A new light from Armytek…?
I reviewed the new Armytek Bear WRG. This flashlight has multiple LEDs (red, green, white) and an over 500m throw! This is a great light for outdoors, adventurers, hikers, and for general use.
Get the Armytek Bear WRG 👇 https://www.armytek.com/flashlights/models/bear/armytek-bear-wrg/ (15% Off Coupon Code: “darrenyeo”)
Armytek Bear WRG Review
General thoughts after a week of usage/size comparison/practicality/interesting things:
- I’m always excited when I get a flashlight that’s seemingly unique when compared to others in my collection. I think the Bear WRG definitely fits into that category! There are a bunch of lights out there these days with this tri-color functionality – but they are often large and clunky due to their zoom and internal mechanisms that rotate different LEDs in place. The Bear WRG utilizes a more compact design with a unique mechanical switch that allows you to switch between modes.
- What’s in the box: 21700 cells, magnetic charging cable, holster, diffuser, spare o-rings, 18650 spacer, and user manual. You get a 10-year ‘no hassle’ warranty with the Bear WRG.
- Comparison with Speras TH4, Ledlenser P6R Core QC – all use a rotatable head design. The LEDs are all spaced apart on the head with most area reserved for the white throw beam. Also significantly smaller than the other two.
Overall Construction, LED, lens, bezel and reflector
- Excellent quality control as always from Armytek. There are no imperfections or rough spots on the machining. Some heat dissipation cutouts on the head, as well as a crenulated bezel. There’s no sharp spots on the bezel, and it’s a conservative design, more for telling whether the light is on or not – so you should be fine getting it past security checkpoints. Battery tube has no knurling, just two spots where you can attach a friction ring. Strangely, Armytek has not included one. The anodizing feels extremely grippy and chalky, something that’s instantly recognizable about Armytek lights. It’s even grippy when the flashlight is wet. It’s my favourite finish and wish other manufacturers used something similar too. For outdoors users, this light is tough too! 10m drop resistance and can be submerged at 10m for 5 hours!
- Light is operated via two side switches – one slider that moves up and down to change the LED source (there are colored markers indicating which LED is selected) and a second yellow switch with a stainless steel retaining ring to change brightness and modes. The area under the bezel can be unscrewed, allowing you to clean the mechanical switch when necessary. The tailcap has a magnetic charging port and lanyard hole. There’s a spring on both the head and tail, and you can run the Bear WRG with any 21700 or 18650 cells.
- Triple TIR lens configuration. The main white LED is an SFT40-TIR lens that takes up the majority of the space. The green and red LEDs are squeezed into the edges but don’t overlap with the larger TIR lens. Armytek also added a glass lens with AR coating. Emitter swap would be pretty straightforward – the bezel can be unscrewed by hand, and the lens easily pops off. The white diffuser attaches easily to the head, which turns this into an omnidirectional light source. You could use this as a lantern, tent, or camping light, or to attract attention on the blinky modes.
UI – modes
- Color selection switch – move up and down.
- Lock/unlock – unscrew tail cap 1/4.
- On/off – click once. Press and hold for main1, 2, 3
- Hold from off for ML mode. Keep holding for main modes.
- Double press in any mode for blinking mode. Useful with the light cone.
Performance – total output, beam profile, longevity, practicality
- Ceiling bounce test, CRI, CCT
- 1 minute on main 3 (1500 lumens) before stepping down.
Considerations
- Large head – difficult to pocket but will fit in a jacket pocket
- Propriety charging, but will take third-party 21700 lights.
- Red/green beams have minor artifacts on a white wall – not noticeable outside. I wish they’d just extended the larger TIR lens to the entire diameter and squeezed in two small reflectors that overlap on the edges of the main lens.
- 1 minute on main 3 (1500 lumens) before stepping down.
Verdict
- The Bear WRG is a great EDC light designed for outdoors enthusiasts – the near 550m throw will be useful for spotting, long long-range visibility, while the red and green modes are great for short-range activities like walking or reading a map. The light diffuser also transforms the Bear WRG into a makeshift lantern or tool to attract attention to the blinky modes. While the head diameter is a bit larger than normal for a light of this length, it will fit nicely in cargo pants, a backpack, or a jacket pocket.
