Armytek Elf C2 Heat Headlamp Evaluate

Right here’s a little bit of testing on the Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp. This one expenses through micro-USB, however there’s a USB-C choice with the identical specs. Learn on!

Official Specs and Options

Right here’s a hyperlink to the Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp product web page.

Variations

The Armytek Elf C2 has an extended historical past, so there are numerous variations. Of this gentle particularly, there are a minimum of two – heat (seen right here) and better output, cooler white. This additionally occurs to be the older micro-USB model, however don’t maintain that truth in opposition to this gentle – there’s a USB-C model it’s best to undoubtedly purchase over this micro-USB model. I consider the output specs for this and the USB-C model are the identical (which is why I went on with testing of this model – extra on that later).

Value

The Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp prices $70 on this older model, however the USB-C model is much less, at $65.

What’s Included

• Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp
• Armytek 3200mah 18650
• Charging cable
• Pocket clip
• Spare o-rings (2)
• Headband
• Guide

Bundle and Guide

Construct High quality and Disassembly

Construct high quality is one thing Armytek is understood for. And I can corroborate all these tales. This gentle actually appears sturdy. The pocket clip is among the many thickest I’ve seen.

The threads are well-lubed and easy. The tail finish of the sunshine has double o-rings, which ought to assist with waterproofing.

The threads are lengthy although, which suggests a whole lot of unscrewing to get the tailcap off.

There’s a spring contained in the tube too. Twin springs is nice!

Measurement and Comps

Head diameter: 33 mm
Physique diameter: 20.4 mm
Size: 111.3 mm
Weight (with out battery): 65 g

If the flashlight can headstand, I’ll present it right here. If it may well tailstand, I’ll additionally present that right here!

Right here’s the check gentle with the venerable Convoy S2+. The model beneath is a customized laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full put up on an engraved orange host proper right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to purchase your Convoy S2+ now!

Additionally within the picture above, my Normal Reference Materials (SRM) flashlight is the Hanko Machine Works Trident, an 18350 gentle. Whereas I’ve not reviewed or examined the Gunner Grip model seen right here, I’ve examined a Hanko Machine Works Trident Complete Tesseract in brass. I like the Trident, and it’s a hanging distinction to the cheap Convoy S2+, one other nice SRM.

Retention and Carry

That is an precise headlamp, so there’s the headscarf and clip. As you may see beneath, the sunshine snaps into the headscarf connector. That is a fully great mechanism because the gentle could be eliminated and put in at will, on the fly, with ease, and even with one hand.

The headscarf has an around-the-head and an over-the-head strap. It doesn’t appear to have any reflective bits.

Right here’s that beefy pocket clip. The clip attaches within the space the place the headscarf clicks to the sunshine, so you may’t actually use these choices on the similar time.

The clip does present good deep carry.

There’s a magnet within the tailcap, too. It’s sturdy sufficient!

Energy and Runtime

Armytek is sort sufficient to offer a 3200mAh 18650 with the sunshine. It’s an unprotected flat high. The tailcap has an extended and pretty beefy spring; the top finish has a button. It appears this gentle ought to work with any sort of cell (protected/unprotected, flat/button).

The cell goes into the sunshine – optimistic finish towards the top.

Under are a lot of runtime checks. The driving force on this model is up to date from earlier variations (which I’ve examined a few years in the past). As soon as this gentle steps down, or if it’s in a mode that doesn’t have to step down, the output may be very secure.

I ended this check earlier than the sunshine shut off. Thirty 4 hours was sufficient for me!

The temperature strains in these charts are included as basic context, not exact measurements. The values signify the vary (min to max) throughout testing, however shouldn’t be taken as precise readings. Temperature sensors are connected nevertheless possible and never all the time on the bezel or hottest spot (assuming that may even be clearly outlined). Even with very best placement, too many variables have an effect on temperature to definitively state a particular max worth.

Charging

This model of the Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp makes use of micro-USB charging. Don’t maintain that in opposition to Armytek – they didn’t even technically ship this gentle for overview. They despatched it together with two different lights, which I’ve not too long ago reviewed, as a pleasant gesture and in addition most likely as a result of with a USB-C model accessible, this micro-USB model doesn’t promote anymore. No downside with that from me.

The charging port is on the top/neck. It’s lined by a press-in band of kinds – I feel the identical sort is used on the USB-C choice.

A charging cable is included.

Charging is ok on this micro-USB model. This gentle peaks at round 0.8A and requires practically 5 hours to cost. However once more, the USB-C choice must be significantly better than that.

The change blinks purple whereas charging and turns inexperienced when charging is full.

Modes and Currents

Pulse Width Modulation

Not one of the modes use PWM.

Click on right here to see a “baseline” – a chart with nearly no gentle hitting the sensor.

Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has among the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so unhealthy that I used a put up about it to elucidate PWM! Listed here are a number of timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make evaluating this “worst” PWM gentle to the check gentle simpler. That put up additionally explains why I didn’t check the WF-602C on the common 50us scale.

Consumer Interface and Operation

There’s a single e-switch on the top of this gentle. It’s an indicating change, with the chance to indicate purple, orange, and inexperienced. It’s a really clicky change, however not too loud. And in contrast to many switches of this selection, the rubber boot is kind of thick and feels prefer it’s going to final.

Right here’s a person interface desk!

^ IE, Double Click on does nothing particular from off. Turbo isn’t a part of the primary mode group. Firefly isn’t a part of the primary mode group as soon as biking has begun

The indicating aspect change will attempt to alert the person when a cell voltage is simply too low or the temperature is simply too excessive.

Voltage indications: <25%, orange flash each 2 seconds. If the cell voltage retains happening, the primary gentle output will lower. If the cell voltage can solely present a brightness of <25% of the meant output stage, the primary LED will flash twice. If the cell voltage drops extra (to < 10%), the change will flash purple as soon as a second.

The temperature indication is less complicated. When the sunshine is sizzling, the aspect change blinks orange 3x in 2s.  When the sunshine is actually sizzling, it blinks purple 3x in 1s, and the output is diminished.  In my testing, the physique of the sunshine received into the low 50°C vary.

LED and Beam

I can’t see anyplace that Armytek has said what emitter is used within the Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp. No matter it does use has a dimpled TIR in entrance of it, and the beam is pretty floody.

LED Shade Report (CRI and CCT)

The declare of heat is certainly met, because the output stays below 4000K for the entire modes. The CRI is sadly low, although.

CCT (Correlated Shade Temperature) refers back to the measurement of the colour look of sunshine, expressed in Kelvins (Ok), which signifies whether or not the sunshine is heat (yellowish) or cool (bluish). A decrease CCT (beneath 3000K) is taken into account heat gentle, whereas the next CCT (above 5000K) provides cooler, bluish gentle.

CRI (Shade Rendering Index) is a measure of how precisely a light-weight supply renders colours compared to pure daylight. Scored on a scale from 0 to 100, larger CRI values point out that colours seem extra true to life and vibrant, much like how they’d look below the solar.

Beamshots

These beamshots all the time have the next settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and handbook 5000K publicity. These images are taken at flooring stage, and the beam hits the ceiling round 9 toes away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b model) (affiliate hyperlink)

I preserve the check flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the appropriate. These images are taken round 18 inches from the door.

I examine every part to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 as a result of it’s cheap and has the perfect tint!

Abstract and Conclusion

The Armytek Elf C2 Heat headlamp is a stable headlamp from Armytek. The construct high quality is implausible and the output is sweet and heat (below 4000K). I recognize that there’s a USB-C model. The person interface is sweet on this one, too – pretty intuitive. The worth is correct, too! The USB-C model is simply $65!

The Large Desk

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my interest. I take advantage of hobbyist-level gear for testing, together with some I made myself. Strive to not get buried within the particulars of producer specs versus measurements recorded right here; A certain quantity of distinction (say, 10 or 15%) is completely cheap.

What I like

• Headband connector
• The person interface is intuitive. And a click on is “off!”
• Constructed high quality is top-notch!
• Magnet
• Ought to work as a lamp (off micro-USB energy, with no cell put in!)
• USB-C model is offered

What I don’t like

• It ought to work as a lamp, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to.
• The collar/ring band press-in cost port cowl

Notes