Every time I see one of these flashlight videos, I am reminded really how few years ago a Maglite Solitaire with old school bulb and a AAA on the key chain was the coolest option and default go to. EDC has really moved forward in a great way in a very short time
Carried one of those (10-ish lumen?) Maglite Solitaires with the incandescent bulb for years (I think it had the spare bulb in the tail cap). It was always good enough back in the day, but now it seems as quaint as carrying a candle and some matches.
@@Lazerscythe i still prefer to use batteries - i can swap out when the battery runs out. With the LiOn, you'll have to wait for it to recharge - these do allow for nicer form factors though
oof, long comment got deleted or youtube glitched. My first run-in with rovyvon had me getting a defective Angel Eyes E8 and customer service looking at a video of it I sent and telling me it is fine. That really put me off to them. They stuff looks and feels GREAT, but I figured that was it. Since then and after some interesting luck, I have acquired several of their lights and a WORKING AE-E8 and they are fantastic. They dont replace my Olight Warrior 3 for EDC, but I do have the A8 on my keys now in place of my little i1r eos that I had and my working E8 is my formal wear EDC. The busted E8 is for garage work, fishing, and fidgetting because I dont care if it gets more broken or lost. So far, that first bit aside, they have been well worth it. That says something coming from someone that has every right to crap on them. If you are thinking about it, give them a shot. E8 is my favorite by far and a fun side effect of the dual batteries is that the AAA cant put out the same power as the Lion so the side white light is SUPER dim on low and wont blind you at night or for reading and it takes the edge off the side red light, then you can just swap to the Lithium for max power. ALSO, lithium batteries have a lifetime before they crap out. As someone that tried very hard to fix my dud E8, you are NOT getting this thing apart non-destructively to replace the Lion battery...so daily AAA use is more than enough and easily replicable until you are in a bad situation and the lithium actually becomes the emergency backup. also, if you get one with side lights, go for red/UV/soft white and get bright white for the front. No regrets with that setup. (and, if you are from the US, make sure you are buying from their US based warehouse or you are going to be waiting a long time)
Completely agree with the A8 being the best EDC flashlight. I'm not sure what else you could possibly want from an everyday pocket light. I keep a RovyVon S28 in my car as a back up, much larger output flashlight, but I rarely use it.
The A8 used to have an XP-G3 emitter, with two different tint options (cool and neutral). The XP-G3 isn't bad, but the SST-20 is a marked improvement. I just wish they'd made a different choice on the warm emitter, like a 519A in 4500k versus 219C in 5000k.
A8 default light level: The default light level (the one it starts in when you double click the button) is set by keeping the light lit in the mode you want to set as default for at least 3 minutes. But yeah, the A8 is the perfect light for me. It ticks all the boxes and the magnetic clips are incredibly useful.
This is my only gripe with this light. I prefer when double-clicking that the A8/A5 always start on low. But if I used the higher modes for more than 3 minutes--memory is updated to a mode I don't like. I find myself periodically leaving the light on low mode for 3 minutes to reset it. Annoying! I have to consciously remember to cycle modes when using the light for a couple of minutes on one mode to avoid setting memory.
@@cytherians I think it would have been best to use the 5 clicks to memories the current mode as default. Some apparently need the control lock, but I have had absolutely no use for it at all.
@@CristiNeagu I like the idea you're on about, Christi. There really shouldn't be a built-in timer that sets the memory. It should be something user controlled by a given command of clicks (and possibly long press). Most flashlights operate this way. For a small EDC, always starting on low shouldn't be a problem, especially since there is direct access to turbo.
I’ve used the A8 for a while, used to have the older version with micro usb but the one with usb-c has a great clip and magnets. I literally use it every day so it’s EDC essential.
These little flashlights are relatively expensive, unless you're fortunate to time your purchase with a sale (I picked up an A28 at 50% off during an Amazon flash sale). I have that older A8 and it's still going strong. It rests on a set of house keys and it's seldom used, so the drawback of Micro USB isn't felt that often. It was bumped by a newer A5 with a GITD polycarbonate body. I really love this light. It's so powerful and efficient for its size.
I edc an A8, i have tried edcing lots of different lights but i hate bulk and the a8 is packed to the gills in features in a tiny package. I believe the best gear is the gear you have on you and if something is uncomfortable it'll get left home and be useless.
I love the videos as always - I do wish you’d mention price though. So many times I’ve thought “I’d buy that” and either been pleasantly surprised, or completely put off, by the price. Prices are soooo important to know though.
I’ve had an alu Aurora for a year, it’s cool. Now I just got the S3 Ti. It’s very nice. Bought an extra battery for it, so it will always be topped up. USB C, nice looks, great performance and build quality.
The nitecore EDC27 is an amazing light. Its rectangular instead of circular which lets it fit in your pocket easier, and it goes up to 3k lumens. It took so long for me to find a flashlight i like.
I have the a8 gen 3 and have it with me everyday. I am absolutely amazed at the battery life on it!! I literally charge it like once a month. I was dubious about the one button operation but it took me no time at all to get used to. Such a great recommendation!
I prefer the E5 for the simple reason that the direction of the side light makes it far easier to use attached to a collar. I guess you could attach the E8 to a short sleeve shirt though
My Rovyvon a8 stopped working all of a sudden. It unfortunately let me down but Rovyvon were kind enough to send me a replacement free of charge. I hope this one will not fail me. Good customer service
I don't understand why people get so grouchy about small rulers on edc stuff or multitools. Yeah, you're not gonna build a shed with it, you have squares and carpenter rulers, etc for all that. It can still be used to measure something out if you need to. Just because it's 2 cm total, doesn't mean you can't make mark lines, and follow them out to a bigger length or use a knife tip to scribe a piece of wood out to the length you want while staying in a small form factor. EDC gear isn't always made to be super convenient, sometimes its made to be small yet functional. Also, love my gen4 A8, got it after watching your original video on them. got my Arkfield Winter out of my pocket and into my edc pouch saving weight. If it'll ever die, I'll replace that with the a28. Although the E8 with the backup battery looks really nice for my emergency kit....I'll probably get both lol.
Really like the size of that A28. Thinking about grabbing one of those and giving it a try. The a8 functionality always appealed to me but I like the bigger profile with longer battery life.
I might have to upgrade my A8 to the current version. That button looks like a big improvement. It’s funny that I don’t every day carry it anymore. I have an even smaller light on me but I have more serious lights like the A8 in my kitchen, garage, and car.
Great vid!! I'm stuck on my Olight Baton 3. It's more than enough for true edc. If I need more I go to my truck or drawer. But dangit Mr. Gadget, now I wanna spend spend more money! These are all awesome lights but don't fit into my rotation. That honestly never stopped me before though! Cheers
Olight is more rugged for sure, but these little things are great. I run warrior 3 (sometimes the mini2) so these cant replace the tailswitch function, but after one bad run-in with rovyvon, and their customer service, the rest of the rovyvons I have are well worth it. You might like the Aurora A28 as a Baton replacement. It is smaller and legitimately good.
Just recently, I was given a new Olight Baton 3 pro max. Wow! What a light! It's like the landing light from a B52 bomber that fits in your pocket! Über bright...
Use the E8 daily. I recommend buying IMR 10440s. It'll change your mind about the light. I picked up 4 for less than 20 dollars. Comparing the output to a AAA is night and day difference. I use the 10440 as my main battery, and swap to internal only when the 10440 dies. Sure its a tad less bright, but insures that i keep the internal batteries integrity for longer. Just my two cents. 😊
Excellent video and information about the comparison of those lights from RovyVon, and their interesting carabiner device. Personal carry for me is the E7 Angel Eyes. This light rides clipped in my front pocket, and is with me at all times. Living in the woods of East Texas, we do have scorpions, and the UV light is a blessing! Thanks for having a great channel, and I always look forward to the next installment of EDC items and evaluations.👍
A28 would be a great scorpion light. The UV is MUCH brighter and it could clip to the front of a shirt pocket or belt next to the buckle and the UV would be pointing directly in front of you.
what is the advantage of getting the A8 over the A6? it looks like the A6 has the same modes, but also has a glow in the dark button and USBC cover. the metal cap is aluminum and I think the button is still the rubber one, but beyond those differences I don’t see why the A8 would be better unless it has more modes or better UI or something. anyone have experience with both? thanks!
I have the E3 angel eyes one and it’s probably my most used EDC item. I love the size as well as the full metal body and being able switch to using AAA batteries if i run out of charge is a great thing to have. definitely would like to get more RovyVon flashlights in the future 😃
The switching in of an AAA cell is a novel idea... but going this route, I wish they'd allowed for a NiMH cell that could be recharged when plugged in. The runtime on AAA cell is just too short. What ultimately would make more sense is to have a larger main cell, something like 600 mAh, and then have a battery level indicator. At present, the only indication is a flashing LED when near depletion. It's high time RovyVon introduced a battery level indication. Other brands like Trustfire do it, with a simple blinking of an LED (1--low to 4--high) when the light is first turned on.
Really great overview and review of these RovyVon torches, I'm definitely interested in both the A8 and the A28. I kind of am by the flat one but the short run time puts me off. I see the practicality of the disposable battery option in case of extended power outages except for its inherent short run time. I think they would have been much better off keeping the flat design but using the disposable battery space to have a much larger internal battery for much greater run times.
Hey Jon. Bought the A8 gen 4 on your recommendation and its an amazing little light. Interesting little feature in case thise watching arent aware, you can "program" the you want to come on with a double click by switching to the level of brightness for 3 mins. I set moon beam mode and i have instant access with a double click. Love your content and i cant wait to see what else you bring us.
Hi Jon love the vids as usual, have you ever thought about doing a give away with some of the flashlights or gear such as the older generations that you know have upgraded versions of? I imagine for some of the viewers of your channel (me included) we’d love to get our hands on some of this tech but it’s just a little too pricey for us but a giveaway would give a lucky person the chance to try it for themselves. Keep up the good work 🤙
I ordered all 3; A8, E8, and A28. Unfortunately the button on the A8 is defective (stuck and short travel; I've contacted customer service) - but the others are awesome. Rovyvon make great lights.
One thing I believe you've missed is the memory. When the light is on for 3 minutes at a given intensity, that's remembered when you first turn on the A8. Unfortunately, there's no quick way to override that (e.g. reset back to lowest level). You've got to leave the light on for 3 minutes to set a new memory. It's the one annoyance I have with the A8/A5. I prefer the first mode to always start on the lowest setting.
@@JonGadget Yes, the double-switch is certainly a useful way around that. I had brought this up to Ken at RovyVon and asked if he could introduce another command to force memory to the lowest mode for single switch models. Something like a double-press and hold for 3 seconds. I'd hoped it would be a feature in the G4. Maybe G5? If you could approach RovyVon about it, given your clout, it would help. Thanks, Jon!
Just a bit of advice about the carabiner, I had one taken away from me at the airport by security, arguing that even without the blade it was « pointy » …
Recently purchased a Rovyvon E5 which is much like the E8. That said, the instructions (I use that term loosely) that come with it are almost worse than useless. Unit is pretty good, like the shape and size but one needs to really study the operations to get it to do what you really want it to do.
That E8 seems ideal, but the size is not keychain, IMO. I love that it has AAA backup, though. That's where sizing comes into the mix. Maybe make one that has 2 (two) LI batteries instead?
I couldn't imagine not being able to carry a knife..there isn't a day that goes by that I don't use my pocket knife,it's an auto as well witch makes life so much easier,doing something in one hand need your knife just grab from pocket clip hit the button and ready 2 use..
Unfortunately, the operation of the lamps is terrible. when I have it in my hands again after a few weeks, I can never think of how to use it. Really annoying.
So far, I have bought five A8s based on your reviews, for myself, my kids and as gifts for friends. It is the perfect EDC light and i carry it 24/7. Thank you very much for making my EDC more lightweight and efficient.
Hmm, the only annoying thing about the Rovyvon stuff is that they keep upgrading it so I keep having to buy new ones! I love their stuff, unlike many of the brands the quality is great as well!
I have that fist flashlight you showcased. Yes it is superbright. But I decided not to include it in my EDC, because of heat. The light it produces is superbright, but the metal housing gets hot enough to burn you. I temped it at 80C after 1 minute. Dangerous!
i have the little one on my keyring full time, and I can, and have, held it in my mouth comfortably when working on my bike in the shed, you get the light just where its needed.
Did they ditch the glow in the dark feature? Not interested if so. As a hiker and camper that was a super useful feature for finding that thing in the tent at night 🌙
I had high hopes for the A8. I was ready to replace my edc light with the A8 and two days later the buton malfunctioned. I am getting it repaced, hopefully the copy was a fluke because that light has the best all in one features of it's size IMO.
Jon: I’m thinking that carabiner might be good for hanging a jacket from a car’s back seat grab handle. I use a large one in my car and I like adding multi tool functions to the mix
@@JonGadgethero clip would work (I know that’s not really relevant, just thinking out loud, my hero lip medium would be ideal for that scenario (noted lol)
I have an old A5x with micro usb charging and a non-magnetic clip and I absolutely love it. The size is practical and I love that the body fluoresces, that is among the most practical features of these. The side light combined with the clip also means you have a hands-free light on you: just clip it to the collar of your shirt. The main light clipped to the brim of a cap is more practical for this purpose as the beam is more focused, but I'm not someone who wears caps, so the sidelight is really practical. I typically clip it into my front right pocket and use the key ring as a quick grab handle. It's so much quicker than using your phone as a flashlight and because of this, I use it more, for example when it's dark where I'm going, so it's improved my safety. If I just had my phone, I would not go through the inconveniences of pulling it out just to see where I'm going, and I'd be more likely to stumble down stairs and so on. Also, I work in theatre so I use it daily, and it really holds up. It doesn't have the brightness of a bigger flashlight, but a bigger flashlight would weigh my already quite packed (with things) trousers down even more and I wouldn't be able to clip it to the collar of my shirt as an improvised "headlamp".
I love the A28. My only gripe is that holding down the 'top' button doesn't do anything, and holding down the 'bottom' button puts the main light in high mode. I don't know why they chose to do that when all the other main light functions are on the 'top' button.
A28 every damn day Construction shift work. House hold work. Automotive work. Camping. Traveling. It’s a perfect light ever since the new pocket clip type c generation came out. I discovered rovyvon cause of you. So happy I bought it years ago
Just purchased a red RovyVon S3 with the 1800 lumen option. I liked the "dual fuel" option of this light, since it can use its rechargeable16340 or a disposable CR123a. This light is on sale at the moment. Would love to know your opinion of the S3, Jon.
This video’s timing is just a bit ironic for me. I just got my first RovyVon, an E1, based on your earlier videos. The E1 because look for simple and robust. Previously my EDC was usually Surefire. I’m liking it so far and looking forward to seeing how RovyVon holds up as my daily carry.
I am in agreement with you! The A8 is probably my favorite purchase in the past decade! What an amazing tool that I can hang in my pocket everyday… I went with the 90 CRI 5K and it is perfect! My eyes have grown tiresome of the higher K “cool” light led’s. I cannot believe what this little bit is capable of! Absolutely fantastic!
Well, I bought an A8 G2... simply wonderful, it carries with me in my so-called watch pocket, in my jeans, and it's already paid for!!!! I managed to find my contact lens... with the flashlight on the floor I could see the lens shining under the furniture!!! wonderful creature 😁👌🇵🇹
E4pro: titanium version: you say titanium and people think indestructible all simply corporate marketing all it means is you pay more for the flashlight. This was close to $300. Very nice features, including red light and blue ultraviolet light. Unlike TH-cam weekend, Warriors who are either simply there to promote a product or to play with it for a couple of weeks only to put it down for the next adult toy I carry my “gear” all of the time even on many occasions while sleeping. This light comes with 2 buttons one for main light settings and one for the red light and uv light. One of the buttons is now gone as if from a shirt with its titanium buttons poorly sewn on. Men often carry their inner child into adulthood with the same boyish fantasies - not bad in itself but poor in those areas where “ separating the men from the boys” is required. A $300 toy is not what I need in those dark places where a light might save you
I too have all three generations of the A8 and have kept each past version. Great that the latest one has the metal switch and USB-C charging. It is the only light that is my everyday companion! So glad to know that someone else has this level of appreciation for this perhaps under appreciated torch! 😁👍🔦🔦🔦
what is the difference between the a5 and a8. the main difference i can see is that the a5 is glow in the dark so it seems like a better option. are there any function differences?
I have 3 Rovyvon lights from impulse buying (A8X, A28 and A1X) I was trying to replace my Olights because everyone seems to like Rovyvon and reviewer praised the quality of the products a lot on TH-cam (Also Flashlight is my main EDC because i use them a lot because of my poor eyesight at night) In reality Rovyvon lights are very very fragile, I mean VERY fragile, I was cleaning my desk and accidentally bumped my flashlight organizer tray, It just took one fall and 2 of them died, one light survive but the button just broke and unusable. Well I didn't expect they died for just one accidental fall from the desk. Meanwhile my small Olights Baton 3 fall from second floor to hard concrete works just fine. My i5t still works just fine when my kids steal it from me and smashing things outside. As much as i love the look and the light it produce i will never buy Rovyvon products ever again. Rovyvon is recommended if you are planning to never use it everyday and just display them on cabinet to waste your money.
I hear your experience but I do use an A8 every day and have never had a problem. I have the Olights you mention too - see earlier vids - but I prefer the function offered by RV
Thanks for the info, I saw you talking about / showing your favourite little torch before and I finally got the pinky flashlight and couldn’t be happier! The light from that tiny thing is unbelievable!
Jon, thank you for your very informative presentation. After seeing a number of your preparations. I have finally finished my everyday carry pouch. Thank you for the information that you have provided.
I'm looking at buying the A8 G4. Unfortunately, from the reviews and the manual, I can't tell if it'll be possible for me to use it for morse code... the concern I have, is that it has so many functions linked to quick successive presses, that I can't see how it *could* be used for morse without it changing into other modes by mistake. Could someone please confirm? As an alternative, it looks like the A28 should do what I want, but it's a bit bigger than I had in mind... thanks in advance.
I bought the Aurora A5 after seeing your video on it, great keychain light. Have you seen the Rovyvon S21 yet? Looks great and free shipping from the US, very tempted to order one!
Hey Jon, wanted to thank you for the excellent informative content you create. Would you mind sharing what brand t shirt you are wearing in this video and where you purchased it? All the best to you and cheers from Canada!
How would the polycarbonate loop on the back of the A8 handle Long term split ring key ring use… I use a cheap metal AAA light with a split ring mounting that seems quite worn now.
Hi Jon, thanks for sharing your reviews on these remarkable lights. Just received the E8, and in your opinion, what would be the best pairing battery for it. NiMH, Li-ion rechargeables or lithium primaries? Secondly, on A28 G2, I’d do prefer the old style pocket clip as the clip on version on G2 looks bulky somewhat. Can the G1 be upgraded with the G2’s battery pack? Cheers
I had the A1 rechargeable (per your recommendation) and the battery overheated and melted the pocket of one of my Jackets this winter. I tried to contact Rovyvon, but they're a Chinese company and it was not worth the hassle to try to get it replaced. So I purchased an OLIGHT i1R rechargeable and I love it.
Every time I see one of these flashlight videos, I am reminded really how few years ago a Maglite Solitaire with old school bulb and a AAA on the key chain was the coolest option and default go to. EDC has really moved forward in a great way in a very short time
I still use one but with the better bulb, an its fantastic, the new stuff is great but I am ole school cool! Or just an old fart! Lol
I feel like Lion batteries and rechargeable ports really make the newer torches much more appealing.
Carried one of those (10-ish lumen?) Maglite Solitaires with the incandescent bulb for years (I think it had the spare bulb in the tail cap). It was always good enough back in the day, but now it seems as quaint as carrying a candle and some matches.
@@Lazerscythe i still prefer to use batteries - i can swap out when the battery runs out. With the LiOn, you'll have to wait for it to recharge - these do allow for nicer form factors though
@@lalew2 Depending on the torch, I can swap in a AAA battery if my Lion is flat. Or connect my power bank so I can use and charge at the same time
oof, long comment got deleted or youtube glitched.
My first run-in with rovyvon had me getting a defective Angel Eyes E8 and customer service looking at a video of it I sent and telling me it is fine. That really put me off to them. They stuff looks and feels GREAT, but I figured that was it.
Since then and after some interesting luck, I have acquired several of their lights and a WORKING AE-E8 and they are fantastic.
They dont replace my Olight Warrior 3 for EDC, but I do have the A8 on my keys now in place of my little i1r eos that I had and my working E8 is my formal wear EDC. The busted E8 is for garage work, fishing, and fidgetting because I dont care if it gets more broken or lost.
So far, that first bit aside, they have been well worth it. That says something coming from someone that has every right to crap on them. If you are thinking about it, give them a shot. E8 is my favorite by far and a fun side effect of the dual batteries is that the AAA cant put out the same power as the Lion so the side white light is SUPER dim on low and wont blind you at night or for reading and it takes the edge off the side red light, then you can just swap to the Lithium for max power. ALSO, lithium batteries have a lifetime before they crap out. As someone that tried very hard to fix my dud E8, you are NOT getting this thing apart non-destructively to replace the Lion battery...so daily AAA use is more than enough and easily replicable until you are in a bad situation and the lithium actually becomes the emergency backup.
also, if you get one with side lights, go for red/UV/soft white and get bright white for the front. No regrets with that setup. (and, if you are from the US, make sure you are buying from their US based warehouse or you are going to be waiting a long time)
Completely agree with the A8 being the best EDC flashlight. I'm not sure what else you could possibly want from an everyday pocket light. I keep a RovyVon S28 in my car as a back up, much larger output flashlight, but I rarely use it.
The A8 used to have an XP-G3 emitter, with two different tint options (cool and neutral). The XP-G3 isn't bad, but the SST-20 is a marked improvement. I just wish they'd made a different choice on the warm emitter, like a 519A in 4500k versus 219C in 5000k.
A8 default light level: The default light level (the one it starts in when you double click the button) is set by keeping the light lit in the mode you want to set as default for at least 3 minutes.
But yeah, the A8 is the perfect light for me. It ticks all the boxes and the magnetic clips are incredibly useful.
This is my only gripe with this light. I prefer when double-clicking that the A8/A5 always start on low. But if I used the higher modes for more than 3 minutes--memory is updated to a mode I don't like. I find myself periodically leaving the light on low mode for 3 minutes to reset it. Annoying! I have to consciously remember to cycle modes when using the light for a couple of minutes on one mode to avoid setting memory.
@@cytherians I think it would have been best to use the 5 clicks to memories the current mode as default. Some apparently need the control lock, but I have had absolutely no use for it at all.
@@CristiNeagu I like the idea you're on about, Christi. There really shouldn't be a built-in timer that sets the memory. It should be something user controlled by a given command of clicks (and possibly long press). Most flashlights operate this way. For a small EDC, always starting on low shouldn't be a problem, especially since there is direct access to turbo.
I’ve used the A8 for a while, used to have the older version with micro usb but the one with usb-c has a great clip and magnets. I literally use it every day so it’s EDC essential.
These little flashlights are relatively expensive, unless you're fortunate to time your purchase with a sale (I picked up an A28 at 50% off during an Amazon flash sale). I have that older A8 and it's still going strong. It rests on a set of house keys and it's seldom used, so the drawback of Micro USB isn't felt that often. It was bumped by a newer A5 with a GITD polycarbonate body. I really love this light. It's so powerful and efficient for its size.
I just got the ryvovan a28 yesterday..... Loving it
I think mine stopped getting fully charged... It never goes green at full charge.. 1 year
I edc an A8, i have tried edcing lots of different lights but i hate bulk and the a8 is packed to the gills in features in a tiny package. I believe the best gear is the gear you have on you and if something is uncomfortable it'll get left home and be useless.
I agree 👍
I love the videos as always - I do wish you’d mention price though. So many times I’ve thought “I’d buy that” and either been pleasantly surprised, or completely put off, by the price. Prices are soooo important to know though.
You are not wrong, but the prices change quite a bit and fairly quickly these days.
I usually include prices if I put out a budget vid where cost is a main factor but the lights change prices often especially if there are offers on
I’ve had an alu Aurora for a year, it’s cool. Now I just got the S3 Ti. It’s very nice. Bought an extra battery for it, so it will always be topped up. USB C, nice looks, great performance and build quality.
Good to hear
The nitecore EDC27 is an amazing light. Its rectangular instead of circular which lets it fit in your pocket easier, and it goes up to 3k lumens. It took so long for me to find a flashlight i like.
I have the a8 gen 3 and have it with me everyday. I am absolutely amazed at the battery life on it!! I literally charge it like once a month. I was dubious about the one button operation but it took me no time at all to get used to. Such a great recommendation!
I prefer the E5 for the simple reason that the direction of the side light makes it far easier to use attached to a collar. I guess you could attach the E8 to a short sleeve shirt though
Good point Don 👍
My Rovyvon a8 stopped working all of a sudden.
It unfortunately let me down but Rovyvon were kind enough to send me a replacement free of charge.
I hope this one will not fail me. Good customer service
I don't understand why people get so grouchy about small rulers on edc stuff or multitools. Yeah, you're not gonna build a shed with it, you have squares and carpenter rulers, etc for all that. It can still be used to measure something out if you need to. Just because it's 2 cm total, doesn't mean you can't make mark lines, and follow them out to a bigger length or use a knife tip to scribe a piece of wood out to the length you want while staying in a small form factor. EDC gear isn't always made to be super convenient, sometimes its made to be small yet functional. Also, love my gen4 A8, got it after watching your original video on them. got my Arkfield Winter out of my pocket and into my edc pouch saving weight. If it'll ever die, I'll replace that with the a28. Although the E8 with the backup battery looks really nice for my emergency kit....I'll probably get both lol.
Good stuff. Thanks for sharing 👍
Really like the size of that A28. Thinking about grabbing one of those and giving it a try. The a8 functionality always appealed to me but I like the bigger profile with longer battery life.
I might have to upgrade my A8 to the current version. That button looks like a big improvement. It’s funny that I don’t every day carry it anymore. I have an even smaller light on me but I have more serious lights like the A8 in my kitchen, garage, and car.
Great vid!! I'm stuck on my Olight Baton 3. It's more than enough for true edc. If I need more I go to my truck or drawer. But dangit Mr. Gadget, now I wanna spend spend more money! These are all awesome lights but don't fit into my rotation. That honestly never stopped me before though!
Cheers
Olight is more rugged for sure, but these little things are great. I run warrior 3 (sometimes the mini2) so these cant replace the tailswitch function, but after one bad run-in with rovyvon, and their customer service, the rest of the rovyvons I have are well worth it.
You might like the Aurora A28 as a Baton replacement. It is smaller and legitimately good.
Just recently, I was given a new Olight Baton 3 pro max. Wow! What a light! It's like the landing light from a B52 bomber that fits in your pocket! Über bright...
@@anangryranger hmmmm. That one slipped under my radar... something to check out. Thx
Got my a8 at Christmas, carry it everyday and love it
The A8 is so small and light, it really is great on my keychain. That plus the Victorinox Rambler and I have the basics covered!
I carry both of those! That's funny. I've carried the rambler for a few years now. Great little package opener. Just got the A8 and love it.
Use the E8 daily. I recommend buying IMR 10440s. It'll change your mind about the light. I picked up 4 for less than 20 dollars. Comparing the output to a AAA is night and day difference.
I use the 10440 as my main battery, and swap to internal only when the 10440 dies.
Sure its a tad less bright, but insures that i keep the internal batteries integrity for longer.
Just my two cents. 😊
Good to know 👍 thanks for sharing.
@@JonGadget Hey Jon, i have to ask because I can’t finde the runtime for the red light. How long does it run in the red mode?
Hmm, i actually might change my nitecore tiki gitd blue for a rovyvon. Nice and informatic viceo!
Excellent video and information about the comparison of those lights from RovyVon, and their interesting carabiner device.
Personal carry for me is the E7 Angel Eyes. This light rides clipped in my front pocket, and is with me at all times. Living in the woods of East Texas, we do have scorpions, and the UV light is a blessing!
Thanks for having a great channel, and I always look forward to the next installment of EDC items and evaluations.👍
A28 would be a great scorpion light. The UV is MUCH brighter and it could clip to the front of a shirt pocket or belt next to the buckle and the UV would be pointing directly in front of you.
what is the advantage of getting the A8 over the A6? it looks like the A6 has the same modes, but also has a glow in the dark button and USBC cover. the metal cap is aluminum and I think the button is still the rubber one, but beyond those differences I don’t see why the A8 would be better unless it has more modes or better UI or something. anyone have experience with both?
thanks!
I have the E3 angel eyes one and it’s probably my most used EDC item. I love the size as well as the full metal body and being able switch to using AAA batteries if i run out of charge is a great thing to have. definitely would like to get more RovyVon flashlights in the future 😃
The switching in of an AAA cell is a novel idea... but going this route, I wish they'd allowed for a NiMH cell that could be recharged when plugged in. The runtime on AAA cell is just too short. What ultimately would make more sense is to have a larger main cell, something like 600 mAh, and then have a battery level indicator. At present, the only indication is a flashing LED when near depletion. It's high time RovyVon introduced a battery level indication. Other brands like Trustfire do it, with a simple blinking of an LED (1--low to 4--high) when the light is first turned on.
@@cytherians😊😊
@@cytherians😊
As usual, Jon covers everything. Great video! I'm buying the E8.
Really great overview and review of these RovyVon torches, I'm definitely interested in both the A8 and the A28. I kind of am by the flat one but the short run time puts me off. I see the practicality of the disposable battery option in case of extended power outages except for its inherent short run time. I think they would have been much better off keeping the flat design but using the disposable battery space to have a much larger internal battery for much greater run times.
Hey Jon. Bought the A8 gen 4 on your recommendation and its an amazing little light. Interesting little feature in case thise watching arent aware, you can "program" the you want to come on with a double click by switching to the level of brightness for 3 mins. I set moon beam mode and i have instant access with a double click. Love your content and i cant wait to see what else you bring us.
Jonathan is the Professor of EDC ! jus ordered an A8 off of Amazon in U.S. many thanks
The E8 with an Energizer lithium battery seems like the ultimate B.O.B. light.
Since you like the small RocyVons I recommend looking up a Wurkkos TS10
Great job! Been looking for my next EDC. I'll pick up the A28 based on your vid. Might even get the E5 and a carabiner.
Hi Jon love the vids as usual, have you ever thought about doing a give away with some of the flashlights or gear such as the older generations that you know have upgraded versions of? I imagine for some of the viewers of your channel (me included) we’d love to get our hands on some of this tech but it’s just a little too pricey for us but a giveaway would give a lucky person the chance to try it for themselves.
Keep up the good work 🤙
Can you make a video about that key fob holder?
I have the a 33 and I love it. It has the best pocket clip in my opinion of any other light I have tried
I ordered all 3; A8, E8, and A28. Unfortunately the button on the A8 is defective (stuck and short travel; I've contacted customer service) - but the others are awesome. Rovyvon make great lights.
One thing I believe you've missed is the memory. When the light is on for 3 minutes at a given intensity, that's remembered when you first turn on the A8. Unfortunately, there's no quick way to override that (e.g. reset back to lowest level). You've got to leave the light on for 3 minutes to set a new memory. It's the one annoyance I have with the A8/A5. I prefer the first mode to always start on the lowest setting.
Good point. I guess that’s where the double switch of the E5 and A28 makes a difference.
@@JonGadget Yes, the double-switch is certainly a useful way around that. I had brought this up to Ken at RovyVon and asked if he could introduce another command to force memory to the lowest mode for single switch models. Something like a double-press and hold for 3 seconds. I'd hoped it would be a feature in the G4. Maybe G5? If you could approach RovyVon about it, given your clout, it would help. Thanks, Jon!
Another very "illuminating" show. Thank you. I personally carry the A5 and have found it to meet all my needs.
Just a bit of advice about the carabiner, I had one taken away from me at the airport by security, arguing that even without the blade it was « pointy » …
Wow! That’s harsh!
Recently purchased a Rovyvon E5 which is much like the E8. That said, the instructions (I use that term loosely) that come with it are almost worse than useless. Unit is pretty good, like the shape and size but one needs to really study the operations to get it to do what you really want it to do.
You should really try the a26 it’s even better than the a28 despite being less powerful on paper.
That E8 seems ideal, but the size is not keychain, IMO. I love that it has AAA backup, though. That's where sizing comes into the mix. Maybe make one that has 2 (two) LI batteries instead?
I didnt expect watching this video and spend something early in the morning...thanks mr. Jonathan! hahahaha, cant wait to recieve the A8 g4 😮💨🤣
Hope you enjoy!
I couldn't imagine not being able to carry a knife..there isn't a day that goes by that I don't use my pocket knife,it's an auto as well witch makes life so much easier,doing something in one hand need your knife just grab from pocket clip hit the button and ready 2 use..
Unfortunately, the operation of the lamps is terrible. when I have it in my hands again after a few weeks, I can never think of how to use it. Really annoying.
So far, I have bought five A8s based on your reviews, for myself, my kids and as gifts for friends. It is the perfect EDC light and i carry it 24/7. Thank you very much for making my EDC more lightweight and efficient.
Thanks for the feedback - great to hear - I use it every day too
Hmm, the only annoying thing about the Rovyvon stuff is that they keep upgrading it so I keep having to buy new ones! I love their stuff, unlike many of the brands the quality is great as well!
I have that fist flashlight you showcased. Yes it is superbright. But I decided not to include it in my EDC, because of heat. The light it produces is superbright, but the metal housing gets hot enough to burn you. I temped it at 80C after 1 minute. Dangerous!
I really like the Angel Eyes E7. The hybrid power running on a AAA is a great capability.
Also notably the Ax generation 1 lights had a much, much smaller battery (130 mAh vs 330 mAh). Huge improvement.
i have the little one on my keyring full time, and I can, and have, held it in my mouth comfortably when working on my bike in the shed, you get the light just where its needed.
Did they ditch the glow in the dark feature? Not interested if so. As a hiker and camper that was a super useful feature for finding that thing in the tent at night 🌙
That is available with another model - at some feature sacrifice I believe
I had high hopes for the A8. I was ready to replace my edc light with the A8 and two days later the buton malfunctioned. I am getting it repaced, hopefully the copy was a fluke because that light has the best all in one features of it's size IMO.
Jon: I’m thinking that carabiner might be good for hanging a jacket from a car’s back seat grab handle. I use a large one in my car and I like adding multi tool functions to the mix
nice idea - if it opens enough
@@JonGadgethero clip would work
(I know that’s not really relevant, just thinking out loud, my hero lip medium would be ideal for that scenario (noted lol)
Can't go wrong with Rovyvon, and the name sounds like a premium product too.
I have an old A5x with micro usb charging and a non-magnetic clip and I absolutely love it. The size is practical and I love that the body fluoresces, that is among the most practical features of these. The side light combined with the clip also means you have a hands-free light on you: just clip it to the collar of your shirt. The main light clipped to the brim of a cap is more practical for this purpose as the beam is more focused, but I'm not someone who wears caps, so the sidelight is really practical. I typically clip it into my front right pocket and use the key ring as a quick grab handle. It's so much quicker than using your phone as a flashlight and because of this, I use it more, for example when it's dark where I'm going, so it's improved my safety. If I just had my phone, I would not go through the inconveniences of pulling it out just to see where I'm going, and I'd be more likely to stumble down stairs and so on. Also, I work in theatre so I use it daily, and it really holds up. It doesn't have the brightness of a bigger flashlight, but a bigger flashlight would weigh my already quite packed (with things) trousers down even more and I wouldn't be able to clip it to the collar of my shirt as an improvised "headlamp".
Great review! Had an A8 and now have an a28 Don't know know witch one I like more, both have advantages! Both fantastic!
Thanks for this post! Been a fan of A8, but waited for something like the A28. I wonder when they’ll make the A28 Pro and include a better UVC.
For me nothing beats olight for edc but great choices
Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info and links 👍
Guess I’ll retire my A28 gen 1 to my backpack and get the latest version for EDC. I have 4 RovyVon lights. Wonderful products.
I love the A28. My only gripe is that holding down the 'top' button doesn't do anything, and holding down the 'bottom' button puts the main light in high mode. I don't know why they chose to do that when all the other main light functions are on the 'top' button.
I love my Rovyvon flashlights and I’m gonna get another one.
A28 every damn day
Construction shift work. House hold work. Automotive work. Camping. Traveling. It’s a perfect light ever since the new pocket clip type c generation came out. I discovered rovyvon cause of you. So happy I bought it years ago
Angel eyes: Is there a version with white, red AND UV leds on side? Thx
Just purchased a red RovyVon S3 with the 1800 lumen option. I liked the "dual fuel" option of this light, since it can use its rechargeable16340 or a disposable CR123a. This light is on sale at the moment.
Would love to know your opinion of the S3, Jon.
Thanks for the video.
Unfortunately the "Amazon links" don't work.
This video’s timing is just a bit ironic for me. I just got my first RovyVon, an E1, based on your earlier videos. The E1 because look for simple and robust. Previously my EDC was usually Surefire. I’m liking it so far and looking forward to seeing how RovyVon holds up as my daily carry.
I am in agreement with you! The A8 is probably my favorite purchase in the past decade! What an amazing tool that I can hang in my pocket everyday… I went with the 90 CRI 5K and it is perfect! My eyes have grown tiresome of the higher K “cool” light led’s. I cannot believe what this little bit is capable of! Absolutely fantastic!
Thank you for this video. I'm looking for a new edc flashlight and I'll definitely check these ones out! Cheers
With T6 and T8 torque drivers thats amazing
Please share which A8 Front LED is better - SST-20 6500K or Nichia 219C 5000K 90 CRI
. Which one you are using now.
Well, I bought an A8 G2... simply wonderful, it carries with me in my so-called watch pocket, in my jeans, and it's already paid for!!!! I managed to find my contact lens... with the flashlight on the floor I could see the lens shining under the furniture!!! wonderful creature 😁👌🇵🇹
I really just want a small light that has on and off... this is too complicated lol
E4pro: titanium version: you say titanium and people think indestructible all simply corporate marketing all it means is you pay more for the flashlight. This was close to $300. Very nice features, including red light and blue ultraviolet light. Unlike TH-cam weekend, Warriors who are either simply there to promote a product or to play with it for a couple of weeks only to put it down for the next adult toy I carry my “gear” all of the time even on many occasions while sleeping. This light comes with 2 buttons one for main light settings and one for the red light and uv light. One of the buttons is now gone as if from a shirt with its titanium buttons poorly sewn on.
Men often carry their inner child into adulthood with the same boyish fantasies - not bad in itself but poor in those areas where “ separating the men from the boys” is required. A $300 toy is not what I need in those dark places where a light might save you
Wow that A8 is incredible! I need to get one! Shit I just bought 2 flashlights today and this will be a third 🤑
The RovyVon E30 that just released looks interesting.
Wow the E8 dual fuel is such a great idea.
I too have all three generations of the A8 and have kept each past version. Great that the latest one has the metal switch and USB-C charging. It is the only light that is my everyday companion! So glad to know that someone else has this level of appreciation for this perhaps under appreciated torch! 😁👍🔦🔦🔦
what is the difference between the a5 and a8. the main difference i can see is that the a5 is glow in the dark so it seems like a better option. are there any function differences?
2 in-body lights rather than 3
Please can you do a review of the torches on Amazon that look similar to the RovyVon ones, but they’re cheaper, to see if they are any good?
I have 3 Rovyvon lights from impulse buying (A8X, A28 and A1X)
I was trying to replace my Olights because everyone seems to like Rovyvon and reviewer praised the quality of the products a lot on TH-cam (Also Flashlight is my main EDC because i use them a lot because of my poor eyesight at night)
In reality Rovyvon lights are very very fragile, I mean VERY fragile, I was cleaning my desk and accidentally bumped my flashlight organizer tray, It just took one fall and 2 of them died, one light survive but the button just broke and unusable.
Well I didn't expect they died for just one accidental fall from the desk.
Meanwhile my small Olights Baton 3 fall from second floor to hard concrete works just fine.
My i5t still works just fine when my kids steal it from me and smashing things outside.
As much as i love the look and the light it produce i will never buy Rovyvon products ever again.
Rovyvon is recommended if you are planning to never use it everyday and just display them on cabinet to waste your money.
I hear your experience but I do use an A8 every day and have never had a problem. I have the Olights you mention too - see earlier vids - but I prefer the function offered by RV
Thanks for the info, I saw you talking about / showing your favourite little torch before and I finally got the pinky flashlight and couldn’t be happier! The light from that tiny thing is unbelievable!
The S3Ti is my EDC
Thank you for another great video. I love my A8 but still struggle to see the difference to by a E5 E7 or E8 a comparative video could help.
Jon, thank you for your very informative presentation. After seeing a number of your preparations. I have finally finished my everyday carry pouch. Thank you for the information that you have provided.
I'm looking at buying the A8 G4. Unfortunately, from the reviews and the manual, I can't tell if it'll be possible for me to use it for morse code... the concern I have, is that it has so many functions linked to quick successive presses, that I can't see how it *could* be used for morse without it changing into other modes by mistake. Could someone please confirm? As an alternative, it looks like the A28 should do what I want, but it's a bit bigger than I had in mind... thanks in advance.
I bought the Aurora A5 after seeing your video on it, great keychain light. Have you seen the Rovyvon S21 yet? Looks great and free shipping from the US, very tempted to order one!
Hey Jon, wanted to thank you for the excellent informative content you create.
Would you mind sharing what brand t shirt you are wearing in this video and where you purchased it?
All the best to you and cheers from Canada!
How would the polycarbonate loop on the back of the A8 handle
Long term split ring key ring use… I use a cheap metal AAA light with a split ring mounting that seems quite worn now.
Jon, this is a FLASHLIGHT video! Can we have the FLASHLIGHTS please?
I got a question :
Is the side light (high mode) brighter than the S11 or S12 mini flashlights?
Amazon Canada has an A8 for $65 and an A8 through your link for $129. In trying to figure out of it’s the same generation?
Great reviews.
Hi I am a bit apprehensive about rechargeables. I’d like my lights to last >5 years, does the battery last this long?
My A8 battery charge never goes green. 1 year of usage and i think its shot
Was looking for a budget light! This is right on time
Can anyone recommend a suitable bike mount (front handlebar) for the A5 please? Thanks
Hi Jon, thanks for sharing your reviews on these remarkable lights. Just received the E8, and in your opinion, what would be the best pairing battery for it. NiMH, Li-ion rechargeables or lithium primaries?
Secondly, on A28 G2, I’d do prefer the old style pocket clip as the clip on version on G2 looks bulky somewhat. Can the G1 be upgraded with the G2’s battery pack?
Cheers
I had the A1 rechargeable (per your recommendation) and the battery overheated and melted the pocket of one of my Jackets this winter. I tried to contact Rovyvon, but they're a Chinese company and it was not worth the hassle to try to get it replaced. So I purchased an OLIGHT i1R rechargeable and I love it.
👏👏 Manaus