I'm thinking about purchasing the Armytek predator. I really don't need it, but it think it's a nice light with its regulation and variable brightness programming options....
I know it's not a budget light, but does anyone own one?
I've heard it is a nice light, I'm surprised it is an XP-G in it, not an XM-L
There is a great review of it here
BE SURE to watch this video. I've never seen anyone torture a light like that before! FOY, you need to add this routine to your reviews.
http://www.lightjunction.com/Armytek-Predator-V1.2-gold-flashlight.html
Yeah, maybe they're a struggling company...I did read the review, but I asked that guy and he did tell me those lights were given to him. So, of course he's going to be pretty enthusiastic about the light.
Too complicated for me. Early models had problems with programming.
I would rather buy the new ArmyTek Viking X.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?260054-ArmyTek-Vikings-are-coming-)-Viking-X
My favorite torture test:
I think the XP-G was most likely chosen for it's specific characteristics, rather than for any momentary reasons - the same company do produce other lights that utilise XM-L LEDs. I think they wanted the light to have a decent amount of throw for it's size, but still with bright spill. So the XM-L wasn't considered to throw well enough, the XR-E would have been better for throw, but would be down on overall brightness and spill brightness, so they settled on the XP-G as being a good balance between throw and flood.
Ive got the predator G109.1, with a neutral tint, SMO reflector and gold trimmings.
Its a throw machine, with everything geared for throw. SMO, Deep! reflector (narrow spill light), XP-G for throw, and a full 1.5A drive. Its got about the most sophisticated programming features you will find in a torch, And for this reason gives you great flexibility and customisability, but at the same time, you need to be the sort of person who looks for customisability and doesn't mind spending an hour going through programming.
I really really love my predator, and it gives me the flexibility to set-up the modes I want in a UI that sort of works well for 2-6 modes. The UI is more of a 'tactical' type, meaning its completely independent of the power switch in normal use. It means I can click away on the tail switch and always get light.
Build quality is top notch. Best anodising and coatings I've seen on a torch, and definitely up top in my collection. Anodising is not 100% scratch proof, but is the best ano on all my torches. Ive scratched the torch against things such as the brass buttons on my jeans, and it left a mark on the torch, but that mark wore off over time, which means the ano was untouched, instead it took the metal off the button.
I set mine up as a 3-4 mode, but practically its a 2 mode torch. Head tight for 1.5A and 1A (high and power saving high), and Head loose for moonlight and low. So effectively whenever i need power, I just tighten the head and I know I will get lots of light, Loosen the head and I know I will not be blinded when I turn it on.
Battery meter is also very cool, and very useful. I only need to change batteries every few weeks, and I will never know how fresh a battery is before taking the torch on a longer trip, so I can simply check without having to pull out the multimeter and take the torch apart.
Well If I was to start all over again, this is the one and only single 18650 torch I would be buying, by a good margin too. It gives me the best beam for mid to long ranges, and has the UI and output range that also gives me one of the lowest lows which compete with V10Rs. I think the runtime on moonlight is well over 100 days, which means I don't actually turn my torch off if I'm needing to find it at night, I just switch it to low level. It also takes the XTAR 18700s with ease.
This is comparing a 450 lumen Predator, vs a 4-500 lumen novatac 120P 18650 with a 5 tint XM-L. Throw machine vs flood machine
Im not affiliated with Armytek in any way, I just really love my predator 109.1. Armytek was doing a pass around activity, and I have been thinking about it for a long time, but Im just worried if we can gather enough people keen enough to pay for lots of shipping....
But what is " a pass around" ?
And I did not know they make other lights than the on you pictured.
BTW: I totally agree with you on the usefulness of the light. Very pleasing beam character.
Not sure if you have checked out Jetbeam's tests before : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX7Lwkdka-8
And of course Elzetta M60 vs Surefire : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Q55phaLzU
Thanks for the input. The viking is not the same as the predator. No low low, and doesnt have the ability to program. Also, its modes are few. It can however be had for 75 dollars purchased through armytek if you ask them.
I appreciate the beam pics. You sold me, okwchin.
I've seen the Elzetta vs Surefire video before, but hadn't seen the Jetbeam video. The Jetbeam 3M has been on my list to get for a couple of months. I would choose the Elzetta light if I planned on driving over it on a daily basis or if I needed a hammer.
I just recieved the updated version of this light. It has the same output, programming, and UI. What it does have now is a clip-on one way clip and soft rubber cigar grip. The head is also slightly thicker, although the reflector is the same. I’ll put up some pics later.
Please do, that sucks. I was hoping the pocket clip would be the same. I just sent them the cash this morning =/
I already have the Jetbeam military XML. I also forked out the dough on a new bezel ring from oveready.com. Crenelated, in black. It's a decent light. My only gripe is that it only has one user programmable mode, versus the predator, or HDS light, which gives you multiple programmable modes.
I’ll try to get pics up in the morning, I have both versions to compare. Personally I think it is much better now except for the lanyard attachment point which I don’t use. It hooks to the soft rubber cigar grip. The clip is way better, my old two-way clip was caught by something and permanently ruined. This clip is tighter and versatile.
Why is this hobby so aggravating? A week ago I sent a payment to Armytek through paypal including the correct address where I would like the light shipped to. I received an email confirmation confirming the address. Armytek sends me an email through paypal with my correct address and a tracking number. The tracking number indicates it's going to some random town in Canada. I live in the usa. I ask them if they gave me the wrong tracking number, they told me they are going to call DHL...and that was that....What the hell man. How can you mess that up??
The worst part is, they're out there in canada trying to deliver it....*sigh*...I dunno about armytek.
Armytek is a Canadian company, so maybe the light got sent to their headquarters for some odd reason. I would think it would ship straight to you though. The product is good but someone in their shipping department has a screw loose. I think Light Junction sells Armytek, would probably be a better place to order from.
That's what I thought Tecmo, which is why I didnt say anything until today. It hopped into the US, then canada, then they tried to deliver it. I researched it, and this town isn't where their HQ is....
I didn't order from Lightjunction because I wanted neutral, and also LJ ignores my warranty emails, but promptly answers any of my sales emails...HEH.
crisis averted....because I live in a locked building where packages can't be left, I had it shipped to my girlfriend's parents house. Evidently, my girlfriend picked it up for me earlier today, and she will be home in a bit. They just gave me the wrong tracking number. I can now stop freaking out.
Cool, let us know what you think of it.