Nitecore NU27 Headlamp Evaluation – ZeroAir Critiques


The Nitecore NU27 headlamp has impartial, heat, and funky white emitters in a single light-weight package deal. There’s USB-C charging and a easy person interface. Learn on!


Official Specs and Options

Right here’s a referral hyperlink to the Nitecore NU27 headlamp product web page.

Variations

There are two variations of the Nitecore NU27 headlamp. One is Nitecore’s commonplace black and yellow. The opposite is white and grey. They’re the identical value.

Worth

The Nitecore NU27 headlamp sells for $44.95 and is obtainable now!


What’s Included

Nitecore NU27 headlamp what's included

  • Nitecore NU27 headlamp
  • Charging cable
  • Carry baggie
  • Handbook
  • Second mount

Bundle and Handbook

Nitecore NU27 headlamp box

Nitecore NU27 headlamp box

Nitecore NU27 headlamp box

Nitecore NU27 headlamp box

Nitecore NU27 headlamp manual

Nitecore NU27 headlamp manual

Construct High quality and Disassembly

Nitecore NU27 headlamp front

The Nitecore NU27 headlamp is constructed within the method of different latest Nitecore headlamps, such because the HU2000. The physique is totally plastic.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp switches

It’s straightforward to take away the Nitecore NU27 headlamp from the headscarf. I like that characteristic, however there’s no sensible objective for the sunshine off the headscarf (see notice beneath).

Nitecore NU27 headlamp bottom and hinge

Nitecore NU27 headlamp emitter array

One facet of the Nitecore NU27 headlamp is simply naked.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp side

The opposite facet homes the charging port.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp charging side

Dimension and Comps

Dimensions L-2.58″ x W-1.33″ x H-1.00″
Weight 1.98 oz

 

Right here’s the Nitecore NU27 headlamp in hand.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp in hand

Right here’s the take a look at mild with the venerable Convoy S2+. The model beneath is a customized laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full submit on an engraved orange host proper right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to purchase your Convoy S2+ now!

Nitecore NU27 headlamp with two standard sized flashlights

Within the photograph above, chances are you’ll notice that the SRM (commonplace reference materials) flashlight for comparability has modified! I used a TorchLAB BOSS 35 for ages. Now what you possibly can see because the 18350 SRM is the Hanko Machine Works Trident. Whereas I’ve not reviewed or examined the Gunner Grip model seen right here, I’ve examined a Hanko Machine Works Trident Complete Tesseract in brass. I like the Trident, and it’s a hanging distinction subsequent to the cheap Convoy S2+, which additionally makes an important commonplace reference materials.

Retention and Carry

The Nitecore NU27 headlamp is, in fact, a headlamp. The headscarf doesn’t have an over-the-top band, but it surely’s mild sufficient that there’s no bounce.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp headband detail

The headscarf is stretchy material and there’s a grippy silicone strip alongside there.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp headband detail

As acknowledged above, the Nitecore NU27 headlamp physique might be eliminated simply (however most likely not by accident) from the headscarf.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp headband detail

Nitecore NU27 headlamp headband detail

The baggie is appropriate for carrying all components of the Nitecore NU27 headlamp.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp baggie

I didn’t image it elsewhere, however this little plastic bit beneath can be utilized to clip the sunshine to a MOLLE or the invoice of a cap, for instance.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp headband parts

It’s a pleasant little attachment, for positive!

Energy and Runtime

Constructed into the Nitecore NU27 headlamp is an 850mAh (most likely) LiPO. We’ll cowl the emitters later, however for no,w you possibly can see that the three choices carry out very equally.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp runtime charts

The chart above attracts consideration to the element that the second highest mode has the identical profile as the very best mode however lacks the little blip of highest output and positive factors minutes of runtime.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp runtime charts

Nitecore NU27 headlamp runtime charts

Nitecore NU27 headlamp runtime charts

Nitecore NU27 headlamp runtime charts

Primarily based on the sharp cutoff, it’s most likely secure to presume there’s low voltage safety.

Charging

The Nitecore NU27 headlamp costs by way of a USB-C port on the facet.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp charging port

Charging is a bit uncommon, however nonetheless effective. It completes in round 1.25 hours.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp charging chart

Off to the charging-port facet of the emitter array, there’s a little bit 4-LED charging (and energy) indicator. It really works precisely as is logical – blinking various blue LEDs because the charging state will increase.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens
Turbo – NW 600 538 (0s)
520 (30s)
Excessive – NW 400 3h 356 (0s)
352 (30s)
Mid – NW 200 6h30m 177
Low – NW 70 13h 61
Ultralow – NW 6 57h 5.73
Turbo – WW 600 521 (0s)
508 (30s)
Excessive – WW 400 3h 350
Mid – WW 200 6h30m 181
Low – WW 70 13h 61
Ultralow – WW 6 57h 5.6
Turbo – CW 600 526 (0s)
509 (30s)
Excessive – CW 400 3h 356
Mid – CW 200 6h30m 178
Low – CW 70 13h 63
Ultralow – CW 6 57h 5.78

Pulse Width Modulation

Not any of the regular modes use PWM. The order right here is similar because the serial photographs beneath.

Right here you possibly can see a “baseline” – a chart with nearly no mild hitting the sensor.

Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has a few of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so unhealthy that I used a submit about it to clarify PWM! Listed below are a number of timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make evaluating this “worst” PWM mild to the take a look at mild simpler. That submit additionally explains why I didn’t take a look at the WF-602C on the standard 50us scale.

Consumer Interface and Operation

There are two switches on the Nitecore NU27 headlamp. Under, the left (smaller) swap is the Mode swap, and the larger, extra textured swap is the facility swap. They’re each e-switches. They’re on the highest (when the sunshine is worn correctly).
 Nitecore NU27 headlamp dual switches

Right here’s a person interface desk! For all the various choices, I’ll say that the person interface is pretty comprehensible.

State Motion End result
Off Maintain Energy button Impartial White on (reminiscence)
Off Double click on Energy button Ultralow Impartial White
On Maintain energy button Off
On Click on mode button Emitter coloration advance (NW>WW>CW)^
On Click on mode button Mode advance (Low > Mid > Excessive) of no matter CCT is energetic
On Double click on energy button Turbo of no matter CCT is energetic
Turbo Click on energy button Earlier mode
Off Maintain Mode button Regular Crimson
Crimson Press Energy button Iterate between Crimson excessive and low
Any Double click on mode SOS
Any particular mode Click on energy button Particular mode advance (SOS > Beacon > Sluggish flashing)
Any particular mode Double click on mode Earlier mode
Off Maintain each Lockout
Lockout Maintain each Unlock to NW Ultralow

^ After 1 minute with no clicks in CW or WW, the following click on shall be NW.

LED and Beam

Nitecore says (proper there on the plastic lens cowl) that these are “UHE LEDs.” There are 4 openings, and apparently two emitters in every – one CW and one WW – with NW being achieved by mixing the 2.

Nitecore NU27 headlamp emitter array

LED Shade Report (CRI and CCT)

The declare is 3000K, 4500K, and 6500K, and that’s pretty near the mark for all, aside from the cool white not coming in fairly as cool as claimed (that’s good). CRI is low.

CCT (Correlated Shade Temperature) refers back to the measurement of the colour look of sunshine, expressed in Kelvins (Okay), which signifies whether or not the sunshine is heat (yellowish) or cool (bluish). A decrease CCT (beneath 3000K) is taken into account heat mild, whereas a better CCT (above 5000K) provides cooler, bluish mild.

CRI (Shade Rendering Index) is a measure of how precisely a lightweight supply renders colours compared to pure daylight. Scored on a scale from 0 to 100, larger CRI values point out that colours seem extra true to life and vibrant, just like how they’d look beneath the solar.

Beamshots

These beamshots all the time have the next settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and guide 5000K publicity. These photographs are taken at ground stage, and the beam hits the ceiling round 9 ft away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b model) (affiliate hyperlink)

I maintain the take a look at flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the precise. These photographs are taken round 18 inches from the door.

I examine every little thing to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 as a result of it’s cheap and has one of the best tint!

Abstract and Conclusion

The Nitecore NU27 headlamp is an effective little headlamp. It’s a pretty affordable value, too, for all of the emitter choices it provides. The person interface is straightforward sufficient, and when you’ve used it sufficient, it’s guessable. I like not having to memorize person interfaces, and this headlamp offers that chance. I’d love for the output to be larger CRI, although. Charging works effectively!

The Large Desk

Nitecore NU27 headlamp
Emitter: UHE LEDs (NW)
Worth in USD at publication time: $44.95
Cell: Inner
Runtime Graphs
LVP? Sure
Swap Kind: E-Swap
Quiescent Present (mA): ?
On-Board Charging? Sure
Cost Port Kind: USB-C
Cost Graph
Energy off Cost Port all modes
Claimed Lumens (lm) 600
Measured Lumens (at 30s) NW: 520 (86.7% of declare)^
WW: 508 (84.7% of declare)^
CW: 509 (84.8% of declare)^
Candela per Lumen NW: 6.75
WW: 9.36
CW: 8.44
Claimed Throw (m) 123
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) NW: 178lux @ 4.918m = 4305cd
WW: 130lux @ 5.18m = 3488cd
CW: 213lux @ 4.781m = 4869cd
Throw (Calculated) (m) NW: 131.2 (106.7% of declare)^
WW: 118.1 (96% of declare)^
CW: 139.6 (113.5% of declare)^
Claimed CCT NW: 4500
WW: 3000
CW: 6500
Measured CCT Vary (Okay) NW: 4200-4400 Kelvin
WW: 3200-3300 Kelvin
CW: 5600-5900 Kelvin
Merchandise offered for evaluation by: Nitecore
All my Nitecore evaluations!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my pastime. I exploit hobbyist-level tools for testing, together with some I made myself. Strive to not get buried within the particulars of producer specs versus measurements recorded right here; A specific amount of distinction (say, 10 or 15%) is completely affordable.

What I like

  • Mild weight
  • Versatile connection choices
  • Charging works effectively
  • Cheap person interface
  • Provides NW, WW, and CW multi functional package deal!

What I don’t like

  • Low CRI
  • Runtime drifts downward for length

Notes

Appreciated it? Take a second to help zeroair on Patreon!

Become a patron at Patreon!

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles