Romisen RC-N3 II or Quark AA2 R5

[Cloud9i]

So I'm going camping soon and I was wondering which flashlight should I buy? I've been reading reviews and watching youtube reviews on different flashlights and one of them pointed to this forum so I figured I'd ask this forum.

I have my mind set on 2 different flashlights. One is the Romisen RC-N3 II and the other is the Quark AA2 R5.

Specs.

Romisen RC-N3 II
-Claims to have 280 Lumens
-uses 2xAA or 1xCR123A
-uses XP-G R4 emitter
-forward click I believe
-$26 dollars at shiningbeam

Quark AA2 Regular
-206 Lumens out the front
-uses 2xAA
-uses XP-G R5 emitter
-Reverse click
-$60 dollars from 4sevens themselves

I'm looking for a reliable flashlight I can use that would get me through the 3 days at camp. I can afford both but as of right now I'm leaning towards the Romisen just because it's more than half the cost of the Quark. I really would appreciate other people's opinions as to which one should I get because I really wouldn't want to get a flashlight that would die out a few months from now.

Links to the flashlights:
Romisen RC-N3 II

Quark AA2 Regular

 

[Zatoichi]

It might help your decision to know that the RC-N3 II has no low mode, just high and... higher! It's a decent light for the money, and bright, but I find a low mode extremely useful when camping.

 

[jumpin jack flash]

I agree with Zatoichi, the versatility of the Romisen RC-N3 is going to be limited because of only having 2 relatively bright modes. I have found that for camping I really don't need, nor use, very many lumens for a great majority of tasks. Having said that, I can certainly recommend the Romisen since I own one, although it is the warm (XR-E, Q3-5C) version. I really like this tint for outdoor use, and especially camping. (FWIW, I do not think the Romisen, with an R4, puts out 280 lumen "Out The Front", especially in the 2 x AA configuration. If it does put out 280 lumens, I suspect they are at the emitter.....just my opinion, can't say for certain.)

Lately though I've been considering the Quark AA2, but I would get the current offering of XP-G R4 "neutral white" (4C or 4D tint). Again, I believe this tint to be preferable for outdoor usage and it is very close to the same brightness as the R5 (93% of R5's max.)

The Quark is going to cost you about twice as much as the Romisen (be sure to use the 8% CPF discount - "CPF8" - at 4 Sevens when you order, and the R4 Neutral AA2 will cost just a touch over $52) but over the long haul I believe you will appreciate this flashlights' versatility and quality.

I love my Romisen, but if I had it to do over I would go ahead and purchase the Quark......especially now that an R4 "neutral white" is available.

Hope this helps.

 

[ASheep]

I agree with both the above posters, the Romisen is a good light, but the versatility of the Quark's modes around camp makes it the better of the two. The moonlight mode on the Quark is especially useful for late night wanderings and looking for things in your tent, when you don't want to blast your night vision. Now that the Neutral white is available, go for that over the regular tint, as it is preferable for outdoor use. I have one on the way at the moment :whistle:

 

[Cloud9i]

Thanks everyone for you input. I was originally swaying towards the Romisen for price but hearing as there's only 2 modes I think I will get the Quark AA2. Thank you again and thank you Jumpin Jack Flash for the coupon code! I will be placing my order on the neutral white Quark AA2 as soon as possible.