Here’s one of the newer RovyVon lights – the A8x. It’s an updated version of their keychain series. Read on for some testing and thoughts!

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the official product page.

Versions

There are a few versions here. Two emitter options: Cree XP-G3, and Nichia 219c (seen here). And two secondary options: UV/Red/White, and Amber/Red/Blue (seen here). That’s it for the A8x, but there are others in this series, too: A5x (Green GITD), A7x (blue GITD), A2x (Stainless), A3x (aluminum), A4x (titanium), and the A10x (timascus).

Price and Coupon

These are going for $46.95 right now. Available on amazon.com! (referral link).

Short Review

I like it, but that’s probably no surprise. I have liked just about all these RovyVons, I think. The clear body of this one doesn’t provide me any real usefulness, and the Amber secondary is too bright in my opinion – I’d probably just opt for the aluminum version and forgo the secondary emitters. Or titanium, for a premium feel. But generally speaking, I’m pleased with the series.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

RovyVon A8x Flashlight

Pocket clip

Split ring

Charge cable (USB to micro-USB)

Manual

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

The build quality is good. No issues. The clear body allows a neat view into the internals.

I didn’t disassemble the light at all – I think the bezel is glued on, and there is no other ingress.

This is just a fun long exposure, allowing the blue and red to overlap.

Size and Comps

Officially:

Dimensions: Ø0.61” (15.6mm) x L2.38” (60.5mm)

Weight: 0.52oz/14.8g

Retention and Carry

The main way I’ve carried this light is just loose in my pockets. But there’s also a pocket clip which attaches just like all the others in this series. There are grooves in the body on the sides, to allow attachment of the clip – friction fit – in a number of places and orientations.

I wouldn’t really plan to use the clip for a switch cover (to prevent accidental activation).

The clip can go in an orientation that will allow use as a hatlight, too.

Also an option is the loop on the tail end. It’s fit for a lanyard or chain, but neither is included.

Power and Runtime

The A8x, as the models before, is powered by a built-in lipo pouch battery. This is not replaceable, except by RovyVon.

The runtime for high and medium follow. Output doesn’t hit the claim when considered to FL1 standards, but at initial output the specs are met. (Also the modes are labeled “Turbo” and “High” below, but I think it’s clear what’s going on.)

The switch has a red indicator function, which lights at around 2.8V.

Of course since the battery is built in, there must be on-board charging too. There is, in the form of a micro-USB port in the side of the tail. It’s covered with a press-in translucent silicone cover.

The included cable is USB to micro-USB.

Charging proceeds about as fast as you’d want it to – around 0.35A.

During charge, the blue indicator (not the same as the blue secondary emitter) “breathes” to indicate charging. When charge is complete, the blue is steady.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps High 450 1.5m/90m 262 – Medium 260 1.5m/160m 216 – Low 15 12h 15 – Ultra low 2 70h – –

PWM

The lower two modes have PWM. It’s noticeable to me on the lowest mode, but not horribly so.

Below is actually the strobe output… Not PWM at all (except in the sense that PWM is the light coming on and off, which is very much what strobe is). The intensities are different because my sensor doesn’t pick up red and blue the same way. So the higher is red (or blue, I don’t remember) and the lower is red (or blue, I don’t remember). Interestingly you can see exactly how many times each color blinks before switching! Neat, I think.

The amber mode doesn’t use PWM.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. And here’s the worst PWM light I have ever owned. Also one of the very first lights I ordered directly from China!

User Interface and Operation

There’s a single side switch for operating the Aurora A8x. It’s a clicky indicating side e-switch. Despite how it looks, it’s still a silicone switch cover.

That’s different from the original too, which had a much bigger and fairly prouder switch. I have no complaints about the upgrade, except I wish they’d thrown a metal (or at least hard) switch cover on there.

Here’s a UI table!

State Action Result Off Hold Momentary High Any Double Click Moonlight (technically the manually memorized mode*) On (White) Click Mode Cycle (Moon > Low > Med > High) On Hold Off On >3m Click Off Any Click 3x Red/Blue Secondary Strobe Any Click 4x Amber Secondary Steady Red/Blue Secondary Strobe Click Red Strobe Red Strobe Click Slower Red Strobe Amber Secondary Click Slower Amber Strobe Slower Amber Strobe Amber Strobe

* It’s possible to memorize any of the 4 modes with this UI. Just leave the light on for around 3 minutes, and that mode is memorized (except for secondary emitters). Your light will likely ship with this mode set to High!

LED and Beam

My review copy has Nichia 219c, which is a high CRI variant. I’m very pleased this is an option both because I’d prefer the high CRI (90+) and also I think XP-G3 is just really, really bad. So I have Nichia, and I think you’ll be happier with it too.

The other three emitters are visible through the body.

They’re quite bright!

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

Test light is on the left.

I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Conclusion

What I like

New battery is twice the capacity as the old

Output is good (but rated from turn-on not 30s FL1 standard)

Build quality is good – sturdy light

Many body materials /finishes available

What I don’t like

Switch cover could be metal (like the bigger A23 lights)

PWM still present (though greatly improved!)

Notes

This light was provided by RovyVon for review. I was not paid to write this review.

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