RovyVon Aurora A8 USB-C Keychain Flashlight Review

Some Pack Hacker fans first recommended the RovyVon Aurora A8 USB-C Keychain Flashlight when we reviewed the NITECORE TIKI. We’ll compare those lights later on; however, we’re always up to try new gear, and we couldn’t help but wonder how well this light will work for travel. Let’s dive in and find out!

The Rundown

The flashlight’s body is plastic, which feels durable and lightweight. It has an eye on the end, which makes attaching the light to your keys easy. It’s a simple design, but it’s effective.

The button and ring around the light’s front face are metal, which adds some durability. Additionally, it makes the light feel more sturdy when you use it, which adds peace of mind that the light will hold up while you’re out in the woods.

We dig that the light charges with a USB-C cable. Though it’s becoming less common, some of these lights still utilize Micro-USB. Whereas we can’t wholly condemn the practice, as much of the world still uses these ports, it feels dated. We’re amped that this is a USB-C device, as it makes it easier to bring without having to bring an extra cable to charge it.

The battery is 330 mAh, which is small but mighty. We’ll go over how much usage time that gives you later.

The light comes with a metal clip that snaps on easily. Once on, it doesn’t come off as easily, which is good. The clip is magnetic so you can attach it to metal things, like a fridge or toolbox. It isn’t the strongest magnet we’ve come across; however, for this purpose, it works well. You can also use the clip to attach the light to your pocket or secure it inside your sling or tech pouch.

The light has an IPX6 rating, which means it’ll be safe from spills and accidental, quick drops in the rain. If you can help it, don’t submerge it, though we ran it under the faucet without issue.

With a single button, there’s a lot to remember when using this light to flick through the different modes. Let’s dive in!

When you first get the light, it’s locked. You can use this locking function when you don’t plan to use the light for a while or have it stowed somewhere that might hit the button. To lock or unlock it, rapidly hit the button five times. This can be tricky if you have arthritis, but you don’t have to hit the button that quickly to engage or disengage the lock, so those without mobility concerns should be fine with a little practice.

To turn the light on, double-tap the button. This will land you in full power mode, an advertised 650 lumens. Click the button again, and you’ll be in moonlight mode (.5 lumens); again for low mode (25 lumens); another time, and you’ll be in medium mode (200 lumens); and one last time to return to high power mode. You’ll get one and a half, two, eight, and 72 hours of runtime from highest power to lowest. We find that most tasks require medium or high power, but the moonlight is excellent for camping activities, like reading or going to the bathroom at night. To turn the light off, hold the button.

We were shocked at how quickly the light gets hot when in high power mode. The metal on the front gets even hotter, so be careful of that.

If you need light quickly, just hold the button from the off position to get a blast of light. When you release the button, the light will turn off.

To use the secondary lights, triple-click the button. The first light that activates is a UV light, handy for checking counterfeit bills or showing people your cool radioactive sodalite collection while being socially awkward at a party.

Click the button again to engage the red light. Once more, you’ll turn on the beacon, a slow flashing red light. Another click gives you a fast, flashing red light. These are handy if you’re trying to be seen, and we used it as a makeshift bike light when our primary one died on a ride. To turn it off, hold the button.

Four clicks will turn on a white light, handy for reading in your tent at night while camping or backpacking. If you click it again, the light gets a little brighter. This light only has two modes, and when you click the button, it cycles through them. To turn it off, hold the button.

Tl;dr—One long click turns on the light momentarily. It will turn off when you let go of the button. Two clicks will turn on the light. With each click, it cycles through brightness. Three clicks is the accessory mode for the UV and red lights. Four clicks is a white light. Five clicks locks the light.

Packability

The light is 2.38 by 0.61 inches, or 6 by 1.5 centimeters. This is relatively small, making it easy to bring along for the ride, no matter the destination. You can attach it to your keys, use the clip to attach it inside your pocket or daypack or use the magnet to attach it to your workbench or refrigerator.

Due to its small size, it feels comfortable in your front pocket. However, it feels uncomfortable in your back pocket when you sit down. On the plus side, it fits into every sling we tested without issue, even smaller ones like the Moment MTW Mini Fanny Sling 1L.

Quick Comparison

When we reviewed the NITECORE TIKI we mentioned earlier in this review, many YouTube comments told us we needed to give the RovyVon Aurora A8 a shot. So, it makes sense that we’d compare the two!

The TIKI has a warmer light than the Aurora A8, which may differ from previous versions. The TIKI is 300 lumens compared to the Aurora A8’s 650; however, the brightness only feels a hair higher when compared side by side. The 650 lumens is brighter and goes further but doesn’t feel more than double the lumens.

Both lights charge using USB-C, though there are versions of the TIKI floating around with Micro-USB, so be careful when purchasing.

They also both operate as standard flashlights and have UV and reading lights. The Aurora A8 has a red flashing light, handy when you want to be seen. However, there’s a good chance that most users won’t utilize this feature.

The TIKI is a smidge smaller and lighter, but they’re pretty comparable in that regard.

Though the TIKI has less than half the lumens (even if it doesn’t feel like it), it’s also less than half the price at the time of writing. It doesn’t have extra features like the red flashing light and magnetic clip, but it’s a capable light for the price if you’re fine sacrificing a few features. Meanwhile, the Aurora A8 is stronger and has additional features that’ll be worth it for some travelers.

Both lights are solid options; however, how you plan to use the light will determine which one is right for you!