The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp options an array of cool white UHE emitters. However two are excessive CRI hotter emitters! There’s crimson, too! And USB-C charging. Learn on!
Official Specs and Options
Right here’s a referral hyperlink to the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp product web page.
Variations
Two variations of the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp can be found. There’s the black model (seen right here) and a white out model, too.
Worth
This black model is priced at $89.95, whereas the all-white model calls for a $5 premium.
What’s Included
- Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp
- Nitecore 4000mAh 18650
- Headband
- Zipper carry pouch
- Spare o-rings
- Over-the-head band
- Charging cable
- Handbook, and many others
Bundle and Handbook
Construct High quality and Disassembly
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp has a stable construct high quality. Not like comparable Nitecore fashions, such because the HU2000, the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp is product of steel.
The tailcap (or destructive terminal) is detachable.
Threads on the detachable finish are good and clean. There’s a spring on this finish, too, however it’s lined with an attention-grabbing little steel tab.
Contained in the cell tube, you possibly can see that the optimistic contact is barely a button, not a spring.
The opposite finish isn’t detachable – that is the place the cost port is.
Measurement and Comps
Dimensions L-3.52″ x W-1.66″ x H-1.81″
Weight 5.36 oz
If the flashlight can headstand, I’ll present it right here. If it may well tailstand, I’ll additionally present that right here!
Right here’s the check mild with the venerable Convoy S2+. The model beneath is a customized laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full put up on an engraved orange host proper right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to purchase your Convoy S2+ now!
Additionally within the picture above, my Commonplace Reference Materials (SRM) flashlight is the Hanko Machine Works Trident, an 18350 mild. Whereas I’ve not reviewed or examined the Gunner Grip model seen right here, I’ve examined a Hanko Machine Works Trident Whole Tesseract in brass. I really like the Trident, and it’s a putting distinction to the cheap Convoy S2+, one other nice SRM.
Retention and Carry
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp ships inside this zippered clamshell case. It’s a pleasant one.
After that, you’ll after all use the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp as a headlamp (solely) and also you’ll put on it in your head! The scarf is widespread to Nitecore, so in case you appreciated others, you’ll like this one. It’s good anyway.
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp slips into and out of the connection piece with effort, however does so simply. I don’t imagine the sunshine will escape these grippers by chance.
An over-top strap is included however not hooked up.
The bottom of this band has a silicone gripper.
Yet another merchandise that Nitecore included is that this BM06 bicycle mount.
With this, you possibly can completely set up a bracket in your bike that can maintain the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp in the identical method that the headscarf holds it.
Energy and Runtime
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp runs on a single 18650 cell. This 4000mAh 18650 is included, however it’s a normal cell.
The cell goes into the sunshine with the button (optimistic finish) into the sunshine.
Under you possibly can see quite a lot of runtime charts. Two have been examined with the included cell, and three have been examined with an artificial cell of the identical capability. The three artificial runtimes are included on this group chart.
The three runtimes beneath are artificial. If you wish to know extra about that, take a look at this hyperlink.
On the exams with a cell, the sunshine shuts off at round 3V. The artificial exams assist that, with the sunshine shutting off round 2.8V.
Charging
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp has built-in charging. There’s a USB-C charging port on one finish, lined by a press-in silicone cowl.
A C-to-C charging cable is included.
Whereas charging, 4 LEDs are seen.
C to C charging works nice and takes round 2 hours to finish.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Turbo | 2000 | 2h | 1833 (0s) 1770 (30s) |
6.07 |
| Major Larger | 1300 | 5h | 1211 (0s) 1200 (30s) |
3.26 |
| Major Excessive | 400 | 14h | 370 | 0.75 |
| Major Mid | 100 | 31h | 83 | 0.15 |
| Auxiliary Low | 40 | 40h | 34 | 0.13 |
| Auxiliary Ultralow | 8 | 82h | 6.2 | 0.01 |
| Crimson Excessive | 15 | 37h | – | 0.01 |
| Crimson Low | 5 | 66h | – | 0.07 |
Pulse Width Modulation
Not one of the modes use PWM.
Click on right here to see a “baseline” – a chart with virtually no mild hitting the sensor.
Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has a number of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so dangerous that I used a put up about it to elucidate PWM! Listed here are a number of timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make evaluating this “worst” PWM mild to the check mild simpler. That put up additionally explains why I didn’t check the WF-602C on the regular 50us scale.
Person Interface and Operation
The Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp is managed with two e-switches. They’re on prime (when the sunshine is worn correctly). I believe the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp is pretty intuitive. Under you possibly can see the larger, textured energy swap (left aspect) with the mode swap on the fitting.
Right here’s a consumer interface desk! So far as I can inform (and the handbook additionally states), the mode swap solely switches between crimson and white output.
| State | Motion | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Lengthy press Energy | Mid |
| Major White On | Click on Energy | Mode advance (Mid > Excessive > Larger) |
| Major White On | Double click on Energy | Turbo |
| Turbo | Click on Energy | Return to earlier |
| Off | Double click on Energy | Ultralow |
| Auxiliary White On | Click on Energy | Low |
| Off | Lengthy press Mode | Crimson Low |
| Crimson On | Click on Energy | Mode advance (Crimson Low > Crimson Excessive > Gradual Flashing) |
| On | Click on Mode | Output advance (Major White > Auxiliary White > Crimson) |
| Any | Double click on Mode | SOS |
| Any particular mode | Double click on Energy | Advance via particular (SOS > Beacon) |
| Off | Maintain each 2s | Auxiliary flashes 3x, mild is in lockout |
| Lockout | Maintain each 2s | Unlock to Ultralow Charging and altering the battery additionally unlocks the sunshine. |
LED and Beam
The emitters used within the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp are Nitecore’s personal UHE LEDs. We don’t know far more about them than that, however they’ll be characterised beneath. The sunshine makes use of one large TIR with every emitter having its personal little TIR cup.
The array of eight are the first emitters. Within the little part amongst these eight emitters are crimson and Auxiliary white emitters. I have no idea if the aux white emitters are UHE.
LED Shade Report (CRI and CCT)
Under you possibly can see the CRI and CCT report for the Major white (left 4) and Auxiliary white (proper two). It’s good that the Aux white are hotter than the first, greater output emitters. They (aux) are additionally excessive CRI, which is unbelievable!
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, greater CRI values point out that colours seem extra true to life and vibrant, much like how they might look beneath the solar.
Beamshots
These beamshots all the time have the next settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and handbook 5000K publicity. These photographs are taken at ground degree, and the beam hits the ceiling round 9 toes away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b model) (affiliate hyperlink)
I maintain the check flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the fitting. These photographs are taken round 18 inches from the door.
I evaluate every part 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 HC65 UHE headlamp is a stable mild. I’m notably glad that the auxiliary white emitters are heat(ish) and in addition excessive CRI! It’s nice that the Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp makes use of a normal 18650 and fees by way of USB-C. Output is nice, and the consumer interface appears very mature – it’s nice that almost all modes could be accessed from off.
The Huge Desk
| Nitecore HC65 UHE headlamp | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Nitecore UHE |
| Worth in USD at publication time: | $89.95 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| 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 | With or with out cell and or tailcap: all modes besides turbo |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2000 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1770 (88.5% of declare)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 8.55 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 222 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 454lux @ 5.772m = 15125cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 246.0 (110.8% of declare)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Vary (Okay) | 6200-6800 Kelvin |
| Merchandise offered for evaluation by: | Nitecore |
| All my Nitecore opinions! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my passion. I exploit hobbyist-level gear for testing, together with some I made myself. Attempt 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
- Commonplace 18650
- Hotter set of emitters are excessive CRI
- Versatile Person interface
- Simple to make use of headband connection
- Very excessive output
- Two devoted buttons
What I don’t like
- Low CRI excessive output emitters
- Little nub on cost port cowl
Notes
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