BugoutBoys
Enlightened
Klarus AR10
Manufacturer Specs:
Output/Runtime (1x18650): Turbo 1080lumens / 1hr 40min – High 450lumens / 3hr 45min – Medium 150lumens / 11.5hr – Low 10lumen / 220hr
• Utilizes CREE XM-L2 U2 LED for a maximum output of 1080 lumens
• Main Light has 4 lighting modes and 2 flashing modes
• Battery: 1x 18650 or 2 x CR123A ( Do not use 16340 batteries)
• Size：144mm(5.67")（Length）*24.8mm(0.97")（head）*24mm(0.94")（body）
• Net Weight：93g (without battery)
• Working voltage：3-6.4V
• Reflector：Newly designed reflector that provides both focused and floodlight, offering perfect spot illumination
• Lens：Toughened ultra-clear tempered glass, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant
• Material：Aircraft grade aluminum, Military III hard anodic oxidation
• Body colour: Black
• Water proof: IPX-8 for use in adverse weather conditions
In the box
The AR10 comes with a deep carry pocket clip, quality lanyard, spare O-ring, Klarus rechargeable 2600 mAh Li-ion battery, and a USB cable (Not pictured)
Appearance
The AR10 is made from aircraft grade aluminum with a HAIII anodized, black finish.
The finish is not reflective, but it isn't Matte either.
The knurling is very similar to most Fenix flashlights of this class. The cuts are diamonds and are raised for better grip with good aggressiveness.
Overall there isn't much in the anti-roll area of this flashlight. not much other than the USB cover and button are preventing this light from rolling. If you add on the belt clip, then your anti-roll is pretty good.
The markings are a mid-tone gray which makes them not stand out as much as some other manufacturers' lights.
The feel of the light is good and sturdy with the only moving part being the head.
There is no tactical clicky switch, so the bottom of the light is flat with magnet inside
My sample came free of any scratches or chips in the finish
The Interface
The AR10 is completely controlled by the side button. To activate the light, simply press the side button. There is about a half second delay upon pressing the button until the light comes on (At least on my sample). To cycle through modes, simply click the side button. The modes on this flashlight cycle from highest to lowest, unlike most other flashlights that cycle from lowest to highest. To turn the light off, hold the side button for about a second.
To access strobe, double press the side button. To turn the light off when it is in strobe, simply click the side button.
To turn the light on in turbo mode, press and hold the side button from the off phase, rather than just clicking it.
To activate SOS mode, simply double click to enter strobe, and double click again.
The AR10 does have mode memory and will come on in whatever mode you last had on (other than strobe). I find the strobe to be very easily and quickly accessed by just double pressing the button.
Everything is the same whether the head is rotated or straight.
Physical tests
The AR10 is IPX-8 waterproof to 2 meters
I submerged theAR10 in water completely while rotating the head and clicking the side button and no water appears to have entered the flashlight.
The AR10 is completely current controlled, so I detected no PWM on any of the modes:twothumbs
When the AR10 is on, there is a small LED inside the side button that will light up either green, orange or red. Green = 70% - 100% battery. Orange = 30% - 70% and red = less than 30%
The AR10 also features a thermal step down rather than timed. It detects the internal temperature of the flashlight and renders output based on the reading.
There is also a USB recharging port on the side of the AR10. The flap opens to reveal the micro-usb slot where you can recharge the flashlight. The LED inside the side button will be red whilst the light is charging and green when it is finished.
There are springs in both the front and the back of the battery tube for the AR10
The AR10 also can tail stand extremely well because the bottom is flat
Comparison
From left to right:
Fenix UC30, Nitecore P10, Nitecore MH12, Klarus AR10
The AR10 features a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED emitter and an OP (Orange peel) textured reflector for a smooth beam.
Beam Profile
The AR10's beam profile is very smooth and does not have any artifacts due to the textured reflector. There is also no visible donut hole!
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/60
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/250
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/2000
Beam shot
The first fence is 82 feet away. the second fence is 232 feet away. The far trees are 376 feet away.
Zoom up on the picture to see the distance better. The tree trunks are easily visible at that distance. Dark objects are harder to see but anything neutral gray and brighter is visible.
Personal Opinions
The AR10 is my first flashlight from Klarus and I must say that I am very impressed with it. I am usually one to like tactical flashlights better than ones controlled by a side button; however, this flashlight has proven itself to be extremely useful. I was skeptical about the rotating head but now I see it as a very useful and useable feature especially partnered with the magnetic bottom. The light can me stuck to a metallic surface and the light can be angled to be very helpful!
I personally am not a fan at all of the delay on activation of the flashlight. I like flashlights to instantly come on when I press the button. If this is being used as a work light, that is not much of a problem though. It hasn't bothered me when I am casually using it. This light is not meant to be a tactical or weapon mounted flashlight, so this is not too much of a problem if not used for that.
I like the deep carry pocket clip tremendously! This is probably the sturdiest belt clip I have ever felt for a flashlight. The metal is thick and clips on tightly to the flashlight body.
I think that the textured reflector was a very good choice for this flashlight. If this is being used as a work light, it doesn't need insane throw. The textured reflector gives it an amazingly smooth beam profile which I am definitely a fan of!
I am also glad that there is no PWM. Overall, the AR10 has an amazing beam.
Of course the waterproofing is a great feature to have, especially for this flashlight. I can see this being a very valuable light to use outdoors, as a worklight, or keep in the car.
I like the battery readout feature in the side button. This is great so that you know when to charge the flashlight. The USB recharging function is also great for this light so that you don't have to remove the battery to charge it.
One of my only issues besides the activation and deactivation delay is the mode spacing. I feel that the first 3 modes are too close together. The first 2 are barely noticeably different from each other. I also would like a 1 lumen moonlight mode, but 10 lumens is sufficient!
Pros
high output
sturdy
magnet base
rotatable head
battery readout
quick access strobe feature
waterproof to 2 meters
double springs for shock resistance
good throw
very smooth beam pattern
USB rechargeable
Cons
Lack of a "moonlight" mode
Delay in activation and deactivation
A bit on the "long" side for EDC, but still doable
Bottom line
I would recommend this to someone who wants a small portable work light, or camping light. This would definitely come in handy for each of those purposes!
AR10 kindly provided by Klarus for review
Manufacturer Specs:
Output/Runtime (1x18650): Turbo 1080lumens / 1hr 40min – High 450lumens / 3hr 45min – Medium 150lumens / 11.5hr – Low 10lumen / 220hr
• Utilizes CREE XM-L2 U2 LED for a maximum output of 1080 lumens
• Main Light has 4 lighting modes and 2 flashing modes
• Battery: 1x 18650 or 2 x CR123A ( Do not use 16340 batteries)
• Size：144mm(5.67")（Length）*24.8mm(0.97")（head）*24mm(0.94")（body）
• Net Weight：93g (without battery)
• Working voltage：3-6.4V
• Reflector：Newly designed reflector that provides both focused and floodlight, offering perfect spot illumination
• Lens：Toughened ultra-clear tempered glass, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant
• Material：Aircraft grade aluminum, Military III hard anodic oxidation
• Body colour: Black
• Water proof: IPX-8 for use in adverse weather conditions
In the box
The AR10 comes with a deep carry pocket clip, quality lanyard, spare O-ring, Klarus rechargeable 2600 mAh Li-ion battery, and a USB cable (Not pictured)
Appearance
The AR10 is made from aircraft grade aluminum with a HAIII anodized, black finish.
The finish is not reflective, but it isn't Matte either.
The knurling is very similar to most Fenix flashlights of this class. The cuts are diamonds and are raised for better grip with good aggressiveness.
Overall there isn't much in the anti-roll area of this flashlight. not much other than the USB cover and button are preventing this light from rolling. If you add on the belt clip, then your anti-roll is pretty good.
The markings are a mid-tone gray which makes them not stand out as much as some other manufacturers' lights.
The feel of the light is good and sturdy with the only moving part being the head.
There is no tactical clicky switch, so the bottom of the light is flat with magnet inside
My sample came free of any scratches or chips in the finish
The Interface
The AR10 is completely controlled by the side button. To activate the light, simply press the side button. There is about a half second delay upon pressing the button until the light comes on (At least on my sample). To cycle through modes, simply click the side button. The modes on this flashlight cycle from highest to lowest, unlike most other flashlights that cycle from lowest to highest. To turn the light off, hold the side button for about a second.
To access strobe, double press the side button. To turn the light off when it is in strobe, simply click the side button.
To turn the light on in turbo mode, press and hold the side button from the off phase, rather than just clicking it.
To activate SOS mode, simply double click to enter strobe, and double click again.
The AR10 does have mode memory and will come on in whatever mode you last had on (other than strobe). I find the strobe to be very easily and quickly accessed by just double pressing the button.
Everything is the same whether the head is rotated or straight.
Physical tests
The AR10 is IPX-8 waterproof to 2 meters
I submerged theAR10 in water completely while rotating the head and clicking the side button and no water appears to have entered the flashlight.
The AR10 is completely current controlled, so I detected no PWM on any of the modes:twothumbs
When the AR10 is on, there is a small LED inside the side button that will light up either green, orange or red. Green = 70% - 100% battery. Orange = 30% - 70% and red = less than 30%
The AR10 also features a thermal step down rather than timed. It detects the internal temperature of the flashlight and renders output based on the reading.
There is also a USB recharging port on the side of the AR10. The flap opens to reveal the micro-usb slot where you can recharge the flashlight. The LED inside the side button will be red whilst the light is charging and green when it is finished.
There are springs in both the front and the back of the battery tube for the AR10
The AR10 also can tail stand extremely well because the bottom is flat
Comparison
From left to right:
Fenix UC30, Nitecore P10, Nitecore MH12, Klarus AR10
The AR10 features a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED emitter and an OP (Orange peel) textured reflector for a smooth beam.
Beam Profile
The AR10's beam profile is very smooth and does not have any artifacts due to the textured reflector. There is also no visible donut hole!
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/60
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/250
ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/2000
Beam shot
The first fence is 82 feet away. the second fence is 232 feet away. The far trees are 376 feet away.
Zoom up on the picture to see the distance better. The tree trunks are easily visible at that distance. Dark objects are harder to see but anything neutral gray and brighter is visible.
Personal Opinions
The AR10 is my first flashlight from Klarus and I must say that I am very impressed with it. I am usually one to like tactical flashlights better than ones controlled by a side button; however, this flashlight has proven itself to be extremely useful. I was skeptical about the rotating head but now I see it as a very useful and useable feature especially partnered with the magnetic bottom. The light can me stuck to a metallic surface and the light can be angled to be very helpful!
I personally am not a fan at all of the delay on activation of the flashlight. I like flashlights to instantly come on when I press the button. If this is being used as a work light, that is not much of a problem though. It hasn't bothered me when I am casually using it. This light is not meant to be a tactical or weapon mounted flashlight, so this is not too much of a problem if not used for that.
I like the deep carry pocket clip tremendously! This is probably the sturdiest belt clip I have ever felt for a flashlight. The metal is thick and clips on tightly to the flashlight body.
I think that the textured reflector was a very good choice for this flashlight. If this is being used as a work light, it doesn't need insane throw. The textured reflector gives it an amazingly smooth beam profile which I am definitely a fan of!
I am also glad that there is no PWM. Overall, the AR10 has an amazing beam.
Of course the waterproofing is a great feature to have, especially for this flashlight. I can see this being a very valuable light to use outdoors, as a worklight, or keep in the car.
I like the battery readout feature in the side button. This is great so that you know when to charge the flashlight. The USB recharging function is also great for this light so that you don't have to remove the battery to charge it.
One of my only issues besides the activation and deactivation delay is the mode spacing. I feel that the first 3 modes are too close together. The first 2 are barely noticeably different from each other. I also would like a 1 lumen moonlight mode, but 10 lumens is sufficient!
Pros
high output
sturdy
magnet base
rotatable head
battery readout
quick access strobe feature
waterproof to 2 meters
double springs for shock resistance
good throw
very smooth beam pattern
USB rechargeable
Cons
Lack of a "moonlight" mode
Delay in activation and deactivation
A bit on the "long" side for EDC, but still doable
Bottom line
I would recommend this to someone who wants a small portable work light, or camping light. This would definitely come in handy for each of those purposes!
AR10 kindly provided by Klarus for review
