Oh, I was initially interested in this Nitecore headlamp and fortunately was not able to actually buy it…I just checked my 4-yr old and well-used Fenix HP25 headlamp and is relieved to know that its design (from the adjuster to the hinge) is actually bullet-proof compared to the Nitecore’s:
I’m now worried that mine would suffer the same fate. So far it’s still OK. I just keep it in my sling bag as an emergency light.
Nitecore products aren’t cheap and therefore we expect better quality than this.
I own a lot of Nitecore products and for the most part, have been very pleased with what they offer. This one, however, is a dud. Not the light and it’s electronics (which I really like) but the hinge system and the fact that they tried to pass it off as my fault.
I suspect that more and more people will discover this issue with the light. Hopefully Nitecore will wake up and come up with a fix.
Thanks for letting us know. My NU30 is still intact and as good as new.
Mine also broke today just by checking it. One of the hinges broke, also the plastic around is cracking. Idk if I wanne pay shipping for spare parts that most likely will break again. I’ll send them a mail with pictures anyway.
Nitecore charged me $5 US shipping and sent out 2 strap-side pieces, one of which (as I stated in my OP) has already broken. The idea of having to continually purchase replacement pieces every month or so for $5 is ludicrous. Clearly a flawed design. My NU20 (which I EDC and actually USE everyday) shows no signs of breaking. The hinge on it is more like the Fenix in tatasal’s pic.
You’re very welcome. I really think this is a poor design and that Nitecore is going to experience a lot of issues with it. The question is, what will they do? I’m hoping for a redesign of the strap-side piece to address the breakage.
Please don’t let me down, Nitecore.
Hi Mkduffer
Thanks for the heads up on the potential flaw
Like others have mentioned, I only have the NU20 which is used nightly for bed reading and is going great guns
I also stocked two with broken holders, not used, only. 2 months old. 
Have tried with glue, but does not hold.
Ouch.
This is bad.
It’s like buying a disposable headlamp :person_facepalming:
Wow! That’s horrible! At this point, I’m not even using the light for fear of breaking the last piece I have. I hope they step up to the plate and work out a fix! I’m going to try to use some JB Weld or 5 minute epoxy to support the piece, but that will leave an unsightly bump.
No problems with mine so far. I have the green one. Wonder if the plastic is somehow tempered different. So far, the only ones I’ve seen cracked or broken are the black models.
What about NU10 and NU20?
I don’t have an NU10 so can’t say. As for my NU20, the hinge mechanism is different and does not appear to be prone to the fatigue which seems to plague the NU30.
Only my NU30 is affected the NU20 has no errors
You’re welcome. I love my NU20 as well. Bought the NU30 because of it’s longer run time, more versatility and higher output AND the side mounted USB charge port, which would allow running it while charging. The bottom mounted charge port on the NU20 doesn’t allow you to practically wear and charge the unit. The NU20 hinge seems much more robust and it’s light weight makes it easy to EDC. Been using it every day with no issues, so far.
Both NU30 and NU10 still new. hopefully its won’t happen to me.
I’m more on NU10 due to arm level work.
Anyone else having issues with the hinge of their NU30?
Same exact issue for me! Used only a dozen times at most. The hinge kept getting looser until one night it went completely floppy. Then when I got home, dropped it from waist height and the hinge shattered and headlamp came off. What a piece of sheeet!
Of course this wouldn’t happen with the NU20 as this is lighter/ smaller which would create much less wear or force on the hinge.
Unless they have changed the design, I suspect this will happen with all NU30 (unless other color plastic made better).
Total junk and wrong that you have to pay ANY shipping cost for replacement parts.
Nitecore charged me $5 (shipping only) for 2 back pieces. Yes, it was nice of them to charge me only shipping, however since I suspect this is either a design flaw or materials issue, that really puts it on them. Furthermore, after receiving my replacement pieces, the first replacement broke within a few weeks of use. It’s not like I’m trapezing around in the woods every night for 8 hrs at a time with the unit strapped to my head. I periodically check the property for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a week. I’m afraid to use my final back piece for fear of it breaking. Not exactly a reliable piece of kit that I can have confidence in when the chips are down.