lbear

I have been looking at getting a few Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 for the family bikes. Before I ordered I wanted to ask anyone their experience with them? Do you find the AA or CR123A better? Any pros or cons? And mounting ideas.
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...CREE-Q5/Detail

Seasnarf

I've had one for awhile and am very pleased. I've only used rechargable AA batteries so can't compare with the Cr 123a. I use an innertube mount that works great - no wobbles and easily adjustable. It also protects the bar and flashlight from scratching each other. I made a little visor that sticks on with double side tape that knocks down some of the spill to make it easier on approaching cars. It also reflects light down right in front of the bike which is nice. The spill is good on this light and it reaches down the road well. Be aware the grey version seems a bit blue to me.

skiph

Need pics.....of your visor and innertube mount...

Outside beamshots would also be nice

seeker333

I just received mine from SB, Brooklyn today via std USPS - ordered Friday afternoon. SB threw in 2 AAs free. What nice folks to buy from.

I asked SB (Bryan) several questions before purchase, he answered them all promptly and thoroughly. Excellent customer service IMO.

The RC-N3s are an excellent value. High quality construction, nice beam with AA. Can't comment on the cr123a beam, don't have any right now. Will probably use 16340s (rechargeable version of cr123a IIRC) eventually for lightweight backpacking trips. This shortened version is very small - good thing it has a nice lanyard or I'd lose it for sure by dropping it.

The black is black, the grey model is a light or faded gun metal blue color to my eyes. Like the other guy said - and I agree with him, it has decent spill.

I think you could very securely mount one to a h-bar with duct tape, electrical tape, or perhaps a couple conduit clamps from lowes with some tape or rubber for retention/finish protection. They don't really weigh much. AA model seems to be only ~1/2" longer than an old incandescent minimag.

I suggest you buy a couple. I may order a few more for gifts myself soon.

baldsue

I've compared them as I have three, two running cr123 and one with 2AA. I can't tell a difference in brightness. And I'm kicking myself now for springing for the cr123 batteries and charger. I do, however, like the shorter flashlight the cr123's allow. Length with 2AAs is 6", length with cr123 is 3.5".

lbear

I like the shorter set up with the cr123. However I have found battery and charger combos confusing. Most chargers seem to have warnings about only using the battery that comes with it. Also the cr123 seem to come in a range of mAh's from 700-900. Does the difference in mAh make a difference in the performance. As you can tell I am finding the battery issue confusing. Please educate me.

baldsue

I've been using https://www.batteryjunction.com/rc390reliba.html with the charger that came with them. Originally I ordered different batteries and the Tenergy charger but Battery Junction alerted me that the battery and charger were incompatible. Great service on their part!

I know nothin' about batteries. Can't educate you. I feel fortunate to have found a battery dealer who is looking out for my interests and safety.

TiberiusBTkirk

I just rec'd what appears to be the lower level version of this light,
a Romisen RC-3 with a CREE P4 instead of a Q5
appears to be made the same as the other inexpensive Ultra fire I bought a couple of years ago.
I'd wish their threads were more robust because I've stripped the threads on the ultrafire.
My old 3w luxeon Nuwai Q3 has thicker threads and same with my surefires.

I just put in a RCR123 in the RC-3 and it didn't blow up, the box states 1-3v.
I'm using 3 year old unprotected 123's rated at 800mah according to the label.

The light is much whiter than a 3w Luxeon led. I'll check out the light at dusk when it's
not quite dark and search for rats in my local park. The Q3 couldn't cut it with all the ambient lighting.

Not the Slowest

The price was right and I picked it up with the discount code, so I saved a few more dimes, especially as I paid sales tax in NY.

So far it seems in my house not as bright as my Fenix Digital LD20 Black Premium Q5, which got when I got lost. It does seem to feel about the same weight, threads were okay. The clicker does need a bit more time to activate the various modes than my Fenix. I will most likely use only the strobe and High mode only for city riding, but plan on the high for back roads. The strobe appears a bit slower than the Fenix and I like that.

Well gotta get ready, will update later.

Light did well in strobe on the ride home, lasting 1hr 45 minutes. I ran them another 45 minutes at home. The power did go lower, but that was okay with me. By the way I was using AA batteries.
Rain is predicted tommorow so I will follow up Wednesday nite and use the High power only.

Rob

sumguy

innertube flashlight mount
some other:
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-1ag...ehicle_strobe/
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-edi...e_light_mount/
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/375989-make-stuff-rom-tire-tube.html

dclaryjr

I've been real happy with mine. I bought a CR123A to test it out and couldn't tell the difference. Since I already have a bunch of NiMH AAs, it was a no brainer. As far as a mount, a 3/4-inch conduit hanger works perfectly:

crackerdog

The Romisen from Shining Beam is a great deal. About as bright as a Fenix 2ld Q5 but not as much flood which, for old eyes, is not so good. The Fenix on my helmet and the Romisen on my handlebars is perfect.

Seasnarf

Added pics

Mr. Underbridge

That's slick. Looks very stable, and is actually a whole lot less ugly than most of the mounts out there anyway. Oh, and free.

Any recommendations on tube width? Looks like roadie tubes might not be the best.

Thanks for the video.

sumguy

I've been using mine for maybe a year and think I made it out of a 700x35/42 tube - something that fits a fatter 700 tire. I remove the light for daytime riding and errands and it is starting to develop some wear at the side of one slot. next one will be mtb tube.
Its mostly pretty stable but can shift when I ride over really bumpy sections of road ie. 10ft of crappy road repairs. The old hybrid had front shocks so never noticed shifting. The occasional bump or pothole isn't a problem and it has never come out. Real easy to readjust if it does shift.

lbear

I finally got my Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5. I went with the CR123a rechargeable battery. I am using twofish lock blocks for mounting. I could not be happier. I ended up with 215 lumens 4 rechargeable batteries and charger for only $53.
Is only 3.5 inches long and puts as much light as a $230 Light & Motion Stella. Granted battery life is short
(an hour or so) but with 4 rechargeable batteries who cares. I am buying one for everyone in the family.

Light:
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...CREE-Q5/Detail
Battery and charger:
https://www.batteryjunction.com/4parc390reli.html

green814

I just received my 2 L-Mini's today Shiningbeam L-Mini. Biggest difference is the the L-mini uses 18650 batteries (the version I got will take 2 cr123.) Bryan at SB said the L-mini is a little brighter than the RC-N3.

Glad to hear you like the light as well.

Chris