A little wider than the classic Photon light, the ReX got four Nichia 5mm LEDs embeded in the polycarbonate body - that means that it’s probably as powerful (or maybe more) than first generation cluster-LEDs flashlights - which were running on costly CR 123 lithium batteries and were at least five times bigger.

The main innovation is that ReX get rid of primary CR2032/CR2016 batteries (beside their impact on the environnment, they were not the perfect energy source for LEDs) and is running on a Li-Ion rechargeable battery which can be charged from classical batteries.

From LRI’s documentation, it seems that an AA battery can provide two charges, while an AA-like NiMH battery provides three, and a D alkaline battery about twenty. It takes about two hours to fully charging the ReX and its runtime is from two hours to two days (on the lowest setting).

The Photon Rex retains one of the best feature of the Photon Freedom, its very intuitive and practical user interface, with multiple bright levels, strobes and signals) with a cool phosphorescent button (like the X-Light). For the moment, it comes only in white LEDs/black body, but there is so much variations in the Photon line that we can hope special series to appear quickly.

Rugged, compact, powerful enough for most trivial tasks, ecological, well-priced, for me it’s one the better choice for minimalist hickers. And for casual EDC, it’s a serious contender for every flashlight not equiped with Cree or Rebel emitters. Futhermore, it comes with the extraordinary LRI service and lifetime warranty.

$ 29.95 - Buy it at Photon, with a pre-sale 10 % rebate

A pre-report at Equipped.org (search for “Photon”)

A new variation of the classical, sturdy and practical Photon Freedom. This multi-mode, available in a lot of other finitions and LED colours is still one of the best and most durable keychain light.

From $ 17.

Buy it at Photon