I received this yesterday and am very happy. I will mostly be making a direct comparison to my SK-03 stainless steel with the Philips 6500k led (which is not as green tinted as the beam photo suggests, but there is a hint of green for sure). The following are just first impressions and my opinion.
Emitter wise, the RGB obviously ‘wins’ with the 5000K nichia led. It is still not the most uniform beam pattern however, but that’s not critical in a low cost light like this.
Build is good, nothing to complain about. The steel version has my preference for looks and weight.
It’s really nice to have the option for red aux without a plastic cover like on the regular 03. It’s what I’ll be using the most, but I’m a sucker for RGB too. The white aux light has a pleasant, warmer tint and looks more useful as a mini lantern than the og 03, even if it’s not high CRI.
The micro mode (“e-tritium”) looks really nice on the RGB due to the spacing of the leds that’s different in this one.
What I don’t like about either: tail switch on such a tiny light makes little ergonomic sense. Holding it in ‘tactical mode’, they disappear in the palm of your hand.
Now, it would be so nice of Loop would offer your choice of emitter in your choice of material and color, but I’m sure that’s too much to ask. The RGB is not a replacement for the original, though I’d think differently if it came in the same stainless steel finish, and with the Nichia LED.
Thanks for reading.
by lysergamythical
