Wowtac has been bringing the hits lately, and most importantly, at a nice price. Today I have a version 2 of the A4 – really it’s practically a different light. This one’s a single cell (26650) and smaller head. Maybe a scaled down version of the original A4? Anyway, read on for thoughts and testing!

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the official product page (referral link) which is just an amazon page for now! Wowtac doesn’t have this on their site.

Versions

Aside from the original A4, there are two versions of the A4 V2. Just difference in temperature though – NW and CW. What I have here is the CW.

Price and Coupon

The list price on this A4 v2 is $49.99. I will also have a 10% off coupon, though, thanks to Wowtac! (when wowtac gets back to me, that is….) Wowtac went one better on the coupon! It’s 20% off! Here’s the code: 20A4Zeroair.

Also some other things Wowtac wants you to know specifically:

The purchase price earns you 2 YEARS of maintenance service. There’s also an amazon promo activity: Leave a video review for this A4 V2 on amazon, and you’re qualified to get one FREE A1 flashlight or one 20% one-time coupon! Contact review@wowtac.com

Wowtac’s amazon store

Wowtac’s official site

Wowtac’s Facebook page

Short Review

Nice build quality, good UI, and a complete package make this a nice setup.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

Wowtac A4 V2 Flashlight

Wowtac 5000mAh 26650

Lanyard

Spare o-rings (2)

Spare charge port cover

Charge cable (USB to micro-USB)

Manual

Package and Manual

Typical package from Wowtac/Thrunite.

The manual is also typical. It’s a good manual.

Build Quality and Disassembly

Build quality is great.

I got the light dirty during photos – it ships very clean of course. 😛

The knurling is square and fairly grippy.

There are two springs on the tailcap, and the head end has a brass button.

The cell tube has anodized threads on one end, and unanodized on the other. This means the cell tube is directional. Doesn’t matter much since there is no pocket clip area.

And for the record, the anodized threads go into the head, while the unanodized go on the tail, as seen below.

The tailcap has some very nice springs.

Size and Comps

Officially 123.5mm x 48mm x 32.5mm and inches and 229g.

Retention and Carry

The only included way to carry this light is the lanyard, which attaches through a hole in the tailcap.

There is no pocket clip, no magnet, and no pouch.

Power and Runtime

A single 26650 runs the A4 V2. The proper cell is included – a 5000mAh flat top.

No complaints about the cell, and I’m very pleased Wowtac includes one.

Here’s a runtime on Turbo. The light easily meets the claimed output at 30s (and after) and once it steps down the output is still a solid 1100 lumens (ie “High”). There’s a definitive low voltage cutoff, too.

High looks about the same, and also exhibits the same cutoff. High stays over 1000 lumens for almost 1.5 hours.

While the light is on, the switch indicates the cell charge level. The manual doesn’t state this, however. Generally I expect this to follow the charge specification. Cell voltage is “okay” = solid blue. Needs charging = red.

The A4 V2 also has built in charging, which happens over the micro-USB port in the head (or probably really the “neck” area). Interestingly the charge port is not directly opposite the switch. This doesn’t mean anything functionally, it’s just something I can’t remember seeing. Ie if the switch is at 12 o’clock, the charge port isn’t at 6 o’clock, but more of a 5ish.

Wowtac includes a charge cable too. USB to micro-USB.

Charging looks good, and is quite fast. Of course the 5000mAh 26650 can handle the ~2A current just fine.

Three hours to a full 5000mAh cell is good. While charging the indicating switch is red. When charge is complete, the switch turns blue. Purple flashing means abnormal charging.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps Turbo 1895 3m/148m 1982 7.12 High 1058 8m/150m 1134 2.50 Medium 208 12h 225 0.33 Low 28 89h 31 0.05 Firefly 0.5 208d ~ ~

PWM

No PWM to speak of. I can’t really explain the ripple on the lower modes, but it’s 1) not visible, and 2) not PWM.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. And here’s the worst PWM light I have ever owned. Also one of the very first lights I ordered directly from China!

User Interface and Operation

This Wowtac has a single side switch, which is an indicating e-switch. There are two emitters, displaying red and blue. The cover is clear silicone, and a little low and hard to find for my tastes – I prefer these side switches to be a bit proud like on the A4.

The UI is the same as what’s on the A6, and there’s nothing at all wrong with that.

Here’s a UI table!

State Action Result Off Click On (memory, LMH only) Off Hold Firefly Any Double Click Turbo Turbo Double Click Strobe On Click Off On Hold Mode cycle (LMH only) On for some time (“a while”, 30ish seconds) Hold Low

That’s the same UI as other Wowtacs (A4, A5, and A6 for example) and also many Thrunites (TC20 for example). I love that fact mainly because I like the UI in general – very simple but enough features, and easy to access low and high. And it saves me from writing the UI section (my least favorite section to write!)

LED and Beam

The emitter here is a cool white Cree XHP35 HI. The reflector is just medium all the way. Not huge, not terribly deep, … but it provides a very good spot with the domeless emitter and smooth surface.

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

Test light is on the left here.

I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Conclusion

What I like

Meets specs easily

Nice small size for a 600m throw light

Complete package including 26650 cell

NW is an option

What I don’t like

I’d like one more carry option – pouch or belt clip – at least

Notes

This light was provided by Wowtac for review. I was not paid to write this review.

This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!

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