REVIEW: Shiningbeam Romisen RC-N3-Q5

[kramer5150]

I just received this little torch a couple days ago and I am VERY impressed...

I placed the order on 7/7, shipped out on 7/8, arrived 7/11. Outstanding!! Good email communication and shipping status through out the order process. Smooth paypal transaction via credit card. I don't believe they will accept E-checks from paypal though. I will DEFINITELY be buying from Shiningbeam in the future, and will not hesitate to recommend them to others. It is very reassuring knowing they are located in NY, and ship product from a North American mail address.

I don't usually like to post detailed reviews within the first week of ownership, but I think word needs to really get out about this $25 gem and the outstanding service from shiningbeam.com. Note also that CPF members get a discount too. So, please keep in mind that I have only had this light for a couple days. I will be posting back to this thread as my opinions change and my crude run-time measurements will be added in the next few days.

Video, PART I, Overview & RCR123 Beamshots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4sUpvnBSk

Video, Part II, Primary / AA Beamshots and GITD Action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpI2fsAy3QE

PROS:
-Cree Q5 emitter (!!!WOOHOO!!)
-Forward momentary clickie (!!WOOHOO!!), a very rare feature for lights in this price range.
-GREAT tint... Believe the HYPE the Q5 is very white-like color.
-Configurable 1CR123 or 2AA.
-Good battery spring contact.
-Pretty good thermal management with 4.2V RCR123 cell. Gets warm but not uncomfortably hot after 7-8 minutes, where temps level off.
-Good Performance with primaries and alkaline AA batteries. Lower lumen output but longer run times.
-Solid feeling tailcap.
-GITD switch boot. Its not super-bright, but bright enough to see across a small room in complete darkness with eyes fully open dilated.
-Conservative strike bezel, serviceable yet not over-kill. Strike bezel does not cast funky flood edges.
-Good balance and ergonomics in 2AA mode.
-Good value at $25. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bargain-basement deal however because the RC-G2, RC-C3 and Fenix E01 can be had for under $15.
-Solid construction and feel
-Good thread and O-ring quality. Overall machining quality is on par with the Nuwai lights I have owned, but a small notch down from a Surefire product.
-Secure shirt clip thats easily removed and serves as an anti-roll feature.
-Splash-proof seals throughout.
-Glass lens/ and OP AL reflector.

CONS:
-Batteries rattle like crazy in 2AA mode. alfreddajero has an excellent O-ring solution in his post below.
-Switch is a little tight in CR123 configuration combined with the lights small size and lack of knurl texture, makes it a little hard to grip when using thumb click momentary operation.
-If this light had a long running low-mode (without sacrificing its high output) it'd be a giant killer.

NEUTRAL :-May be a pro or a con depending on preference.
-Throwey output with serviceable flood. Beam is similar to a DX 6090 drop in (see my beamshot vids).
-Single mode operation, one mode full power... simplicity to the max.
-Bezel is a bit big for an EDC, but that makes it a better thrower. Its size is just about right. Bezel diameter is a good compromise between throw function and EDC practicality.

BATTERY LIFE
-Using inexpensive Ultrafire RCR123 cells I get a little over 40 minutes before it hits the %50 output mark. The light was pretty warm to the touch after the 7 minute mark.
-Using Eveready industrial AA alkalines it ran about 3.5 hours and abruptly hit the %50 mark. The light was mildly warm after the ~20 minute point, no where near as warm as the RCR123 cell.
-As both cells depleted the light abruptly dimmed and turned yellow, but did not completely turn off. The dimly lit emitter pics below were taken with a completely dead CR123 primary. The light seems to enter a kind of candle-mode with dead cells, which is nice IMHO...

CURRENT DRAW from cell & thermal performance
-Eveready NIMH AA = .53A, warm to the touch
-Costco Kirkland AA alkalines = .58A, warm to the touch
-Powerizer CR123 Primary = .53A, warm to the touch
-Ultrafire RCR123 = .67A, a little warmer than the first 3 but not as hot as my DX11836 or RC-C3 edc.

Current draw from the RCR123 was a bit of a surprise, I was expecting it to be more than that. Not that I am complaining.

OVERALL:
An outstandng value. I would put this light at or near the top of the heap in the single RCR123 $25 price range. The fact that it runs off primaries and AA cells of any kind is an added bonus. Great lumen output with a tight spot and serviceable flood to the sides.

I really think this is an ideal CPF-noob torch. EVERYONE has AA cells laying around... just load em' up for some ~90-100 Lumen Cree goodness. Later as your preferences refine step up to RCR123 cells and some EDC action. Not ready to invest in a charger and extra RCR cells... pop in a primary cell and fire away. I am finding the 2AA mode surprisingly useful. The added runtime is a big comfort to anyone.

Package from Shiningbeam


Romisen box



Size comparisons



AA Action


Little pocket thrower (YES it throws with an intense hot spot.... stay tuned for my video review)


Tail cap, snug RCR123 fit, no cell rattle


Cree Q5 glorious Cree!







Emits light from BOTH ends





Thats all for now

[johnnymceldoo]

Are you saying the glow tailcap is charged by something inside the tailcap or did you hold a light up to it so it would glow like that?

[kramer5150]

Originally Posted by johnnymceldoo

Are you saying the glow tailcap is charged by something inside the tailcap or did you hold a light up to it so it would glow like that?

No I hit it with my 6P... prior to shooting. The last shot was a little under 2 second exposure so its NO where near that bright in-person. In actuality its just bright enough to make it out across a pitch black room with your eyes dilated.

[eng_driver]

I have this light as well as the DX version. Shipping from shiningbeam took about a week and a half, probably because of a holiday weekend.

My shiningbeam Q5 version has a more yellow tint and draws less from the cells.

I took these measurements:

Romisen RC-N3 P4
0.52A (CR123A primary)
0.56A (RCR123A Tenergy 750mAh 3.0V LiFePO4)
0.53A (2xAA eneloops)
0.80A (16340 TrustFire 880mAh 3.6V)

Romisen RC-N3 Q5
0.43A (CR123A primary)
0.46A (RCR123A Tenergy 750mAh 3.0V LiFePO4)
0.41A (2xAA eneloops)
0.56A (16340 TrustFire 880mAh 3.6V)


I don't have any light meter equipment... so...

[radu1976]

I have recently replaced two of my EDC lights - NI EXTREME and JET-I PRO R2 - with a 'no name' ROMISEN RC-N3.
First of all I have sold the 2 lights mentioned before for a few reasons : the EXTREME was sold because it's not good regulated for disposable CR123 batteries and I was feeling it was too small for my hands and the JET-PRO because of the stiffy clikie .
Other than that, excellent little lights , best quality and great output for such a size.
Paying 88$ and 75$ for each of them I preffered to sell them losting about 15$ per light and to get a 26$ shipped ROMISEN RC-N3.
Conclusion : it's well worth.
Romisen is - like NI EXTREME - a bit too small for my hands , it has glass lens and metal reflector and typeII anodizing. But it seems to be harder to scratch than a MAGLITE , probably the grey colour chose is a good one ...
I feel like nothing is missing : it has a forward clickie - I like a lot this type of clickie - , the rubber cap is GITD. I have put a GITD O-RING in front too so now the light looks absolutely sweetie in the night.

The throw ? It's about the same like for the NI EXTREME, according to Ernie's review it's throwing 2/3 from a FENIX T1..and that's about the same like the EXTREME. It's throwing better than a JET-I PRO though
Honestly I didn't expect at that light to be so bright .
I don't need the multimodes of the other 2 flashlights , one stage is OK for me.
Why to pay 80$ for a flashlight when - except the multilevels - you have the same brightness in the same compact size for 1/3 of the price .
Reliability ? I am not expecting that the ROMISEN to last so many years, pb in a couple of months I will look for another small powerful light ...
Anodizing ? That's not a concearn for me ...and despite its typeII the finish looks quite solid
Tactical built like a tank NI EXTREME appearance ? I am not going to war with the ROMISEN ...

There's no doubt that the 2 brand lights are superior to the ROMISEN . But I wonder if that superiority worths 60$ more...
This is my personal conclusion.

[LG&M]

have the Romi also. It's a nice light but I'm not selling my other lights. One of the things I like about it is you can use 2- AA's also.

[LG&M]

Romi makes some nice lights with good designs and build. They could be a "player" someday. I don't have many "cheep" lights but I think these are some of the better ones.

[Ryanrpm]

I am also on this RC-N3 Q5 bandwagon. I EDC a Fenix T1 and the RC-N3 and I by far use the Romisen more. Fits in pocket better, lighter, nice brightness and throw. EXCELLENT runtime. I've bought around 25 of these from Shiningbeam now.

This is my all-around flashlight of choice right now. Thank you Shiningbeam!

You have one happy customer here.

[Ecko]

I use the RC-N3 at work, that way if I lose it I won't be too upset since it was so inexpensive. I was really surprised at how bright that cheap light was. One of the guys I work with was also impressed when I pulled it out because his mini mag just wasn't doing the job.

I would never get rid of my NEI though, it's been my EDC since I got it.

[roymail]

Any heat issues with the Romisen RC-N3-Q5?

[ernsanada]

[StandardBattery]

Nice, looks like a great light for the price, and simple that you can give them to non-flashaholics.

I've been eyeing the L-Mini offered by Shiningbeam. The shipping is fast because, as reported in their sales threads, all products are shipped from the US, so no overseas wait. This is great, because they still manage to keep the price low.

Nice when a low-cost light works out so well.

[BobDeLaLuz]

I ordered my RC-N3 Q5-ShiningBeam two weeks before you and received mine in just under a week (New York to California). I find it an excellent, bright, cheap light and am now testing it out as a gift idea and also to throw in my cars' glove compartments for emergencies. That it takes CR123 and AA makes it more appealing to me for emergencies.

[DaveG]

What are you guys getting on run times on 2-aa cells?

[kramer5150]

Originally Posted by DaveG

What are you guys getting on run times on 2-aa cells?

I'll do some crude run time tests tomorrow with alkaline AAs and post back. I think others may have already.

[DaveG]

Thanks.

[Ryanrpm]

My crude test revealed about 4hrs of runtime constant on.

This was using cheap Energizer Industrial alkalines.

[alfreddajero]

As you guys can see that i have a couple of Romisens lights....i have been edc'ing the N3 Q5 in cr123 configuration for about 3 months now, and so far it hasnt let me down at all.....i was hoping that Kramer would put in an order of the Q5 version for his tests. And i also love the fact that Bryan is about 9hours away from me. Shipping is fast.

[alfreddajero]

Whats the mah on the cells. I use Duracell 2650 and in the one that i edc i have a 3volt rcr and in both formats it doesnt even get warm at all.

[TONY M]

Originally Posted by Ryanrpm

My crude test revealed about 4hrs of runtime constant on.

This was using cheap Energizer Industrial alkalines.

How much did the output decrease roughly on alkalines?
I should do a crude test myself sometine as I have a couple of them.
Thanks.

[alfreddajero]

Hey Kramer this is a good tip for you and also the owners here that want to get rid of the battery rattle in the first chamber where the 123 batt goes.....all you need is two o-rings on the first cell. And it works well with rechargeable AA's as well. Just used alkalines for the pics.

[Ryanrpm]

Originally Posted by TONY M

How much did the output decrease roughly on alkalines?
I should do a crude test myself sometine as I have a couple of them.
Thanks.

Well, I have a feeling that it didn't hold the same brightness the whole 4 hrs. I just kept glancing at it every 10 minutes as I shone it on the ceiling. If I had to guess, it probably had 60-70% brightness near the 4hr mark.

[daribbler]

I ordered mine on the 27th of June and got it on July 5th. I actually expected it to arrive sooner since Shiningbeam is about 2 hours away from me. But besides that the service was great and the email responses were prompt. If I need to buy another flashlight I will see if they have it first.

[kramer5150]

Bump for review and Video + beamshots

[alfreddajero]

As always love watching the vid and reading your reviews.....great job in the vid. Oh and did you see my tip for the front battery rattle......

[alfreddajero]

Hey Kramer whats your nationality man.......

[kramer5150]

Originally Posted by alfreddajero

As always love watching the vid and reading your reviews.....great job in the vid. Oh and did you see my tip for the front battery rattle......

Yeah.. great tip. I think I'll try that, since I use it in the 2AA mode a lot. Thanks for the feedback on my vids. This one was my most difficult, because its almost like reviewing two different lights. Note to everyone, I use RCR123 cells for ALL my lights in the beamshots you see.

Just reply here if you'd like to see RC-N3 beamshots running with 2AA NiMH and alkies. With NiMH AAs, its just a hair brighter than an RCR123 powered RC-C3/P4, so that would put it right around the 90-100 Lumen mark I think.

[kramer5150]

Originally Posted by alfreddajero

Hey Kramer whats your nationality man.......

Chinese American, I'm 3rd generation though.... ABC is the common term

[alfreddajero]

Cool.....filippino for me......born here, raised here and fought for the USA as well.....yes please try it with the o-rings they do wonders in that first chamber of the handle. And you might include that in your review as well since its an easy fix for the rattle.

[lightbug]

Kramer,
Thank you for the great review.