Armytek DOBERMANN PRO, in white and warm light version, were sent to me directly by armytekstore.de for the review.
For the technical details of the torch and for the purchase: https://www.armytekstore.de/
A discount code Bright15" is available to be entered during the purchase.
One of the most successful products from Armytek regarding tactical flashlights is definitely the Dobermann Pro which stands out for its compact size combined with a solid construction.
I thank ArmytekStore.de for sending me for the review, both available models, one with cold white light (6500K/7000K) and one with warm white light (4000K) in the beautiful sand color.
Armytek Dobermann Pro is a tactical flashlight with a narrow beam and a beam throw that reaches 368 meters. It is particularly suitable for hunting and outdoor activities. Dobermann Pro has been updated in recent years while maintaining the best features of the previous version with a new firmware and electronics, new silent tactical button, fast magnetic battery charger, new pole springs etc.
The aeronautical aluminum construction has an anti-abrasive finish and has 2 modes of use: Hunting and Tactical.
Thanks to the Cree XHP35HI LED and a smooth reflector, it reaches a maximum light output of 1500 lumens (in the white light version) and is powered by a rechargeable battery in 18650 format of 3500mAh (included in the sales package) rechargeable via a proprietary magnetic charger (supplied).
Dobermann Pro has 6 light modes and a maximum autonomy of 32 hours.
It is IP68 certified (waterproof and dustproof) with a maximum immersion depth of 25 m for 5 hours.
Dobermann Pro has battery status indication and low battery indication.
Armytek Dobermann Pro is compatible with any gun mount, original remote switches and color filters.
Connection is quick and easy without unscrewing the tailcap.
KEY FEATURES:
- LED: Cree XHP35.2 HI
- Optics: Smooth Reflector
- Light Output, Lumens: 1400 lm (warm) 1500 lm (white)
- Material: 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- Max Beam Distance, Meters: 368 m (white)
- Beam Angle: 6°:40°
- Number of Modes: 6
- Tactical Operation for Quick Access to Maximum Brightness Mode and Strobe Mode.
- Steel bezel with black titanium coating
- Real-time active temperature control
- Full short circuit protection
- Any 18650 lithium-ion battery with 10A discharge current can be used
- Maximum runtime: 32 h
- Matte anti-abrasion finish (white)
- Waterproof and dustproof standard: IP68
- Safe immersion depth: 25 m
- Safe drop height: 25 m
- Operating temperatures: -40 +40 °C
- Battery status indication and Low battery indication
- 10-year warranty
Dimensions and weight:
Head diameter: 33.5 mm
Body diameter: 25.4 mm
Length: 150 mm
Weight (without battery) 114 g
Weight (with battery) 164 g
Warranty and service:
Armytek provides repairs in free warranty for 10 years (excluding batteries, chargers, mounts, holders, switches and connectors, which have a 2-year warranty) from the date of purchase if there is a document confirming the purchase.
The warranty does not apply to magnets, silicone covers of connectors and buttons, silicone rings and installation supports, clips, silicone grips, holsters, lanyards, O-rings and pads, Velcro tapes. The warranty also does not extend to damage due to misuse.
Armytek Dobermann Pro comes in a black cardboard box with the main features that distinguish it listed above. The two versions, cold light and warm light (sand), are distinguished in particular by different values of the light levels.
Excellent and complete sales package that includes various solutions for transport.
Inside the box we find: Armytek Dobermann Pro, Armytek 18650 3500mAh rechargeable battery, magnetic charging cable (proprietary) USB, holster, Steel clip, adjustable wrist strap, cigar grip, replacement O-ring and quick multilingual manual.
Dobermann Pro comes in the holster supplied with the flashlight. The holster is made of nylon, elasticated on the sides. It is simple and resistant, quite soft with a Velcro closure. It has several attachment options: on a belt of any width, on a Molle support, on equipment thanks to the upper ring (D-ring).
Dobermann Pro once inserted into the holster remains firmly in place.
The Clip in steel with black titanium coating, resistant to wear, is suitable for mounting on clothing, equipment or belt. It is short but remains firmly in place once inserted into the flashlight.
Armytek Dobermann Pro is made of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum with good thicknesses and anti-abrasive matte finish (hard Premium type III 400HV). It holds well in the hand even in rainy conditions with a good grip.
The color of the “warm” version in sand color is very nice and highlights the design of the body without knurling.
The tactical grip is facilitated by the silicone ring “cigar grip” included in the package. Good size and weight (150 mm for 164g with battery included).
On the head of the Dobermann Pro we find a smooth reflector (SMO) with the Cree XHP35 HI LED in the center (both versions). The Dobermann Pro is available in two versions: cold white (1500 lm max) and warm white (1400 lm max). The difference in brightness and throw between the two versions is minimal, so the choice falls on which of the two shades you prefer. Armytek Dobermann Pro is equipped with tempered glass with anti-reflective coating and a steel bezel with a matt black titanium coating that is anti-reflective and slightly crenulated, useful for protecting the optics and as an anti-shock tool.
Even on the Dobermann Pro we find numerous easily legible writings.
The threads of the central tube arrive well lubricated. They are anodized in the lower part allowing, by slightly unscrewing the cap, the mechanical blocking of the torch while at the two poles, for contact with the battery, there are plated springs of a fair thickness. In the upper part, as in the lower one, we find a double O-ring for protection against water and dust. The Dobermann Pro is certified by Armytek as IP68 (25 meters submersible for 5 hours).
The tail design with the unscrewable cap and the two-phase electronic switch is very nice.
The tail button, made of metal and rubber, is two-stage with an almost silent click. If the button is pressed halfway, you get instant light (Momentary On) as long as the button is held down. If pressed completely, the light stays on until the next press. Since it protrudes, it is easy to find and press it, but its protrusion can lead to involuntary switching on.
The switch is compatible with the optional magnetic remote switch, for momentary on and for fixed light, without unscrewing the tailcap.
On the tail cap there is a hole for inserting the supplied lanyard. Since the switch protrudes, it is not possible to put the torch upright (candle style).
In the package we find the proprietary magnetic USB charging cable that allows for on-the-fly charging.
To charge the 18650 battery supplied with the flashlight, tighten the head of the flashlight as much as possible and adapt the magnetic charger to the rear cap. For a full charge I took about 3 hours and 45 minutes (1A). If the cell is higher than 4.0 V, charging does not start (the charging status remains green). Always in my tests, the full charge stops at 4.16 V.
CHARGER COLOR INDICATION
Charger not connected:
• Green: Device is in standby mode.
Charger connected:
• Green flashing: Battery voltage evaluation.
• Red flashing: Clean the external and internal contacts of the rear cap, as well as the contact areas of the charger.
• Orange flashing: USB power source voltage is too low for proper continuation of charging or poor contact between charger and battery. Clean the rear cap and threads of the flashlight parts, use a different power source.
• Red: Charging with rated charging current is in progress.
• Orange: USB power source voltage is too low, charging current is low.
• Green: Charging is finished.
Dobermann Pro allows you to use any 18650 lithium-ion battery, with or without PCB, with a discharge current of 10A and provides complete protection against short circuit even in case of contact between magnetic connector and metal objects.
The battery supplied with the Dobermann Pro is a 18650 (flat) with high discharge rate (up to 13A) rechargeable 3500mAh without PCB (protection circuit) with safety spill with thermal cut-off protection.
Armytek Dobermann Pro next to other flashlights:
From left: Armytek 18650 battery, Armytek Dobermann Pro (white), Armytek Dobermann Pro (warm), Nitecore MH12 Pro, Armytek Predator Pro and Fenix TK11 TAC.
User Interface (UI):
Armytek Dobermann Pro has 2 modes of use:
Hunting with 5 modes: Main1, Main2, Main3, Strobe and Turbo and Tactical with 4 modes: Strobe1, Strobe2, Main3 and Turbo.
The Dobermann Pro User Interface is particular, but once you have practiced it becomes easy to manage.
To switch from one mode to another, unscrew and tighten the head of the torch at least 10 times. The pause between movements must be less than 1 sec. At the end the torch flashes once, confirming the action.
The electronic button is dual-stage allowing Momentary-On.
After switching off the last mode used is memorized for quick access the next time it is switched on.
Armytek Dobermann Pro has active temperature control in real time. When the temperature approaches +58 °C, the brightness decreases, which helps to prevent overheating of the flashlight and battery, as well as degradation of the LEDs. In good cooling conditions, the flashlight provides light without decreasing.
When the battery voltage drops, the brightness will gradually decrease to ensure the safety of the battery and the user. When the mode brightness drops below approximately 25% of the nominal value, the main LED will flash 2 times.
Instructions for use (taken from the online manual):
N.B. Before use: tighten the tailcap fully.
- In any mode:
The first full click of the button turns the light on. The second full click turns it off.
A half-press of the button (no click) turns the light on momentarily until the button is released.
- HUNTING mode (default)
Turbo. Before turning the light on in Turbo mode, tighten the head of the light if it is loose.
Additional modes. Before turning the light on in the additional modes, unscrew the head by 1/8 if it is tight. A full click activates the last additional mode used.
Scroll through additional modes. To change additional modes, switch the light ON or OFF (with a full click or half-press). The light should not be off for more than 2 sec. Modes cycle: Main1 – Main2 – Main3 – Strobe2 (if enabled).
Add/Remove Strobe2 in additional modes. Turn on the flashlight by half-pressing at least 20 times. The flashlight should not be on for more than 1 sec. The last step should be a full click. The flashlight will flash once, confirming the action.
- TACTICAL Mode
Constant Light. Before turning on the flashlight in constant light, tighten the head if it is loose.
Changing constant light modes. The head is tight: unscrew it 1/8 and tighten again in 1 sec. Turbo and Main2 will cycle.
Strobe. Before turning on the flashlight in Strobe mode, unscrew the head 1/8 if it is tight.
Changing strobe modes. The head is loose: tighten it and unscrew again 1/8. Strobe1 and Strobe2 will cycle.
Lockout function. Unscrew the rear cap 1/4 to protect against accidental switching on.
BEAM and RUNTIME
Armytek Dobermann Pro is available in two versions, with cold or warm white light. The white version’s beam (6500K/7000K) has a more effective blinding effect when using the Strobe mode for self-defense while the Dobermann Pro with warm light (4000K) is certainly more effective in rain and fog and better transmits the natural color of objects, reducing eye strain during prolonged use.
The light output and the distance of the beam, which covers low and medium distances, is slightly greater in the cold white light version.
Both colors are beautiful. The white with a clean beam without particular artifacts and the warm version with a color without a green cast or tint variation.
The Dobermann Pro beam has a concentrated light beam with a focused spot and a narrow spill thanks to the smooth and deep reflector. With the wall test, we see the white version below, some concentric rings are noted which however do not influence and are not noticeable in normal use. The central spot (hotspot), indicated by Armytek with 6°, has a smooth transition with the lateral illumination (spill) of 40°. This type of configuration causes a tendency of the Dobermann Pro towards medium distance illumination (100-200 meters) for hunting or tactical applications.
Always with the wall test the two beams side by side (warm version and white version).
With the Light Master Pro from OPPLE, a fairly precise device even if not calibrated, I measured the value of the CCT color temperature, the Ra color rendering and the flicker measurement if present. These are the data reported by the test:
White light version:
TURBO - Color temperature (K): 7163 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 73.2 - Duv= -0.0011
MAIN3 - Color temperature (K): 6683 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 72.3 - Duv= 0.0016
MAIN2 - Color temperature (K): 6589 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 72.1 - Duv= 0.0021
MAIN1 - Color temperature (K): 6552 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 72 - Duv= 0.0021
Flicker index (risk): no risk for the tested brightnesses.
Warm light version:
TURBO - Color temperature (K): 4219 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 70.5 - Duv= 0.0047
MAIN3 - Color temperature (K): 4160 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 71 - Duv= 0.0052
MAIN2 - Color temperature (K): 4112 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 70.6 - Duv= 0.0061
MAIN1 - Color temperature (K): 4132 - Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): 71.1 - Duv= 0.0054
Flicker index (risk): no risk for the tested brightnesses.
In the table below are some peak values in candela (cd) taken with my Luxmeter.
In my tests the difference in meters of throw between the two versions, warm light and cold light, is about 4% in favor of the cold white light.
The images below were taken with a thermal camera after 2 minutes and 5 minutes from the activation of the TURBO level of 1500 lumens (white light version) and show how the heat is distributed on the body of the flashlight. As specified by Armytek the design of the head and the spring on the driver bring better heat dissipation to protect the battery from overheating. No problem to hold the flashlight with bare hands.
Runtime:
The runtime tests were carried out indoors (about 18°C) with the supplied battery fully charged. For the test I used the LX1330B Luxmeter.
I would like to point out that the values expressed in the graphs must be taken, above all, as a reference because they were made with means and environmental conditions different from those used in the laboratory. The measurement made with the Luxmeter reports the values in Candela (cd) and not the brightness expressed.
As you can see from the graph below, the Dobermann Pro is well adjusted. In my tests, the runtime, in Turbo mode, roughly reflects that declared by Armytek while with the Main3 level it is lower.
When the temperature approaches +58 °C, the brightness decreases to avoid overheating of the torch and the battery, as well as degradation of the LED.
In the Armytek Dobermann Pro (both versions) in Turbo mode, after about 2 minutes from switching on, there is a sudden drop in brightness that settles at a value slightly less than half of the initial value. The curve then remains constant until about 86 minutes from switching on to slowly go towards battery exhaustion through some step-downs.
When the battery is almost flat (brightness of the mode is about <25% of the nominal value) the Dobermann Pro emits two flashes to warn the user of the imminent battery exhaustion.
In Main3 mode, the brightness remains constant, from switching on, for about 4 hours before starting the descent due to battery exhaustion.
In these tests, the Dobermann Pro was able to be switched on again, at the end of the test, for a few minutes.
At the end of runtime, the Armytek 3500mAh battery marked 2.8V.
The first 10 minutes:
The turbo can be restarted, but it stops after a short period of time due to the temperature reached. We see in the graph below the reactivation of the Turbo level after about 11 and 18 minutes from the start of the test.
VIDEO
CONCLUSIONS
Armytek Dobermann Pro is a well-built tactical flashlight ideal for hunting or outdoor activities. The warm light version with sand color is really beautiful. Thanks to the smooth and deep reflector, its beam reaches medium distances easily covering 100 meters. I found the construction of the flashlight body to be excellent, the bezel on the head in stainless steel, the springs at the head and tail for contact with the battery and the precise and silent double-stroke switch.
The sales package is complete with a high-performance battery and with a holster, clip and lanyard for transport. Between the two colors, cold and warm, I would not know what to choose even if for depth beams I usually prefer the cold light as it is more performing. Both beams do not have green tones fortunately.
The user interface with the two modes of use and after a bit of practice becomes easy to manage. Perhaps a Firefly level is missing that is absent in this configuration.
Armytek Dobermann Pro has a good regulation with active temperature control and, what is rare nowadays, it is possible to use non-proprietary batteries to power it, both with the button to the positive and without, although it is highly recommended to use a high-performance battery (+10A).
In conclusion, I really appreciated Armytek Dobermann Pro. Recommended.
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