This Acebeam Rider RX was provided by Acebeam for review. The Rider RX is available from Acebeam's Amazon store. Those are both affiliate links. Coupon code "ZW10" is good for a 10% discount on certain products at Acebeam.com.

Overview

The Acebeam Rider RX is a 14500/AA flashlight with a bolt-action fidget mechanism and a high-CRI Nichia 219F LED. I typically evaluate flashlights purely as tools, but everyday carry gear can also be toys, decorations, and collectables. The Rider RX offers some of each.

As a tool, this light is pretty good. The 219F might as well be a 219C; efficiency, tint, and color rendering are all very similar, which is to say decent for an EDC light. The forward-clicky mechanical tailswitch makes changing modes while the light is on more effort than most. The fidget mechanism and clip add weight and bulk, but not a problematic amount for most users. Making the Rider RX a toy does not stop it from being a good tool.

Both AA and 14500 have good, but different mode spacing as well as effective low-voltage protection. For AA, alkaline, NiMH rechargeable, or lithium disposable can be used, with NiMH being recommended for best performance. With 14500 Li-ion, both protected and unprotected cells can be used safely, but a button top is required. My biggest complaint is that output isn't regulated on 14500, and decreases as the battery drains.

Whether the Rider RX is suitable as a toy, decoration, or collectable is entirely subjective. I don't find the fidget action especially entertaining or satisfying, but I've read others say they do. I do find the appearance attractive, and six options for colors and materials for the outer sleeve provides a reason some buyers may be inclined to own more than one.

The Rider RX is conditionally recommended. The condition is that the buyer finds value in one of its non-tool aspects.

Specifications

Spec	-
Battery	1x14500 / 1xAA
LED	Nichia 219F
Color temperature	5299K
Color rendering index	90.6
Max output (14500 battery)	619lm
Max throw (14500 battery)	92m
Max output (AA battery)	216lm
Max throw (AA battery)	51m
Max sustainable output	81lm
Max output at 50% battery	430lm
Best efficiency	97 lm/W
Candela per lumen	3.06
Length	96mm
Head diameter	19mm
Weight	61g
Weight with battery	82g
Charging	None (Included battery has USB-C)
Low Voltage Protection (LVP)	Yes, 2.6V (Li-ion)
Lockout	None
Approximate price	$50
Rating	★★★☆☆ (conditionally recommended)

Highlights

• High CRI
• Multiple color/material options
• Good support for different battery chemistries.
• Several attractive color/material options are offered for the outer sleeve

Lowlights

• Sub-lumen mode is only available with AA
• Output is unregulated with 14500
• Flat-top cells do not make contact
• Not very efficient

Details and technical analysis

Versions

The Rider RX is offered in aluminum with a steel outer tube in silver, grey, rainbow, and blue. It is also offered with a titanium outer tube with a bead blasted finish and an aluminum outer tube with black anodization. This is the steel, silver version.

Accessories

The Rider RX includes a 14500 battery with USB-C charging, USB A-C cable, lanyard, and spare O-rings.

Modes and user interface

The user interface is a forward-clicky tailswitch with off-time memory.

That means a half-press turns on the light momentarily and a full-press locks it on until fully pressed and released to turn it off. Off-time memory means turning the light off for a short time (half a second or so) and turning it back on will change modes, but it will return to the same mode if turned back on after a longer time.

There is no way to lock out the light completely, but extending the head from the barrel shields the switch, making it hard to press accidentally.

Output, runtime, and efficiency

14500 battery

Mode	Advertised Lumens	Estimated Lumens	Estimated throw (FL1 meters)
Ultra-Low	7	1	-
Low	70	61	27
Mid	280	316	62
High	650	691	92

Mode	Estimated lumens	Time to 80%	Time to 50%	Time to 10%	Efficiency (lm/W)
Low	61	72 minutes	194 minutes	820 minutes	97
Mid	316	25	77	77	85
High	691	2	16	50	83

AA battery

Mode	Advertised Lumens	Estimated Lumens	Estimated throw (FL1 meters)
Ultra-Low	0.5	-	-
Low	5	3	-
Mid	80	81	32
High	200	216	51

Mode	Estimated lumens	Time to 80%	Time to 50%	Time to 10%	Efficiency (lm/W)
Mid	81	122 minutes	122 minutes	128 minutes	75
High	216	7 minutes	7 minutes	126 minutes	86

Light quality

Reading taken from the center spot diffused with DC Fix diffusion film using an X-rite i1Pro spectrophotometer on Mid mode with a 14500 battery.

Color Temperature	Tint Duv	CRI	CRI R9 (deep red)	CRI R12 (deep blue)
5299K	0.001472 (slightly green)	90.6	62.0	77.4

Beamshots

I'm comparing the Zebralight SC64c LE for reference. That light is not a direct competitor to the Rider RX, as it's considerably more expensive and uses a larger battery. It is, however a staple in my reviews.

Rider RX vs Zebralight SC64c LE

AA, 14500, SC64c LE

Batteries and charging

Both 14500 Li-ion and AA NiMH batteries are well-supported. AA Alkaline can be used in an emergency with reduced runtimes in higher modes. Only button-top 14500s make contact, but there's low voltage protection for both Li-ion and NiMH so use of unprotected cells is safe.

The included 14500 battery has a competitive capacity of 950 mAh and charges in about 3 hours from a USB-A -> USB-C connection. It does not comply with the USB-C standard and cannot charge from a USB-C -> USB-C connection, including many popular smartphone power supplies.

Size and ergonomics

While not a large light, the Rider RX is longer than most of its immediate competition. It's comfortable enough to carry and use, though I'd like some more texture in wet conditions or when wearing gloves.

Zebralight SC64c LE, Skilhunt M150, Olight i5T, Acebeam Rider RX, Skilhunt E2A, Thrunite T10 II

I found the fidget action a little awkward to use, which led to an inadvertant drop test from higher than the rated 1 meter onto concrete. The lens took a little damage, but the light continues to function.

Modification potential

This is not an easy light to open, though I've read some people have managed to disassemble the head. Once done, the usual array of 3535 size LEDs such as the Nichia 519A and Luminus SST-20 can be used.