The Nitecore NU20 is a USB rechargeable LED headtorch that is lightweight, compact and water resistant.
It uses a Nichia 219B high CRI LED emitter to provide better colour reproduction and a warmer tint that is easier on the eyes.
Specifications:
- Nichia 219B LED
- 100° wide angle reflector
- Max output: 279 lumens
- Color Rendering Index: CRI ≥90
- Color Temperature: 5000K
- Peak intensity: 1200cd
- Max beam distance:69m
Case
- 1.5m impact resistant polycarbonate material, in 4 colours
- Single rubber switch for all function (power logo on it)
- Indicator LED (beneath switches)
- Micro USB charging port with rubber cover
- IPX7 rating (immersion in 1m water up to 30m)
Battery
- Micro-USB rechargeable 600mAh lithium-ion battery
- ~2hr charging from 0 to 100%
- Able to be charged while powered on (e.g. with a USB battery pack)
- Indicator LED glows red while charging, green when fully charged
Mounting bracket
- Adjustable tilt 52° down (e.g, towards your feet, reading a book, working with hands, etc)
- Switch guard prevents accidental activation when the light is flat against the headband
Headband
- Good quality, comfortable, stretchy
- Easy to adjust
- Removable, replaceable, washable
Modes:
- 4 brightness levels, 2 special modes:
| Mode |
Lumens |
Runtime |
Entry |
Usage |
| Low |
1 |
100hr |
Switch 1x from off |
Nightlight
|
| Medium |
30 |
7:45 |
Switch 1x within 3 seconds from on |
Walking in the dark (carefully)
|
| High |
170 |
6hr |
Switch 2x within 3 second from on |
Night running/hiking
|
| Turbo |
270 |
30m |
Hold switch 1s (when on)
|
Short term high illumination (drops to High after 30s)
|
| SOS |
220 |
? |
Hold switch 3s (when on) |
Flashes SOS in Morse code
|
| Beacon |
220 |
? |
Switch 1x from SOS mode |
Pulses a intense flash
|
Operation:
- Low-Medium-High cycles with switch (within 3 seconds of on)
- After 3 seconds, any short press will turn the light off
- Battery check: 1 second press (when off) blinks the LED:
- 3 blinks = battery above 50%
- 2 blinks = battery below 50%
- 1 blinks = battery less than 10%
Pros
- High CRI LED is used for all modes.. not just the lopw output reading mode (e.g. NU25)
- Small and lightweight (pocketable)
- Detachable from headband mount
- Constant current output without PWM flickering
- No complicated modes / memory functions
- Single button operates all functions - easy to turn on quickly
- OK in heavy rain / sweaty conditions
- Could substitute shock cord or a nike skinny headband as the headband for weight savings. Or elastic shoe laces
- Could omit the headband by clipping to a hat adjustment strap (reversed) or backpack sternum strap
Cons
- Non-removable battery
- No red light
- 'Cool white' LED light has a blueish tint
- Plastic body doesn't act as a heatsink
- No "battery low" indicator
- No memory function for changing startup mode from Low
- Battery check is only approximate
- Brightness is not constant to the end
- Switch guard may be annoying when the light is flat against the headband
- A right-angled Micro USB cable is needed to avoid obstructing your left eye while charging from a USB battery pack when wearing
- LED emitter is offset to one side
- Not USB-C
Mods
- Put scotch tape over the light to make the beam more diffuse
- Put red cellophane over the light to create a red light
Package contents:
- NU20 unit
- Tiltable mounting bracket
- Adjustable elastic headband
- 1m micro-USB cable
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| 7 colour designs |
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| Switch guard |
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| Mounting bracket |
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| Front |
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| Specifications |
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