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

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

25

Thanks for the great review!

26

Yes, great stuff kreisler. Love the comparison table; often wished big manufacturers would offer a similar feature on their product pages. Real shame the RC-29 doesn't have a true Low mode but still my first choice of the four you've compared. Only thing I disagree with you about is that orange bezel.. Frown

27

While both the Sipik SK68 and the Romisen are both compact&cute enough to fit in jeans pant pockets, my preference is to carry it in jacket pockets. In my pants i would carry the single(!) split ring with the keys and the 1x AAA mini flashlight (it's gonna be the Lumintop Worm SS but has yet to arrive, argh!) as real 100% EDC. I guess that none of you, whenever you leave the house, always have the Sipik on you (jeans or jackets), am i right? But you do have your keys on you, always. That's why i dont consider the Sipik nor the Romisen as 100% EDC, although both are pocketable. To me, keychain lights are EDC's per definition haha.

The tailcap is for assaulting purposes and tactical situations. In order to defuse its sharpness a simple (and certainly acceptable) workaround would be taping it with some band-aid®:

*ggg*

[quote=Lensman] Only thing I disagree with you about is that orange bezel.. [/quote]

i luv that smiley!! too funny looking.. haha

One of my favorite companies does:

EagleTac: Compare D-Series! (What a terrific looking modern webpage!!)



28

Thanks for the great well written and detailed review,,,the light must be awesome if you compared it favorably to the LD10 and the Quark, so Im really looking fwd to ordering this RC-29...!

For 14$ its hard to go wrong.

29

Hi, if you like budget lights for what they are, then yeah go ahead and order the version from dealextreme. it is imho the budget light, the star among budget lights. As mentioned, personally i use it as often/much as i can because it’s so cool and fun and competitive. But this does not mean that i carry it as real EDC in my pants. To me, real EDC’s are AAA-keychain lights … and even the Xeno E03 which is small and light-weight, i wouldnt want to carry it in my pants EVERY day WHEREVER i go. My Lumintop Worm, yes. Whenever i leave home, i take my keys, and on the key ring there sits the Worm SS (i also have the Worm Aluminum; i am going to review both hopefully soon!). That's my real EDC then!

I once owned the Fenix LD20. What a nice light slim torch. Funny form factor (and as funny as the Quark AA²). I certainly dont carry 2x AA torches with me as EDC.

As long as you dont compare the Romisen with 2x AA torches such as Fenix LD20, Fenix E21, or Quark AA², it definitely outscores (total score) the Fenix LD10. When you walk down, for example, a dark stairway, you will be very delighted by the immense utility of the 0x zoom (mule!) and 1x zoom flood.

As pointed out earlier, although you could get very decent runtimes with eneloops, my definitive recommendation goes as: this Romisen has to be run on 14500's.

In other words, if the Romisen didnt eat 14500's (as in the Shiningbeam edition with XP-G R5), i would not have written this review. This whole review thread is pretty much based on the novelty of this special Romisen version by Dealextreme. Without the 14500's, the Romisen is as normal a flashlight as its little bro' the Romisen RC-G2. And it would be beaten, possibly, by the Fenix LD10 .. depending on the reviewer's standpoint.

It took about 3.0 weeks to get the Romisen from Dealextreme. Waiting for such goodies makes me feel miserable. If you know what i mean. Haha.

30

I bought one today from DinoDirect for $10.99 USD using the coupon FONAREVKA to get an extra 6% off.

http://www.dinodirect.com/Q5-LED-8X-Aluminum-Alloy-Focusing-Flashlight-RC-29.html?cur=USD&AFFID=11&DinoDirect

31

Wow, good find! I paid a penny less than $15 at DX You've tempted me to buy another, but one way or another I've never had much luck with DD. Also losing track of what I've ordered, need to slow down..