Bronte Torches? Cheap crud, or cheap & good?

[jonnycapes]

Bronte Torches? Cheap crud, or cheap & good?
Anyone had any experience of this brand of torches? And in particular their RA01 model?? This model claims to be almost identical to the 4Sevens Preon Revo &/or the Klarus mi10: these are all 3 mode AAA battery lights: I own the Preon revo already & it is fantastic (& is perfect as my EDC). I just got the Klarus Mi10 today but am quite disappointed - it's MUCH less bright than the Revo (just wish the Revo had a knurled grip on the head to make 1-handed use easier...) so i'll going to send it back to Heinnie's for a refund, but I saw these Bronte torches on DealExtreme:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/bronte-...a-10440-114594

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/bronte-...a-10440-114594

I'm not suggesting the Bronte will be AS-GOOD as the preon for £13, but it MIGHT be ok - wondered if anyone had any experience of these torches??

The preon Revo is no longer made - what a shame: a truly magnificent little tiny performer!

[Nice65]

Google is your best bet for new lights. There's one announcement on CPF Marketplace and this thread from BudgetLightForums.

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/6858

Reviews here, you may need to copy/paste to your browser, my phone isn't creating the link.

http://archive.light-reviews.com/

[Meganoggin]

The Preon Revo is no longer made because Klarus ripped off the design, so you are looking at a rip off of a rip off.

Please don't support these companies 4Sevens lights aren't that expensive and you will be supporting a company that really innovates that is run by flashaholics.

[jonnycapes]

Google is your best bet for new lights. There's one announcement on CPF Marketplace and this thread from BudgetLightForums.

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/6858

Reviews here, you may need to copy/paste to your browser, my phone isn't creating the link.

http://archive.light-reviews.com/

Why thank you for the pointers :o)

[jonnycapes]

Google is your best bet for new lights. There's one announcement on CPF Marketplace and this thread from BudgetLightForums.

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/6858

Reviews here, you may need to copy/paste to your browser, my phone isn't creating the link.

http://archive.light-reviews.com/

Thank you for the pointers :o)

[jonnycapes]

The Preon Revo is no longer made because Klarus ripped off the design, so you are looking at a rip off of a rip off.

Please don't support these companies 4Sevens lights aren't that expensive and you will be supporting a company that really innovates that is run by flashaholics.

Aye, but if the Preon Revo is no longer available (& as I say, i do already have one so I know it's a great torch) then what are my other options apart from buying a rip-off?? Is there anything else that fills the same brief as the Revo? I.e. that it's about as small as it can get on 1 AAA battery, has different brightness settings & has amazing runtimes? thanks for the input! :o)

[Essexman]

I know nothing of that brand, but looking at the photos I wouldn't trust that chain/keyring to last a few minute, looks very weak to me.

[jonnycapes]

I know nothing of that brand, but looking at the photos I wouldn't trust that chain/keyring to last a few minute, looks very weak to me.

Yes the keyring looks REALLY dodgy...! lol

[Nice65]

Is there anything else that fills the same brief as the Revo? I.e. that it's about as small as it can get on 1 AAA battery, has different brightness settings & has amazing runtimes?

Maratac AAA Stainless Steel on my keyring. Bombproof, easy one-handed use, 3 sensible outputs, but more than anything a pleasure to own. I've never tried a Revo though.

[jonnycapes]

Maratac AAA Stainless Steel on my keyring. Bombproof, easy one-handed use, 3 sensible outputs, but more than anything a pleasure to own. I've never tried a Revo though.

Which Maratac is that, Nice65?? I've just had a look & there's some 'new' versions out - would be interested to hear which one you have (i.e. what are the runtimes on the different modes & light output?) so I can compare to the Revo. I've just tried to order one of the Maratac AAA Rev 2 models direct from County Comm in the USA but they don't seem to be accepting orders outside the US, is this correct? Thank you! :o)

[jonnycapes]

Maratac AAA Stainless Steel on my keyring. Bombproof, easy one-handed use, 3 sensible outputs, but more than anything a pleasure to own. I've never tried a Revo though.

Which Maratac is that, Nice65?? I've just had a look & there's some 'new' versions out - would be interested to hear which one you have (i.e. what are the runtimes on the different modes & light output?) so I can compare to the Revo. I've just tried to order one of the Maratac AAA Rev 2 models direct from County Comm in the USA but they don't seem to be accepting orders outside the US, is this correct? Thank you! :o)

[Nice65]

Which Maratac is that, Nice65?? I've just had a look & there's some 'new' versions out - would be interested to hear which one you have (i.e. what are the runtimes on the different modes & light output?) so I can compare to the Revo. I've just tried to order one of the Maratac AAA Rev 2 models direct from County Comm in the USA but they don't seem to be accepting orders outside the US, is this correct? Thank you! :o)

CountyComm don't ship outside the US, you'd be lucky to even get an email from them. One of those unfortunate blinkered American companies that can't be arsed to raise their game because they're still so proud to be American.

Look here;

www.edcgear.co.uk

or contact Miles at www.endtimesreport.com for a more interesting internet experience

In terms of lumens, it's a AAA torch. It isn't going to do big lumens for very long (about 80 I think). These keyring torches will help you through the front door or find a lost quid under a car seat etc. Bear in mind there's a trade off between brightness and runtime. Every manufacturers' dream is to deliver a super bright torch that runs for hours. They're definitely getting there, as the Nitecore Tiny Monster shows, but alkaline cell technology is limited as the battery just can't deliver big surges of power.

Maybe look for a AAA size torch that will run on 10440 Li-ion batteries?

[jonnycapes]

CountyComm don't ship outside the US, you'd be lucky to even get an email from them. One of those unfortunate blinkered American companies that can't be arsed to raise their game because they're still so proud to be American.

Look here;

www.edcgear.co.uk

or contact Miles at www.endtimesreport.com for a more interesting internet experience

In terms of lumens, it's a AAA torch. It isn't going to do big lumens for very long (about 80 I think). These keyring torches will help you through the front door or find a lost quid under a car seat etc. Bear in mind there's a trade off between brightness and runtime. Every manufacturers' dream is to deliver a super bright torch that runs for hours. They're definitely getting there, as the Nitecore Tiny Monster shows, but alkaline cell technology is limited as the battery just can't deliver big surges of power.

Maybe look for a AAA size torch that will run on 10440 Li-ion batteries?

Lots of great info there, Nice65, thank you very much :o) Shame about CountyComm - they do a 2 mode 95/1.5 lumen Maratac AAA model which looks interesting, but I think I can get a version of this from a couple of other places. I checked out endtimesreport.com too - an interesting site, as you say! ;o) He has some good gear at good prices so I think I might pick up a few bits from him & perhaps one of the MARATAC™ AAA EXTREME FLASHLIGHTs to try. I do LOVE my Preon Revo as my EDC, but it must be, ooooh, months now since I bought a new torch so one of these wont hurt, eh! I do think 80 lumens is certainly more than enough for common EDC use. I like the look of that Nitecore Tiny Monster too!! The missus WILL slaughter me though if I spend £200 on a torch right now... Although that IS a bargain!! :o)

[jonnycapes]

Just seen this Thrunite Ti: £14, 2 modes AAA (3 & 60 lumens) - any opinions on these lil' chaps? Looks a bargain as a back-up/spare/emergency light! :o)

http://www.adventurestars.co.uk/Shop...Product+Search

[Nice65]

Thrunite are good. The Ti bit is misleading though as they're aluminium.

If you want a Tiny Monster at a good price try HKEquipment on eBay. I emailed them and they sorted me the torch, 4 Trustfire 2400maH batteries and charger for £150.

If you pick up a Maratac Extreme I'd be interested to hear what you think. It looks to be a AAA thrower.