Photon Rex

The Rex is a rechargeable keychain light by LRI : the creators of the Photon Freedom.

The Rex features four bright white leds and the interface is very similar to the one in the photon freedom. The brightness can be regulated keeping the button pressed, when maximum it is about as twice as bright as the popular photon freedom. After the brightness settings there are four additional modes in the interface: a fast strobe, medium strobe, slow strobe and SOS mode.

The single button operation is easy and the button glows in the dark after being charged by direct sunlight or fluorescent light.

What makes the Rex so interesting is that it is rechargeable keychain light, to recharge it you have to insert the recharging kit into the Rex and then just plug the mini magnets at the other end to any 1.5v battery you have around. AA, AAA, C and D batteries work well, if you use rechargeable batteries then you have a complete rechargeable kit. Having an extra AA or even AAA battery around allows you to recharge the Rex anytime you need and anywhere you want. This curious recharging interface is like a hack but works well and it is very practical to be able to recharge the light using common batteries you can get anywhere.

The Rex is a lot bigger than a photon freedom, being about twice as big so if the freedom was fine for your keychain the Rex might be slightly bulkier.

A very interesting option for a rechargeable keychain light.
You can get it for $24 at LightHound.

Arc AAA UV

This is an UV (Ultra Violet) edition of the Arc AAA. It features a Nichia NSPU510CS 375nm UV LED powered by a single AAA battery, it can use lithium, alkaline or nimh rechargeable AAA batteries 1.5v.

The body is constructed from Type III Hard Anodized 6061 Aluminum and the interior is coated with chemkote for stronger corrosion reistance.

The switch is a twisty at the head, twist the head for simple on-off activation, o-rings make the light water reistance up to a hundread feet. Runtime with an alkaline battery is about 5 hours to 50% power.

UV lights are useful in many applications where objects need UV wavelengths to flouresce, like detecting counterfeit, scorpions, body fluids and others. Exposure to UV light is potentially harmful to the eyes so this is not a light to play. If you need a keychain UV light the Arc is probably one of the most durable versions you can get it will last forever in your keychain. If you don't need a very rugged light you have several options much cheaper and with similar runtime and output so this one probably makes sense only for those that use an UV light every day.

You can get it for $40 at ArcFlashlights.

Maratac Responder Bag

The Maratac responder bag is a pouch that can be used to carry medium sized EDC kits. The interior size is 7'' by 12''.

One side has three velcro strips that can be used to attach accesory pockets or just strap your EDC items to the pouch interior. The other side feature three large pockets: 6.5'' by 6.5'', then 8.25'' x 6.5'' and the third one 9.5'' x 6.5''. This side has elastic loops for pens and other EDC items and a button loop that can be used for a split ring or other small EDC items.

At the center you have a elastic loop that is perfect for a small or medium sized flashlight. The pouch is made of strong nylon and has a zipper that runs very well all along the pouch. In the exterior you have several MOLLE compatible attachment loops that can be used to add addditional pouches to this one or to just attach with carabiners or similar other EDC items to the kit.

This is a very interesting pouch for medium sized kits because it is really designed for EDC items, you can fit your flashlight, pens, knife, notepads and other small items without having them loose in the interior it is very versatile and can be adapted to several kits. Because of its size you will have to carry it inside a backpack or a larger pouch.

You can get it for $19 from CountyComm.

Glo Toob Lithium

This is a new version of the Glo-Toob designed to use a C123 lithium battery instead of the A23 battery used in the previous version.

The toob has 11 modes of operation selected using a redesigned cap button. To switch modes you have to turn the tube on, wait five seconds and then turn it off and on without a pause. Now switching on and off will change modes. To fix a mode just leave the unit on in the selected mode for four seconds.

The lithium version has 11 modes of operation: flash mode, beacon strobe, fast strobe, slow strobe, SOS, pulse, half flash, bounce, ramp up, 100% constant on and 25% constant on. It can use either primary or rechargeable 123 batteries without problems as long as the battery fits in the tube. Not all rechargeable 123 batteries are the same size.

The new model is 80mm (3.15'') high and 24mm (0.95'') in diameter it is bigger than the older model to acomodate the new larger 123 battery. With this battery the tube can from 24 hours to 100 hours depending on the selected mode. The push button cap is splash proof and the standard package includes a lanyard and twist cap. With the twist cap the tube can be used up to 100m deep making it suitable for diving applications. (328 ft).

The new model is easy to operate and the push button cap has a very good tactile response making it easier to switch modes. To our taste the unit has too many fancy modes and only two constant-on modes, it is doubtful to have 9 signaling modes and strobes and yet only 2 levels of constant brightness in the interface.

With a long runtime and 360 degrees illumination the tube is great for small rooms, tents and as a marker if you hike, dive, cycle or do any kind of night activities it has many applications and is a practical device to have in your kit.

The lithium version is available in blue, red, amber, green, white and IR for $40 at Lighthound.

Keep2Go

The Keep2Go is a portable PET plastic tube that can be used for different purposes.

The tubes has a screw-on plastic cap that has a hole to thread a lanyward or a cord, a small lanyard with a cord lock is included.

The Keep2Go is available in several sizes from 1.0 to 2.5 oz in several different colors. All the models are TSA safe and can be used to transport liquids on a plane.

The containers can be also used to store food and are dishwasher safe, they float but not if you fill them with something heavy.

Multipurpose plastic containers are useful for small kits, for liquids and medications and are helpful when you are outdoors and can be quite practical for swimming while holding some essentials like cash.

You can read more at the official website.

Zebralight H50-P4 Headlamp

The Zebralight is one of the first headlamps in the market using the ultra bright and efficient Cree LED. The H50-P4 model features an XR-E P4 bin cree LED powered by a single AA battery.

The headlamp construction is not common, in fact it seems to be an AA flashlight with the LED mounted in a side that was then converted to a headlamp passing the headband thru a piece of GITD plastic that holds the light.

The Zebra has three brightness levels activated by a twisty switch, you go from off to minimum then off then medium, off again and then maximum. Brightness is 2, 10 and 50 lumen and runtime is 2 hours 20 minutes in max, 19 hours in med and 3.5 days in low mode.

The beam is all flood with little or no throw at all, making the light excellent as a tasklight and indoors headlamp but not good for trails or outdoor activities. For reading in bed, a tent or to work the beam is just perfect. The twisty switch is definitively not practical for a headlamp and while it can be activated with one hand it will not be something that you enjoy in the long run. While it seems the beam will be offcentered due to the position of the LED in the light the extreme floody beam makes this go unnoticed.

The total weight is 58 grams and it can use alkaline, NiMh or a lithium battery, it is confortable and almost unnoticeable, the glow in the dark bracket is a good detail to find the light in the dark or provide a glow if it has been charged during the day.

If you are looking for a simple all-flood headlamp definitively check the Zebralight out, if you need a headlamp for hiking or trails skip, you need something else.

You can order from Zebralight for $39.

Energizer Folding Lantern

The Folding Lanter is a very oddly shapped flashlight made by Energizer powered by four AA batteries.

The light has the case for the batteries and then a folding arm that holds a plastic difusser with three 5mm white leds embedded. A three way switch let's you choose from a high beam, low beam or off mode.

The light can be used folded or unfolded in different positions, there is a low quality plastic mirror at the back of the main body to improve the brightness when the light is closed. Despite it's supossed flexibility we fail to see how the folding arm and the design can be useful besides just putting the light inside a tent or a room for ambient illumination.

As expected the beam is just flood and works well to illuminate a tent or a small room, the runtime is excellent ranging from 100 hours on high mode to 200 hours in low mode. This makes this light an economic alternative for ambient illumination and a good backup device if you can be in potentially dark areas for a long time.

Construction is all plastic and seems to be solid, there is a plastic flap at the end of the main body with an attachment point for a lanyard, carabiner or something similar. With the 4 AA batteries the light is quite heavy the best way to carry is probably to just put it inside your packl and use it when you need it.

You can get it at retail stores like Wall Mart for around $10.

LiteFlux LF3

The LF3 is a programmable EDC light featuring a SSC P4 LED using a single C123 battery.

The light is turned on and off with a twisty mechanism, there are two positions marked P1 and P2 that are used for different levels and for programming. Going from P1 to P2 and back to P1 or P2-P1-P2 produces a "switch" the number of times you "switch" selects the mode of operation.

The LF3 has two programmable brightness settings and one variable brightness mode, since the variable brightness mode has memory we can say it has 3 brightness levels. It also has two programmable strobes, two programmable SOS modes, battery level indication and battery discharge protection. Operation and programming is identical to the LF2 we have previously reviewed.

It can use primary or rechargeable 123 batteries without any problem, the light is regulated so once set to a level it will keep at that level regardless of the battery status. Runtime is about 40 minutes at 100% brightness and more than 7 hours at 25% brightness.

The beam is excellent with a good compromise between throw and flood, the brightness at 100% using a rechargeable battery is really amazing, probably around 150 lumen. Since all the levels can be programmed you can set a low mode as low as you want and use it for reading or navigating the house at night.

The LF3 is built in HA-III aluminum, it is very strong and will resist drops and impacts, it doesn't have a pocket clip but can be attached to a lanyard or splitring, it comes with a diffusser and red, amber and blue filters.

The LF3 is a solid EDC light, it is very bright, offers several modes of operation and is completely programmable, the quality is excellent and for the ones that like a programmable versatile light this one is really superb.

Also available for CR2 batteries (LF4) or for AA batteries (LF5). You can order from Liteflux via CPF for $52.