The Flashlight I Carry Every Day

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Rating: 4.3/5

I’ve been using the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 flashlight for close to a month now, taking it on early morning mountain hikes, neighborhood dog walks at dusk, and even into my crawl space to set a couple of mouse traps (shudder). After testing eight flashlights for our best flashlights guide, the ThruNite has become my go-to everyday carry (EDC) pick since it’s super compact, durable, and versatile. 

Weighing just 1.69 ounces and measuring 6.1 inches long by 0.87 inches in diameter, the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 basically disappears in a pocket—in the best way. It doesn’t add bulk to my hiking setup, yet it delivers more brightness than you’d expect from something so small. On high, it pushes out 500 lumens of light with a beam distance of up to 305 feet. 

At the other end of the spectrum (Firefly mode), it dims to a very low but functional glow that runs for up to 15 days. Since I’ve had it, I’ve used it for everything from navigating dark trails to reading in our tent without waking anyone. 

While the size and power of this pick are definitely my favorite things, those aspects wouldn’t matter at all were it not also easy to use. The dual-button layout feels intuitive once you get the hang of it, with a tail switch for momentary or constant light and a side button to cycle through the four brightness levels (high, medium, low, and Firefly). Though it took me a minute to figure out how to trigger Strobe—just a long press—the controls are now second nature. Still, I don’t use them every day since its memory mode starts it in whichever setting was used last, except Strobe.

In terms of durability, this little light continues to impress. The body is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, has an IPX8 rating (submersible up to 6.6 feet), and can endure drops of up to 3.3 feet. Since I typically have two leashes in my hand that are tethered to two rabbit-chasing dogs, it’s hit the sidewalk more than I care to admit, yet it shows no signs of damage. I’ve finally learned to use the lanyard to prevent that problem, and it also has a reversible pocket clip when I want to go hands-free.

Though this Archer EDC flashlight runs on two AA batteries, it also works with rechargeable NiMh batteries, but they’re sold separately. Since it drains down after about 2 hours on high, it’s not a model you’ll want to run on full blast for extended periods. Still, those seeking portability, durability, and true everyday functionality will likely find it an excellent value. At about $30, it offers a lot of utility for the price. 

Where to Buy the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Flashlight

 

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