Few Photon Rex questions

[defloyd77]

I'd like to start by saying the search hasn't been working for me:shrug:.
From what I remeber reading the Rex had some issues with the charging, is anyone aware if LRI fixed these? I've also read from a couple different sources that these use the GS and not the DS (I think cpfreviews.com states the GS). How about water resistance? And last but not least, any news on the solar and usb chargers?

Thanks.

 

[flashfan]

No replies, yet? Wow, the ReX sure doesn't seem to get much love on this board.

Sorry, defloyd, I can't answer any of your questions, but I just wanted to pop in say that I EDC this light and think it is absolutely great (albeit rather ugly). The easy on-off from either low or high is a big plus for me.

Regarding charging problems, I purchased about seven of the ReX lights in their early days in late 2007 to early 2008. IIRC, "only" one of the lights had a charging problem (the contacts did not reach, I believe). I sent the unit back to LRI, and they replaced it right away. (Yes, I know no one wants to go through that hassle, but it is nice to know they stick behind their product...)

The LRI website claims the ReX is "water resistant," which to me means that it should be able to weather some inclement weather, but don't go dunking it anywhere. I was able to open up the unit, and didn't notice any seals in there, but then again, I wasn't looking for them.

Can't comment on the LEDs (I assume that's what you mean by the DS v. GS), but for me the ReX is plenty bright, and a nice white.

Don't know about the status of solar and usb chargers. Has anyone tried contacting LRI recently?

 

[defloyd77]

Thanks for your input flashfan. I'm definately going to be picking one of these up sometime and I'm going to make an attempt to e-mail LRI about the usb and solar chargers and see which Nichia they use (it really doesn't matter to me, but curiousity always gets the best of me).

 

[superflytnt]

I'd like to start by saying the search hasn't been working for me:shrug:.
From what I remeber reading the Rex had some issues with the charging, is anyone aware if LRI fixed these? I've also read from a couple different sources that these use the GS and not the DS (I think cpfreviews.com states the GS). How about water resistance? And last but not least, any news on the solar and usb chargers?

Thanks.

I don't own one but IIRC, the charging problems happened early on because LRI mistakingly said that you could use up to 6V to charge them with and later corrected that to 3V or less and preferably 1.2V NiMH's. Many folks burned out their Rex's using 3.7V LiIon cells or high voltage batteries/packs or power supplies but if you stick to the correct voltage they should be fine...........

The Rex uses at least DS and has never had the CS. They were released at the same time as the DS's and were among the first LRI products to use them. They might even be GS by now (any new owners get a GS?) but they have at least DS.

EDIT: I just looked at LRI's website and there is an update from 6/30/08 that stated an LED upgrade for the Rex so they are probably using GS's now

 

[Fallingwater]

Did LRI replace the lights that got burned out due to being charged with 3-6V?

 

[superflytnt]

Did LRI replace the lights that got burned out due to being charged with 3-6V?

Yup, I was following this when they first came out and they did replace them all. Now in their website it's even in bold 3v or under

 

[defloyd77]

What about the over discharging problem? This and the connection issue were really my only two concerns, as I only will use NiMH AA cells, but they fixed the connection problem.

 

[Fallingwater]

Isn't it overdischarge-protected?

 

[defloyd77]

Isn't it overdischarge-protected?

I have read posts saying that they weren't, but I just did a live chat with their customer support and they stated that they had a number of lights that were unable to recharge due to overdischarging and the Rex's next batch should address that issue. "The usb and solar chargers are still in the works with no firm eta on either." She doesn't know what led it uses, but it's the same as the Freedom (as it says on the website).

I won't be buying mine until next month, so hopefully I'll get one from the next batch.

 

[superflytnt]

I have read posts saying that they weren't, but I just did a live chat with their customer support and they stated that they had a number of lights that were unable to recharge due to overdischarging and the Rex's next batch should address that issue. "The usb and solar chargers are still in the works with no firm eta on either." She doesn't know what led it uses, but it's the same as the Freedom (as it says on the website).

I won't be buying mine until next month, so hopefully I'll get one from the next batch.

Yikes! That's kind of scary to me. Why would they design this light around a built-in LiIon cell and not give it over-discharge protection!?

 

[defloyd77]

Yikes! That's kind of scary to me. Why would they design this light around a built-in LiIon cell and not give it over-discharge protection!?

Yeah, oops. IIRC they have told the guys on the forum if the voltage got too low they would have to use a lithium cell to recharge it to get the voltage back up.

 

[regulator]

I've always suspected the ReX did not have overdischarge protection and have never run mine down far due to this. I believe some of the issues others had was due in part to discharging the cell too low and it ruined the rechargable lithium ion cell.

By recharging the light often and not running it down all the way I have been happy with mine since getting it when they first came out. My LED's have a very neutral white tint for Nichia LEDs and are much better than any other 5mm LED lights that I have seen. I wonder how the new GS LED's compare. I believe LRI is using the W bin and CO tint (I hope I got that correct) - which is supposed to be very good.

I lost one of my two ReX lights while camping and will be purchasing another. I really like this little light.

 

[werdnawee]

I have a Photon Rex and am not at all happy with it or with LRI's customer service.

Received my Rex in July. All worked fine.

When it started to dim, used a Duracell D cell (alk).

Connected everything but didn't see the "blinking" when connected to the battery. (as stated in the instructions)

After having it connected for a few hours, I found that it didn't keep its charge.

So with battery connected, it was bright when clicked on. If I disconnect the battery, it became dim.

Anyway, I email LRI with my problem. No response. :thumbsdow
I then sent 2 follow-up email and still no response. :thumbsdow

No happy!!! Anyway, was going to put a Jeer in marketplace.
Not much else I can do.

 

[LED-holic]

Here's the thread on ReX over-discharging.

 

[wmirag]

I have a Photon Rex and am not at all happy with it or with LRI's customer service.

Received my Rex in July. All worked fine.

When it started to dim, used a Duracell D cell (alk).

Connected everything but didn't see the "blinking" when connected to the battery. (as stated in the instructions)

After having it connected for a few hours, I found that it didn't keep its charge.

So with battery connected, it was bright when clicked on. If I disconnect the battery, it became dim.

Anyway, I email LRI with my problem. No response. :thumbsdow
I then sent 2 follow-up email and still no response. :thumbsdow

No happy!!! Anyway, was going to put a Jeer in marketplace.
Not much else I can do.

I'm sorry you had that bad experience. Maybe my story will help you.

I had a very similar charging problem. I sent my Rex to LRI (the address for repair is on their site), with a note describing the problem. I got back a working Rex, a gift light also, and a promise that I will get one of their new Rex's which suppposedly fixes the software fault that causes the charging issue.

So, for me, their service worked very well. You might want to try sending in the light.

Good luck.

W.

 

[defloyd77]

Any idea of you guys know how many lumens this thing is on high and low and if I order one is there any way of knowing if I got one that has the charge issues fixed?

 

[regulator]

It puts out a suprising amount of light on high - maybe 30 or more lumens. It can only run about 10-15 minutes at this level. Low mode is the lowest of any lights that I have seen. You could look directly into the LED's to see a low glow.

It can run a couple of hours at a conservative setting with plenty of brightness for many tasks. I was able to set mine comparable to the medium output of a LOD Q4 and it ran for appoximately an hour before I noticed it starting to dim - then I stopped before letting it discharge any further.

I read that Photon is working on updating the ReX to prevent a user from overdischarging the unit. I don't believe it has been released as of yet.

 

[todo]

I'm sorry you had that bad experience. Maybe my story will help you.

I had a very similar charging problem. I sent my Rex to LRI (the address for repair is on their site), with a note describing the problem. I got back a working Rex, a gift light also, and a promise that I will get one of their new Rex's which supposedly fixes the software fault that causes the charging issue.

So, for me, their service worked very well. You might want to try sending in the light.

Good luck.

W.

I had the exact same issues with my Rex's. Sent them in to the company with a note describing the problem. Bit over a week had 2 new Rex lights, along with a nice letter apologizing for the inconvenience, and a promise of free upgrade lights when they receive them. And a free X-Light, which is a great little.

LRI Photon, has always given superb service and no questions ask warranty. Just send the lights in, don't waste your time and theirs with unnecessary email correspondence.

Regarding the Rex itself, the most versatile and most used light I own. It hangs 24/7 around my neck, wouldn't be without one.

 

[werdnawee]

Yep,

I might send it back to them.

Though I live in Australia so not sure if they would send anything back.

Anyway, my REX is doing absolutely nothing at the moment so I will send it back and see if I get anything back.

Will post again is anything happens.

 

[defloyd77]

Thanks for your input regulator. That's plenty bright and dim enough for me! I've noticed many stores don't have them in stock and will be getting them around Oct 21, so maybe they're swapping out the bad ones for the new ones?