Price: $15+change with free shipping from DealExtreme (ETA 2-3 weeks from order)
Interface: LED clickie, 2xAA, 1xAA, or 1xCR123a
Color (this one): Black
First impression:
My dad (the recipient of the gift) has had the light for a little while, and has kept it in the CR123a config. It has a nice weight to it, same as my EDC Olight T10. Slightly longer to accomodate the AA option, but it has a spring in the bottom that lets you use either battery size. The lens is THICK glass, slightly convex - probably couldn't break it with a hammer. The light is warmer than my Olight (which is good, because he will be using it when grilling...the Olight doesn't really allow you to discern the condition of cooking meat). It is "floody" but with decent throw. The spill is actually brighter at close ranges than that of my Olight (the Olight has 180 lumens on the highest setting, and 5 different options for output). The RC-I3 with 1xCR123a would be about a subjective "3.5/5" where 5 is the 180 lumen setting on my Olight. There is also a nice unobtrusive pocket clip and sturdy lanyard.
After playing with it: I had to try the 2xAA setting, which lengthens the light by about 2 inches. It's brighter to me with 2xAA than with 1xCR, and I would say the 2xAA is 4.5/5 where 5 is my Olight on the brightest setting. This really opens up a lot of options. My dad is going to be EDCing it with 2xAA (still pocket-sized in that config) and keeping a spare CR in a waterproof container on his keychain. Of interest to THR members may be the fact that it makes a FABULOUS Kubotan/stick in the long config. The extension tube also has some very nice (but not quite centered) knurling on it that makes the light look very neat.
It has one setting only, and the only option is on/off, but you can choose your brightness by changing batts. Obviously 1xAA is the dimmest setting.
All in all, this is the most light I've ever seen for the money. I have also tested out the Romisen RC-G2, which is a large-headed 1xAA light for $12. I would choose the I3 because it's really neat to have all the different options, plus this is much brighter with more/more powerful batteries.
I wouldn't submerge this one, but it's got good O-rings and good threading (better threads than my light actually) and is certainly rain/splash-safe. It won't "tail-stand" because of the forward clickie, nor does it have "tactical momentary on," but the other options more than make up for it.
Finally, I've never modified an LED light, but from what I hear it's very easy and the Romisens are all constructed with little or no glue. This means you can google up instructions or ask over on Candlepower Forums and order a Cree (or whatever the latest is) and have a light for under $40 that will outshine anything on the market.
I'd highly recommend this as an EDC light, and also for a gift. I would have thought this was a $60-80 dollar light if I hadn't seen the purchase!
I will attempt to attach pics on the next post...
Interface: LED clickie, 2xAA, 1xAA, or 1xCR123a
Color (this one): Black
First impression:
My dad (the recipient of the gift) has had the light for a little while, and has kept it in the CR123a config. It has a nice weight to it, same as my EDC Olight T10. Slightly longer to accomodate the AA option, but it has a spring in the bottom that lets you use either battery size. The lens is THICK glass, slightly convex - probably couldn't break it with a hammer. The light is warmer than my Olight (which is good, because he will be using it when grilling...the Olight doesn't really allow you to discern the condition of cooking meat). It is "floody" but with decent throw. The spill is actually brighter at close ranges than that of my Olight (the Olight has 180 lumens on the highest setting, and 5 different options for output). The RC-I3 with 1xCR123a would be about a subjective "3.5/5" where 5 is the 180 lumen setting on my Olight. There is also a nice unobtrusive pocket clip and sturdy lanyard.
After playing with it: I had to try the 2xAA setting, which lengthens the light by about 2 inches. It's brighter to me with 2xAA than with 1xCR, and I would say the 2xAA is 4.5/5 where 5 is my Olight on the brightest setting. This really opens up a lot of options. My dad is going to be EDCing it with 2xAA (still pocket-sized in that config) and keeping a spare CR in a waterproof container on his keychain. Of interest to THR members may be the fact that it makes a FABULOUS Kubotan/stick in the long config. The extension tube also has some very nice (but not quite centered) knurling on it that makes the light look very neat.
It has one setting only, and the only option is on/off, but you can choose your brightness by changing batts. Obviously 1xAA is the dimmest setting.
All in all, this is the most light I've ever seen for the money. I have also tested out the Romisen RC-G2, which is a large-headed 1xAA light for $12. I would choose the I3 because it's really neat to have all the different options, plus this is much brighter with more/more powerful batteries.
I wouldn't submerge this one, but it's got good O-rings and good threading (better threads than my light actually) and is certainly rain/splash-safe. It won't "tail-stand" because of the forward clickie, nor does it have "tactical momentary on," but the other options more than make up for it.
Finally, I've never modified an LED light, but from what I hear it's very easy and the Romisens are all constructed with little or no glue. This means you can google up instructions or ask over on Candlepower Forums and order a Cree (or whatever the latest is) and have a light for under $40 that will outshine anything on the market.
I'd highly recommend this as an EDC light, and also for a gift. I would have thought this was a $60-80 dollar light if I hadn't seen the purchase!
I will attempt to attach pics on the next post...
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