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Увлеченный
Регистрация: 26.04.2011 Последняя активность: 10.11.2015 10:40 Адрес: Canada
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Thrunite Archer V2 (XP-L V6 Cool or XP-G2 Neutral) 1A, 2A, 1C, 2C Series Overview
Warning: More pic heavy than usual. :ooo:
Thrunite has sent me a complete set of samples of their new Archer v2 line, including both Cool White (CW) XP-L and Neutral White (NW) XP-G2 versions. As with the recent Neutron series, the battery configuration is identified in the model number (i.e. 1A is 1xAA, 2C is 2xCR123A, etc.). I have on hand for this review the Archer 1A CW/NW, 2A CW/NW, 1C CW/NW, and 2C (CW, as there seems to be no NW version as yet). :sweat:   As usual, I will start with a description and overview of the common build, user interface and circuit functions. I will then provide detailed testing and comparison of each model relative to its respective peer groups. To keep the review size down, I will just use representative build pictures from among the different models. But there is no way around it – this is going to be a long one. Buckle up … :whistle: Manufacturer Reported Specifications: (note: as always, these are simply what the manufacturer provides – scroll down to see my actual testing results). Common Archer v2 Series Specs
 Packaging is the same for all models, and includes a hard cardboard box with packing foam (a sticker on box indicates cool white or neutral white). Inside, you will find the light (with pocket clip installed), extra o-rings, extra boot switch cover, basic wrist lanyard, and manual. Note that Thrunite has recently updated their warranty policy for all lights, available here. As with other series reviews, I will start off with a discussion of the common physical build and user interface/circuit functions. I will then provide separately (by model) beamshots, testing measures and runtimes. Common Build Here are a series of general pics: Archer 1A:        Archer 2A:   Archer 1C:  Archer 2C:    Physically, the new Archer lights are very similar to one another. Indeed, it is just the 2C that has a wider body (to accommodate the thicker 18650 cells) – the heads look the same across all models. All lights feature a classic tailcap clicky-switch for on/off, as well as side electronic switch for mode changing. All lights have knurling, which is of reasonable aggressiveness, and glossy black anodizing. Hand feel is good, and the included clips help with grip (and serve as anti-roll). The tail-switch is a typical forward clicky switch, with a raised surround (that serves as a lanyard attachment point and allows stable tailstanding). The side-mounted electronic switch protrudes slightly, and has a definite "click" (with typical traverse). The center of the switch is clear, but there doesn't seem to be an LED indicator underneath (as there is on some of the other recent Thrunites). The only difference inside the lights is on positive contact board in the head – the 1A, 1C and 2A models have the classic reverse-polarity feature seen on many AA lights (i.e., only small button top can be used). The 2C lacks this feature, and so will take flat-top cells just fine.  Screw threads are square-cut and anodized, allowing lock-out on all models. Oddly, there are some differences in the tail threading, and only the 1A and 2A have interchangeable tailcaps.     The new Archers use a crenelated bezel design, in stainless steel. Reflectors are smooth finish, and appear to be identical across models and emitter. Centering of the emitters was reasonably good on samples (although not perfect). The Cool White versions come with the XP-L emitter, the Neutral Whites the XP-G2. Scroll down for specific beamshot comparisons for each model/battery config. :wave: Common User Interface Turn the lights on/off by the physical tail switch. Switch is a forward clicky, so press and hold for momentary on, click for locked on. You change modes by use of the side electronic switch. Click (i.e., rapid press release) to advance through modes. Mode sequence is Firefly > Lo > Med > Hi. There is a "hidden" Strobe mode accessible by a press-and-hold of the side switch. The light has mode memory for the constant output modes, and retains the last level set when you turn it off/on (i.e., no memory for Strobe). Video: For information on the lights, including the build and user interface, please see my video overview:
As with all my videos, I recommend you have annotations turned on. I commonly update the commentary with additional information or clarifications before publicly releasing the video. As an aside, if you want to get an instant notification for every new review that I post here on CPF, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel (the vids go public at the same time). Just mouse over my logo watermark on the video for the subscribe feature to open up. You may need to tap or click, depending on the platform you are using to watch. :wave: PWM/Strobe The new Archer v2 series lights are current-controlled on all modes – there is no indication of pulse width modulation or circuit noise on any constant-output mode, on any model. :thumbsup:  Strobe is a consistent 12.8 Hz on all models, although there is variation in how the oscilloscope traces looks: Archer 1A CW:  Archer 2A NW:  Archer 1C CW:  Archer 2C:  None of this is visible to the naked eye – in all cases, strobe is a consistent "fast" strobe across this series. No Standby Drain Since the Archers all have a physical clicky switch, there is no standby drain when the lights are off. Testing Method: All my output numbers are relative for my home-made light box setup, as described on my flashlightreviews.ca website. You can directly compare all my relative output values from different reviews - i.e. an output value of "10" in one graph is the same as "10" in another. All runtimes are done under a cooling fan, except for any extended run Lo/Min modes (i.e. >12 hours) which are done without cooling. I have devised a method for converting my lightbox relative output values (ROV) to estimated Lumens. See my How to convert Selfbuilt's Lightbox values to Lumens thread for more info. Throw/Output Summary Charts: My summary tables are reported in a manner consistent with the ANSI FL-1 standard for flashlight testing. Please see http://www.flashlightreview... for a discussion, and a description of all the terms used in these tables. Effective July 2012, I have updated all my Peak Intensity/Beam Distance measures with a NIST-certified Extech EA31 lightmeter (orange highlights). -------------- Individual Comparisons -------------- Archer 1A – 1xAA/14500    From left to right: Panasonic Eneloop Pro NiMH AA; Thrunite Archer 1A, Olight S15R; Zebralight SC52; Sklihunt DS15; Fenix LD12; Armytek A1. All dimensions directly measured, and given with no batteries installed: Thrunite Archer 1A v2 CW: Weight: 66.9g, Length: 109.6mm, Width: 23.1mm Thrunite Archer 1A v2 NW: Weight: 66.8g, Length: 109.3mm, Width: 23.0mm Thrunite Neutron 2A 2014 (1xAA form): Weight: 57.6g, Length: 95.6mm, Width (bezel): 25.6mm Thrunite T10S: Weight: 60.9g; Length: 93.7mm, Width (bezel): 17.8mm, Width (widest): 18.7mm Fenix LD12: Weight: 52.3g, Length: 99.9mm, Width (bezel): 21.6mm Nitecore MT1A: Weight: 54.6g, Length: 104.6mm, Width (bezel): 22.7mm Nitecore SENS AA: Weight: 26.1g, Length: 82.7mm, Width (bezel): 19.8mm Olight S15R: Weight: 47.6g (69.2g with Olight 14500), Length: 89.6mm, Width (bezel): 23.1mm Olight S15: Weight: 46.4g, Length: 87.0mm, Width (bezel): 23.1mm L3 Illumination L10: Weight: 20.7g, Length: 79.4mm, Width (bezel): 17.1mm Lumintop ED15: Weight: 59.7g, Length: 100.2, Width (bezel): 21.9mm Skilhunt DS15: Weight: 52.0g, Length: 92.1mm, Width (bezel): 24.0mm Xeno E03:: Weight: 48.1g, Length 96.7mm, Width (bezel): 21.5mm Zebralight SC52: Weight 39.5g, Length 79.0mm, Width (bezel): 22.6mm, Width (max) 25.4mm For white-wall beamshots below, all lights are on Max output on an NiMH or 14500 AA-sized batteries. Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). For NW lights, a Daylight white balance (on my Canon) is used to provide a more consistent visual comparison to the CW lights. Note that "2A 2014 1xNiMH" below refers to the Neutron 2A 2014 in 1xAA form.                 In the interest of space, scroll down to the 1C RCR beamshots if you want to get an idea of what 1x14500 in the 1A looks like. :wave:           -------------- Archer 2A – 2xAA    From left to right: Panasonic Eneloop Pro NiMH AA; Thrunite Archer 2014, Neutron 2A 2011; Neutron 2A 2014; Eagletac D25A2; Olight S15 with extender, Olight ST25. All dimensions directly measured, and given with no batteries installed: Thrunite Archer 2A v2 CW: Weight: 80.0g, Length: 159mm, Width: 23.0mm Thrunite Archer 2A v2 NW: Weight: 79.7g, Length: 159mm, Width: 23.1mm Thrunite Neutron 2A 2014 (2xAA form): Weight: 73.46g, Length: 146.2mm, Width (bezel): 25.5mm Eagletac D25A2: Weight: 54.8g, Length 148.5mm, Width (bezel): 21.0mm Foursevens QAA-2 X (Tactical tailcap): Weight: 60.1g, Length: 149.1mm, Width (bezel) 22.0mm Jetbeam BA20: Weight: 70.2g, Length: 156.4mm, Width (bezel) 23.2mm Nitecore MT2A: Weight: 66.9g, Length: 154.3mm, Width (bezel):22.7mm Nitecore EA2: Weight: 68.9g, Length: 134.4, Width (bezel): 26.1mm Olight ST25: Weight: 76.1g, Length: 152.4mm, Width (bezel): 23.0mm Olight S15 2xAA: Weight: 59.2g, Length: 137.9mm, Width (bezel): 23.1mm Sunwayman D20A: Weight 118.4g, Length: 102.6mm, Width (head) 20.9mm, Height (head) 35.1mm For white-wall beamshots below, all lights are on Max output on 2xNiM AA (Sanyo Eneloop). Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). For CW lights, automatic white balance is used on the camera, to minimize tint differences. For NW lights, a Daylight white balance (on my Canon) is used to provide a more consistent visual comparison to the CW lights. Note that "2A 2014" below refers to the Neutron 2A 2014 in 2xAA form.                         -------------- Archer 1C – 1xCR123A/RCR    From left to right: Rayovac CR123A; Thrunite Archer 1C; Olight S10R; Skilhunt DS10; Foursevens QTLC; Eagletac D25C; Armytek C1. All dimensions directly measured, and given with no batteries installed: Thrunite Archer 1C v2 CW: Weight: 59.9g, Length: 93.9mm, Width: 23.1mm Thrunite Archer 1C v2 NW: Weight: 59.2g, Length: 93.9mm, Width: 23.1mm Thrunite Neutron 2C 2014 (1xCR123A/RCR form): Weight: 63.0g, Length: 87.7mm, Width (bezel): 25.5mm ArmyTek C1 XM-L: Weight: 43.0g, Length: 80.2mm , With (bezel): 23.1mm Eagletac D25C Clicky: Weight: 30g, Length: 76.0mm, Width (bezel): 20.0mm Foursevens QTLC: Weight 36.4g, Length 84.1mm, Width (bezel) 22.1mm Jetbeam PC10: Weight: 50.5g, Length: 93.6mm, Width (bezel): 22.6mm Lumintop ED11: Weight: 44.1g, Length: 83.7, Width (bezel): 21.8mm Olight S10 (2013, XM-L2): Weight: 40.5g, Length: 70.8mm, Width (bezel): 23.1mm Skilhunt DS10: Weight: 47.0g, Length: 76.1mm, Width (bezel): 24.0mm Sunwayman C10R: Weight: 57.3g, Length: 76.2mm (no lanyard plug), 82.3mm (with plug), Width (bezel): 25.6mm, Width (head at widest part): 28.6mm For white-wall beamshots below, all lights are on Max output on an AW protected 18650 battery. Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). For NW lights, a Daylight white balance (on my Canon) is used to provide a more consistent visual comparison to the CW lights. Note that "2C 2014" below refers to the Neutron 2C 2014 in 1xCR123A/RCR form. 1xCR123A                 1xRCR                       -------------- Archer 2C – 2xCR123A/RCR, 1x18650    From left to right: Keeppower Protected 18650 3100mAh; Thrunite Archer 2C, Neutron 2C 2014; Olight S20R, 30R; Zebralight SC600-II, Nitecore P12 All dimensions directly measured, and given with no batteries installed: Thrunite Archer 2C v2 CW: Weight: 66.3g, Length: 128.1mm, Width: 23.0mm Thrunite Neutron 2C 2014 (2xCR123A/RCR form): Weight: 71.2g, Length: 117.7mm, Width (bezel): 25.5mm Thrunite TN12-2014: Weight: 80.0g, Length: 140.5mm, Width (bezel): 25.4mm Eagletac D25LC2: Weight: 50.0g, Length: 116.3mm, Width (bezel): 22.5mm Eagletac G25C2-II (stock): Weight 141.0g, Length: 150.6mm, Width: 39.6mm Eagletac S200C2vn (V54 mod): Weight: 168.7g, Length: 155.0mm, Width: 47.0mm Eagletac TX25C2: Weight 93.6g, Length: 120.4mm, Width (bezel): 31.6mm Fenix PD35: Weight: 82.7g, Length: 138.1mm, Width (bezel): 25.4mm Olight M22: Weight: 148.4g, Length: 144.8mm, Width (bezel): 41.2mm Nitecore P12 2015: Weight: 88.7g, Length: 139.5mm, Width (bezel): 25.5mm Skilhunt DS20: Weight: 53.8g, Length: 110.0mm, Width (bezel): 24.0mm V54 Sky Lumens 2: Weight: 83.1g, Length: 119.2mm, Width (bezel): 24.0mm Zebralight SC600 II: Weight 79.3g, Length: 101.8mm, Width (bezel) 29.7mm Zebralight SC62: Weight: 42.3g, Length: 96.5mm, Width (bezel): 23.2mm, Width (max) 26.1mm For white-wall beamshots below, all lights are on Max output on an AW protected 18650 battery. Lights are about ~0.75 meter from a white wall (with the camera ~1.25 meters back from the wall). For NW lights, a Daylight white balance (on my Canon) is used to provide a more consistent visual comparison to the CW lights. Note that "2C 2014 1x18650" below refers to the Neutron 2C 2014 on 1x18650 form.                     -------------- Potential Issues The side switch button is fairly small, and may be hard to locate by touch alone (even though it is slightly raised). All lights show a timed step-down from Hi after ~3.5 mins runtime (except on 1xAA batteries). Most models are not driven as highly on max as other recent lights in their respective classes. However, they all produce a reasonable Hi level. Preliminary Observations Ok, that's a LOT of data. :sweat: Let me start with the physical build, since it is fairly consistent across models. Personally, I found the Neutron v2 refresh in 2014 to be a bit "plain vanilla" in styling. As such, I'm happy to see that Thrunite has kept a more traditional design for the Archer v2 update. While this design is not particularly novel or innovative, it has the advantage of being familiar and well thought-out (i.e., very similar to a number of Fenix and Olight lights over the years). I like the forward clicky switch (with ability to tailstand), the side switch for mode changing (with low voltage warning underneath), the decent bi-directional pocket clip, the stainless steel crenelated bezel, and the reasonable knurling. I like the user interface, with its separation of on/off from mode changing. The mode sequence (and level spacing) is generally good, with strobe mode "hidden" under a press-hold of the side switch. Circuit-wise, all models show a good customized current-controlled circuit, with reasonable interface. Output/runtime efficiency is typically excellent - very similar to the Olight and Skilhunt series lights, and the earlier Neutron V2. Regulation patterns are similarly good, with most models (on most levels) showing flat stabilization. Please see the individual runtimes above for more information on the model relevant to you. :sweat: Output levels and beam intensity are generally consistent with Thrunite specs. As a general rule, Hi output increases as you go up to higher voltage sources on any given model, but the Firefly-Med modes remain relatively unchanged. Again, please see my detailed summary tables earlier in this review, for the individual models you are interested in. Beam patterns are also good for the series, with a reasonable trade-off between center beam throw and spill. It is nice to see the option of the XP-G2 Neutral White or XP-L Cool White emitter on each model (except the 2C so far). There is not a big output difference on most models (on most batteries), although the NW versions to tend to be a bit throwier (thanks to the smaller emitter die). I am surprised to see how low the prices are for these lights, considering everything you are getting here (especially for the NW versions). :thumbsup: There really isn't much to criticize here. Thrunite has done good job in providing an extensive series of lights with a consistent interface and build - but customized circuits for best performance. You also get the option of Neutral White and Cool White for each model (except the 2C at present), with a lower price point for the Neutral White version. Frankly, either tint seems to be a bargain for the various battery classes. A very nice series at an even better price - I can certainly see the new Archer series doing very well for them. :wave: ------ Archer 1A, 2A, 1C and 2C models were provided by Thrunite for review. |
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