Armytek Wizard C2 PRO MAX specifications

Brand/model	Armytek Wizard C2 PRO Max
LED	CREE XHP70.2
Lumens	4,000 lm
Beam distance	114 meters
Battery config.	1*21700
Material	Aluminum
Modes	7 (with 2 different UI groups)
Blinkies	3 Strobes
Reflector	honeycomb TIR
Waterproof	IP68
Review date	August 2021

Introduction:

Armytek is a professional flashlight manufacturer from Canada. They have been building flashlights for quite some time (2010 to be precise, but it all started back 3 years earlier, in 2007). According to their website, they have sold over 1 million flashlights worldwide.

This is our seconds Armytek headlamp review on 1lumen.com. Technically speaking, this isn’t your average headlamp, but a 3-in-1 light: headlamp, bicycle light, and a flashlight. The one we are reviewing is the Wizard C2 PRO MAX, the successor of the Wizard C2 PRO.

The Armytek Wizard C2 PRO MAX uses a different UI and a different battery size, 21700 instead of 18650.

Package quality.

The C2 PRO MAX was shipped in its original packaging with the following:

• The Armytek Wizard C2 PRO MAX headlamp
• Stainless steel pocket clip
• Magnetic USB charging cable
• 21700 battery (5,000mAh)
• 18650 battery adapter
• Headband + mount
• Bicycle mount (ABM-01)
• 2 O-rings
• Manual (in 8 languages) (The online PDF manual is much more detailed!)

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The Armytek Wizard C2 PRO MAX in use

The number of accessories Armytek included gives the light a good first impression. Fortunately there’s a simple manual included in 8 different languages. It only includes the basic information on the UI. If you want all the details, you have to download the manul from the Armytek website: https://www.armytek.com/

Just like the previous C2 PRO, the anodization is black matte. This type of anodization doesn’t make the flashlight feel slippery, and that’s definitely a pro.

Being a multi-functional headlamp/flashlight, you can use/attach/carry it in many different ways:

1. You can carry it in hand like any other right-angle flashlight
2. You can attach it to something using the pocket clip (onto your baseball hat, belt, or jeans)
3. You can carry it with the head strap, like a headlamp
4. You can attach it to your bike using the bicycle mount
5. You can attach it to metal using the magnetic tailcap
6. You can set it straight up on its tail, like a candle (not really, because it’s directing the beam sideways)

This is truly a multi-functional flashlight.

There’s an electronic switch located on the side of the head with a bright yellow rubber boot. Underneath the boot, is an indicator LED that shows the battery status but also the heat status. I will explain more about this in the battery section.

The UI can be a bit complicated, especially

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Build Quality, and Warranty

The choice of anodization/coating for the C2 PRO MAX can be seen as a PRO and a CON at the same time. It’s great for grip etc, but it is also a bit sensitive to scuffs and blemishes. Especially at the point where you attach the pocket clip or the headband clips.

But keep in mind, this is a tool and not a toy. Tools get used and beat up, so you should expect some damage and scuffs on the headlamp anyway.

There’s a strong and fatty gold-looking spring in the tailcap, with a built-in magnet. The magnet can’t be removed and is there to attach the magnetic USB charging cable for charging the battery inside the headlamp. However, you can also attach the flashlight to any metal object.

The threads on the tailcap are bare aluminum, and have 2 o-rings to guarantee no water is getting in. Armytek also includes 2 spare o-rings in case you’d need to replace them.

If something happens to the light, you can get a 10-year no-hassle warranty (excluding batteries, chargers, switches, and connectors, which have a 2-year warranty) from the date of purchase if there is a document confirming the purchase. For more details on their warranty policy, check out their website.

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LED, Lens, Bezel, and Reflector

Armytek mentions the type of LED in their extended (downloadable) manual. It’s a CREE XHP70.2 LED, and you can choose between the ‘normal white’ and ‘warm white’ version.

This copy is the “white light” edition, which means it’s on the cool side with a max of 4000 lumens. But you can also get the ‘warm light’ with a max output of 3720 lumens. You wouldn’t really notice the difference in the number of lumens, but you will definitely see the difference in color temperature.

One thing that I like about the TIR optic is the amazing flood. The center is of course much brighter than the spill, but there is a very smooth transition that makes it easy on your vision. And on top of that, there is a very smooth transition between the spill and the darkness outside the beam. The hotspot has an angle of 110° and the spill up to 150°.

The bezel is made of stainless steel and gives this headlamp a premium appearance.

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Dimensions and size comparison

• Length: 121.7 mm / 4.789 ”
• Head diameter:  30.55 mm / 1.2 ”
• Body diameter: 23.5 mm / 0.925 ”
• Tailcap diameter: 27.5 mm / 1.08 “

Weight: 

• Empty: 83.3 g / 2.94 oz
• With battery: 1152.6 g / 5.38 oz

Headlamp comparison

Size compared to other well-known headlamps

Image 1+2: Armytek Wizard C2 PRO Max (21700) and Wizard C2 PRO (18650)

Image 3: from left to right: Armytek 21700 battery, Armytek Wizard C2 PRO Max, Armytek Wizard C2 PRO, Fireflies PL47 g2, Manker E03H II

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Driver & User Interface:

At first I was under the impression that Armytek changed the UI for the C2 PRO MAX to 1 advanced UI. But in reality, it still has 2 different UI’s which is not explained in the extended PDF manual, that I was using as my main guidance for this review. Armytek seems to got rid of Turbo 3.

Armytek uses its own uniquely designed User Interface. If you’re used to it, you should be fine. If you’re considering buying the Wizard C2 PRO MAX as your first Armytek flashlight, please pay close attention. I had a hard time figuring this out because the manual is very brief about the UI. But once you understand how the groups work, it does make a little bit more sense than just reading the manual.

Switching the 2 Mode Groups / User Interfaces: While the flashlight is off, unscrew the tailcap a 1/4 turn. Press the button and tighten the tailcap while keeping the button pressed. Each time it will switch between Simple UI and Advanced UI doing this.

By default, it’s shipped with the General UI. This basically means you have 2 Firefly modes, 3 main modes, and 1 Turbo. I will put them in a quick overview for you. The second UI is called the Advanced UI.

General UI

Available modes in GENERAL UI: (Pay attention here and read the details carefully)

This section is also slightly different from the C2 PRO!!!

• Default modes: Firefly1, Firefly2, Main1, Main2, Main3, Turbo2
• There is NO blinky (strobe) mode in the General UI
• Firefly1, and Firefly2 are not part of the menu cycle
• You can not access Firefly1 and Firefly2 from the normal menu cycle
• You can access Firefly1 and Firefly2 from Turbo, if you went from a Firefly mode to Turbo by a double click
• Turbo mode (Turbo2 by default) can only be accessed with a Double-click repeat to go back to previous mode
• There is only 1 Turbo mode in the General UI (this part can be a bit confusing, but I got used to it). The Wizard C2 PRO MAX has 2 Turbo modes, namely Turbo1, and Turbo2. Turbo2 is the default Turbo mode in General UI.
  You can set Turbo mode in General UI to Turbo1 if that is your last used Turbo mode in the Advanced UI! So you first need to change to ADVANCED UI to set your desired Turbo output.

Overview GENERAL UI From OFF:

• Single-click: last used mode, including all modes, even Turbo
• Double-click: nothing (flashlight turns on and off again, so no special mode)
• Triple-click: nothing (flashlight turns on and of and on again, so no special mode)
• 4 clicks: nothing (flashlight turns on, off, on, off, so no special mode)
• Press and hold: Firefly1. And continue pressing to go to Firefly2 etc.

Overview GENERAL UI From ON:

• Single click: the flashlight turns OFF
• Double click: activates Turbo (if not in Turbo. If in Turbo, it will revert back to the previously used mode, including Firefly)
• 3, 4, 5 clicks: Nothing, the light will just turn off, on, off , on.

Advanced UI

Available modes in ADVANCED UI:

Advanced UI is basically 4 types of UIs you can toggle in between using a set number of clicks. While the General UI looks like most other flashlights that have no Turbo or Moon (Firefly) mode in the normal menu.

In Advanced menu, you have 4 different mode groups you can toggle between. (They got rid of the 3rd Firefly and 3rd Turbo mode)

• 2 Firefly modes in Firefly Mode Group (Firefly1, Firefly2)
• 3 Normal modes in Normal Mode Group (Main1, Main2, Main3)
• 2 Turbo modes in Turbo Mode Group (Turbo1, Turbo2)
• 3 Strobe modes in Strobe Mode Group (Strobe1, Strobe2, Strobe3).

Read this very careful

When you activate Advanced UI, and you press-and-hold the switch from off, it will run through 6 modes ( I don’t know why it doesn’t run through all 7 modes or even all 10 modes including the 3 Strobes).

• Available modes in ADVANCED UI: Firefly1, Firefly2, Main1, Main2, Main3, Turbo1, Turbo2, Strobe1, Strobe2, Strobe3

Overview ADVANCED UI From OFF:

• Press and hold: runs through the first 6 modes (except Turbo2 and Strobe modes) from Firefly1 up to Turbo1.
  • When you release the switch at one of the Firefly modes (Firefly1, Firefly2), you activate the Firefly Mode Group. So if you press and hold the switch again, you will only run through the 3 Firefly modes. A single click from Off will bring you back in the same mode group.
  • When you release the switch with Main1, Main2, Main3 (You can call them low, med and high if you want) you activated the Normal Mode Group. If you press and hold the switch again, you will only run through Main1, Main2 and Main3. A single click from Off will bring you back in the same mode group.
  • When you release the switch in the brightest mode (Turbo1), you activated Turbo Mode Group. If you press and hold the switch again, you will only run through the 3 Turbo modes. A single click from Off, will bring you back in the same mode group.
• Single-click:  (to last used mode, including Firefly, Turbo, and even Strobe modes)
• Double-click: Activates Normal Mode Group.
• Triple-click: Activates Turbo Mode Group.
• 4-clicks: Activates Strobe Mode Group
• 5+ clicks: nothing (will just activate the Strobe Mode Group)

Overview ADVANCED UI From ON:

• Press and hold: will just run through the current mode group. In Normal mode group it will cycle continuously between the 3 normal modes. In Firefly Mode Group it will just toggle between the 2 firefly modes, and in Turbos and Strobes likewise.
• Single-click: Turns the light off
• Double click: Activates Normal Mode Group
• Triple-click: Activates Turbo Mode Group
• 4 clicks: Activates Strobe Mode Group
• 5+ clicks: nothing (you will just activate Strobe Mode Group)

Mode memory:

• Yes, in every mode, in every mode group. Even including Turbo or Strobe.

Blinky modes menu:

• Not in GENERAL UI
• Only available in ADVANCED UI by clicking 4 times from either off or on
• Press and hold to toggle between the 3 Strobe modes

Low Voltage Warning:

• The output drops and the light starts to blink:
  • Orange every 2 seconds for <25%
  • Red every second: <10%

The flashlight will reduce output when the battery runs low.

The low battery level warnings can be turned off. There are 3 options:

• Default: Off in Firefly modes and when the flashlight is turned off
• Always On
• Always Off

To change between the 3, you simply turn the flashlight off, unscrew the tailcap 1/4, press the switch, and tighten the tailcap while holding the switch. This is the same as changing between Advanced UI and General UI.

Lock-out mode:

• Unscrew the tailcap. Even though the tailcap has bare threads, it does turn off while unscrewing.

PWM:

• Not visible by eye.

Firmware / UI Conclusion:

With my first C2 PRO I had to get used to the UI, especially the Advanced UI. Now I’m used to it, and think it’s a very interesting UI, but hard to remember if you have as many flashlights as me.

Batteries & Charging

One thing that I have noticed over the last few years, is the number of manufacturers including a battery with their flashlights. Of course, there were always some companies doing this, but recently, many of the well-known brands do this. And although some brands use proprietary batteries, that have a few cons, they are usually meant to promise you the best performance and safety.

Armytek did the same thing by providing a 21700 non-protected, flat top battery (non-proprietary). The battery itself doesn’t seem to have any specific model number, but it clearly states 21700 and capacity (5000mAh).

And since the battery is non-proprietary, you can charge the battery in any lithium-ion charger that accepts 21700 batteries. And if you want to use a 18650 battery, they even included a 18650 battery adapter!

I even tried one of the longest 21700 batteries I have lying around (Acebeam 21700 with USB port) and it works. I wouldn’t recommend using it unless you are in an emergency. The reason why I say this is because I’m afraid it can break the driver under so much pressure.

Also, you don’t need to go and buy a 21700 battery charger, because the Armytek Wizard C2 PRO MAX package includes a magnetic USB charger.

My armytek flashlight is blinking red when charging?

WARNING: You need to unscrew the tailcap for 1/4 turn before you can charge the battery!

This is not written in the manual I received, nor on the package. This is another con because I need to remember this besides the other 100 flashlights I own, lol. Fortunately, this is the same as with the other Armytek headlamp I have, so no big deal. But you may run into this for the first time and wonder why it’s not working.

When charging, the red light should be solid green or red, not blinking red. When the battery is finished charging, the light will turn green.

When the battery is running low, the indicator LED on the flashlight will start blinking red every second or 2. It then cuts down to a lower mode (with a quick blink once), and finally to a firefly mode. This will give you plenty of time to replace or recharge your battery. I would suggest replacing the battery the first time it drops down, and don’t wait till the bitter end. This way you will treat the battery with care, and are less likely to damage it by discharging it too deeply.

Charging starts at 0.11A when the battery’s Voltage is really low (2.8V), and increases to 1Ah when passed 3V. This is a good way to be easy on the battery. Charging a 5000mAh takes between 5 and 6 hours which is not very fast. Therefore, I would still recommend using a dedicated 21700 battery charger.

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Performance

Lumen measurements:

All output numbers are relative to my homemade Integrating Sphere. It is set up with an Extech SDL400 Lux Meter for measurements including a Kenko PRO1D ND-16 filter. The base measurement is done with a Convoy S2+ that is tested at 255 lumens.

All of my readings were taken from the included 5000mAh 21700 battery.

Below are the modes, amp measurements, specs, and my measurements at 10 minutes, 30 seconds, and direct at the start.

Mode	Amps	Specs	@ 10min	@ 30sec	@ start
Firefly1	5.6mA	0.35	.	0.62	0.62
Firefly2	0.017A	4.6	.	7.58	7.58
Main1 (low)	0.05A	45	.	33	33
Main 2 (med)	0.19A	150	128	128	128
Main3 (high)	0.57A	450	378	381	382
Turbo1	1.94A	1300	1076	1113	1121
Turbo2	7.3A	4000 lm	796 lm	3499 lm	3455 lm

Turbo actually started ramping up slightly before it started to decrease output again.

Unfortunately, the C2 PRO MAX is not reaching its advertised output in any of the Main or Turbo modes. Is that bad? I don’t think you will notice the difference between 3500 lumens and 4000 lumens.

Parasitic drain:

• Measured 9µA (but looks like a spike every 3 seconds or so, and then comes back to 9µA. Even when the indicator LED is turned off. I assume that’s just the energy the blinking LED pulls.

Runtime:

The runtime test was done with the 50cm integrating sphere, including the Kenko Pro1D ND-16 filter and Extech SDL400 data logging Lux Meter.

I only measured Main2, Main3, Turbo1, and Turbo2.

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Turbo 2 starts off at around 3500 lumens and then increases output slightly before dropping down to about 790 lumens at the 1 minute and 30 seconds mark. It then continues at that output for 3 hours and 13 minutes when it drops down a few times until it reaches about 30 lumens at 3 hours and 26 minutes. That’s the total runtime.
The light continues to run at 30+ lumens till it drops to 1 lumen at 5 hours and 8 minutes. It continues at 1 lumen for another 6+ hours, when I turned the light off myself.
(Specs show 3 h 15 min, but the actual runtime is a bit longer than that)

Turbo 1 starts off at around 1120 lumens and slowly drops to 1070 lumens at 17 minutes. It drops down to about 785 lumens and continues at this output for 3 hours and 13 minutes. At that point, it starts dropping like Turbo 2, and reaches about 30 lumens at 3 hours and 26 minutes. That’s the total runtime. Just like with Turbo 2, the output drops down to 1 lumen an runs at that output for another few hours.
(Specs show 3h 20 min, which is about the same as tested)

Main 3 starts at about 375 lumens and runs at that output for 7 hours and 12 minutes, when it also drops to 30 lumens at 7 hours and 22minutes. At 9 hours and 17 minutes it finally drops to 1 lumen and continues at that output for a couple more hours. From all the runtime tests I have performed, the light never shut off.
(Specs show 7h, which is about the same as I tested)

Main 2 is the lowest mode I tested. It starts at around 129 lumens and does that for 21 hours and 50 minutes. At that point it drops down to 30 lumens like the other tests, and I stopped the test at 23 hours and 39 minutes.
(Specs say 21h, which was easily achieved)

From looking at these runtimes, I think Main 1, Firely2, and Firefly1 are likely correct as well: Firefly1=2 months, Firelfy2=2 weeks, Main 1=64 hours.

So these runtimes are quite extreme! If you’re looking for a headlamp that runs for days or weeks on low output, definitely consider the C2 PRO MAX.

Throw Measurement

Measurements were taken indoors at 5 meters with a professional Hagner E4-X Lux Meter, at 30 seconds.

Mode	Candela measured	Meters	Yards
Firefly 2	10	6	7
Main 1	50	14	15
Main 2	175	26	29
Main 3	525	46	50
Turbo 1	1525	78	85
Turbo 2	4800 cd	139 m	152 yards

Thanks 1lumen.com for the review!