Why do I avoid ArmyTek now?
A) I have had a Wizard Pro replaced 4 times
A1) XML-2. Original purchase, right when the first Wizards hit the market. Driver had an issue from day 1. No need for video to return though.
A2) XML-2 HI CRI. Replacement took ~1mo, but they covered shipping. One of the first HI CRI 18650 headlamps.
A3) XML-2 Warm. Same as above, but this time the driver only partially died, only working in some modes.
A4) XHP-50 Warm. Was so exited for upped output, one of the first XHP-50 18650 headlamps. Died the day I got it after running on turbo in a bucket of water.
A5) XHP-50 Warm. Replacement of the above, currently works and is a dedicated bike light untillll...??
B) Bought a warm XHP-50 version for a friend and THEY had issues with the driver and had to replace it.
C) Tacky "nascar" writing has gotten worse
D) I have had a Zebralight since before Armytek was around and the light has endured near the same abuse, yet has still held up.
E) Their new form factor on the Wizard pro's just looks...odd.
F) I will agree with others that something can be said about marketing your product at a price and saying, "This is our price, and thats final." All the sales and promotions with cheesy emails just ends up sounding desperate.
I had to video document every dead light after the first replacement, but I received a free (albeit delayed) upgrade every time, so I didnt take issue with it much. I will admit, I use headlamps exclusively, so I have not tried any of their flashlights, so I am biased. I use one of Zebralights HI CRI XHP-50 models now, but will miss:
1) ArmyTek UI
2) Magnetic tailcap
3) Matte Anodizing
4) Blinking voltage indicator (my surviving model only blinks when initially turned on, and subsequently when the voltage begins to dip.)
5) Armytek always seemed to be on the cusp of innovation with the headlamps, but their driver issues dissolved my trust in them, and now Zebralight has an edge on the market with new LED tech.