Subscribe now for unlimited access. The best flashlights offer unmatched illumination, versatility, and durability. The Archer 2A V3 has an interesting two-button interface. It turns on with a twist of the tail cap, and its small and equipped with a nice rubber grip along the body. Two AA Energizer MAX batteries are included with the light. At the high setting, we were able to make out the trees at the end of a 500-foot-long field. But we concluded that the wider range of brightness levels on the Archer 2A V3 offers more flexibility in use and in managing battery drain. While we dont think these other lights are the best choice for an all-purpose flashlight like the Archer 2A V3 or the TC15, each one does have its high points, whether its beam brightness or compact size. $436.99. Two of the budget lights we tested were ostensibly from a company called UltraFire, but on one of the lights, the logo was misspelled as UltruFire. Not exactly reassuring. For one, they all have the single-button interface with the strobe feature as part of the brightness cycle, which is a major flaw. We also tested a number of outlierssome four-AAA lights and some one-AA lightsto see if there were situations where they would be an adequate choice. Its a shiny metal cone positioned around the LED emitter, often with an orange-peel texture that evens out the spread of the beam. The design is very convenient, and as a result we found that we kept this light charged more consistently than the others. I used Selfbuilts site as a reference point for some of the more technical questions we pursued. 5 % 3 stars. Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in November 2021. The TC15 V3 typically costs between $50 and $60, at the lower end of rechargeable lights. This is not an unusual opinion within the flashlight world. For these reasons, we still prefer lights that use AA batteries, but we wanted to have some rechargeable recommendations for those interested in this powerful and convenient category. This latest version of the TC15, the V3 model, has an improved pocket clip and replaces the original TC15 as our also-great pick. Write the First Review, Works with, approved dimmers, Details, Video Demonstration,. Weve tested a number of other ThruNite lights and found them all to be reflective of our top pick, offering solid quality and features at an entry level price. With this setup, we found it very easy to regularly keep the Olight fully charged. The light is available in cool white and neutral white, which are hard to distinguish side by side; the cool white has a bluish tint and the neutral white has a more yellow tint, as this video explains. They maintain a good range of brightness, but Doug still particularly likes the ultra-dim setting, which conserves the battery and doesnt disturb sleeping kids or farm animals. So oddly enough, brightness ended up being a factor, but not the biggest one. The Manker E12 has almost all the same features as the ThruNite Archer 2A V3, but the low setting isnt as low, and its price is usually slightly higher than our picks. The 70 lumen medium setting holds for 11 hours. Energizer, Energizer Bunny design, and certain graphic designs are trademarks of Energizer Brands, LLC and related subsidiaries. "Sinc $6.49. We had an initial concern that the USB port would pose its own dirt-infiltration issues, but it comes with a little rubber cap that plugs it when youre not charging the light (an extra one is also provided). Theyre good for 10+ years and wont leak. (For our rechargeable-battery recommendation, see our guide to the best rechargeable AA batteries.) In looking over the threads at CandlePowerForum, we noticed that many enthusiasts tended to refer to zoom-style flashlights with the somewhat disparaging name zoomies. Reflector lights also typically have a higher degree of water resistance, and some can survive full submersionwhereas zoom lights, with more moving parts, cant take it. $20.99. Among AA flashlights, the Mini Maglite Pro was a previous pick, but through our long-term testing, weve realized that we simply never want to use it. The Archer 2A V3 is a little bigger than a Sharpie marker, a shape typical of the two-AA lights we tested. First, once the battery is drained, it takes time to fully charge again (in this case roughly three hours), so bringing a rechargeable flashlight back to life isnt as quick as simply swapping out AA batteries. The respective highest settings on the E12 and the Archer 2A V3 are basically identical, too. ThruNite offers an Archer 1A V3 version that takes a single AA battery. Lastly, we used the lights during multiple power outages. A light that lasts for an hour or two running 500+ lumens may last for more than a day at 5-10 lumens, and some have crazy low Moon modes that can last upwards of a month, Wise said. Its nice not to need a supply of batteries (and to throw them out once theyre dead), but unless you have an independent power source, you have no way to recharge the light during an outage. Choose from a variety of models to best suit your needs. These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in November 2021. Wise told us that, for the non-enthusiast, AA are definitely the place to look these days. Selfbuilt, another prominent flashlight reviewer, discusses two-AA lights on a recommendations page, writing, With the much greater efficiency of modern LEDs, you dont need to rely on clunky 2xD or 2xC cell incandescent lights any more (which were never very reliable to start with). For our main recommendations, we avoided atypical battery sizes such as CR123A, which give many high-end flashlights their superior performance. Copying and counterfeiting is also rampant, especially for perceived popular budget models. Once, Selfbuilt gave a positive review to a budget light, and when negative feedback of the same light appeared, Selfbuilt bought a new sample from the same dealer, and discovered a completely different light (with a different body thickness, screw threads, switchand most importantly, circuit). The conclusion: In every measurable way, the newer version was inferior to the previous one I had tested., Reviewer Dave Wise had similar things to say about inexpensive flashlights. These were all zoomies that took either a single A or three AAA batteries. If you can keep up with charging yours, it should be always ready to go at its brightest setting, and you have no need to be constantly disposing of dead batteries. Wise told us, The brighter lights get, the more I appreciate lower output modes. Lower-light modes dont compromise your night vision as much, and they can also greatly extend battery life. We like that the Manker is about inch shorter than the ThruNite and that the pocket clip has a little more heft. We looked at a lot of inexpensive generic lights, which didnt compare to the other tested models. This means that on the highest setting, the light maintains a consistent level of brightness for about 45 minutes. 60 % 4 stars. The Coast HP7 was also very bright, although a step down from the Brightex XR 700. As with the TC15 V3, charging goes directly into the body of the lightbut the S2R Baton II has a magnetic USB charging attachment that clicks against the tail of the light, so theres no need to fuss with plugging anything in. The Archer 2A V3 also has whats called momentary on, which means that the light activates with a half-press of the tail switch and stays on for as long as you hold the switch. A nice knurled pattern around the body offers a little extra grip, which in our tests proved useful when the light got wet. $20.99. The flashlight uses a rechargeable 18650 battery that you do not have to remove from the light in order to charge it; the TC15 V3 comes with a USB-C charging cord that plugs directly into the side of the light. At the other end of the light scale, in our tests the E12s lowest setting, moon mode, was visibly brighter than the Archer 2A V3s firefly mode. Sponsored. Coleman BatteryGuard 250M LED Flashlight. We tested in the weeks surrounding a new moon and in an area with very little light pollution. Hybrid power source provides 12 hours on low settings (2 hours on high) in one charge. For this guide, I spent about 50 hours combing through the online forums of flashlight enthusiasts (who call themselves flashaholics). The USB-rechargeable TC15 V3 is brighter and has a longer battery life than our recommended AA models, but charging takes time and cant happen during a power outage. Many of these, such as the Nebo 5557, fell out of contention because they had the strobe setting as part of the brightness toggle. The two models have a similar cost, brightness, and battery life, but the V3 has a better pocket clip. The Archer 2A V3 is thinner, but at around 6 inches, its awkward as any kind of everyday-carry light. 14 4.6 out of 5 Stars. 15. This group of lights included the Coast HP8R, Fenix PD35 V2.0, and Nitecore P12. The Energizer Hard Case Professional Task Light provides you bright white LED light for your toughest jobs. The rechargeable S2R Baton II is smaller, less powerful, and typically more expensive than the TC15, but the unique charging system is about as hassle-free as it gets. A strobe setting is a great feature to haveuseful during roadside emergencies, when youre running at night, or even for self-defense purposesbut its not something you should have to deal with during normal use. The purpose of this test was simply to compare models, not to prove or disprove manufacturer brightness claims, which are tested in a very specific lab setting (according to the ANSI/NEMA FL 1 standard [PDF]). The Archer 2A V3 also has a strobe setting. There isnt a lot that sets the Manker E12 (left) apart from the ThruNite Archer 2A V3. Among single-AA lights, we tested the J5 Tactical V1 Pro, the UltraFire 7W, and Hausbells 7W lights. The cost is also quite steep for someone looking for a knock-around flashlight for the kitchen drawer. Its two-AA-powered beam pattern produces such good overall visibility that, even after trying all the other lights, we reached for this flashlight first when we headed into the woods. We tested 12 inexpensive flashlights in the under-$20 range, all easily found on Amazon, and all with a high number of positive reviews. *At the time of publishing, the price was $30. These lenses usually slide forward and back, giving you the option of a small, focused spotlight (the forward position) or a wider, diffused area light (the back position). High and Low brightness modes will give you the light you need for your demanding jobs around the house, at the cabin, or on the job site, and provide you runtime control -- the batteries will last up to 65 hours when in LOW mode. The MT2A has two modes: a turbo mode, which is the lights highest setting, and a user-defined mode, which you access by slightly untwisting the head of the light. As Wise predicted, we found ourselves operating in the lower-light modes most of the time, with only the occasional jump to the high level. Also, charging takes time, so when the flashlight does drain out, you cant simply pop in some new batteries and have it at full strength. It just has a high, low, and strobe setting. Once the light is on, you control the brightness levels with a second button up at the head of the light. As a reflector light, the beam pattern on the Archer 2A V3 was pretty comparable to that of the other, similar designs we tried. Rechargeable lights are great and offer a lot of convenience, but for the above reasons, we still prefer AA-battery-powered flashlights for our main recommendation. Its brighter than the AA powered Archer 2A V3, but it doesnt last as long at the higher settings. Lets start with the brightness. If the light will sit in a drawer forever between emergency uses, splurge on lithium cells. This light is very similar to the Archer 2A V3, down to the two-button interface and the four brightness levels. In performance, the rechargeable Olight S2R Baton II lands in the middle between ThruNites TC15 V3 and Archer 2A V3. Add To Cart. Having multiple levels of brightness and understanding how much each one offers in terms of battery life left us with a feeling of control over the flashlight. These forums are filled with people who are really into flashlights, and its not uncommon for them to own 20 or 30 (or more) flashlights. In 2020, we took a deeper look at rechargeable flashlights. Following a bumpy launch week that saw frequent server trouble and bloated player queues, Blizzard has announced that over 25 million Overwatch 2 players have logged on in its first 10 days. The S2R Baton II has a very nice pocket clip. The user-defined mode cycles through the settings: high, medium, low, SOS, and strobe. 1Light must be turned off while charging. We placed the light meter behind the flashlight so that it would register only the bounced illumination, not the direct beam. This site uses cookies. Caveat emptor. It uses four AAA batteries, and it exhibited a fast and consistent battery drain. Reflectors produce both a center hot spot of concentrated light and a lesser wide-diameter light around it (called the spill beam). Because ThruNite claims the firefly setting lasts 15 days with NiMH, we assume with alkaline batteries that translates to around six or seven days, which is still a considerable amount of time. We also like that the body is designed so that it wont roll. After 36 hours of research and tests of more than a dozen emergency weather radios, were confident the Midland ER310 is the best choice for most people. Amid rising prices and economic uncertaintyas well as deep partisan divisions over social and political issuesCalifornians are processing a great deal of information to help them choose state constitutional officers and For these reasons, we think that a two-AA light like the Archer 2A V3 is a better fit for most people. Energizer lantern provides long lasting 360 degree lightperfect for outdoor activities and emergency situations; Featured Flexible Hybrid Powered technology allows use as a rechargeable or battery powered light; LED lantern that has a USB port out so you can charge your devices; Powerful light even after a full smartphone charge 1 Through our research we learned that the two-AA setup offers a better balance of power and run time than a single-AA or any of the AAA configurations you often find among lights on the lower end of the quality scale. Wise said, If you have to cycle through them all the time, then they get really annoying. In most of the lights we tested (and nearly all of the inexpensive models), the strobe is positioned as just another brightness setting, so the light toggle goes: high, medium, low, strobe. We had our own experience with this lack of quality control or possibly counterfeiting (we have more thoughts on counterfeiting in general in this blog post). The Olight S2R Baton II, which excels in the arena of convenience, is a pocket-friendly rechargeable option. But the TC15 V3, like all rechargeable lights, presents a trade-off. If you have the interest and the budget, we strongly recommend consulting Selfbuilts Flashlight Reviews in addition to registering at CandlePowerForums. ThruNite claims the high setting has a run time of about 96 minutes and the firefly mode can last 15 days. The best rechargeable flashlight lights have USB ports; no proprietary charger needed. The Archer 2A V3 allows you to use only the amount of light you need. In addition, I have four kids, and I find myself constantly looking under the couch for lost toys. Like many of the best flashlights, this light has a two-button interface that lets you easily toggle through the brightness levels one-handed. The CMA is focusing on three key areas: the console market, the game subscription market, and the cloud gaming market. We think the larger model is the better option. Why we cant recommend a cheaper flashlight, guide to the best rechargeable AA batteries. Wise put it bluntly: Dont ever use alkaline AA or AAA cells in high-power devices like flashlights. The official specs of the lights indicate that the Manker is brighter, but we spent about 30 minutes switching back and forth between the two lights in a variety of settings, and if theres a difference, its so minor, we couldnt see it. It offers two-year coverage with free replacement if problems develop with normal use. Of the lights we tested, only the Nitecore and Fenix had a longer warranty, stretching to a full five years. Please review our, Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries, Energizer lantern provides long lasting 360 degree lightperfect for outdoor activities and emergency situations, Featured Flexible Hybrid Powered technology allows use as a rechargeable or battery powered light, LED lantern that has a USB port out so you can charge your devices, Powerful light even after a full smartphone charge, IPX4 water resistance and impact resistance up to 1 meter ensure durability, Provides light for up to 70 hours on Low using rechargeable batteries, or 30 on Low with AA batteries, Dimming Feature for customized light output and optimal runtime, Steady base for hands-free operation and comfortable non-slip grip make it easy to carry, Up to 12x brighter than standard LED technology, Operates on Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, Steady base for hands-free use and comfortable non-slip grip makes it easy to carry, Up to 10X Brighter than standard LED technology, Dimming Feature for customized light output and optimizing runtime. 35 Get it as soon as Sunday, Oct 30 We found very few that couldnt shed at least a little light on the trees at the far end of a field, over 500 feet away. The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 has the widest range of brightness settings of any AA-battery-powered light we tested, including a very dim mode that allowed us to read a map (without destroying our night vision) and a bright setting that illuminated trees 500 feet away. Add To Cart. At that point, unfortunately, the strobe becomes inaccessible in an emergency (unless you spend time reprogramming the light). The bottom line is that we agree with Selfbuilt, who writes, As a reviewer, I cant justify reviewing a light where there is no reasonable assurance of consistent quality of manufacture. Likewise, we cant recommend any specific budget models, because if the products themselves are inconsistent, we cant even be sure exactly what we would be telling you to buy. The TC15 V3 is just barely bigger than the Archer 2A V3, but at the high setting its twice as bright with a similar run time. Summer-camp packing lists can be longand sometimes intimidating. Also, in order to be reliable, a good flashlight should be able to hold a constant level of brightness (something that only the better ones can do). Unlike a reflector, a zoom design cant produce both the concentrated hot spot and the spill beam at the same time. The Archer 2A V3 also boasts a number of other features found on more-expensive lights: It doesnt roll on a flat surface, it stands upright on its rear end, it can survive a 1-meter drop or full immersion in watertry that, smartphonesand it has a memory function as well as a momentary-on feature that turns the light on and off with a half-press of the rear button. Walking around a house during a power outage, we found no reason to go above the low setting. In fact, rechargeable AA batteries are much better than alkaline AAs. Its less expensive, and its size makes it a nice option for an everyday-carry light, but for a general-use rechargeable, we like the added brightness and battery life of the TC15. It can sustain this brightness level for a little over two minutes, but thats still quite a bit more brightness than the Archer 2A V3s top end of 500 lumens. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. Because we found ourselves constantly using ultralow modes, the ThruNite light is our preferencethe lower that setting gets, the better. Its an ideal setup, and given that the strobe is a feature someone may need to use in an emergency, this activation is simple enough to remember and perform in a high-stress, high-adrenaline situation. Unfortunately, Wise no longer updates his site. Its not as bright and doesnt have the run time of the companys two-AA Archer, but it does have the same versatile two-button interface. Also, the forward button of the E12 is rubber, whereas the one on the Archer 2A V3 is a more durable metal. Once the light is on, a long press toggles through the other settings. 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