A Unique New Light - Rebel with Unusual switch

[matrixshaman]

I found this light fascinating because of what appeared to be a unique switch although I didn't even know for sure when I bought it if it had a tails switch or just a different lanyard attachment. But it was a Rebel LED and I've begun to really like lights with this LED. It is a Romisen RR-A090 from dealextreme.com and I am very impressed with the quality of machining on this light, the unique and extremely easy to push tail switch as well as the apparent PCB battery connection button. The quality of the light output is very nice also with typical Rebel hint of warm white and very bright. At DX it looked like it had a smooth reflector but it came with a light OP reflector thankfully as the Rebel seems to need that to have a nice output (at least for the white wall hunters). The one drawback to this light would be the ease with which it can be turned on so pocket or purse carry would be a problem without some protector. Fortunately with the shape of this unique switch it shouldn't be hard to find things to protect it. Even the lanyard it came with can be looped around the tail of the switch and that will prevent it from turning on. You will need to use a twisty or small piece of wire or something to keep that lanyard in place under the switch and I'm sure there are many other better options including a hard leather type carry case. I plan on using it by my desk since it is so fast, smooth and easy to turn on - just what I've been looking for. DX lists it as a 1.3-4.0 volt light but since it's battery compartment size is CR123 or RCR123 size -- and plenty of room for the RCR I used - I don't know what kind of 1.5 volt cell you'd run in this - but I think there may be some NiMh sizes that may fit. Pics to follow if all works well - in a few minutes - you really need to see this to appreciate how different this switch is - it's a concave ergonomic dime size head on a stem emerging from the tail if that can be imagined.

 

[matrixshaman]

Next to the Fenix P2D for size comparison - the Romisen is a little larger in diameter and length and the body wall are thicker - should be a rugged light except the tail switch might not be too hard to damage:

Next to the P2D again with a hint of my top secret Titanium super clip just barely showing by the Fenix oo:

And here is the tail switch from a side view :

I tried but had trouble getting a pic of the top of the switch with it's concave top with my wife's new camera but it didn't like the setup. I think you can get an idea though what it's shaped like:

This doesn't really show it well but that center battery contact sticks up off the PCB about 1/8" or so:

I'd say this light compares very well in machining fit and finish to the Fenix but this light is strictly KISS - on and off. I'll try for some beamshots tomorrow possibly.

 

[nein166]

Thats a unique switch, but looks like one that'll go on accidentally. Can the body be turned out a bit to lock out the light?

 

[matrixshaman]

Yes as I mentioned it can turn on easily in a pocket I believe but unscrewing the tail unfortunately does not lock it out - even all the way off it stays lit since the spring still touches the battery. But just looping the lanyard it came with around that tail section keeps it from being able to go down far enough so that prevents it from turning on. I'm thinking that if you wanted to pocket carry it that a lanyard with a clip on it would be convenient to either clip around the tail or loop the lanyard and clip it in place around the tail to keep it from switching on.

 

[MikeLip]

Huh? A switch that's meant to be easy to use? What a great idea!

Neat little light. I might have to snaffle one up.

 

[matrixshaman]

Yes I'm really finding this useful at my desk. Imagine a light that tail stands and you simply push down on the light while it's on the tail to turn it on. I think this is the only light I've got which will do that.

 

[Patriot]

Looks like a nice around the house light but I would think it might be too easy to activate if used as a carry light.

Thanks for showing it to us.

 

[easilyled]

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but ...

This is not a unique/original design since I have the same mechanism
in the form of an accessory by Peak systems.

I have a Brass Rainier that turns on by twisting the Bezel.

However I bought the Peak accessory which allows the switching to be
converted to a tail-clickie instead.

I have to unscrew the brass ring (for lanyard or split-ring attachment)
on the tail, then remove an internal screw, then screw in this accessory
intstead.

The result is exactly the same mechanism, which is like a spring-loaded
piston for clicking on or off (with momentary function)

 

[cave dave]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Peak switch is momentary only.

 

[easilyled]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Peak switch is momentary only.

Come to think of it you're probably right.

However I still think that the design of this tailcap has a strong
resemblance to the Peak one, and anyone who has owned this
accessory would not find the switch on the Romisen so unique or unusual.

 

[matrixshaman]

I've got several Peak lights but had not seen one of those switches - which does sound momentary only. Perhaps it is not one of a kind as far as looks. But it is unusual and possibly unique for a click switch. Can you post a pic of your Peak light or do they have pics at peakledsolutions.com?

 

[easilyled]

I've got several Peak lights but had not seen one of those switches - which does sound momentary only. Perhaps it is not one of a kind as far as looks. But it is unusual and possibly unique for a click switch. Can you post a pic of your Peak light or do they have pics at peakledsolutions.com?

They offer them as accessories to most of their lights.
(or at least they used to)

I have just had a look at their web-site and can't see where to find it
anymore, but it was originally under "Accessories"

As I'm sure you know their web-site is in dire need of improving and
is not at all user-friendly.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if these are still available through a
phone call.

If I have a chance, I'll try and take a picture.

Here are some threads that refer to the momentary switch:-

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=163919
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=116934

 

[BigBluefish]

I just saw this light over on the DX website, did a search here, and what do you know! Seems like it might be a good car light for my mom, who's having trouble with just about every other clicky or twisty, due to arthritis in her hands. She could probably just push this little light against the dash or her thigh to click it on or off. And its larger size than the typical 1 x CR123a lights would probably make it easier to manipulate.

Any idea what the output or runtime are like?

 

[Phyte]

I'm a big fan of the romisen lights. So far I've got a M4, C3, F4, and have an RR-A090, V4, E4, L3, and H3 on order. The build quality is fantastic, and the lights are bright bright bright. Glad you like the RR-A090.

Phyte