REVIEW – Flashlights are one of the greatest gadgets humans ever invented. I have many flashlights; some serve a specific purpose, some are for general use. Acebeam sent me one of their latest to try out – the Rider RX EDC AA Flashlight, and it has a neat little gadget feature.
What is it?
The Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA Flashlight is a rechargeable flashlight that can also use a AA battery and has a mechanical slide mechanism.
What’s in the box?
- Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA Flashlight
- USB-C 14500 Rechargeable Battery
- 8″ USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Wrist Strap
- Spare O-Rings
- User Manual
Hardware specs
- 650 Lumens
- 96 meter (315 ft) range
- Nichia 219F LED
- CRI 90 color rendering, Neutral 5000K
- 14,500 Li-ion rechargeable battery
- Two-way stainless steel pocket clip
- 95.7mm x 18.6mm (3.77″ x 0.73″)
- 2g (2.89 oz) with battery
- Five light modes
- Max Runtime: 7 days
- IP68 waterproof (2 meters submersible)
- Impact resistance to 1 meter
Design and features
The Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA Flashlight is small, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s about as long as the width of your hand, but it packs quite a nice LED inside.
The sample Acebeam sent be was the silver version, but the Rider RX is also available in grey, rainbow, and blue. I like the silver because I like the look of clean, machined metal. However, they all look very nice.
I’ll get right to the gadget feature that Acebeam incorporated into this light. The mechanical slide mechanism slides back and forth and down with a satisfying mechanical ball-bearing detent at each end of the movement. Not only does this fidget mechanism provide stress and anxiety relief, but it also provides protection for the tail switch. This feature also provides for a flat surface to place the light on the tail stand for use as a candle.
I like this feature, as I often place my flashlights in my pocket or pack where the light can be subjected to forces that could accidentally turn on the light. The last thing you want is to have a dead light when you need it.
The two-way stainless steel pocket clip is fabulous, providing multiple ways to secure the light to whatever pack, pocket, hat, or belt that you’re using. The clip is held in place with two screws, which you probably could remove, but that would likely nullify the waterproof feature, so I wouldn’t advise it.
The Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA Flashlight has four brightness levels and an SOS mode. It also incorporates a memory feature that remembers the last brightness level (except SOS mode). A half-press of the tail switch cycles through the brightness levels, and quickly clicking the tail switch through two cycles will start the SOS mode. The tail switch has a nice click to it and is easier to locate than flashlights that have a side button.
Powered by 14500 USB-C Li-ion Battery:
| Ultra-Low | 7 lumen; 53hours |
| Low | 70 lumens; 3hours 8minutes |
| Mid | 280 lumens; 60minutes |
| High | 650 lumens-450lumens-330lumens; 2minutes+6minutes+55minutes |
| SOS | 450 lumens; 60minutes |
The rechargeable battery has a USB-C port on the side for charging, and an LED illuminates indicating charging and charged states. Red is charging, and green is fully charged. I really like the ability to use AA batteries as a backup, as you don’t always have time to fully re-charge. You might also need extra power during an extended power outage.
The aluminum-alloy body and stainless steel outer shell seem durable and definitely stands up to the 1-meter impact resistance, which I tested on a concrete floor.
What I like
- Very bright, but also has a nice low mode
- I like the option to use AA batteries
- The sliding feature is great
What I’d change
- Nothing I can think of
Final thoughts
Overall the Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA is a nice flashlight. I like that the ultra-low setting isn’t too bright and helps maintain your night vision while providing just enough light to see what you’re doing.
Price: $54.95
Where to buy: Acebeam and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Acebeam.
