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Vitchelo V800 Review

A below average performer overall, not recommended
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Price:  $32 List | $15.95 at Amazon
Pros:  Good battery life, bright spot mode beam
Cons:  Very poor for close proximity use, narrow beam
Manufacturer:   Vitchelo
By RJ Spurrier ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 28, 2018
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52
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#20 of 27
  • Trail Finding - 35% 5
  • Close Proximity - 20% 2
  • Battery Life - 15% 7
  • Weight - 15% 6
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7

Our Verdict

At first glance, the Vitchelo seems like it might be a contender, at least on paper, but our extensive hands-on test left us disappointed. The Vitchelo delivers average performance when used for viewing distance, OK, but certainly not impressive compared to competitors. But, it really falls short for everyday use around the camp. The close-proximity lighting levels offer a narrow beam that is poorly suited to use lighting a camping kitchen, reading, work around the house, or other normal flood lighting uses. This is a light we would not recommend to a friend.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Vitchelo V800
Awards  Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  
Price $15.95 at Amazon$89 List$34.99 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$25.99 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$29.74 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Good battery life, bright spot mode beamBright wide beam, good battery life, durable design, rechargeableExcellent trail finding and close proximity beam, waterproof, above average battery lifeExcellent spot light capability, wide evenly lit flood beam, above average in most waysExcellent brightness and beam control, often available online at discount
Cons Very poor for close proximity use, narrow beamExpensive, 18650 Li-ion battery is not included, heavier than averageMore expensive, heavier than average, claimed battery life is very misleadingBelow average battery life, claimed battery life is wildly misleading, single button hard to use, lame waterproofingAverage battery life, heavier and bulkier than most
Bottom Line A below average performer overall, not recommendedAn impressive, powerful light in a small package that won't disappoint if you can get past the priceA durable light that will last for years with a bright high-quality beam, slightly higher in cost and weightA quality, durable, and bright light that hits the sweet spot for most people's needs, despite dubious marketing claimsPreviously one of our favorites, but hasn't kept pace with competitor's innovations
Rating Categories Vitchelo V800 Zebralight H600w Mk IV Black Diamond Storm Black Diamond Spot Coast HL7
Trail Finding (35%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Close Proximity (20%)
10
0
2
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
Battery Life (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
5
Weight (15%)
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
4
Ease Of Use (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
8
Specs Vitchelo V800 Zebralight H600w... Black Diamond Storm Black Diamond Spot Coast HL7
Measured Beam Distance 134 m 121 m 91 m 94 m 112 m
Claimed Distance 110 m Not specified 85 m 80 m 119 m
Measured High Mode Run-time (ANSI) 4.1 hrs 3.1 hrs 5 hrs 2.9 hrs 3.1 hrs
Claimed High Mode Run-time Not specified 2.9 hrs 40 hrs 30 hrs 1.5 hrs
Measured Low Mode Run-time 191 hrs 232 hrs 42 hrs 9.7 hrs 25 hrs
Claimed Low Mode Run-time 120 hrs 203 hrs 120 hrs 175 hrs 70 hrs
Measured Weight 3.2 oz, 92 g 4.5 oz, 127 g 4 oz, 112 g 3.1 oz, 89 g 4.5 oz, 127 g
Battery Type 3 AAA 18650 rechargeable Li-ion 4 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA
Water Resistance IPX 6 (Resists powerful jets) IPX8 waterproof to 2 meters, 30 minutes IP67 waterproof to one meter and dustproof Splash proof (dubious IPX8 claim) water resistant
Manuf Claimed Lumens 168 lumens 1400 lumens 350 lumens 300 lumens 285 lumens
Beam Type flood/spot flood flood/spot flood/spot flood/spot
Red Light yes no yes, red/green/blue night-vision modes yes no
On Switch Lock no yes (tailcap lockout) yes yes no

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Vitchelo is a light that is intriguing due to pretty high user-ratings on sites like Amazon, but we found it fell way short of our expectations when we put it through extensive testing side by side competing products.


Likes


The Vitchelo is an easy to use light that offers a beam that shines a long distance. But, that beam distance looks better on paper than it is in practice, because the V800 gains that long distance with optics that create an overly narrow spot beam that feels like you are looking down a narrow tunnel.


The comparison below shows the Vitchelo on the left versus the Black Diamond Spot. The Vitchelo actually shines a longer distance, but we'd much prefer the wider and more evenly lit beam of the Spot and other competitors.

Beam Distance Photos
Beam photo of Vitchelo V800
Beam photo of Black Diamond Spot

Vitchelo V800
Black Diamond Spot

The Vitchelo's other strong suit is battery life, where it held up well in our close-proximity test, and performed above average in our test on the high setting.


Unfortunately, this is another pyrrhic victory for the Vitchelo, because while battery life is excellent in the low setting, the optics are terrible for close-proximity use and we found this one of the least desirable lights to use around the camp.



Dislikes


Our biggest issue with the Vitchelo is poor optics — the beam is overly hot in the center and just too darn narrow — and this problem is most noticable when the V800 is used around camp in the low-level lighting. A wide and evenly lit beam is what we want around camp or in the tent, and the V800 offers an overly narrow spot.


As illustrated in the chart above, the V800 is one of our least favorite lights for use around camp. But, the problems with the optics don't stop for use at close proximity; it also degrades use for trail finding.


The narrow beam of the Vitchelo is much less useful when viewing distance, such as trail finding, than competing lights because the beam is just too narrow, providing a view like looking through a tube.

Conclusion


There is really nothing about the Vitchelo that is sufficiently compelling to justify buying it when there are so many competing products that offer better performance and value. This is not a light we'd recommend to a friend.


— RJ Spurrier