPX-8 yes, 10m yes, IPX-8 yes, IPX-8
shock-resistant (yes, plastic lens) (yes) yes, GFC system yes, 1.5m FL-1 (yes)
thread lockout yes yes yes yes yes
threads anodized yes no yes tail yes, head no yes
anodization HA Type II(?) HA Type II-like haha HA Type III HA Type III HA Type III
lens plastic, aspheric glass glass glass glass
reflector white plastic aluminum LOP aluminum OP aluminum LOP aluminum OP
beam pattern mule mode vs. extreme throw floody w/ big hotspot floody throwy very floody
hotspot size N/A large less large small tba
throw 350m (zoom 8x) 80m 60m 100m FL-1 40m
CW tint impression purplish very greenish greenish less greenish least greenish
overall CW tint quality ★★☆☆☆
 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★☆☆☆
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★★☆
built quality & finish
 ★★★☆☆ ★☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ★★★★☆ ★★★★☆
constant brightness
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★★☆
 ★★☆☆☆ ★★★☆☆
 ★★★★★
PWM
 yes
 no
 no
 no
 no
ease of replacing parts
 ★★★★☆ (buy another!)
 ★★★★★ (10yrs warranty)
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★☆☆
 ★☆☆☆☆
cost of upgradability
 ★★★★★ (buy a new one!)
 ★☆☆☆☆ (new lego parts)
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★☆☆
 ☆☆☆☆☆
plan'n fun factor
 ★★★★★
 ★★★★☆
 ★★☆☆☆
 ★★☆☆☆
 ★☆☆☆☆
look'n feel factor
 ★★★★★
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★☆☆☆
 ★★★☆☆
 ☆☆☆☆☆
brand awareness
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★★★
 ★★★☆☆
 ★★★★☆ ★★★★☆
packaged accessories
 ★☆☆☆☆
 ★★★★☆
 ★★☆☆☆
 ★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
runtime@Max (min)
 43min@"180lm" (14500) 58min@280lm+ (14500)
 41min@430lm (14500)
 41min@245lm+ (14500)
 54min@200lm (eneloop)
runtime@~100lm
 2.6h@"90lm" (14500) 2.0h@115lm+ (14500) 3.5h@80lm (14500) 100lm mode N/A
 2.6h@90lm (eneloop)
runtimes@14500 (hrs)
 0.75 / 2.6
 1.0 / 2.0 / 11.1 / 49.5 / ?
 0.7 / 1.0 / 3.5 0.7 / 2.5
 unknown
runtimes@eneloop (hrs)
 1.85 / 6.5
 tba 1.0 / 4.0 / 35 1.0 / 25 0.9 / 2.6 / 7 / 23 / 3d / 29d
related products

Romisen RC-G2

Romisen "RC-C6" (clone)

Sipik SK68

Led Lenser L5, M5, T5, P5, P5R

ShiningBeam I-mini

Fenix LD10

UltraFire C3 (different editions)

Farka E09

Xeno E15

TrustFire R5-A3

TrustFire F20

JETBeam PA10

JETBeam BA10

iTP SA1

 Zebralight SC51
price shipped globally
 14.99$ w/o lottery

73.88$ on holiday sale

(+19% import taxes)

 29.99$ 21.39$ w/o giftcard

79.00$

(+19% import taxes)

I have carefully chosen these five particular models because of their immense popularity (Xeno), versatility (Romisen), lego flexibility (Quarks), low price (Klarus P-series, Jetbeam BA-series) and state-of-the-art efficiency (Zebralight SC80) or size (Zebralight SC51). Each of them could be used as near-to-perfect EDC, and at the end of the day a personal preference regarding knock-out criteria would be the purchase decision maker. If money doesnt matter, then i would buy them all and use in EDC rotation. Personally, i do define "EDC flashlight" also with "something good which can be replaced easily". Why replace? Because you carry it everyday with you, it drops out of your hand, a car may roll over it and semi-crush it, it may get lost somewhere (because it's an EDC but not a keychain light), it may get stolen, or it gets broken for some good reason (overuse, abuse, misuse). To me it makes sense *not* to carry the best and most valuable things with me or on me. I could carry my ~110$ worth EagleTac T20 with me as EDC .. but no, to me, an EDC should be much smaller and less valuable/expensive. And since i already ordered a keychain light (Lumintop Worm SS), i surely dont need an additional EDC flashlight on me, such as the Romisen or the quite fantastic (yet bulky?) Quark as depicted in the customized compilation.

Anyone who already owns one of the four, certainly doesnt need any of the other three. If money really doesnt matter but i had to choose a single model only, then the winner with a high score of 90.0% in this (unfair) comparison would probably be the way overpriced Quark which seems to offer the best compromise between neat runtimes, brightness, new LED technology, flexibility and versatility (while it doesnt offer that much more than the Romisen, check the table!). It is not the perfect (~99.5%) EDC but there isnt much to criticize about it either except for its price and moderate efficiency compared to: The Zebralight is only interesting for its efficient use of standard cells (Lithium primary, Alkaline, NiMH) and its cute little size and weight; it's a wide(!) angle flooder with no throw! The Xeno has top-notch built quality, looks and finish, is practically indestructible and boasts with bursts of brightness, and last but not least comes from a very likeable company and original manufacturing site, Zhongwin, which manufactures LED lights and acts as OEM and ODM company since 1998. And finally the dealextreme's Romisen .. like the Quark a near-to-perfect allround flashlight with good runtimes and much bright light. If the Quark was actually worth its 80 bucks, then this Romisen's corrected value should be 49.95$. Hope you understand what i mean

18

well you cant get this light for 13, it costs 15, you should buy 3 and it will be 13.80 (1.50 for bulk)

also in your table the clickie is forward but no momentary on, could you explain this

and thanks for so deep and nice review

19

Yes, you are right. i forgot about the bulk freight fee (1.50$). Apart from that, the price seem to vary a little. Today's price is 14.99$ (instead of 15.10$). And there are no more copies on amazon wtf. Maybe this model is selling (too) well these days after this review lol (but i dunno for sure how well it is selling). I wouldnt order more than 3, because of your country's custom clearance fees and import turnover taxes. Yeah, the 1.50$ extra fee s*cks .. but you get an international tracking number.

the switch:

when you half press it, this forward action/movement will induce/establish electrical connection and the light turns on (e.g. in Med-mode). release the button and the light turns off. half-push the button again and you're in Strobe-mode!

For sending in morse code, the light should not cycle thru the modes when you continue to half press the button. If a torch features "momentary activation" or "tactical momentary on", then it means that you can send in morse code. Clearly, with this Romisen (by dealextreme), you can not!

( Reverse clicky means that electrical connection is established when you release the button, not push. )

On the other hand, the 1-Mode version sold by Shiningbeam, GoingGear, .. does have that "tactical momentary on"-feature because it runs on a very different driver.

20

Kreisler.. Im pretty sure your fingers must have some callus on them.

Wow you type a LOT!

good to read about all this.. and this is the longest Review ever seen! wow!
It looks like a nice allround flashlight for non-flashoholics.

I have the Sipik throw to zoom, but it doesnt have any modes.. which is a real pity.

the Romisen is defenitely nice!

21

I liked Zundapp more than Kreisler! ;)

22

Just a brief note of thanks for all your hard work in reviewing this flashlight. Since this is a "budget form" I enjoy reading about this light and the way you have compared it to other more expensive lights. It makes me want to purchase one and try it out, see for myself but alas, I'll have to wait a while in self-control because I've been spending too much as of late.

23

thanks. lol. yes, definitely got some callus on them haha.

from the entire Romisen catalog this was an easy pick, it's surely the nicest looking and the most versatile 1x AA Romisen. and then compared with all the other budget fare (Brynite Brinyte, Sipik, Tank007, UltraFire, TrustFire, Mr.lite, Xtar and others without website: UniqueFire, Hugsby, AKOray, SmallSun, MXDL, SkyRay, etc.), you'd be hard pressed to find a model which 1. has as many pos. features (incl. its efficiency with perfect regulation, good runtimes and brightness), 2. is equally attractive at first sight and at second sight, and 3. all that for such a little price.

And since i dont get bored by it .. hehe i've been continuing to type text *ggg*. I wish we could measure, collect and compare the brightness levels more objectively and i could provide more measured data (voltage, amperage, lux, lumen, candela, ..) but let's not exaggerate my efforts. Nobody who gets the 3-mode version and runs it with 14500's will ever regret the purchase: my promise! (and thanks for reading the long review. hope you guys find it helpful.)

@LIght Of Day, LOL, i know what you mean: i *almost* pulled the trigger for the holiday sale of the 4Sevens cart. then i realized: what would be the actual gain? momentary activation, ultralow mode (which i never use) and mode memory (the tactical Quark memorizes 2 modes only) .. For 80$ bucks? And in the end it's a rather bulky lamp (see the tail cap!!) with no individual beauty of design (because of its lego principle)? Oh please, gimmyself a break!! I'd rather get one of the related products (e.g. the just released JetBeam PA10, or the Balder SE-1). The Quark AA, the Fenix LD10, and this Romisen are about equally strong products, shoulder by shoulder, all scoring in the 90's% with some individual strong and very few weak points. For non-flashaholics, or for people who dont have any budget light in their torch collection, or for budget light lovers, this is a must-have item!!

24

I had to stop following this thread a shortly after posting on it originally because all of your updates to it were blowing up my mailbox. LOL!