Frugal Hiker: 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)