Following on from my earlier opinions of the Nitecore MH12 Professional and EDC27 EDC flashlight, my final Nitecore evaluation is for the NU25 UL headlamp.
This gentle has a bit extra private enchantment to myself and my companion in comparison with the flashlight, as we’re each eager runners. My companion works 9-5 and has been coaching for the Chester Marathon, so she finally ends up having to run within the mornings at nighttime.
The Nitecore NU25 UL is an interesting alternative for runners as that is the ultra-lightweight model of the NU25. Whereas that is an ultra-lightweight model of the NU25, it seems that there’s solely an 11-gram distinction, and to the most effective of my data, the one distinction is the scarf design.
Technical Specs
The Nitecore NU25 UL boasts a good lumen output, sufficient to gentle up your path or workspace. The beam distance is satisfactory for many outside actions, whereas the LED sorts present a very good stability of brightness and power effectivity. The battery life appears promising, and the rechargeability through USB provides a layer of comfort. Its weight and dimensions additional reinforce its place as a light-weight, transportable lighting answer.
- LED: 5500k twin LED + Purple LED
- Max. output: 400 lumens
- Max. beam distance: 64meters
- Max. beam depth: 1029cd
- Battery config: 650mAh In-built Li-ion
- Onboard charging: Sure
- Modes: 3 x 3 + 1 for main LEDs + Purple LED
- Waterproof: IP66
Lighting Choices and Brightness Ranges
Brightness Ranges:
Combine (spot and floodlight)
Excessive: 400 lumens – 2 hrs 40 minutes runtime
Mid: 200 lumens – 4 hrs 40 minutes runtime
Low: 60 lumens – 10 hrs 25 minutes runtime
Highlight
Mid: 200 lumens – 4 hrs 15 minutes runtime
Low: 60 lumens – 10 hrs 30 minutes runtime
Floodlight
Mid: 200 lumens – 4 hrs 15 minutes runtime
Low: 60 lumens – 10 hrs runtime
Ultralow: 6 lumens – 45 hrs runtime
Purple gentle
On: 10 lumens – 16 hrs runtime
Sluggish flashing: 10 lumens
Plus SOS and beacon (400 lumens).
Unboxing and First Impressions
As I unboxed the Nitecore NU25 UL, the packaging exuded a way of premium high quality. The design of the headlamp instantly caught my eye—minimalistic but purposeful, with a good dimension that advised portability. The construct high quality felt sturdy in hand, promising sturdiness for the tough trails forward. The bundle included a set of equipment resembling a headscarf and USB cable, setting a very good first impression for what lay forward in testing this gear.
Design and Construct High quality
The Nitecore NU25 UL has a utilitarian design and has no metallic elements, which retains the burden down. The general construct high quality feels sturdy and well-made.
The controls of the sunshine are lined in rubber, with one button for energy and brightness and the opposite to change between lighting modes.
The USB-C port is then on the facet, which can also be protected with one other rubber tab.
The sunshine angle might be adjusted from straight forward to angled downwards.
The scarf is a plastic elasticated wire which is straightforward to regulate and has sufficient size to suit any head.
LEDs
In contrast to the opposite two flashlights I’ve reviewed from Nitecore, there is no such thing as a data on the particular LEDs. Nonetheless, there’s three separate lights: a highlight with a single LED, a floodlight with a single LED then two pink LEDs.
You’ll be able to run the highlight and floodlight collectively, or the RED leds by themselves.
Efficiency and Person Expertise
My preliminary impression was that the cord-style headband might not be preferrred for working. It looks like it’s one thing that could possibly be uncomfortable for lengthy runs, and if there’s any motion on the wire, it could rub.
I are likely to solely do shorter runs at nighttime, however to this point, I’ve had no issues with the wire design. Nonetheless, I haven’t used a headband-style headlamp, so can’t precisely examine the consolation fo the 2.
The brightness settings and pink gentle mode proved invaluable throughout totally different circumstances, offering satisfactory lighting whereas preserving night time imaginative and prescient when essential.
For almost all of my runs, I opted to make use of each the highlight and floodlight and on the most brightness of 400 lumens. This could final 2h 40 minutes, which is loads of time even for many lengthy runs.
For those who solely want fundamental illumination, you may dial down the brightness to low or medium.
Battery Life and Charging
The headlamp has a 650mAh in-built Li-ion battery, which doesn’t seem like it will be simple, and even potential, to switch. If that they had used a detachable battery, this might have added to the burden.
Actual-world testing of the battery life aligned with the producer’s claims, showcasing a very good longevity that will serve properly on prolonged outings. The charging time is cheap, and the comfort of USB charging is a contemporary contact that enhances the consumer expertise.
With each lights at most brightness, you’re going to get round 2 hrs 40 minutes runtime. If I used to be climbing or some other endurance actions at nighttime, I’d in all probability use simply the floodlight, which achieves a 23m throw distance at 200 lumens and will increase the run time to 4h quarter-hour.
Execs and Cons
The Nitecore NU25 UL shines with its light-weight design, sturdy construct high quality, and versatile efficiency.
The totally different gentle settings and general brightness make this good for working, however a couple of may discover the utmost brightness missing in extraordinarily darkish circumstances.
For the sake of some grams, I believe the elasticated band of the traditional NU25 could also be higher for consolation, however I’ve not examined this to substantiate.
Worth and Various Choices
The Nitecore NU25 UL is accessible for £44.95 from nitecore.co.uk, the usual NU25 with a thick headband is £48.95.
Amazon additionally shares them on the identical value.
Nitecore has a number of different headlamp choices to go well with totally different wants and budgets. These embody:
- Nitecore NU33 with 700 limen most output for £50
- Nitecore HC65 V2 with 1750 lumens max output, an simply replaceable rechargeable battery for £90
- Nitecore NU21, which is the same design to the NU25 UL however 360 lumen output for £35
- Nitecore HA11 is one other twin beam headlamp, and this runs on AA batteries. It’s restricted to 240 lumens output however prices an inexpensive £26
Conclusion
The Nitecore NU25 UL is an outstanding headlamp. The construct high quality and IP66 waterproof score make it appropriate for working in all circumstances. The twin LED headlight with floodlight and highlight offers greater than sufficient illumination in city environments.
It’s potential it might not be vivid sufficient for pitch-black eventualities and issues like fell working, the place chances are you’ll wish to be as conscious of the terrain as potential, however brighter lights might be greater and heavier. I believe this headlamp might be greater than satisfactory for many runners.
Final replace on 2023-10-11 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API
