When I opened the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 camping flashlight box, a vivid memory of my pilgrimage to Shrikhand Mahadev in Kullu, India, came to mind. It was a dark, rainy night, and three of us friends were struggling on a rocky path, relying on just two small flashlights. Suppose we had the Archer 2A V3 back then, finding the trail would have been much easier, as we would have been able to see much farther away. Thanks to our team’s efforts, I now have the chance to review this flashlight on one of my camping trips.
As winter began this year, my friends and I planned a trip to a temple atop a hill in Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of India. We arrived late in the evening at the base, from where we started the trek, and that is when the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 came to life. Darkness fell quickly after passing the last village, revealing a narrow, winding path through dense forest wide enough for just one person. The flashlight guided us the entire way, with its long throw beam illuminating a wide area ahead at once.
During one part of the trek, I scouted ahead through the forest to confirm the right path amid multiple confusing trails. The Archer impressed me with its long-throw beam, allowing me to see far ahead and verify the direction. I even signaled my friends to keep climbing using the flashlight’s strobe mode. It proved life-saving on our camping trip: with no electricity at the temple, we cooked by its light and hung it from the ceiling via its lanyard to brightly illuminate our sleeping area. Please keep reading to learn more about this big impact in a small package.
Design and Build
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 features an aerospace-grade aluminum body with a military-grade Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish with a rugged, tactical black look. Its sleek pen-like form factor is ideal for everyday carry in hand or a camping bag. The textured midsection and tailcap provide great grip, while the recessed design enhances handling.
It also features a reversible, removable pocket clip with two positions, although it leaves part of the torch exposed when in the pocket. I skipped clipping it to my bag to avoid losing it, but kept it inside until it was required. The light is 1.5-meter impact-resistant and IPX8 waterproof (submersible to 1.5 meters and it even survived my accidental trek drop and 15-20 foot slide safely.
Controls and Operation
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 flashlight uses a user-friendly dual-switch system. The tail switch functions as a forward-clicky button that allows momentary on (when pressed halfway) or constant on/off (when fully clicked). The U-shaped groove that forms the raised edges on the tail makes it easy to press partially for quick light without fully turning it on. Both of the features help avoid accidental activation, especially when carrying the flashlight in the pocket.
The side switch controls the lighting modes. With the light on, a single press cycles through four brightness levels: Firefly (0.2 lumens) for ultra-low light, Low (17 lumens) for close tasks, Medium (70 lumens) for general use, and High (500 lumens) for bright illumination and long-range visibility. Holding down the side switch activates the Strobe mode, useful for signaling or emergencies, and a single press exits this mode. The flashlight also remembers the last used brightness mode when turned on again, except it does not retain the Strobe mode.
Light Quality
Powered by two AA batteries, the Archer 2A V3 uses a CREE XP-L V2 LED for a maximum output of 500 lumens. It was bright enough and guided us clearly through the forest. I mostly used Low mode for general navigation, while High proved essential for spotting the path far ahead.
The flashlight, with its five different modes, offers a runtime varying from 15-28 days on Firefly mode to 96-120 minutes on High, with Medium lasting approximately 11 hours and Low lasting between 4 and 51 hours. The flashlight has a beam distance of 93 meters with an intensity of 2200 candela.
Portability
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is compact and lightweight, measuring 6.1 inches (155 mm) long, with a 0.87-inch (22 mm) bezel diameter, and weighing just 48 g without batteries. This makes it easy to carry on long treks or as an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight. It comes with a lanyard that lets you hang it on your bag, wrist, or belt for convenient access in the outdoors.
What We Like:
- Compact size and durable build
- Brightness
What We Don’t Like:
- The pocket clip is not sturdy and can lead to dropping the flashlight
- Gets heated up
- No rechargeable battery
- Beam size is not adjustable
What’s Included:
- Archer 2A V3 camping flashlight
- Lanyard
- Pocket clip
- Two spare O-rings
- Spare side-switch gasket
- Instruction Manual
Verdict
The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 – CW is a versatile and durable flashlight ideal for outdoor adventures. With batteries inserted, it makes a mighty presence in your hands that you will not forget during your trip. The two-switch design is a standout, allowing for continuous operation. A brief, momentary use is possible with a simple press of the rear switch. The Firefly mode is especially useful, offering just enough light for nighttime reading at the camp or even back in the bedroom, so you can go on with your reading without disturbing your surroundings.
This battery-powered torch offers features of a quality product that you mostly get in expensive options. The ThruNite LED Flashlight Archer 2A V3 in Cool White costs about $25 on Amazon, making it a good option for avid campers. Highly recommended.
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