Preface
The RovyVon Aurora A8 comes in 2 models to choose from. Both models utilise a Nichia 219C as the Main LED but have different Secondary LEDs.
- RovyVon Aurora A8Y has AMBER, RED and BLUE Secondary LEDs.
- RovyVon Aurora A8U has UV, RED and WHITE Secondary LEDs.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this RovyVon Aurora A8 model.
Note:
- This review is based on the RovyVon Aurora A8U model. However, the User Interface (UI) is the similar for both models (A8Y and A8U).
- Avoid staring at the UV LED when it is switched ON.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The flashlight is sealed from factory – disassembly is not recommended.
- The reversible pocket clip can be installed onto the corresponding Clip Slots for bezel up and bezel down carry respectively. With bezel up configuration, it will allow for attachment to a baseball cap for hands-free usage.
- The clip has limited amount of tension and does a better job of staying clipped to thicker materials such as a baseball cap.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- A beaded chain is included for neck carry option as well.
- The side electronic switch requires a relatively light press to activate.
- Scanning the QR code with your phone/tablet on the box’s back would bring up RovyVon’s main website page.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Top:
Bottom:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Polycarbonate Body with Stainless Steel Bezel
- Main LED: Nichia 219C 90+ CRI, 4500K (appears to be 5000K instead)
- Secondary LEDs:
- A8Y: AMBER, 635nm RED and BLUE
- A8U: 365nm UV, 635nm RED and WHITE (Neutral White)
- Battery Format: Built-in 130mAh battery
- Output & Runtime (with built-in 130mAh battery):
- Moonlight (0.5 lumen / 48h)
- Low (10 lumens / 3h 40min)
- Mid (120 lumens / 1h 5min)
- High (350 lumens / 40min) – there is a temperature-based output step down.
- Secondary LEDs (A8Y):
- Flashing RED & BLUE (12 lumens / 2h 30min)
- Flashing RED (0.8 lumens / 14h)
- AMBER (16 lumens / 50min)
- AMBER Beacon (No information)
- Secondary LEDs (A8U):
- UV (1h)
- RED (14h)
- Flashing RED (12 lumens / 3h)
- WHITE (No information)
- Max Beam Distance: 60m
- Beam intensity: 780cd
- Waterproofness: IP65
- Impact Resistance: 1.5m
- Dimension: 54.8mm (length) x 14.5mm (diameter) [excluding clip]
- Weight: 11.7g (including Battery & excluding Clip)
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Built-in 130mAh battery
- 1*Micro-USB Cable
- 1*Beaded Chain
- 1*Lanyard
- 1*Clip
- 1*Spare Micro-USB Cover
- MSRP: ~$47
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is rather straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the electronic switch on the side of the flashlight. There is momentary activation (MOMENTARY HIGH) available.
The Secondary LEDs are arranged on the side of the flashlight, in the following manner (from Bezel to Tail):
- A8Y – RED, AMBER, BLUE
- A8U – UV, RED, WHITE
Normal Operation (Main LED – Nichia 219C)
From OFF:
- HOLD (~0.3 sec) – Direct access to MOMENTARY HIGH.
- 2 Clicks – Direct access to MOONLIGHT.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Mode change (light cycles through LOW, MID & HIGH ⇒ LOW, MID & HIGH). MOONLIGHT is not part of the mode change cycle.
- HOLD (~0.3 sec) [if Light has been switched ON for <3 min] – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (if Light has been switched ON for >3 min) – Light will switch OFF.
Note: There is no STROBE or SOS (blinky) modes for this Main LED.
Secondary LEDs Operation (A8Y)
From OFF:
- 3 Clicks – Direct access to Flashing RED & BLUE.
- 4 Clicks – Direct access to AMBER.
From ON (RED & BLUE):
- 1 Click – Mode change (light cycles through Flashing RED & BLUE and Flashing RED ⇒ Flashing RED & BLUE and Flashing RED).
- HOLD (~0.3 sec) [if Light has been switched ON for <3 min] – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (if Light has been switched ON for >3 min) – Light will switch OFF.
From ON (AMBER):
- 1 Click – Mode change (light cycles through AMBER & AMBER Beacon ⇒ AMBER & AMBER Beacon).
- HOLD (~0.3 sec) [if Light has been switched ON for <3 min] – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (if Light has been switched ON for >3 min) – Light will switch OFF.
Secondary LEDs Operation (A8U)
From OFF:
- 3 Clicks – Direct access to UV.
- 4 Clicks – Direct access to WHITE.
From ON (UV):
- 1 Click – Mode change (light cycles through UV, RED & Flashing RED ⇒ UV, RED & Flashing RED).
- HOLD (~0.3 sec) [if Light has been switched ON for <3 min] – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (if Light has been switched ON for >3 min) – Light will switch OFF.
From ON (WHITE):
- 1 Click / HOLD (~0.3 sec) – Light will switch OFF.
Power Indicator
There is only 1 type of Power Indicator for this flashlight.
When the power is low (battery voltage is <2.8V), the Power Indicator will switch ON.
Form Factor
The Aurora A8 is small and light despite featuring a Main LED and several Secondary LEDs as well as an in-built battery and Micro-USB charging capability. It will disappear entirely in a clenched small sized hand which makes for a perfect candidate for keychain or neck EDC usage.
Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is not easy due to its short form factor. There is no knurling on the light but with the pocket clip attached, it enables the light to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
It is not able to tail-stand despite appearing to be able to with the flat-style tail.
A8U without the Pocket Clip:
A8U with the Pocket Clip (Bezel Up Carry):
A8U with the Pocket Clip (Bezel Down Carry):
A8U with Beaded Chain:
A8U with Lanyard:
Charging Process
With the included Micro-USB Cable, the battery was charging at ~0.30A.
The light is capable of operating on all modes even when charging (at the expense of a slower charging rate). However, it is recommended to limit the usage to “MOONLIGHT” or “LOW” mode only, to ensure that the battery does get charged.
The solid RED indicator depicts charging in progress and solid BLUE indicator depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the TIR optic. The Main LED is partially covered under the TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic. With the Main LED used, the beam is more suited for recognising items in the up-close and near distance only.
For the Secondary LEDs, there are no reflectors/TIRs to focus the beam profiles but rather they can be plainly seen in a “Mule” style. As such, the beam is more suited for up-close usage only.
Main LED
365nm UV LED
635nm Red LED
WHITE (Neutral White)
The above beam profiles are a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The Main beam has a somewhat distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a fairly wide (square-style) spill, with most of the lumens output focused into the hotspot. It also helps that the LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There are some beam artifacts when white wall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
The Secondary beams are pretty much all spill with no hotspot and/or corona due to its “Mule” full flood nature. There are some beam artifacts when white wall hunting especially for the WHITE (Neutral White) beam, which has a dark spot in the middle of the beam profile but is not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (MOONLIGHT: 4 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1.6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/3 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, HIGH: 1/6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, UV: 6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, RED: 0.6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and WHITE (Neutral White): 2.5 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
MOONLIGHT (0.5 lumen):
LOW (10 lumens):
MID (120 lumens):
HIGH (350 lumens):
UV:
RED:
WHITE (Neutral White):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
The LOW mode of 0.5 lumen which is what most would call a moonlight mode and is perfect for night-adjusted eyes and midnight snack runs.
However, it would be nice if RovyVon incorporates an option to activate both the Main LED and the WHITE (Neutral White) LED together to have some “throw” from the Main LED and “flood” from the WHITE LED to light up one’s feet area when walking/trekking.
Tint & CRI
Main LED (219C)
The tint (color temperature) for the Main LED is said to be 4500K and having a CRI rating of >90CRI. However, the tint (color temperature) appears to be closer to 5000K instead.
There is a slight tint shift throughout the beam profile. The hotspot has a creamy neutral white tint with the corona and the spill possessing a slight pinkish tint.
However, the tint shift is not as noticeable in real life.
UV LED
UV LEDs are poor in CRI as it is often used for other forms of identification purposes. The wavelength is said to be 365nm and is thus categorized as a “UV-A” light.
The LED used will cause the following items to fluoresce:
- Currency Notes
- Body Fluids
- Dust
- Fungus
It will charge up Glow In The Dark (GITD) material (e.g. Watch Lume) rather quickly as well.
There is no tint shifts in the beam profile.
Note: Avoid staring at the UV LED when it is switched ON.
RED LED
RED LEDs are generally poor in CRI as almost everything appears in different shades of red. They are generally used when retaining night vision is required and are excellent in that respect. The wavelength is said to be 635nm.
There is no tint shifts in the beam profile.
WHITE (Neutral White)
RovyVon did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the main LEDs used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 4000K and 80CRI ballpark.
There is no tint shifts in the beam profile but there is a dark spot in the middle of the flood-style beam which is not visible in real life usage.
Waterproofness
As the light is IP65 rated only, it was subjected to being left under slow running room temperature water whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or Micro-USB charging port was seen.
Lockout Capability
No mechanical lockout or electronic lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
Hence, we do not recommend transporting this flashlight in an enclosed area (bag, purse, etc.).
That said, it is probably why RovyVon chose to have at least 2, 3 or 4 Clicks from OFF to fully switch ON the flashlight with the HOLD option activating MOMENTARY HIGH only.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own EDC/usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a definite YES, if the UV’s User Interface activation is not an issue for your usage.
The small form factor, high CRI Nichia 219C as the Main LED, provision of secondary LEDs such as 365nm UV LED, RED LED and WHITE LED for up-close usage, reversible pocket clip for Bezel Up or Bezel Down carry, direct access to MOMENTARY HIGH and included Beaded Chain for neck EDC option. The built-in battery might seem as a major disadvantage to some but it helps decreases the overall size of the flashlight.
It would be nice if RovyVon had swapped the UV and WHITE LEDs’ User Interface (UI) activation process (3 Clicks from OFF to get WHITE, RED & Flashing RED and 4 Clicks from OFF to get UV instead). For those who are aware of the potential danger of UV lights (not staring directly at the LED when switched ON), the current UI will not be much of an issue. However, it is prudent to educate anyone who intend to gift this to loved ones and/or friends or even anyone who borrows the A8U.
Alternatively, the A8Y is another good option to consider if AMBER, AMBER Beacon, Flashing RED & BLUE and Flashing RED options are required for your usage.
Here is a bonus size comparison picture with other similar sized flashlights.
From Left to Right: Olight i1R EOS, RovyVon Aurora A8U, Nitecore TIP2 and Nitecore TUP.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Gearbest for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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RovyVon Aurora A8U & A8Y
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