The NEW Rico Alpha 9

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - The NEW Rico Alpha 9

Posted: 7/17/2008 7:41:10 PM EDT

The Rico Alpha 9 is one of the BEST low cost Tactical Lights if not the best on the market. We have been selling them from the first version. The first version was ok but had some wiring problems. We still have two SWAT teams using the original ALPHA 9 and we had to replace one of the units. Now with revision II on the market you will see a lot better performance. The NEW RICO ALPHA 9’s Warrantee is now a Lifetime on the mechanical construction and wiring. The warrantee does not include the bulb or damage do to negligence.

The improvements are:
· New lamp housing that produces a very nice beam
· The lamp put out 250 lumens for about 60min.
· Better quality construction
· Better electrical components such as the wiring

Specification Weight (w/o battery) 22.60oz, Weight (w/ battery) 24.34oz, Length 7.165", Width 2", Height 5.75", Water Resistant Operates under heavy rain, Brightness (Main Lamp) 200 to 250 Lumens Peak, Drop Resistant 6.5', Continuous Operation 60 minutes, The Alpha-9 is a light-weight, durable, visible illuminator that has both a high powered concentrated main illuminator to acquire targets, and two integrated navigator lights to provide low light stealth illumination for moving around in pitch-black environments. The Alpha-9 is designed to be mounted onto sub-machine guns and rifles. It is powered by 3xCR123A 3 volt lithium batteries.

We did a side-by-side comparison with the RICO ALPHA 9 and the Surefire M900. The Surefire has a nice mounting system but for the most part the RICO ALPHA 9 is very nice! You be the judge for yourself.

Here is the Surefire M900 and the RICO ALPHA 9

ALPHA 9 at 4 feet:

Surefire M900 at 4 feet:

ALPHA 9 at 8 feet:

Surefire M900 at 8 feet:

ALPHA 9 at 18 feet:

Surefire M900 at 18 feet:

RICO ALPHA 9

Here are some photos of a SWAT TEAM using the RICO ALPHA 9 in training.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 7/17/2008 7:43:10 PM EDT

[#1]

What Do You Guys Think?

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 7/17/2008 8:03:54 PM EDT

[#2]

What do I think?

1. Thank god it doesn't have a trigger.
2. The focus of the surefire is way off and results in an oblong pattern.

The price differential may well be worth it.

CS customer service is second to none.

Posted: 7/17/2008 9:19:55 PM EDT

[#3]

Where are these made?

Posted: 7/18/2008 12:36:40 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Where are these made?

I'll give you a hint; Starts with an "H" and ends with a "G"...

Posted: 7/18/2008 2:53:36 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
2. The focus of way off and results in an oblong pattern.

The oblong patterns are the pics of the Surefire....

Posted: 7/18/2008 7:54:10 AM EDT

[#6]

Yes, assuming the camera settings were the same for both sets of pics (and the captioning is correct), the Rico seems to have superior beam shape, hotspot and spill. I've never seen a Surefire with a wacky beam like that, however.

Posted: 7/18/2008 8:44:41 AM EDT

[#7]

Most of the Surefire MN 9 volt bulbs have an oblong shape to them. Check an M3 out, same head and bulb.

Mark

Posted: 7/18/2008 10:34:15 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Most of the Surefire MN 9 volt bulbs have an oblong shape to them. Check an M3 out, same head and bulb.

Mark

The precision of SureFire's bulb and reflector combination allow it to capture and direct light into the central beam that would otherwise be wasted as is the case in most other flashlights. The beam shape is a reflection (sic) of the filament shape which is not a point-source 'dot'.

Posted: 7/18/2008 11:53:21 AM EDT

[#9]

topgunpilot20 yes the oblong patterns is Surefire. If there was a to refocus the light I could not see how to do it.

They are made in China but do not let that fool you for the RICO ALPHA 9 lights they are well made. I some aspect the Surefire is nicer. Guys I know that are Surefire loves are impressed with the way the RICO 9 feels and works. For the price they are outstanding.

Dead_Nuts
Yes the camera was in the same spot and the camera had the same settings.

Thanks for the feedback keep it coming.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 7/18/2008 12:12:54 PM EDT

[#10]

Bulb type? Compatible with SF bulbs? LED version available / in the works?

Posted: 7/21/2008 10:42:32 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Bulb type? Compatible with SF bulbs? LED version available / in the works?

We I'm not sure on the bulb being compatible w/ SF bulbs I will have to ask. They just come out the LED version and I will post more info on that.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 8/28/2008 9:59:28 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

2. The focus of the surefire is way off and results in an oblong pattern.

I tested another SureFire and it did the same thing.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 8/28/2008 10:06:12 AM EDT

[#13]

Do you have these for sale in the EE?

Posted: 8/28/2008 10:09:59 AM EDT

[#14]

Just so I'm understanding correct - the MN10 and MN11 Lamp Assemblies in the "M3" bezel used by the M3 and M900A and M500A and M96 WeaponLights will product oblong or oval beams - that is how they have been designed.
The incandescent bulb filaments are not point-source 'dots' - they are looped (MN10) or straight (MN11) coils. SureFire's carefully designed reflector gathers light from the ends of the filament that other bulb/reflector combinations miss, and focus it into the central portion of the beam resulting in a non-round main beam.

Some people prefer to orientate the oval beam horizontally to get a better spread whilst others prefer to orientate the beam vertically for use in more narrow corridor enclosed environment. Many people say they don't notice nor care how it is orientated.

The beam profile including the oval/oblong main beam is a characteristic of the Millennium Series CombatLight and WeaponLight and is nothing new.

Posted: 8/28/2008 10:41:20 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Do you have these for sale in the EE?

Yes we do, here is a link.
www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=25&t=477463

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 8/28/2008 7:25:13 PM EDT

[#16]

Is it possible to purchase various dust covers or IR filter lens cap covers like it is for the Surefire with the Rico?

Posted: 9/2/2008 10:16:16 AM EDT

[#17]

The IR filter lens caps are in the works..

Mike @ CSGW

Posted: 9/2/2008 8:39:20 PM EDT

[#18]

sorry,
ill stick with surefire.

Posted: 9/3/2008 11:21:12 AM EDT

[#19]

I keep my surefire gear.

Posted: 9/3/2008 12:22:31 PM EDT

[#20]

I’m not knocking Surefire at all they are great lights but I’m just showing the differences. I use Surefire and they are as tuff they come! I also like Pentagon lights!

Not very one can afford Surefire or at lest not afford it on all there setups.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 9/5/2008 11:14:46 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
I keep my surefire gear.

SF has always put out quality stuff, but the new gens. of LED lights are making it really tough to justify the cost of SF.

Posted: 9/6/2008 1:14:53 PM EDT

[#22]

Personally,

I detest knock-off artists particularly from Asia. They come to tradeshows with their digital cameras and comb through the manufacturer's catalog looking for their next "project".

I have personally thrown them out of booths I have worked in. They are people that cannot think for themselves and choose to sit in the draft and capitalize off of other people's hard work, experience and investment.

There are natural/logical improvement pathways, but this particular example encapsulates all that is ethically out of balance with their process.

I am sure X amount of folks could care less about where and when this type of light appeared on the market, but I for one know the story of development and what it actually takes to move the proverbial ball forward.

If I were to put a vertical foregrip light like this on my rifle it would be a Surefire. Believe me, I have had my issues with Surefire, but this is beyond Surefire.

It's about supporting the leaders not the intellectual thieves.

An opinion.

Posted: 9/6/2008 8:48:00 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Not very one can afford Surefire or at lest not afford it on all there setups

so the answer is a clone of a light they really want? cut down on your "set ups"
and by real gear that was designed to be used in the real world.
if i need surefire,and cant afford it,ill save till i can.

Posted: 9/9/2008 1:48:30 PM EDT

[#24]

I respect your opening and value it.

You pay for what you get that is for sure. Yes Surefire is a better light, most of the guys here will never, never use the light to it fullest potential. Its like some guy can afford Aimpoint / EoTech and others can only afford Tasco / Simmons. Also there are a lot of LE agencies that will never get the budget for the Surefire M900 or anything close but the ALPHA 9 light will fit the bill. The SWAT Teams that are using them have had great luck with them.

I truly respect the USA made good and would prefer USA made good also.

Again the ALPHA 9 lights for the price are great and will suit most shooters needs.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Posted: 10/8/2008 10:03:01 AM EDT

[#25]

They have an LED out now. I will get more info on it.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Posted: 10/8/2008 4:20:17 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

SF has always put out quality stuff, but the new gens. of LED lights are making it really tough to justify the cost of SF.

Exactly. I like surefire stuff but for the price of the SF grip light you can buy 2 maybe 3 of these and it looks like the light itself is much better.

Posted: 10/17/2008 11:29:34 AM EDT

[#27]

The LED came out.

Mike @ CSGW

www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 12/9/2008 5:31:12 PM EDT

[#28]

I will work on getting photos of the LED this week.

Mike @ CSGW

Posted: 3/4/2009 1:01:03 PM EDT

[#29]

any update on the price and availability on the LED version?

Posted: 3/4/2009 1:19:29 PM EDT

[#30]

The LED are $285. The LED are very nice!

I have to take some photos and post them. I will try to get it done day.

Mike @ CSGW

Posted: 6/10/2009 11:08:14 AM EDT

[#31]

BUMP!

Mike @ CSGW

Posted: 6/11/2009 8:08:33 PM EDT

[#32]

I have a Rico Alpha 9. Sadly, it doesn't fit snugly on my Larue Tactical handguard.It wobbles from side to side no matter how I try to tighten it.

Posted: 6/15/2009 12:06:28 PM EDT

[#33]

This is a first for me. We can replace the mounting hardware.

Mike @ CSGW
www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Posted: 6/15/2009 7:43:48 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
This is a first for me. We can replace the mounting hardware.

Mike @ CSGW
www.csgunworks.com
[email protected]

Here’s some testimonials about CS GunWorks
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on AR15.com
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on Snipersparadise
FEEDBACK about CSGUNWORKS on the HIDE

Thanks for the offer Mike but my unit was not purchased from CSGUNWORKS so I guess I'm stuck with it.

Posted: 6/15/2009 9:17:07 PM EDT

[#35]

I've owned half a dozen Surefire lights and I've never had one or seen one with an oblong beam like in your photos. Is that common for that model? If I got one with a beam like that I'd call Surefire and ask for it to be fixed/replaced.

Posted: 6/16/2009 8:53:03 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
I've owned half a dozen Surefire lights and I've never had one or seen one with an oblong beam like in your photos. Is that common for that model? If I got one with a beam like that I'd call Surefire and ask for it to be fixed/replaced.

My M500 forends don't do that either, and I believe the M500 uses the same bezel and lamp assembly.