Nitecore NU25 USB rechargeable headtorch

$30 USD Nitecore NU25 headtorch
Three colours
The Nitecore NU25 USB rechargeable headtorch is available for $29.56 USD delivered on Aliexpress.

  • 360 lumen (max) CREE XP-G2 S3 main LED
  • 20 lumen "High CRI" reading LED
  • 13 lumen (max) red LED
  • Compact and lightweight
  • 5.55 x 3.46 x 2.32cm
  • 53g with headband (28g without)


The Nitecore NU25 is a lightweight USB-rechargeable headtorch that features 3 different LEDs:


A CREE XP-G2 S2 main LED
  • Powerful 360 lumen max output
  • 100° wide beam
  • Suitable for night hiking, trail running, fishing, etc
  • 6300K "cool white" colour temperature
  • Runtime 5hrs @ 190 lumens

A high-CRI LED
  • CRI ≥ 90
  • Accurate, vibrant colour rendition and reduced eye strain
  • 4500K "warm white" colour temperature
  • Matte beam, without hotspot
  • Runtime 6hrs @ 20 lumens

* Colour Rendering Index is the % colour reproduction of an ideal light source. Typical LEDs have CRI around 70.

A red LED
  • Preserves night vision
  • Less disturbing to tentmates in the night
  • Use for night photography, stargazing and night wildlife observation
  • Attracts less insects
  • Use as a rear cycling light or running blinker 
  • Matte beam, no hotspot
  • Runtime 8hrs @ 13 lumens

Specifications:

Case
  • 1.5m impact resistant polycarbonate material
  • 3 colour options (white, yellow, black)
  • IP66 dust and water resistant
  • Micro USB charging port (with rubber cover)
  • 2 rubber switches ('power logo' and 'r') 
  • Indicator LED set behind switches
  • Main LED at right, behind a textured "orange peel" reflector 
  • Red and high CRI LEDs set together at left, behind a beaded diffusing lens

Battery
  • 610mAh lithium-ion battery 
  • ~2hrs charging time from flat
  • Indicator LED is red while charging and green when fully charged

Mounting bracket
  • Tiltable 60° down, in 5 ratcheting steps
  • Removable from the light unit and from the headband

Headband
  • Wide elastic headband 
  • Adjustable tension
  • Sweat diverting, non-slip silicone strip
  • Removable from the mount, washable

Operation:
  • Mode switching is enabled at power-on until 3s of inactivity
  • Any short press then turns the unit off
  • A 'r' long press also forces the unit off at any time

Main LED
  • Press the 'power' switch from off
  • Cycle modes with 'power', in 'Low-Medium-High-Off' order
  • Turbo mode
    • 360 lumen output for 30s
    • Long press the 'power' switch while on
    • Drops to high afterwards
  • SOS mode
    • Blinks a 'SOS' morse code pattern
    • Hold the 'power' switch for 3s while on
  • Beacon mode
    • Short intense flashes like that of an aircraft beacon
    • Press the 'power' switch from SOS mode

Red LED
  • Press the 'r' switch from off
  • Cycle modes with 'r', in 'Low-High-Flash-Off' order

High CRI LED
  • Long press the 'power' switch from off
  • Cycle modes with 'power', in 'On-Off' order

Other modes:
  • Battery indicator
    • Blinks the indicator LED to show the battery charge level
    • Long press the 'r' switch while off
        • 3 blinks = battery above 50%
        • 2 blinks = battery below 50%
        • 1 blink = battery less than 10%
    • Switch lockout
      • Disables single switch presses
      • Prevents accidental activation in pocket, bag, etc
      • Hold both switches until the indicator LED blinks and the unit turns off (if on)
      • Deactivated by holding both switches until the unit turns on

    Pros
    • Decent battery life at usable illumination levels 
    • Versatile modes and straightforward UI
    • Chargable while using. An external USB battery pack provides nearly unlimited runtime
    • 2 switches for independent LED control
    • Compact and streamlined main unit that is usable as a standalone, pocketable light
    • Comfortable headband
    • 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
      • Some "stepdown" reduction in brightness
        • e.g. medium mode (main LED) output drops ~40 lumens each hour until stable at ~40 lumens
      • Turbo mode is limited to 30s bursts
      • If the unit overheats, the turbo mode will disable (until cooled)
      • Must turn off to switch between the main and high CRI LEDs
      • Powers on in low mode -  there is no way to customise this
      • 3s mode switching timeout period
      • IP66 only is rated against "powerful water jets from any direction for at least 3 minutes"
      • Switches are small and difficult to operate with thick gloves
      • The 2 switches and rubber LED port are hard to differentiate if using as a pocket torch
      • No "battery low" LED indicator
      • The clicks when tilting the bracket are loud
      • Micro-USB cable hangs in front of the left eye if wearing while charging (also impedes tilting)
        • A right-angled Micro-USB cable that bends left overcomes this

            USB cable hangs in front of left eye
        • Headband weighs ~24g - nearly as much as the NU25 itself
        • Battery not replaceable
        • Not USB-C

        Package contents:
        • NU25 unit
        • Tiltable mounting bracket
        • Adjustable elastic headband
        • 1m Micro-USB Cable w/ velcro strap
        Front view
        Dimensions
        Specifications
        3 light sources
        Primary LED
        Red LED
        High CRI LED
        Two switches
        Mounting bracket
        Tiltable bracket
        Micro-USB charging port
        Indicator LED
        Mode map


        Further Resources

        Amazon product page (affiliate link)

        Nitecore NU25 Headlamp Review
        Nitecore NU25 Headlamp Review
        BPL forum thread: Experience with nitecore NU25?

        Budgetlightforum
        Review: Nitecore NU25
        [Review] NItecore NU25 Headlamp ...

        Youtube
        NITECORE NU25 360... (good overview of modes at 1:21)
        Nitecore NU25 - 360 lumens Demo
        Nitecore NU25 Headlamp
        Nitecore NU25 Headlamp - First Look
        The Ultimate Ultralight Headlamp - A Nitecore NU25 Review
        Why I'm ditching my Black Diamond Spot for the Nitecore NU25
        Nitecore NU25 Head Lamp Review!
        Nitecore NU25 headlamp review. XPG2, High CRI, Red Led
        Nitecore NU25 ... Beamshots Preview

        Reddit
        Nitecore NU25 reviews 
        Nitecore nu25 vs the Petzel Bindi
        I've been using the Nitecore NU25 headlamp for a while now and it has become my go to headlamp...
        Nite Core NU25 weights
        Help me decide: Black Diamond ReVolt or Nitecore NU25?
        First [Review] - Nitecore NU25 compact headlamp with red and high CRI modes
        Black Diamond Iota vs Litesmith Nightcore NU25 Headlamp
        Brown’s Canyon Colorado, a quick shakedown trip. (trip/gear report including the NU25)
        Headlamp recommendations?
        Any high-light headlamp recommendations?

        Custom strap
        Nitecore nu 25 strap
        I dropped (almost) half the weight of my Nightcore NU25...
        Ultralight Tips: Drop your headlamp weight and add comfort with a custom DIY strap.
        Headband Modification For NITECORE NU25 Headlamp

        Misc
        Wikipedia: IP code
        What is CRI? The ultimate guide to the Color Rendering Index
        Wikipedia: Color rendering index
        CREE XP-G2 product page
        CREE XP-G2 datasheet pdf
        CREE XP-G3 product page
        CREE XP-G3 datasheet pdf