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A small aluminum flashlight that charges its own battery over USB, and then survived everything I threw at it.
I really love Wowtac stuff. They make high quality things. This is the Wowtac A3 LED flashlight, and this review isn’t just a look at form and function. I’m going to test it to the extreme: freeze it into a block of ice, throw it, and slam it into concrete. The A3 isn’t listed anymore, so the button goes to a current rechargeable tactical flashlight.
- Survived ice, throwing and concrete impacts
- Very bright turbo mode
- Zoom head is easy to work one-handed
- Battery charges over USB, no extra charger
- No charging port in the body to leak
- Aluminum gets gouged on hard impacts
- Hold-to-step modes reset if you pause
- Single button takes some learning
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Build and battery
It comes with a clip, spare O-rings and everything you need. It’s solid aluminum with a crenellated edge, a big glass lens, and knurling on the handle and tail. A 2,600mAh 18650 battery is included.
The battery has its own micro-USB port and charging LED. I actually like that. There’s no port on the flashlight to seal, so no worries about water getting in, and you don’t need a separate charger.
Modes and zoom
Click once for on and off. Hold from off for a moonlight mode that’s a bit brighter than most. Hold while it’s on to step from low to medium to high. Pause too long and it starts over, so step through quickly. Double-click for turbo, which is very, very bright.
The zoom head has some resistance, but it’s easy one-handed. Narrowed, it lit up trees across the lawn. Wide, it made a 20-to-30-yard circle with well-defined edges. Low is perfect for a tent or reading a map.
The torture test
I sealed it in a zip-top bag of water and froze it overnight. Then I smashed it out of the ice. It still worked through all its modes, with a little rust on the button.
Then I threw it down the street, threw it as high as I could onto concrete, and slammed it into a parking lot lamppost again and again. It got gouged and took bites out of the tail, but the lens never broke and it never stopped working.
About the buy link
The video had no product link, and the Wowtac A3 is no longer listed. The button goes to the WUBEN L50, a 1,200-lumen rechargeable tactical flashlight. I didn’t torture test that one, and it’s a different light, so check the listing for specs.
Verdict
Aluminum is going to scuff on hard surfaces. That’s expected for any tactical light. The impact claims are more than conservative.
Whatever you face out in the wilderness probably won’t be as tough as this test. It’s going in my drawer as a backup.
FAQ
Does the Wowtac A3 come with a battery?
Yes, a 2,600mAh 18650.
How do you charge it?
Plug a micro-USB cable straight into the battery.
How do you get turbo?
Double-click the button.
Is it really that tough?
Mine survived being frozen in ice, thrown and smashed into a lamppost, and it still worked.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. The buttons are #ad affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.
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