NEW WINNER (Edited) Armytek vs Skilhunt vs Fenix and the winner is....(Skilhunt FAIL)

Other Types of Lights LED Headlamps
1

EDITED*After using all 3 extensively during the winter I have changed my mind. Fenix is the new winner.

The reason for changing my mind is because the Skilhunt has an extremely irratating 3 flash mode with main light once the battery power dips below 3.3v.
See—-> Skilhunt h03 - light flashing off normal behavior?

Its just starts flashing the main light every 60 seconds 3x in a row. Blink-blink-blink while you are trying to work. Dimming to a lower or the lowest level wont fix the issue. I have completely stopped using the skilhunt at this point. So both my skilhunt are broken!!!

I cleaned the threads on the Fenix over the winter (not sure why a brand new light needed cleaning but oh well) and it resolved the problem at startup of going into a diagnostic mode if you didnt hold the ON button long enough. I now have the hang of it!

Armytek is junk! You cannot push the button with gloves on and its O rings get destroyed when removing cap. I wish I could return it!

Fenix has the most comfortable headstrap by far. Its my goto light at this point and the strap is light-years about the other two. Fenix also has red mode wiich comes after white so I hold my finger over the lens while depressing LONG for red.

So Fenix is the winner!

END NEW EDIT*———————

I bought these 3 headlamps in the last 2 years and my go to light is the skilhunt H04rc.The skilhunt is also the cheapest and it does have a solid well built feel! No regrets here!

The fenix has an irritating HOLD-on HOLD-off UI and if you short press it to turn on it gets stuck in a battery check/test that wont time out for 30 seconds so you cannot turn on light!

The Armytek wizard pro has a mushy-hard to press button that makes it frustratingly difficult to activate the light with or without gloves. (with gloves its almost impossible in winter).

Now the skilhunt h04rc. I find it super easy to activate with mode 2 set to low on short click. It shuts off with another short press. If I want a higher brightness its just a hold down as it cycles modes from low to high. The high cri is awesome. The only thing I wish it had was red mode maybe a mode-3 short press to firefly red (SKILHUNT ARE YOU LISTENING???)

All 3 lights have magnetic charging and I much prefer that over removing a rubber plug and inserting a cable in the dark.

All 3 have nice headbands with skillhunt/fenix being the nicest.

Only 2 have red mode with skilhunt being the loser of this selection.

Fenix UI just plain sucks. You also have to go through white memory BEFORE you get to red (how stupid). The headband is nice but the hard plastic light holder is NOT!

Armytek has supposedly improved the mushy-hard button but do I really want to spend another 100 to find out, NO! Its also the biggest light! You also have to unscrew tailcap 1/4 turn to charge and screw back in to use.

Album — Postimages

https://i.postimg.cc/TY0ChQT3/20210929-095100-copy-1040x780.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/mgrV9MrN/20210929-095258-copy-1040x780.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/VkHgW6ry/20210929-095408-copy-780x1040.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/nLjkRJBX/20210929-095535-copy-780x1040.jpg



2

The new Armytek button is much larger. I just confirmed with a variety pack of winter gloves and even heavy leather insulated mittens you can operate the switch. No matter what part of your finger or thumb lands on it you can operate it. Depending on how you carry it that means the potential for unintended activations is greater than with the old switch. I now always shut it off in the highest Firefly mode.

3

Yes I saw that. Not spending 100 more to fix their engineering flaw. Also they put a WHITE LIGHT under the switch so when you push the button a blinding white light comes on? I mean WTF? If I want red to preserve night vision why do they have a white light come on as well.
Then if thats not enough to gripe about look at the size of the thing. Its huge! Too expensive and filled with flaws.

Look at the O-rings getting pinched out in my tailcap pictures from unscrewing cap to charge. Ive had to replace 4 O-rings that keep getting pinched and extruded. The cap is not smooth so it binds to orings.

stupid bright white light under activation button….

4

[quote=idahofarmer]
Also they put a WHITE LIGHT under the switch so when you push the button a blinding white light comes on? I mean WTF?[/] …………………
There is no white light under the button. It is red when you change modes or turn it on. Same as before. You do need to be careful with the o-rings if you have removed the cap. Loosening a quarter turn to charge with the new fast charger will not cause problems with the o-rings. Most of the bulk charging is at a fraction over 1 amp. So there is really no need to take the battery out to charge.

5

[quote=Oli]

NEGATIVE ghostrider the pattern is full! The button has a green and —->WHITE light under the activation button.
Go to video time of 12:35 and observe….

6

I’ve looked at the video and I’m looking at that exact same light in my hand as I type this. The button goes to red when you press it. A portion of the (switch) light flashes green every 4 seconds while in use. And you can enable that full time. Yellow flashes when the battery is low, I believe under 30%. Voltage sag can also trigger the yellow. Flashing Red when it is too hot and proceeding to step down. There is never any white light coming out of that button. Over.

7

I believe my own eyes.

8

Unfortunately, sometimes “business” choices are made also based on numbers.
For a long time Fenix ​​has been on a path of very simple interfaces where you have to cycle between the various levels, this can be annoying (and it is)
I recently read some comments from people who love their old Fenix ​​HL55 which has four light levels and a Burst that is achieved by long pressing the button - the successor model HL60R does not have this handy feature, this to give an example that in the past. a more functional type of interface was chosen but then abandoned.
My thought is that they want to make lights as simple as possible and therefore within the reach of the inexperienced user.
How many flashaolics users are there who want a shortcut to firefly and turbo?
How many are the “average users”?
This is what determines company choices.
Personally I love the Zebralight and Armytek interface and I would also like Fenix to do something more, they could sell the lights programmed by default with a Basic interface but with the possibility to switch to an Advanced interface for users who want it.
Unfortunately, the numbers are always in favor of inexperienced users who do not even like the neutral color (“yuck! It’s yellow!”) And want the “blue tint” that sheds more light … that’s why Fenix probably create very few neutral lights on the market.

A good part of the flashlights that are returned to Amazon is because they “don’t light up”, the average user often doesn’t even remove the plastic disc (to avoid accidents when transporting a new light) that is on the battery despite the Fenix ​​lights having a tag attached to the clip saying to remove it!
Think with a complicated interface, many would not find a “hidden” turbo and would say that the flashlight makes little light …

Try reading some Amazon reviews, many people love the Wizard Pro but complain that it is too complicated to use and yet this interface is brilliant.
The new Wizard C2 MAX has a double interface (Basic and Advanced) that can satisfy everyone.
I have the Wizard Pro V3 (I have never bought the V4) which has a parasitic discharge and I have to loosen the tailcap to avoid battery discharge, despite this and despite having to loosen to put the headlamp in charge I broke the ring. external rubber after a full two years of frequent use (this is acceptable)
Yes, the Armytek button with gloves can be problematic, especially the Pro version which has a complex interface, with gloves it is easy to make a mistake in that case, better than the ELF or the Wizard basic version (XP-L)
I’ve never had that Skylhunt but I’ve read a lot of praise about it, that kind of TIR lens definitely makes users happy but I’ve read some reviews where they say Skylhunt doesn’t have a brightness stabilization like professional flashlights.
These are just a few considerations I wanted to make.
(I hope it is understandable because English is not my language )

9

It must be turnip season in Idaho

10

FYI the button does light up red on my Nichia Wizard when pressing it. It never bothered me but I could do without this “feature”.

I have the newer version and a v3 WR wizard and do not have issues using the button. Pressing the smaller button is obviously more difficult but its miles ahead of my Zebras which all have recessed buttons (when using gloves).

I charge mine 2x a week and never managed to pinch the outer rubber ring. Maybe adding silicon grease helped that. (and going slow)

My H03 had a weak magnet but its easy to replace and get stronger ones.

Skilhunt is mainly an Aliexpress brand. Great quality and you don’t pay for the name. Armytek aims at the military market, potted and well overbuilt imo.
Fenix is already a known mall brand over here. Many outdoor shops have their products on the shelves here.

11

I know there is some mixed feelings on AT here on BLF but I have to say I, still, absolutely love my Wizard Pro XHP50 WW. I”m a sucker for high CRI and a good balanced tint and this delivers for me. The UI just works for me, and I love that it is specifically compatible with 2xCR123 if needed. The beam profile is perfect for a task light and the tint and well as CRI seem to be much higher than any other Armytek I’ve seen. It compares surprisingly favorably to my various 4000-4500k 219C and SST20 lights in that regard. Better than most of my LH351D lights, although the 3500k from Simon looks pretty nice in the few samples I have.

12

Can you post a link to the new improved magnet. I guess mine is a bit weak.

13

I have to say the AT does have nice color and beam profile. I will give you that.

14

Fixed it for ya………

15

I’m not really seeing a difference. Never admit you’re wrong.

16

I’ve got an H04 for my work/inspection light. Really like it, the UI is great. Can’t say I notice the difference with the high CRI. But the 5000k tint is excellent.

17

Charging time on those armytek lights is VERY slow.
My wizard WR charged for 7h! yesterday(same for my wizard pro)
Must say, the wizard WR has very bright and throwy red light, I like that a lot

The skilhunt would also be my favorite.
If you would red light on skilhunt, you should buy H03C RC.
Very bright colors!

18

i got some Fenix and Olight headlamps and Manker and McArmy.

me likes the Fenix hm61r best!

19

Im not sure what you are trying to say as you just make tiny insignificant quips and act as if everyone is following you and you are funny but we arent and your not!

And if you are a Joe sippy-cup Xiden supporter, well I just plain feel sorry for you.

20

No white light on the switch. If you’re going solely by that video then maybe you’re seeing the reflection of the trim ring? Camera isn’t quite catching accurate exposure, either, so it looks like that switch is a lot brighter than it is, but shining a bright orangey light through thin skin/fingernail…I mean how can you tell color from that anyway.

The distrust is odd here. Guy has the light in his hands and is explaining, but that’s not good enough? Another guy corroborates and that’s still not good enough.

Knock off the petty political crap…BLF never the place for it, thank goodness. :slight_smile: