KronoReview of the ThruNite 1C V2 . These two items (Archer 1C v2 in both NW and CW) were provided by ThruNite for review. Also a big thanks to JohnnyMac for setting this up!
^ ThruNite product page/website pic ^
ThruNite is a company that enjoys a pretty stable reputation by producing what I would call mid-level to premium flashlights. They are well known for producing their ’TN’ series flashlights, which definitely reach into the premium category, with prices approaching $200. The ThruNite Archer 1C V2 is the second, updated version of the 1C. Are the updates worth it? We will find out, but let’s check out the specs from ThruNite first:
Thrunite 1C V2 - Thrunite website regular price: $32.95 for Neutral White (XP-G2) and $40.95 for Cool White (XP-L).
Features/Specifications (From Thrunite product page) :
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Features,
- Upgraded version of the Archer 1C with more user-friendly UI and UPDATED LED.
- Added side switch for easy operation.
- Five modes: firefly, low, medium, high and strobe.
- Momentary “forward clicky” tactical switch.
- Stainless steel strike bezel for defense and emergency applications.
- Wide working voltage enables both li-ion 16340 and normal CR123(A) batteries.
- Reversed polarity protection system prevents damage to the light.
- Smooth peel reflector for a high quality beam.
- Ultra clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
- Aircraft grade aluminum body structure with tactical knurling for firm grip.
- Premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish.
- U shape groove at the tail for easy activation as well as preventing accidentally activation.
- Reversible and removable stainless steel pocket clip with titanium coating for durability.
- Memory function to set any mode(except for strobe) for immediate use.
Specifications :
- LED: CREE XP-G2 LED with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.
- Modes & Run-time: Firefly: 0.17lumens(168 hours); Low:17lumens(11 hours); Medium:71lumens(200 minutes); High:418lumens(40 minutes); Strobe:418lumens(50 minutes).
Note: Runtimes vary with different batteries.
- Max output: 418lumens using one 3.7v 16340 battery.
- Max run time: 168hours (Firefly mode)
- Working voltage: 0.9v to 4.2v.
- Battery: 1 CR123 or 16340 battery(not included).
- Max beam distance: 158 meters.
- Peak beam intensity: 6310cd.
- Impact resistant: 2 meters.
- Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5meters)
- Weight: 52g without battery.
- Dimensions: 94mm in length, 23mm bezel diameter.
Specifications :
- LED: CREE XP-L V6 LED with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.
- Modes & Run-time: Firefly: 0.055lumen(168 hours); Low:17lumen(11 hours); Medium:75lumen(200 minutes);
High:500lumen(40 minutes); Strobe:500lumen(50 minutes).
- Max output: 500lumen using one 3.7v 16340 battery.
- Max run time: 168hours (Firefly mode)
- Working voltage: 0.9v to 4.2v.
- Battery: 1 CR123 or 16340 battery(not included).
- Max beam distance: 124 meters.
- Peak beam intensity: 3870cd.
- Impact resistant: 2 meters.
- Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5meters)
- Weight: 52g without battery.
- Dimensions: 94mm in length, 23mm bezel diameter
Accessories:
- pocket clip
- spare O ring
- Lanyard.
Operation:
To turn on/off the light:
Press the tail cap halfway to momentarily activate the light.
Click the tail switch to turn the light on and off.
To change modes:
Five modes in total: firefly, low, medium, high, and strobe.
When the light is on, single press the side switch to rotate among firefly, low, medium and high. Long press to get strobe and then single press to end it.
Memory function: The light will turn on in the last mode accessed, except for strobe.
Battery replacement:
Take off the tail cap, insert the battery with positive polarity toward the LED assembly(head of the light), INSTALL the tail cap and tighten all the way to operate the light.
My added specs:
Lens OD: 20mm
Lens thickness: ~1.2mm
Weight w/o battery: 56 grams
OAL: ~94mm
Head OD: ~22mm
Battery-tube OD: ~22.5mm
KRONOREVIEW:
The Thrunite 1C V2 is a single 16350/CR123 flashlight, with an interesting choice for a single emitter…either XP-L (CW) or XP-G2 (NW). Either version is controlled via dual switches. A forward clicky in the rear serves as the main on/off button. The black side switch controls the mode. There are four regular modes (T/H/M/L) with last mode memory, and one hidden beacon mode. The 1C V2 also has an AR lens and a SMO reflector. The flashlight comes with a nice lanyard, two extra O-rings and an extra/replacement rubber clicky-button. It is shipped with foam cut-out protection in a nice, brown cardboard box. I will be testing both versions.
HI-LIGHTS:
Very small and easily pocketable. Nice size for deep-pocket cary.
Toughened glass AR lens.
Forward clicky w/momentary on.
Titanium coated (electroplated) stainless steel pocket-clip with snazzy logo.
Quality HA-III matte black coating.
Reverse polarity protection (confirmed).
Lockout with a mere twist of the anodized threads.
Nicely machined diagonal threads.
Fits 16340 and CR123 batteries.
Tailstands.
Hidden blinkies (press and hold side switch).
Excellent, low moon mode.
Stainless Steel, scalloped strike bezel.
Mode memory.
LOW-LIGHTS:
O-ring on battery tube too large…binds and pushes outward when tailcap is screwed down.
Pocket-clip reversible, but not a dedicated channel that it can snap into on the tailcap side.
Couldn’t figure out how to remove emitter/pill. ‘Mystery Tab’ in pic below could be release mechanism?
Needs double hole in tailcap for lanyard.
Tailstanding is just slightly unstable.
CW (XP-L) is $8 more that NW (XP-G2).
UI:
Main Clicky:
> On/Off with mode memory.
Side switch:
> Turbo/High/medium/Low. Long press for hidden beacon mode.
PICTURES
^ ThruNite was nice enough to send me two 1C V2s in different tints for comparison ^
^ Nice retail boxes. Yelow dot designates NW, white dot for CW ^
^ Contents: Box, light, lanyard, 2 extra O-rings, button/boot, instruction manual and desiccant ^
^ Standing on bezel. Cool white on left and Neutral white on right with clip reversed. Note that if you want to reverse the clip, it must be fastened to knurling ^
^ Individual light ^
^ Tailstanding ^
^ Close-up of emitter/reflector ^
^ Sideviews ^
^ Spiffy logos. Logo on the clip is a nice touch! ^
DECONSTRUCTION
^ Tailcap ^
^ Tailcap parts sans switch. Note: retainer ring is Left Hand Thread (Thanks for the heads up, MRsDNF!) ^
^ Button and anode spring ^
^ Squared threads ^
^ Reflector housing/head, reflector, red o-ring and AR lens ^
^ Inside light emitter view (XP-G2) ^
^ Nifty Clip. Ti-coated ^
^ O-ring on tailcap side is too big. Here you see it squeezing out of the side upon re-assembly ^
BEAMSHOTS/NIGHTSHOTS:
^ NW Left and CW Right. ThruNite Website shots. They look the same to me. ^
^ NW Left and CW Right. My shots on concrete driveway ^
^ NW Left and CW Right. My shots on garage door ^
^ Control shot (zoomed-in a little more than actual beam shots) ^
^ NW on High ^
^ CW on High ^
(Note:My Beamshots-Distance to house is approx. 160 ft. (49 meters). Pics taken with Kodak easyshare Max Z990 f/4.5, 1/5 sec, ISO-1600).
SUMMARY
ThruNite, known for their high-end lights, has put out a somewhat budget-minded torch with the 1C V2. The light is very small for a two-button light, thanks to using a smaller 16340 battery. The 1C V2 also has quality matte-black HA-III anodization, square cut threads, lockout, beautiful Ti-coated pocket clip and nice machining. It also seems rugged, and I have had no failures in the 3 months I have used it as my EDC.
The list of negatives is small and not too major. I a not sure why they used different emitters for these lights. They could have just used XP-G2 on both, and kept the price down. The beam patterns are not that much different to warrant the extra dough. Nevertheless, the ThruNite 1C V2 is a very good EDC light that should be considered by anyone looking for a good carry light.
KRONOMETER patented rating: 4.00 out of 5. ★★★★
