The very first version of this flashlight impressed me some much that after Xtar stopped producing RC2 Moon, i`ve written them several emails in attempts to persuade them to make new version. So, looks like my efforts finally got results and i`d like to show you review of Xtar RC2-200, 2nd version of RC2 Moon.
there was sort of dead end intermediate version that has the same LEDs and modes as current one, but totally screwed up UI even comparing to poor UI of inital version.
You can buy Xtar RC2-200 at:
➤ AMAZON
“Are you completely crazy there?” This can be roughly reduced to my answer to “we updated RC2 and sent you a review sample.” This sharpness is understandable. The first version of this flashlight impressed me greatly and over the past 4-5 years I periodically wrote to Xtar asking to update the RC2 Moon. Perseverance had a result and, even years later, in the summer of 2020, they did make an update, albeit not as large-scale as I hoped for.
But the management made it virtually useless. I was not alone in such a reaction, and the intermediate model was sent for revision in order to release the updated lantern in its final form after half a year.
In some ways, he stepped back, why hide. But all the same, the flashlight turned out to be amusing and I will gladly tell you about it.
PACKAGE AND APPEARANCE
White cardboard box with goood design.
The kit includes: the flashlight itself, a metal round for the magnet, a charging cable and a belt bag which unexpected for a flashlight. Its presence is explained by the fact that the flashlight is positioned as a running light. Accordingly, the bag should contain a smartphone. Optional, but nice add-on.
It’s really hard to come up with some new design and construction for a flashlight. In one way or another that`s all about cylindrical bodies (if you do not take into account headlamps, of course, although there are quite a few exceptions here). And then Xtar (to put it mildly, not the most innovative company) rolled out something completely new. Namely, a plastic ovoid with a clip. The decision to make such an egg-shaped body turned out to be paradoxical and justified. The result is a compact and convenient form factor with an unusual appearance.
To be fair, soon after the release of this model, the creative fuse of the Xtar dried up and for several years they produced just couple of interesting flashlights, focused on chargers.
The size is frankly small, the Xtar RC200 is no larger than a medium-sized potato. Second from the left, by the way, is a penny camping lantern. If you don’t want to spend more than $ 5 for a portable light source - see the review
Apart from the color of the shade and the location of the logo, the front and the updated versions are exactly the same.
The plafond does not creak or play.
But at the back they are radically different. The fastening of the first version was a large thick wavy clothespin clip. This mount proved to be the best when I was attaching the Xtar RC2 Moon to branches or a thick baguette.
In the new version, the clothespin was changed to a usual metal clip and a magnet was added to it. You won’t be able to attach it to branches, but you can easily attach it to any metal surface. In general, the solution is not bad. In some ways this is a step forward, in some ways a backward.
The set comes with a metal round band with double-sided tape, so, if you wish, the Xtar RC2-200 can be magnetised anywhere.
The charging port plug remained unchanged, which with a 100% probability it will come off after the first 2-3 uses. And it opens at the slightest opportunity by itself, .
I hardly used the aforementioned intermediate version (well, the one with the uglie UI controls), but this rubber plug cover came off anyway.
I brought this problem to the manufacturer, hopefully, the next update will happen and there this problem will be removed.
The backlit button is extremely easy to access. So lightweight that it is pressed at every opportunity and the first version was sorely lacking in locking. Xtar RC2-200 has lock mode , hurrray!
By the way, at least in my flashlight, the button sometimes doest react on 2 clicks.
And now the interesting part begins. The plafond can be easily taken off and you can get to the insides. And then we see that the Xtar has left the battery unchanged. The capacity was acceptable in 2015, but it seems like a mockery in 2021. 2500mah, are you kidding? The difference in price between such a battery and the NCR18650B liitokala clone is mere pennies, and the capacity will be about 3200mah.
But the rest of the design has changed, now instead of a multy-LEDs scheme, there are one main and the one additional LEDs.
The charging current remains as ridiculous as the battery capacity. I`d prefer at least 1A, of course.
As a result, the same appearance remained, the same one-time charge port plug . The mount has changed (here both good and bad. more good IMO). The battery and charge current, alas, remains the same.
UI
UI with a strange modes order was the biggest problem of the first version. In the intermediate version, both white and colored modes were pushed into one mode set - any attempt to adjust the light resulted in wandering through a real kaleidoscope
Now everything is way more practical.
ON - click (there is a memory of modes)
OFF - 1.5 sec hold
Brightness change - click
Changing the mode sets: 2 clicks to enter the colored modes , 3 clicks to enter the strobe-sos.
The same number of clicks to return to the main mode set 1 (launches with moonlight - good idea)
I would always start from moonlight (good when camping, won’t blind you) and I don’t like the idea of blocking with a 3 second hold. There is a good chance that the button will be pressed for these 3 seconds in the backpack and the flashlight will be unlocked. A sequence like 2 clicks and a hold would be justified here.
p=. HOW XTAR RC2-200 ILLUMINATES
Of course, 200 lumens max brightness gives a good runtime even from a 2500mah battery. If you use this flashlight for running, then the runtime from 2500mah will be enough with a large margin. But it’s still the difference between “okay, that’ll do” and “oh, that’s great!” So the first thing I did with my Xtar RC2 Moon was to change the battery. I will perform the same simple operation with the new version, even if the support pins are glued.
I persuaded Xtar to symbolically enlarge the body and install a 21700 battery, these 3-4 mm lengths are invisible to the user. Such a solution would double runtime!
High restores its original brightness after cooling.
Actually, I’ve been pushing for all these years to add a red LED. And then Xtar surpassed my request: red, green, blue and flashing red-blue appeared. Still, it would be worth making a blinking red. In my opinion, it would be extremely useful for making yourself stand out when running or riding. A simple red light comes in handy when camping. I don’t see the benefits of green and blue, but i warmly welcome them, as they may be of some use in some specific situations.
And if the appearance of colored LEDs is a definite plus, then I do not like that the main light has become colder. Xtar RC2 Moon’s original color was warmer and that was undoubtly better. This is makes no real difference for runnnging or bike ride, but if you use the RC2-200 as a camping lamp, the difference will be noticeable, the light is not that cozy as it was.
There are no complaints about mode set. 1 lum is quite suitable as a moonlight mode, the rest are also suitable for the tasks of camping lighting and as a pedestal light if you fix the lantern somewhere on the chest. Well, and color modes as signal ones
From a distance of literally a 1 meter, these 200 lumens are frankly excessive
The brightness is stabilized, the operating time is tolerable, although, I repeat, it could have been done much better with 3000-3200mah battery.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
In general, this is a good update, although some of the flaws (an one-time plug and a low-capacity battery) remained the same, and the color temperature only got worse.
It is important that one essential characteristic of this flashlight also remained the same - the price. Xtar RC2-200 costs $20 and this is more than affordable price.
The flashlight acquired a magnetic mount and an additional line of modes with imperfect, but quite tolerable control. It, by the way, got a lock mode and, thereby, solved the problem with occasional turn-ons.
Despite the unusual and rather interesting form factor, time prooved the undoubted convenience of it.
About 5 years have passed since the release of the first version, and I have been actively using this lamp all these years and it has shown itself only from the best side. I do not presume to evaluate it from the point of view of convenience as a running and cycling light. But as a stationary light source, as a camping lamp, as a chest or belt-mounted one Xtar RC2 MOON is definetely convenient. Guys, if i didnt find it that good, would i sent all these emails to Xtar asking them to re-produce and re-new initial version?
Of course, this is not a flashlight for everyone. I really Xtar RC2 and admit that someone will be indifferent to this flashlight.
For me personally, this is a camping lantern with advanced functionality. And it performed wonderfully as a camping lantern , when suspended or attached to the roof of a gazebo. It`s brightness is more than enough for ordinary evening gatherings or walking around. Xtar RC2, btw, survived kids use. I also hooked this lantern to the children: they can see the road, I see them and at the same time I do not get a beam of light in my eyes.
And kid`s use is a real challenge that some models couldnt withstand.
If you attach it to your belt, backpack strap or chest pocket, you get a pretty decent walk around light. My relative has been using Xtar RC2 Moon for several years when moving around unlit parts of the summer cottage village and she aways thanked me for my advice to buy it.
New Xtar RC2-200 may have stepped back in some way (color temperature), but I am ready to recommend this flashlight, which I did all the time when the first version was available for sale. I still hope to end up seeing what I wanted: 21700, neutral light and type-c charge. Red beacon mode optional. I thought and still believe that in this version the Xtar RC will be perfect. And now it is just good. Well, aint` it bad just to be called “good”?
