Thrunite Archer 1A V3 Review

Overview :

• LED: CREE XP-L V6 LED with a lifespan of 20+ years of run time.

        Modes & Run-time: 
        -Firefly: 0.1lumen(17days); 
        -Low: 17lumen(22hours); 
        -Medium: 75lumen(5hours)
        -High: 200lumen(115minutes); 
        -Strobe: 200lumen(3.5hours).

• Max output: 200lumens using one Ni-Mh AA battery.
• Max run time: 17days (Firefly mode)
• Working voltage: 0.9v to 5.0v.
• Battery: 1 AA 
• Max beam distance: 66 meters.
• Peak beam intensity: 1088cd.
• Impact resistant: 1.5 meters.
• Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5meters)
• Weight: 42g without battery 
• Dimensions: 110mm in length, 23mm bezel diameter.
• Accessories: Pocket clip x1, Spare O-ring x1, Lanyard x1. 

First Look :

Flashlight comes in a nice little box :

Package Contains :

• Flashlight
• User manual
• "Thank you" card
• Lanyard
• 2x O-rings
• Pocket Clip
• Extra rubber boot
• E-switch rubber "sealing"

Let's take a closer look :

Flashlight is slightly longer compared to classic AA/14500 lights (110mm) due to the tail switch and e-switch (takes some space between driver and led board) :

Flashlight has a nice OP reflector and AR coated lens :

Note: Led used is Xp-l V6

It has e-switch for mode change (and tailcap switch works as an on/off switch) :

Flashlight and tailcap :

 Notes :

• Tail switch is FORWARD clicky .

Square threads , anodized , allowing taicap lock-out :

How it works (&modes) :

Flashlight uses the switch at the taicap for on/off function . E-switch navigates easilly through modes , with a short press(Firefly - Low - Medium - High) . Long press activates Strobe  Also flashlight has mode memory .

Measurements :

Lumens on highest setting (high mode) :

• Using AA : 195Lm
• Using 14500 : 440Lm

Tailcap measurements (amp draw) :

• Using AA : Firefly (6.17mA) , Low (95.5mA) , Medium (400mA) , High (1.57A)
• Using 14500 : Firefly (3,49mA) , Low (55.8mA) , Medium (160.9mA) , High (1.25A)

Runtimes :

Factory Runtimes using AA :

• Firefly: 0.1lumen(17days)
• Low: 17lumen(22hours)
• Medium: 75lumen(5hours)
• High: 200lumen(115minutes)
• Strobe: 200lumen(3.5hours)

My test , with thermal data :

AA (battery removed @ 0.93V) :

Notes :

• Low Voltage protection activates at 0.90V .

14500 (battery removed @ 1.57V) :

Notes :

• At the 3-4 minute mark , there is a visible stepdown .
• It doesn't have Low Voltage Protection , use ONLY protected cells.

PWM :

Led in lower modes is PWM controlled , but the frequency is so high that it is nevertheless flicker-free for the eye.

Intensity :

AA : 988cd (56 Lux @ 4.2m)

14500 : 2,328cd (132 Lux @ 4.2m)

Beamshots :

Here are 2 beamshots to show the difference between AA and 14500 , with the same setting on the camera (Iso 250 , Shutter Speed 1/15s). Wall @ 12m) :

Using AA :

Using 14500 :

Notes :

(!!) Flashlight (using AA) is slightly brighter than captured above , but the goal of these Beamshots is to show the difference between using AA and 14500 .

Conclusion :

High quality Edc AA/14500 flashlight from ThruNite , with long runtimes for a good amount of light (using AA baterry) , and shorter runtimes for twice the output (using 14500 battery) . Due to the OP reflector the beam is smooth , without big differences between hotspot and spill . On the plus side ,working temperature is fairly low using AA .

Thanks for reading ! Leave a comment with your question (if any) .

Product link (+ Amazon) :