Which to choose?????

[deanom]

What are your thoughts people - these are some options.........
ITP C7R Q5,
ITP C7T Q5,
ITP SA2 R2,
Romisen RC-29 II R4,
Romisen RC-N3 II Q5,
Eagletac P100A2

Hopefully I posted this ok - I will edit it if not!</p>

 

[DM51]

Welcome to CPF, deanom :)

I've put spaces between your links there - it looked like you were considering a single gigantic piece of Flashlight lego!

 

[deanom]

Welcome to CPF, deanom :)

I've put spaces between your links there - it looked like you were considering a single gigantic piece of Flashlight lego!

Thanks DM51 - I was frantically trying to edit it just then! As another note - I like AA / 2 x AA format. I have an AA and AAA charger already but just need to buy the batteries. Would be willing to buy RCR / 18650 if that was needed but as you can tell $$$ are a bit of a limiting factor.Cheers

 

[deanom]

With respect to other readers - am interested to hear thoughts from Paul in Maryland, Jack the Clipper, Sol Leks, and Hyperloop. Obvious fans of Romisen in varying degrees but also users of other lights. Any advice?

 

[JDest]

I'm none of those members you mentioned, but maybe I can offer some input as well.

You mentioned the ITP SA2, so why not the SA1 on 14500? (I suggest 14500 since this light really shines on that battery, and since you seemed to be willing to purchase 18650's, I assumed you would be equally willing to purchase 14500's.) Plenty of overall brightness (even on Eneloops) while at the same time being one of the best throwing 1XAA lights around. (See selfbuilt's reviews, though the Jet-I Pro V.3 is still curiously missing and is the reported king of throw for that class) Either way, the SA1 has outstanding regulation and is more pocketable than the 2XAA lights you have listed.

I used to own an RC-N3 Q5 and man I loved how small that guy was on an RCR123. Nothing wrong with that choice either but be aware if you go the RCR route you will lose regulation on the medium mode and it will be direct drive. Definitely worth the money I just think you more than get what you pay for with the SA1.

I do think that the RC-29 would be a great light as well but not being able to take 14500's hurts this light, I think, it would most likely be a monster if it was 14500 compatible. As you can tell I drink the Li Ion Kool Aid.

 

[Fichtenelch]

I can only compare the Eagletac and the Romisen, since i had both (sold both romisens and gave 1 eagletac as a gift, still have 2 p100a2 (cw + nw) here).
And i don't like the 2 modes beeing so close together on the romisen. also you can't compare the build quality. it's not bad on the romisens, but the eagletac's are top-notch and feel very good. However, i'd not say, that the romisens are unreliable.

 

[tfg101]

I'm a flashlight newbie, but am already a big Romisen fan. Of the two Romisens you are interested in, the RC-29 would be more fun because it's a Flood-to-Throw. It would not be as bright as the other flashlights on your list, however. You might want the consider the Romisen RC-C8 II Q5 from ShiningBeam. It's brighter than the RC-29, and it runs on 18650s so it should have a lot longer runtime. The best 18650s that I am aware of are the TrustFire Protected "flame" 18650s. They are available on dealextreme (sku.20392). About a year ago I was into AA/14500 flashlights, but now am only interested in 18650 flashlights due to them having much longer runtimes.

 

[rekd0514]

The RC-N3 has an R4 option and the RC-29 has a XP-G R5 now from shiningbeam.

 

[jacktheclipper]

With respect to other readers - am interested to hear thoughts from Paul in Maryland, Jack the Clipper, Sol Leks, and Hyperloop. Obvious fans of Romisen in varying degrees but also users of other lights. Any advice?

I own both of the Romisens that you mentioned and the iTP SA2 .
My favorite out of these three is the SA2 . I like the holster , the beam , the factory settings , as well as the variable U.I. , and after I broke off the clip ( on purpose , by bending it up and down until it came off ) (cleanly , I might add ), the form . I use lithium primaries in the light and they last a long time . I holster the light when I go night fishing and I strap it to my bike handle bar with a Twofish lockblock when I go night riding .

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[jacktheclipper]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

iTP SA2 with Mora Clipper All Around

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Since this thread appears in the Budget Lights forums, I would eliminate the $50 EagleTac and $40 ITP. Even the $30 ITPs are pushing it. To me, a budget light is one that, in a pinch, you could literally give away on the spur of the moment to someone who had a pressing need for it and not wonder whether you did the right thing.

That said, I can offer only my personal biases: a beam that's floody, warm, and adjustable; a forward clicky; a simple user interface, and single-cell. By these criteria, I'd choose--and recommend--the Romisen RC-29 II...even though the R4's beam no longer offers the warm/neutral tint of its Q3 predecessor.

 

[jacktheclipper]

Hey Paul , it just so happens I have a pressing need for a warm RC-29...

:whistle:


EDIT: Seriously , though , I would like a warm RC-29 but only if it was as bright as the version II...

And Deanom , the flood beam of the RC-29 is an artifact-free thing of beauty .

 

[Prow]

I own both of the Romisens that you mentioned and the iTP SA2 .
My favorite out of these three is the SA2 . I like the holster , the beam , the factory settings , as well as the variable U.I. , and after I broke off the clip ( on purpose , by bending it up and down until it came off ) (cleanly , I might add ), the form . I use lithium primaries in the light and they last a long time . I holster the light when I go night fishing and I strap it to my bike handle bar with a Twofish lockblock when I go night riding .

Nice to read that as I've been trying to decide on a 2AA light to purchase. I nearly bought the Romisen RC-N3 a while ago but then started lurking around the CPF forum for a while and held off on the purchase. I've almost decided on getting the iTP SA2 as it looks like great value for the money... not exactly a budget light though.

Actually, if the EagleTac P100A2 can be found for ~$40 USD then it also seems like good value for the money (but yeah, can't be considered a budget light).

 

[bryan11]

The $50 EagleTac is pushing the budget, but it's nice.

 

[deanom]

Thank you to everyone who has replied (and voted) - the SA2 is looking very promising with more suitable modes for me - does it have momentary-on? Some places seem to suggest it does and others don't mention it....
oh and if the rc-29 had a lower mode it would be a done deal i think

 

[bluepilgrim]

You don't say what you will use it for, but the Romisen RC-G2 from Shining Beam is a true gem. I think you should check it out.

 

[jacktheclipper]

Thank you to everyone who has replied (and voted) - the SA2 is looking very promising with more suitable modes for me - does it have momentary-on? Some places seem to suggest it does and others don't mention it....
oh and if the rc-29 had a lower mode it would be a done deal i think

The SA2 does have a forward clicky-momentary on - and a reverse clicky is included for tailstanding . :thumbsup:

 

[jacktheclipper]

You don't say what you will use it for, but the Romisen RC-G2 from Shining Beam is a true gem. I think you should check it out.

Great light , I got a warm one and I strap it to my helmet .