Woods Walker
The Wood is cut, The Bacon is cooked, Now it’s tim
Armytek Wizard V3 Headlamp with New Plastic Holder. Warm vs. White Light.
First thing. For full disclosure I am doing this review as a pretext for running miles over slushy ground to shine two different tinted lights on a beaver dam. That's about it. So if you like beavers and headlamps maybe check it out. I already own a XHP-50 Wizard in "warm" which is really neutral white. I noticed the price dropped on their standard model with XP-L. Liking variety and simplicity purchased the headlamp in "white" which is really cool white. I was happy to see it came with the new plastic harness which replaces the older silicone. I purchased an additional plastic harness for my XHP-50 and have been pleased with it.
So with the illuminated beaver dam (yes you will be seeing a beaver dam lighted up with CW and NW) disclaimer and background out of the way time for the review.
The standard white/CW V3 on the left and Pro/warm V3 on right.
from the manufacture.
For me the bottom line is the standard UI felt easier to use and just as field effective but that's a matter of personal opinion. There are other differences as well. The XHP-50 tail cap has a compartment with a strong magnet and lanyard. Before they changed the harness I ignored these features which the standard Wizard lacks but now as the light can be removed so easily maybe this is a consideration.
Old silicone harness on left new plastic on right. Both now come with plastic.
Both tail caps have the same overbuilt spring and are interchangeable.
Both have the same smooth lubed threads and double O-rings.
I have yet to find a 18650 which doesn't fit either however the upper turbo mode on the XHP-50 requires a high drain lithium ion battery of 7A or higher.
Both have the same bezel and optic which IMHO is the best general use headlamp optic going. Or at least for me.
Window with XHP-50 "warm" which is really neutral white.
Window with XP-L "white" which is really cool white.
Both have yellow power/UI buttons but the standard XP-L V3 doesn't flash. Some would say this is a good thing.
Both have past my field use water tests. I already reviewed the XHP-50 pro so here is the XP-L V3.
XP-L V3 white. No water intrusion.
Now to compare the tint in field use. Yes we will get to the beaver dam....eventually.... White on left Warm on right.
Now lets reverse them.
XP-L V3 white beam shots.
Turbo. There is only one turbo mode but that's enough for about everything I need.
Main mode 3.
Main mode 2.
Main mode 1.
The standard V3 Wizard has two firefly modes. This is firefly 2.
It's time for the show down at the beaver dam!
XHP-50 Warm highest Turbo.
XP-L White V3 turbo.
The output looks about the same on the camera but in person the XHP-50 has a brighter max turbo. Still the standard is really really bright and the remaining modes are comparable.
Conclusion.
The standard XP-L V3 Wizard seemed just as field effective of a tool as the XHP-50 Pro V3. The tint is personal preference though both are excellent examples of their respective classes.
Here is a video. Thanks for looking.
First thing. For full disclosure I am doing this review as a pretext for running miles over slushy ground to shine two different tinted lights on a beaver dam. That's about it. So if you like beavers and headlamps maybe check it out. I already own a XHP-50 Wizard in "warm" which is really neutral white. I noticed the price dropped on their standard model with XP-L. Liking variety and simplicity purchased the headlamp in "white" which is really cool white. I was happy to see it came with the new plastic harness which replaces the older silicone. I purchased an additional plastic harness for my XHP-50 and have been pleased with it.
So with the illuminated beaver dam (yes you will be seeing a beaver dam lighted up with CW and NW) disclaimer and background out of the way time for the review.
The standard white/CW V3 on the left and Pro/warm V3 on right.
from the manufacture.
For me the bottom line is the standard UI felt easier to use and just as field effective but that's a matter of personal opinion. There are other differences as well. The XHP-50 tail cap has a compartment with a strong magnet and lanyard. Before they changed the harness I ignored these features which the standard Wizard lacks but now as the light can be removed so easily maybe this is a consideration.
Old silicone harness on left new plastic on right. Both now come with plastic.
Both tail caps have the same overbuilt spring and are interchangeable.
Both have the same smooth lubed threads and double O-rings.
I have yet to find a 18650 which doesn't fit either however the upper turbo mode on the XHP-50 requires a high drain lithium ion battery of 7A or higher.
Both have the same bezel and optic which IMHO is the best general use headlamp optic going. Or at least for me.
Window with XHP-50 "warm" which is really neutral white.
Window with XP-L "white" which is really cool white.
Both have yellow power/UI buttons but the standard XP-L V3 doesn't flash. Some would say this is a good thing.
Both have past my field use water tests. I already reviewed the XHP-50 pro so here is the XP-L V3.
XP-L V3 white. No water intrusion.
Now to compare the tint in field use. Yes we will get to the beaver dam....eventually.... White on left Warm on right.
Now lets reverse them.
XP-L V3 white beam shots.
Turbo. There is only one turbo mode but that's enough for about everything I need.
Main mode 3.
Main mode 2.
Main mode 1.
The standard V3 Wizard has two firefly modes. This is firefly 2.
It's time for the show down at the beaver dam!
XHP-50 Warm highest Turbo.
XP-L White V3 turbo.
The output looks about the same on the camera but in person the XHP-50 has a brighter max turbo. Still the standard is really really bright and the remaining modes are comparable.
Conclusion.
The standard XP-L V3 Wizard seemed just as field effective of a tool as the XHP-50 Pro V3. The tint is personal preference though both are excellent examples of their respective classes.
Here is a video. Thanks for looking.
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But if anything happens in the future will post about it.
