If you are a flashlight junkie, I have one for you that looks really unique, doesn’t cost a lot of money and only runs on one AA battery while providing a bright beam of light. It’s the ICON Rogue 1 LED flashlight designed by Paul Kim of Surefire fame. Let’s take a closer look at this torch.
Flashlight Specs
Light type: LED
Light Output: 50/6 lumens
Runtime: 3/70 hours
Reflector type: Micro textured
Case type: Aluminum
Water resistant: Yes, up to 1 meter
Size : 4.5 inches
Weight: 3.8 ounces
Battery: one AA alkaline
The Rogue 1 looks like it would be the Green Lantern’s favorite flashlight (look it up on google if you are not a comic geek). It’s available in Green, Silver or Black. Since Green is my favorite color, I was glad to receive that version to review.
The most unusual aspect of this flashlight is its case. It’s made of aluminum, with the handle part having very narrow ridges that give it good grip-ability.
In addition to the ridges, there are open slots in the handle. These slots allow you to attach the included neck and hand strap, as well as also aiding in gripping the light and making it comfortable to hold. The Rogue has a nice heft to it that gives you the impression that it’s a quality flashlight.
The LED in this flashlight is controlled by a microprocessor that produces a smooth beam. There are two output levels. The high output level is 50 lumens, while the low output level is 6 lumens.
The tailcap switch is large and easy to press with your thumb. Press it once and you’re in high output mode. Press again and you’re using the low beam.
Unscrewing the lens will reveal the battery compartment that is sealed with an O-ring that provides waterproofing up to one meter for 30 minutes. I love that this flashlight is powered by just one AA battery. Unlike some lithium cells, this type of battery is inexpensive and easy to find anywhere.
Now let’s check out the beam.
Here is a picture of my office with no lights on, at night, with the door closed. You can only make out the glowing LEDs from some of my electronics. I’m standing in the corner of the room focusing on the opposite corner about 16 feet away.
Now let’s power on the Rogue 1 and see what it can do…
Here you can see the high output beam which is 50 lumens. The Rogue 1 can provide this beam for 3hrs on one battery.
Here is the lower level beam, which is 6 lumens. The flashlight has a runtime of 70hrs at this level. I know what you’re thinking, you can’t see a real difference in the two output levels from my pictures. I took quite a few shots an even though I could see the differences in the room and from my eyes, the captured images didn’t show it. That said, I’d always use the higher output beam. For one thing, it’s the default mode whenever you turn the light on (the microprocessor must have a time out feature so that it won’t power up in low mode if you were previously using the high mode). I’m also a relatively infrequent flashlight user, so the 3hr runtime doesn’t bother me due to the fact that I will probably only need to use the flashlight for a few minutes at a time anyway.
I like the ICON Rogue 1 because it is powered by a regular AA battery, is easy to turn on, puts out a strong beam and doesn’t cost a bazillion dollars. If you need even more power, you can purchase the Rogue 2 for an extra $10 or so. It has an output of 100/10 lumens and runs on 2 AA batteries.
Product Information
| Price: | $37.99 |
| Manufacturer: | ICON |
| Pros: |
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I guess “bazillion dollars” means different things to different people. For me, a pocket LED flashlight powered by one AA battery should cost less than $20. Please let us know if this Icon ever goes on sale somewhere…
@Jerry I guess you haven’t read many of the flashlight reviews on this site. Some of them are $200+
Former flashlight junkie here. 🙂
From the first couple photos… with lanyard especially… and being powered by a single AA- I guess I was assuming it was smaller and more pocket or keychain friendly. – Then I saw how big it was in your hand! Pretty bulky for a single AA. I like the design however and could see this one getting a spot on the nightstand or on my desk.
Thanks for the review.
Re: Julie
Could it be that your camera is on automatic mode, thereby compensating for less light with a longer shutter time or a larger aperture?
Maybe I am just imagining this, but to me it seems that the other light sources, like the LED on the monitor, are brighter in the second shot hinting at the camera letting in more light.
@MartinN I have the camera (new Canon G11) in Program mode because I usually use a speedlight with it. The speedlight wasn’t connected and I had the flash set to off. I’ll have to look at the other settings too.
seems like a well built light. Is there any retailer that I can pick one up at? Would like to try before I buy!!
@John According to Icon’s website, Radio Shack and Micro Center carries them.
Julie,
Sorry, I’m a Nikon boy so I can’t give you exact instructions, however you need to do something like this:
First disable “ISO Auto”, otherwise the camera may mess around with the ISO setting (the sensitivity of the CCD). Set it to something low, 100 maybe, to get noise free pictures but with a long shutter time (requires tripod). Set it to something high, like 1600, and you may get away with hand-holding the camera but the picture will look grainy.
Then you need to set the camera in manual mode, “M”. Set the aperture as wide open as you can, like F3.5 or F2.8 or so. The camera probably has an indicator in the viewfinder telling if it thinks it gets enough light or if it’s underexposing or overexposing. Use the flashlight in high mode and play around with shutter speed until the indicator says that the exposure is good. Take a picture and without changing anything take the picture with the flashlight in low mode. The indicator in the camera will probably say that it’s underexposing, but this is fine here.
Good luck 🙂
@MartinN I’ll give those suggestions a try tonight when it’s dark. If I can get better pictures, I’ll update the review and let everyone know. Thanks!
Julie… I’ve always love gadgets and flash lights… So glad u like it too… Been following your site for 6 years… Loving it all the way…
thanks
Another fine flashlight review. I saw this torch advertised in Wired magazine. Your great photos and write-up help to define the flashlight for those (like me) who have only seen it depicted in a single ad. I was unable to get a feel for the size until you showed the shot in-hand. I would concur that using a single AA battery is better than the expensive camera batteries some flashlights require.
@Geakz Are you thinking about buying one?
@Julie I might, but my 4 year old would probably confiscate it!
Looks like a great stocking stuffer for the wife (she loves green)!
And, with a sturdy construction, decent run time and AA battery (instead of useless and expensive AAA), I might even pick one up for myself. Only thing that this one could have (really does not cost anything to add..) would be a blinking mode as well (on-off, or an “SOS” pattern) in addition to the two power levels.
I work in the emergency services 17 yrs.
I have used my own expensive flashlights and inexpensive ones they supply at work. This flashlight is by far a great tool. It has never let me down or broke the bank with the cost of lithium batteries. Uses only regular AA! NICE
I’ve had this one since it came out and I absolutely trust it and it hasn’t let me down.
From cold to hot and dry to wet weather this flashlight works.
I love my flash light but the battery went dead in it how can i replace the battery so i can keep on using it?
This was a very nice flashlight until it started intermittent blinking due to the switch that had gone bad. Turns out the company is years out of business and I’ve been unable to find replacement parts.