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LED compact flashlight review: Olympia RG245
Stumbling around in the dark, be it in the wilderness or some urban area, sucks. Here is a compact, high powered light that can make a difference.
by Leon Pantenburg
I was not paid to do this post, and the product was provided for review and field testing purposes. At the time of publication, Olympia Products had no advertising relationship with SurvivalCommonSense.com
Ever since I field dressed a deer in total darkness, holding a mini maglight in my teeth like a cigar, I’ve been a headlamp kind of guy. And I still prefer a headlamp for most uses outdoors.
A dependable flashlight should be part of every emergency kit.
But a good flashlight has its place, too. No emergency kit or vehicle’s glove compartment is complete without one. If you’re scanning areas in the dark, such as finding a trail, looking for landmarks, spelunking etc., you need a quality light.
Enter the Olympia RG245 LED flashlight.
The RG245 is a high-performance flashlight that uses a CREE XP-G LED to enable 245 lumens in high-brightness mode, according to the company website. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with Type III hard-anodized, anti-abrasive finish. The textured body offers an anti-freeze non-slip grip.
The RG245 is powered by one CR123A battery, has five light settings including strobe and SOS for emergency situations, is waterproof to IPX-8 and impact resistant to 1.5 meters. Its compact size and light weight makes it a good addition to a tackle box, toolbox or to lighten up the load when camping or hiking.
Here are the specs:
- Waterproof IPX-8 to 2 meters
- 245 Lumens with 5 light settings: High, Middle, Low, Strobe, and SOS
- Beam distance: 122 Meters
- Peak Beam Intensity: 3845 Candelas
- Aircraft-grade aluminum with Type III hard anodized, anti-abrasive finish
- Compatible with: CR123 rechargeable (NiMH) batteries
- Included accessories: nylon holster with dedicated belt loop and a D-ring, lanyard, belt clip, extra tail switch cap, 2x extra O-rings, user guide
- Comes with two-year warranty.
- Cost: About $35
I liked:
Variable power switch: Once you have chosen a light level, you can shut it off and go back to it. This works really well, for example, if you’re walking on a moonlit forest path through woods. You don’t want to blast your night vision permanently, going from darkness to 245 lumens. What’s needed is a soft light, that doesn’t have to be cycled through the brightest settings. This works well, and I didn’t realize I’d like it so much.
Power: High power is 245 lumens, mid is 110, and low is 20. On low, the battery will last for 45 hours. The low setting is best for reading inside your tent. I also find myself using the low setting the most on my nightly dog walks.
On high power, the battery will last about one hour. When you need a small spotlight, this setting will light up the area for 75 yards.
Size: At 3.3 inches long and .98 inches in diameter, this light is hardly
The Olympic RGH245 LED flashlight is a compact powerhouse.
noticeable in your pocket. Weight is about two ounces, without a battery. That means it is likely to be taken along. It will also fit nicely in a tackle box, backpack or emergency kit. I didn’t notice it when the light rode in my daypack during hunting season.
Waterproof: Any electronic device that could be used outside in nasty weather should be waterproof, IMHO.
Other stuff:
CR123A battery: I prefer keeping all my electronic devices on the same size batteries. Always carry extras. My GPS and radio are both powered by AAs, and I go through a lot of batteries during hunting season. If you are upgrading other electronic equipment, the power source bears some consideration.
Originally developed for use in digital cameras, the CR123 is a popular choice for powerful LED flashlights because of its relatively high voltage (3V) and its minimal weight. The CR123A batteries are readily available and I’ve found them online for about $2 each. You can also get rechargeables.
But it may be awhile until the CR123s are available everywhere, so if you’re traveling far off the beaten path, stock up before you go.
All in all, this is a handy, efficient light package. I like using the light, and think its permanent home will be in my tackle box or daypack. It would be a good addition to a car emergency kit. I predict the Olympia RG245 will do well.
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Source: http://survivalcommonsense.com/led-compact-flashlight-review-olympia-rg245/
