This is probably my most data packed review to date. It took me quite a bit of time to complete by my standards- about two and a half weeks. The Xtar Warboy is kind of an awesome headlamp in the 18650 sized lights. Doing a quick google search shows me you can find it cheaper than the Armyteks, Sparks, Zebralights, etc. It isn’t cheaper than the Skilhunt, but offers features it doesn’t. Like a nice moonlight mode.
There’s a big section of the video that compares the beamshots of 6 headlamps with different types of optics. It shows tint differences, how well they throw, and shows their beam pattern. I’ll let video do the talking, because it talks a lot- sorry. I wanted it to be shorter, but I wanted to include lots of data in the beamshot section. But first here are a few bullet points that you should know about the light.
It only comes in a cool white.
No visible PWM on any mode. I can’t see it and neither does my camera. Xtar says they use a high frequency PWM, but I never would have known.
Over 1000 actual lumens. No joke. It uses very active thermal regulation on high to keep it a maximum of 108F
.4 lumen moonlight mode.
The anodizing is comparable to the Skilhunt H02.
It’s relatively affordable.
It comes with a clip and a headband.
It’s a throwy headlamp.
It’s my lightest 18650 headlamp at 144 grams with battery and headstrap.
lens size is 18.65 wide and 1.5mm thick, for people who would like to swap it out.
Xtar provided me with the Warboy H3 for review. But I promise it’s mostly objective, and contains my brand of humor. Ok without further ado, here is the video.
Not my caboose. It’s on a greenway near me. They converted a railroad track to a bicycle trail and the caboose is there for show I guess. Maybe on a cold night it would be less. I can’t say for sure until winter though.
It takes about a minute or two to ramp up and down. It’s noticeable but not annoying. I feel like turbo is probably a mode most people use sparingly. I personally have never used turbo on any of my headlamps for more than a few minutes or two. I didn’t notice it until I did the test honestly. I walked for about 39 minutes making the video and never noticed it. I probably used it in 10 or less minute bursts at a time.
The Xtar Warboy is my first headlamp ever. I won it in a GAW (on the other forum). Before that I used smaller lights with a reversed clip on my cap.
One of them the Notecore EA11. Being kind of a flashaholic I have more lights than I ever will need but this light is a fast runner up on my shortlist.
What I like about this light is the deep clip for wearing it in a chest pocket. That is almost as useful as a headband, when you’re one hand short for a job, but without the fuss of strapping it on first. This review shares my idea about its power to weight (or size) ratio: a lot of punch in a very modest package. Luckily you have the equipment to support that idea. You measured more than 1,000 lumen from this light, a did old4570 in his review.
Last but no least: your review more or less puts an end to my regret of being to late for last years group buy of the Spark SG3.
I wouldn’t worry about missing out on the Spark headlamp. I had the SG3, but the lack of reverse polarity protection killed it- literally. I donated my SG5 to work because it has a few issues. It flickers on a few higher modes, and the runtimes for whatever reason are a fraction of what they used to be. I haven’t abused the light in any way, but I feel like those are things worth mentioning. I have had an Xtar B20 for years, and it has no problems- so I have no reason to believe the Warboy is any different. It has held up well to testing and it’s an affordable light. I wish it had NW version- but that’s no biggy. It comes down to a few basic headlamp preferences- the reflector and the tint. If those are things you don’t mind… then it’s great. I personally have no problems with the reflector. I prefer the Armytek slightly, but as you can see the Xtar has a much better throw than all the others.
Anyway, it’s a nice headlamp and it’s even better when you win one. But even at 10-20 more than the Skilhunt, the Xtar is a much better headlamp honestly.
This really is a very,very good review. The comparison beamshots really give some perspective and the time lapse sequence shows whats really happening with the thermal management on the Warboy. Think i will have to get one of these when/if they come up on offer!
He did most of the editing too. Did you happen to notice the thumbs up in the UI section?
Thanks!
When I saw my runtime test for the first time I did think it was a little strange. I emailed Xtar, and saw it in olds review about the same time. And Kara from Xtar confirmed it in an email. Thanks! I was hoping to pack this review with more data than all my previous reviews. I know the beamshot section was a bit dense, but those weights in there are fully loaded headlamps with straps- although I didn’t explain it outright.
I just can’t decide if I want to get one or not. I’m about to pull the trigger on the Solarforce L2E. It’s larger, but it takes P60 drop-ins and can run 2x18650s.
It’s a nice affordable headlamp with decent runtimes. Thanks! Headlamps are useful when camping and you need free hands… Working and you need free hands… Or biking. Despite what you see me doing with it in the video, I would much rather go for a walk with a flashlight.
It’s super cheap right now at that above link. Probably won’t be that price again for a while. The BLF way is to get them both! Thanks for the kind words!
