Just wanted to give a round of applause for the Wizard Pro V2 Warm.
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Just received a pair of these headlamps. Initial impressions are very positive. I am happy to report that the V2's seem to operate like the mature products I was hoping for.
- I think the switch feels great and absolutely love the position of the switch compared with competing headlamps in this class. Switch is easy to perform the multi-click functions required to navigate the UI.
- I'm not experiencing any problems with the beacon/state-indicator enabled in firefly modes (some other users have reported problems, both of mine are fine).
- I think the "warm" tint is fantastic. I like it so much that this is going to be a major factor for future flashlight buying.
- I like the armytek "styling" that does away with knurling in favor of a flat black "micro" texture.
- I like the modes, and feel they are intelligently spaced.
- I like the interface, and am happy to report that the UI, which was influenced by CPF member feedback, is pretty darn good considering how much it is attempting to accomplish through a single button.
- I like the flat-top cell support with built-in over-discharge protection.
- I like the beam pattern, a LOT. This is like, a precision tuned narrow flood with a soft transition. This is far more camp/work friendly in terms of glare issues than frosted lens and bare emitter systems.
- As a back-packer, I am impressed by the weight, comfort, and value offered by this headlamp.
- With the top strap and magnet removed, with an NCR18650B loaded, this headlamp weighs just ~4.5oz. To put that in perspective, typical "quality brand" (found at say, REI) plastic clamshell 3AAA headlamps weigh ~3oz with batteries installed. That 50% higher weight buys more than 4X the energy on board and significantly more flexible use and control over that stored energy, (lower lows, higher highs, dead flat regulation).
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2 interesting tidbits to consider...
The battery state indication system appears to be semi-optimized around Panasonic NCR18650A/B type cells. It doesn't begin reporting the "<50%" yellow beacon until <3.6V, which, on many li-ion cells would be ~10-15% remaining capacity, but on these Panasonic cells is closer to ~25% remaining capacity. The "<25%" orange beacon seems to kick in ~3.25V (which would be ~5% remaining), and the "<5%" red beacon seems to kick in ~3.1V, (which would actually be ~1% remaining).
I would not want to use any other cell types in these, as the battery indicator system would likely prove less useful. As it stands currently, it is useful with these cells, but the actual remaining capacity at each color shift is quite a bit lower than what is listed in the manual/specs for the light. At least, that seems to be the case with my samples. I'm perfectly happy with the indication system, even though it doesn't work exactly as described. I do however, wish the light had the option to have the beacon blink in a manner that would report voltage using the same simple "language" leveraged by the earlier version wizards for state indication in group 4.
The runtime claims for each mode may be a little off. Based on my measurements, they may actually be BETTER than claimed, at ~6 months, ~1 month, ~1 week, ~1 day, ~12 hour, ~4 hour, and ~1 hour respectively for each mode starting with firely 1 through Max.
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I wonder if there are any hidden modes or mode groups on these lights, accessible via hamster dance switch actuation or something.