{"id":1210,"date":"2021-10-01T11:06:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T08:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.armytek.com\/blog\/?p=1210"},"modified":"2022-03-18T16:59:10","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T13:59:10","slug":"armytek-armytek-viking-pro-magnet-usb-review-by-1lumen-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armytek.com\/blog\/flashlights-and-accessories\/armytek-armytek-viking-pro-magnet-usb-review-by-1lumen-com\/","title":{"rendered":"Armytek Viking Pro (Magnet USB) Review by 1lumen.com"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Armytek Viking Pro Magnet USB specifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brand\/model<\/th>Armytek Viking Pro (Magnet USB)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
LED<\/td>CREE XHP50.2<\/td><\/tr>
Lumens<\/td>2050 Lumens<\/td><\/tr>
Beam intensity<\/td>20,164 cd \/ 284m<\/td><\/tr>
Battery config.<\/td>1*18650<\/td><\/tr>
Material<\/td>Aluminum<\/td><\/tr>
Modes<\/td>2<\/td><\/tr>
Blinkies<\/td>2 Strobes<\/td><\/tr>
Reflector<\/td>Smooth<\/td><\/tr>
Waterproof<\/td>IP68, 25 meters depth up to 5 hours<\/td><\/tr>
Review date<\/td>September 2021<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n


Introduction:<\/strong>

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\u201cTactical\u201d has a bit of a stigma in the flashlight world. The word is thrown around by advertisers that market cheap zoomie clones as having 99999500 lumens. That\u2019s not what we have here today though. When we talk about tactical flashlights what we really mean is flashlights that are suitable for use by professionals in the armed forces. That means things like having a tail switch that predictably goes to a high mode, being waterproof, impact-proof (usually meaning a steel bezel), and easy to use with one hand with gloves on. It also normally means a standard 1\u201d diameter to fit a gun mount and being able to withstand recoil when shooting a gun. Many tactical lights are compatible with remote switches too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although tactical lights are second nature to Armytek, the Viking Pro is the first tactical light we\u2019ve reviewed from them, aside from the Dobermann Pro that I\u2019m reviewing at the same time. All the other lights have been their multi-function headlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the new generation of Viking flashlights from Armytek. Previously they didn\u2019t have magnetic USB charging and Armytek also had a non-Pro version of the Viking, with XP-L LED, which isn\u2019t as bright but throws a bit further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armytek also has 2 other similar lights, both with XHP35 HI LEDs that aren\u2019t as bright but throw further. These are the Predator Pro with the same size head and the Dobermann Pro with smaller head that I\u2019m also reviewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m no armed forces expert but I\u2019m pretty sure a flashlight failing on you when out in the field would be a bad thing. Flashlights need to be very high quality to be used in these conditions. With \u201cPro\u201d in the name I\u2019m expecting this to be one of the highest quality lights I\u2019ve seen. Let\u2019s see how it measures up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Package quality.<\/strong>

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Armytek\u2019s flashlights come in a fairly standard cardboard box. This is printed with all the specs, details of the warranty, and handy diagrams of how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the package you\u2019ll find:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Armytek Viking Pro<\/li>
  • 18650 cell<\/li>
  • Manual<\/li>
  • Magnetic USB charger<\/li>
  • 2 spare O-rings<\/li>
  • Steel pocket clip<\/li>
  • Cigar grip ring<\/li>
  • Nylon belt holster<\/li>
  • Lanyard<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The packaging shows the following items as optional:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Magnetic mount<\/li>
    • Remote switch<\/li>
    • Red, green, blue and white diffuse filters<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        Flashlight in use<\/strong>

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        The Viking Pro isn\u2019t huge but it\u2019s pretty big for a flashlight that takes a single 18650 cell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Armytek doesn\u2019t use knurling for grip on lots of their lights. Instead, they have a very nice matte anodisation that provides pretty good grip. As the light has a 1\u201d diameter body you shouldn\u2019t have any issues gripping it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        With the cigar grip on, the light is easy to hold with 2 fingers either side of the body tube and a thumb resting on the switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The tail switch is a 2 stage e-switch that you can press lightly or press fully for a quiet click. It looks just like a forward-clicky mechanical switch and it acts the same too. The only way you can tell it\u2019s an e-switch is because if you disconnect power when the light\u2019s on then it will stay off when you connect power again. How has Armytek done this? I\u2019m sure someone cleverer than me can explain it but as far as I\u2019m concerned it\u2019s magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The fancy tail switch is mainly rubber but includes a metal bump with a ring around it. These are slightly magnetic and allow the magnetic USB charging cable to align right into place. I\u2019m a bit concerned by these 2 exposed bits of metal as they will connect to the positive and negative of the battery. This is great for reviewers, as it means the cell voltage can be measured without removing the cell! You won\u2019t short the 2 bits of metal with something flat like a metal sheet but something like a key could short them. Armytek states there\u2019s full protection against short circuit but with the dangers of lithium cells that\u2019s not something I\u2019m willing to test. This switch design also means the light won\u2019t tail stand \u2013 unless it\u2019s standing on the magnetic base. Another thing about the switch: you can activate it with your palm or by pressing the light down on a flat surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The clip is short and very strong. It\u2019ll stay attached to a belt very well but it\u2019s not the kind of deep carry clip for EDC. The clip (and the cigar grip) also stops the light from rolling around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The holster can be attached to a belt without taking it off and includes a D-ring so you could clip it on to a bag. I was a bit concerned about the switch being activated when in the holster but in reality, this isn\u2019t an issue at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Build Quality, and Warranty<\/strong>

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          No knurling, as mentioned, but the thick matte aluminium anodisation makes up for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          About 6 rotations and the tail removes from the body, revealing not 1 but 2 o-rings. This would be overkill for most lights but Armytek is all about durability and this helps with the IP68 \u201c25m for 5 hours\u201d water resistance. The square cut threads are very well lubed and fairly smooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          You can also unscrew the head from the body. 2 o-rings again but these threads aren\u2019t anodised. All the springs are fairly thick and take some force to compress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          No complaints at all on the build quality side of things: Armytek has obviously built a very robust light here. The manual implies that the driver is potted and reinforced. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if you could drop it from a skyscraper, take it scuba diving, then drive over it in a tank and still use it overnight as a weapon light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Warranty: 10-year warranty for the flashlight. 2 years for batteries, chargers, switches and connectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            LED, Lens, Bezel, and Reflector<\/strong>

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            The Viking Pro used to come with XP-L or XHP50 LED. It now comes with a second generation XHP50.2 for a few more lumens. Like most Armytek flashlights, you can buy the Viking Pro in \u201cwarm\u201d or \u201cwhite\u201d. I picked warm, which seems to be somewhere between 4000K and 5000K. This tells me that they\u2019ve used a 6-12V LED, as the XHP50.2 doesn\u2019t come in a 3V version with warm CCTs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CREEs XHP series of lights are known for their tint rainbow. The orange peel reflector helps a bit here but unfortunately the \u201cCREE rainbow\u201d is definitely noticeable on a white wall. Not the biggest problem for tactical use but it would put me off using it indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Above the reflector is a tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating. The bezel above it is steel with a titanium coating and has light crenelations. The coating is matte black for stealth. It\u2019s not especially sharp but you could probably do some damage with it if you tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Armytek describes the Viking Pro\u2019s beam as \u201c20 meter spot at 100m\u201d. This means 9.8 cd\/lm so while it\u2019s not a thrower, it\u2019s on the throwy end of tactical lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n