Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
The ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro is a versatile and high-performance headlamp designed to cater to a variety of outdoor activities, particularly caving. Boasting an array of impressive features, this headlamp has quickly become a favorite among adventurers, positioning itself as a viable contender in the caving headlamp market.
A reliable and well-constructed headlamp is essential for any caver, as it not only illuminates the surroundings, but also ensures safety by providing a clear line of sight and hands-free operation in challenging environments.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore the various aspects of the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro, including its design, performance, and durability, to help you make an informed decision about whether this headlamp is the right choice for your caving adventures. What are some of the key features and benefits that set the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro apart from its competitors?
We have briefly discussed some alternative headlamps in the market in this article. But now, let’s dive into the world of the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro and uncover what makes it stand out among the myriad of headlamp options available today.
If you’re shopping for any products that ArmyTek offers, we’re also offering our readers a promotional code that you can use to get a 15% discount.
The ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro Boasts 2500 Max Lumens with a 200 day runtime.
Upon receiving the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro, a few things jump out at you. First, it mentions the 2500 max lumens, and a 200 day runtime. These numbers are comforting compared to many other headlamps we’ve looked at.
The box included the headlamp itself, a comfortable adjustable headband, a removable pocket clip, a USB Type-C charging cable, a magnetic charging connector, two spare O-rings, a user manual, and a warranty card.
It also mentions a “No Hassle Warranty 10 years”. Take advantage of this if you ever have any issues, even years down the line!
The box arrived in about 7-10 days, which was standard.
Design and Specs
The design and build quality of the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro are truly noteworthy. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, the headlamp’s body is both lightweight and durable. The hard-anodized finish not only gives it an appealing look but also provides added protection against scratches and impacts.
The headlamp measures approximately 4.25 inches in length and 1.3 inches in diameter, making it compact enough for easy carry.
This adjustable headband is made from a high-quality, elastic material. It ensures a snug and comfortable fit for users with different head sizes. A silicone grip strip on the inner side prevents the headlamp from slipping during rigorous activities.
It’s possible the headlamp itself may feel slightly heavier than some of its competitors. With that said, the well-designed headband effectively distributes the weight, minimizing any discomfort during extended use.
One potential issue with the design, however, is the placement of the control button. Some users may find it slightly challenging to locate and press the button, especially when wearing gloves or in low-light conditions. But you’ll overcome this with practice and familiarity with the headlamp.
In terms of specs, the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro boasts an IP68 rating, which means it is both waterproof and dustproof, making it ideal for caving and other outdoor adventures. Additionally, the headlamp’s lens is made from toughened, ultra-clear glass with an anti-reflective coating, ensuring maximum light transmission and minimal distortion.
Overall, the design and build quality of the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro are impressive. Despite the minor issue with the control button placement, its robust construction, comfortable headband, and overall look are positives for me.
Performance and Features
Brightness and output levels
Maximum output and runtime: As mentioned earlier, the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro boasts an impressive maximum output of 2,500 lumens. On its highest setting, the headlamp has a runtime of up to 2 hours. This extends to 200 hours on the lowest setting.
Range of brightness levels: Six brightness levels cater to different user requirements and environments. You can switch between Turbo, High, Medium, Low, Firefly, and Strobe modes to achieve the desired level of illumination. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of activities, from caving to camping and more.
Beam quality and characteristics
The Wizard C2 Pro features a floodlight beam pattern. This provides a wide and even distribution of light, making it ideal for illuminating large areas and for close-up tasks. Unlike a spotlight, which focuses on a narrow, concentrated beam, the floodlight gives you a clear view with even lighting. This makes it viable in just about any size cave.
What about distance? With an advertised max reach of up to 426 feet (130 meters), it’s got ample coverage for most outdoor activities. The wide beam angle allows for excellent peripheral vision. This is best illustrated by simply putting it on and panning across a large region outside somewhere.
User Interface and Controls
The ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro features a single control button located on the side of the headlamp. This button is responsible for turning the headlamp on and off, as well as cycling through the various brightness levels and modes.
Modes of operation and ease of use: Operating the headlamp is relatively straightforward. A single press turns the light on or off, while holding the button down cycles through the different brightness levels. Accessing the special modes, such as Strobe, can be achieved by a series of quick presses. Although the control button may require some getting used to, the overall user interface is intuitive. It will not take long to master the cycling functionality.
Battery and Charging
We know the headlamp lasts between 2 and 200 hours, but let’s take a look at the battery itself.
The ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro utilizes a proprietary 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable battery. But it’s worth noting that the headlamp is also compatible with standard 18650 Li-Ion batteries, too. If you ever need a replacement, these are widely available and can be used as a backup power source. An example is shown on the right, found on Amazon. Both flat-top and top-button batteries can be used here.
When it comes to charging, this product includes a USB Type-C charging cable and a magnetic charging connector.
It took us about 2 hours to charge fully, but the battery wasn’t completely drained when we tried. So expect about 2-3 hours for a full charge. A built-in charging indicator helps monitor the charging progress, but this is standard at this point for good headlamps. When the battery is charging, the indicator light will glow red. Once it’s fully charged, the light will turn green.
Get yourself a high quality battery charger and keep your headlamp ready before each trip!
- Real-time LCD display monitors the four slots batteries charging status synchronously, identifies battery type and voltage or inferior batteires automatically.
- Premium fire-proof material, combined with multi-protection technologies that can effectively prevent the battery charger from over-charge, over-discharge, short circuit, over-voltage, and reverse polarity.
- Can work with any 5V 2A power bank, computer, car charger, USB Wall Charger, etc. Charge batteries any time and anywhere.
Durability and Reliability
Holding the headlamp itself, it gives a feeling of a sturdy, well-made product. The advertised impact resistance of up to 10 meters (33 feet) is not bad, and for the most part, you won’t have to worry about it dying from a drop. Don’t have it fastened incorrectly during a vertical climb or something, and you’ll be fine.
For what it’s worth, several popular headlamps feature significantly less impact resistance. The Petzl Duo S, Black Diamond Spot 350, and Fenix HP25R are all popular alternatives, and these headlamps offer just 6.5 feet (2 meters), 3.3 feet (1 meter), and 3.3 feet (1 meter) of impact resistance, respectively. I was a bit surprised to see just how much the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro blows its competition out of the water in this regard.
We mentioned the IP68 rating, which means this headlamp is both waterproof and dustproof. It can be submerged in water up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep for 30 minutes without any damage.
The lens is made from toughened, ultra-clear glass with an anti-reflective coating, and feels strong as well. I have a bias for black headlamps, and this material seems quite resistant to scratches, abrasions, and other signs of wear that may occur during regular use. We are not testing against more violent drops here, but for general use, I think it holds up fine.
While the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro demonstrates excellent durability and reliability, it’s important to note that the headlamp’s control button, as mentioned earlier, may be a minor drawback. Some users might find it challenging to locate and operate the button, especially in low-light conditions or when wearing gloves. However, this issue can be mitigated with practice and familiarity, and it does not significantly impact the overall durability and reliability of the headlamp.
Previous ArmyTek Wizard Owners: To Upgrade or Not?
If you own a previous ArmyTek Wizard model, upgrading to the C2 Pro could be a worthwhile investment, given the improvements in brightness, charging system, and heat management. They’ve bumped the max lumens up to 2500 from 2100 (correct me if I’m wrong), and previously did not offer a USB-C charging system.
Conclusion
Considering its impressive performance, durability, and versatility, the ArmyTek Wizard C2 Pro offers excellent value for money. It’s definitely a little closer to the higher-end headlamps, though not the most expensive. But its numerous advantages make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a reliable, powerful, and long-lasting lighting solution.
Compared to other headlamps, it’s definitely a viable option. It may not be the most comfortable compared to some of the more well-known brands like Petzl and Fenix, but it’s not uncomfortable, and there’s a difference there.
Also, it’s worth noting that this product doubles as a flashlight and works great for other activities like cycling or jogging at night. Thus, I think it’s fair to consider the Wizard ArmyTek C2 Pro one of the better options on the market today.
Other variations of the ArmyTek Wizard Headlamps include the C2 Pro MAX, which offers up to 4000 lumens, and some less powerful versions like the C2 Nichia Warm, with up to 1600 lumens.
Finally, ArmyTek has offered a discount for any products purchased on their site, using the code “enterthecaves“, so if you are shopping around, be sure to take advantage of this promo code!