Review Rofis TR15 Flashlight

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

I don't know if the Rofis engineers [and designers] play baseball, but they sure hit a home-run with the TR15 flashlight. That's a pretty bold statement to lead off with when writing a review, but bear with me and I think you'll agree.

Rofis TR15 Flashlight



I ordered the package that included a battery-charger and a 14500 rechargeable battery. The package also came with spare O-rings, clip, and a lanyard. It also comes with documentation, but I downloaded the owner's manual from the Rofis website.. Thanks to Amazon Prime, I had it all within two days of purchasing the TR15.

There are several outstanding features on the TR15 and I'll try to make sure that I spend some time explaining each one.



At 3.8 inches in length, the TR15 goes unnoticed in my pants pocket. The lower half of the body features some cross-hatch knurling for grip and the tail is magnetic (a fairly strong magnet). The clip is a reverse clip (great for attaching the light to a hat or a pocket) but the clip itself is not reversible. I did try reversing the clip (for pocket carry) but that didn't work out all that well (the clip tended to come off the body when I tried reversing it).



The TR15 feels great in my hand – not slippery at all, and I did use it while wet on several occasions (we've had quite a bit of rain). The finish is attractive, but more importantly – durable and fully capable of standing up to considerable use.

The build quality is fantastic; it's a sturdy little light that will stand up to daily use and I expect the TR15 to last for many years. Made from aviation grade aluminum alloy and featuring a HAIII military grade hard-anodized finish. The threads are well cut and lubed: there is no sign of grit and the tail screws on/off with the precision of a fine instrument. There are no sharp edges to catch on your hand or clothing; everything is machined nicely and contoured for comfort.

The TR15 has polarity protection; preventing damage to the flashlight should the battery be inserted incorrectly.

IPX8 – waterproof to 2 meters.

Drop resistant to 1 meter.

My TR15 did come with a rechargeable 14500 battery (and charger) but the TR15 can take a regular (alkaline) AA battery (outputs will be reduced). The charger does what it is supposed to do – it charges the battery without an issue. I didn't test the charger further, because I don't have the tools to do so.


Rotating Head

When I first learned about the Rofis TR15 it was the rotating head that really caught my attention. Now that I've had time using the TR15, I've got to admit that the rotating head is even more impressive than I had imagined.



Capable of rotating from 0 degrees to 90 degrees and usable throughout the range, the rotating head (along with the magnetic tail) makes it possible to shine the beam of light precisely where it is needed. Whether you're working on your vehicle, doing some home-improvement task, or just sticking the light to the umbrella pole while you sit back and drink a cold one; the TR15's rotating head makes sure you have light where it is needed.

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

User Interface

I never would have guessed that a switch could be such a delight. Seemingly surgical and precise, all while also being warm and inviting; the TR15's switch is one of several outstanding features on this flashlight. It just feels so right – almost inexplicably so – when my finger presses the switch, that I have to remind myself (at times) that I really shouldn't be sitting there turning the TR15 on and off, on and off, on and off, without a valid reason.



There is one switch only – located on the body, near the head of the flashlight. The switch/button also doubles as a warning light (flashes red) when the battery need to be recharged.

Not only is the switch a joy to use, but the user-interface is as well. While different from any other flashlight I've ever used, I find the TR15's UI to be simple, intuitive, and effective.



There are 3 regular modes: low, medium, and high.

Rofis rates the low mode (using the 14500 battery) at 30 lumens, with a run-time of 6.7 hours.

Using an alkaline AA battery, low is rated at 10 lumens, with a run-time of 15 hours.

Medium is rated (14500 battery) at 140 lumens, with a run-time of 2.3 hours.

Using an alkaline AA battery, medium is rated at 40 lumens, with a run-time of 5 hours.

High is rated (14500 battery) at 700 lumens (1 minute) then steps down to 300 lumens, for a run-time of 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Using an alkaline AA batter, high is rated at 200 lumens, for a run-time of 1 hour.

ON/OFF is a matter of clicking the button/switch once. While off, click the button (press and release) once to turn the light on. While on, click the button (press and release) once to turn the light off.

To cycle through the three modes, press and hold the button. When the desired mode is reached, release the button.

The TR15 has mode memory, so it will remember the last mode used and go to that mode when the light is turned on again.

There are three special modes: Strobe, Beacon, and SOS

Rapidly press/release the switch 3 times, from on or off, to access the Strobe mode. Press and hold the switch (more than 1 second) to cycle through the special modes. Release the switch to stay on the current mode.

To exit the special modes, simply press and release the switch. There is no memory function for the special modes.

Lockout Mode: from off, press and hold the switch for approximately 3 seconds, the light will turn on and then off – release the switch and you are in lockout mode. To turn lockout mode off: press and hold for three seconds, when light comes on, release switch.

You will need to engage lockout mode if you carry the TR15 in your pocket or some other enclosed space. The TR15 turns on very easily if it is not in lockout mode.

Beam

The TR15 is not a throw flashlight. I don't know that I'd call it a flood flashlight either, but it is closer to flood than throw. It features an orange-peel reflector that helps spread the beam out evenly.





Rofis rates the maximum distance (of the beam) at 113 meters. I didn't test the TR15 at longer distances, but can say that it lights things up quite nicely at 50 yards or so. While it isn't intended to be the flashlight used for lighting up things at great distances, the TR15 will easily illuminate the average yard and more.

I find the beam to be very pleasing and very effective. I don't see a bluish tint to the beam, but it isn't a warm orange tint either.

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

PROS

I almost don't know where to begin; the TR15 so spot-on in so many areas that it is hard to highlight just a few positives.

• The build is remarkable – luxurious and hardy all at once
  
  
• Rotating head – innovative and ingenious, it allows the light to be shined precisely where it is needed.
  
  
• Magnetic Tail – it makes the flashlight all that much more useful.
  
  
• The Switch – utterly fantastic, a joy to use. Don't laugh, you'll feel the same once you use it.
  
  
• User Interface – simple, effective and intuitive.
  
  
• Ability to use either an AA battery, or a 14500 rechargeable battery.
  
  
• Hidden special modes – I don't care much for disco modes, so I'm very happy that they're hidden
  
  
• Memory – Nearly a necessity in my mind, it allows me to always go to low mode when I turn the TR15 on.

Cons

There aren't any that I can think of. I'll include a short list of additional features that I might add, if I could.

• Make the clip reversible (for deep pocket carry)
  
  
• Add a 4th mode (regular modes) – something around 250 lumens
  
  
• Drop-off (from high) changed to 400 lumens (instead of 300 lumens).

Conclusion

I kind of gave it all away with my opening comment: the TR15 is a home run for Rofis. This is a fantastic little pocket light: it scratches all the right itches and it does so flawlessly. Perfect for everybody who ever needs a flashlight. The rotating head and the magnetic tail combine to give the user the ability to put the light where it is needed in almost every situation, and the UI makes it a breeze to get the right amount of light for the job.

 

[4thpoint]

You are right Tada. I got my TR15 last month. It's a good light. The swivel head and magnet is icing on a cake.
As noted the light switch can go on easily in pocket ...so use the lockout. One time I put the TR15 on a shelf and placed a note book on top of it and went to bed. The next day I noticed the 14500 drained dead. I tried to charge it but my Opus BT-c3100 didnt recognize the 14500 or the charge. I tried it on my Olight UC compact magnetic USB charger and it took the charge.

I also got the TR20 18650 version another great light.