Skilhunt H15 headlamp review

Other Types of Lights LED Headlamps
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Got my hands on a Skilhunt H15 to review

Check it out at Gearbest.com

Headlight brand: Skilhunt
Model: H15
Function: Hiking, Walking, Night Riding, Household Use, EDC, Camping
Feature: Tail Stand Capacity, Cooling Slot of High Efficiency, Can be used as headlamp or bicycle light, Reverse Polarity Protection
Luminous Flux: 500Lm
Peak Beam Intensity: 1500cd
Main Lamp Beads: Cree XM-L2 U3
Beads Number: 1
Mode: 5 (Turbo; High; Mid; Low; Strobe)
Switch Type: Clicky
Switch Location: Head
Battery type: 14500, AA
Battery : 1 x AA / 14500 battery (not included)
Power source: Battery
Working Voltage: 0.9-4.2V
Lens: TIR Lens
Impact Resistance: 1m
Waterproof: IPX-8 Standard Waterproof
Mode Memory: Yes
Available Light Color: Cool White, Neutral White
Color: Black
Beam Distance: 50-100m
Processing Technology: Aerospace Grade Aluminum Body with Anti Scratching Type III Hard Anodization
Body Material: Aluminium Alloy

Ok… so lets talk about this bad boy. Normally I’m a pretty strict budget guy when it comes to flashlight and rarely can justify spending $45 on a headlamp. But this thing is seriously impressive. First lets talk about it. The user interface is simple, and you can access turbo and strobe easily. The memory mode works as well. The locator beacon seemed annoying at first, but it can be turned off with a simple twist of the tail cap. I tested the low voltage warning and it turned on at 3.55v. Threads are annodized so you can lock out the flashlight as well. The headband is simple and easy to use. It is held in place by friction and you can adjust to whatever angle you want. It also comes with a pocket clip that makes this very handy to use in a shirt pocket, on a duty belt, or even in the front pocket of your jeans if you angle the clip towards the front. This makes it a truly versatile hands free EDC flashlight. The clip is tight and holds into my normal cotton shirt front pocket. The beam is very diffuse with no hot spot. I could easily see my fire pit from 50 yards away. It lights up easily 140 degrees in front of you. Heat management is good, and it only gets warm with turbo. There is a 2 minute step down on turbo as well. Run times seem true to the spec using a efest 14500 battery. The driver tab is recessed so it looks like you can only utilize button top 14500s.

I think this would make a fantastic backpacking headlamp as it is easily pocketable for the trip in, or you can clip it to your pack shoulder straps or hip belt and put on the band at anytime. The locator beacon is useful for use in the woods after dark. Not sure how much juice it drains though so turn it off for long periods. The beam makes this ideal for doing camp chores in the dark, no overpowering hot spot and its easy on the eyes so your not blinding your friends.

Construction looks good. Threads are annodized, and the clicky and led lens cover are held in by small screws. the kind you have in your eyeglasses so they could probably easily be replaced and taken out with an eyeglass kit that you get at the dollar store. The tailcap spring is held in place with the same screws as well in case you need to replace that. The finish is nice and found no flaws in it.

I think this flashlight really shines as an edc light as well. The run times are excellent and I like the mode spacing, and I’m a sucker for a low mode that lasts for days on end. Overall I think its a good value compared to the other 14500 head lamps on the market.

Very pleased with the light!

And a look at the beam shots

mid mode:

Turbo Mode:

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Thanks for the review. Are you planning on doing any testing with a rechargeable NiMH battery?

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This video is private.

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Its still processing. Should be up shortly

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I could if the interest is there

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Does the locator beacon work on Ni-MH ?

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Thanks for the review, those Skilhunt folks seem to know what they’re doing.

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Yes, the locator seems to work with any kind of battery.

tried 14500, alkaline, and an eneloop rechargeable

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Yes, it is one of the easier lights to mod. New driver from Richard (RMM) and custom tailor your UI....but I cannot say what will happen with the locator beacon and low battery warning. That may require some input from Richard and TK.

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Just received mine a few days ago, and I’m also very impressed with the beam, tint, and build quality. A few other thoughts…

Good to know about mod-ability! Thanks. I would actually be happy with a driver that bypasses the beacon - that’s not really a useful feature to me, so it basically just serves to drain the battery (even if the drain is tiny, it’s a useless waste IMO.) Glad there’s a way to turn off the beacon (long press after off), but that’s a minor pain - it makes turning off the light a longer two-step process rather than a quick click. I wish there were a permanent bypass.

Two other notes I’d add to a review:

  1. The tailcap has to be screwed on VERY tightly to make good contact and work properly. I initially thought I had a wonky light, it’d work intermittently and flicker but not stay on. Then I really reefed on the tailcap, and it works perfectly.
  2. I find the headband quite uncomfortable. Not the band itself, but the rubber holder that connects the light to the band. There are two fairly thick rubber strips that wrap around the band, and they press right into my forehead. Gives me a headache after a while. I can loosen the band, but then it starts shifting around with my movement. I haven’t had this gripe with other headlamps; all my others use a plastic clip that’s either wide, flat, & padded, or they have a plastic clip that wraps around the band without sticking out into my head. Anyone aware of alternate attachment ideas for a light of this style?
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Looks very nice. How does it preform with a AA.

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I have 6 of the H15s and 2 of the H02s as part of the group buy: Group Buy Active >> Skilhunt H15 and more >> Review Inside. I bought one of each initially to try them out. Then bought a bunch more afterwards (for myself and to give out as gifts.)

I really like them, especially the H15. I would say it is my current favorite light. I have used it for walking the dogs in the woods at night, running in the woods, and other miscellaneous stuff. Even if I don’t need it as a headlamp, I still tend to use the H15 for general flashlight stuff. The tint of the neutral white is very nice. The beam angle/width is good. I find that most of the time in the woods, the medium mode is sufficient and lights up a good distance ahead of me. The low is pretty nice as well and I imagine would be very nice for camping. The modes are spaced well. I like that it’s a single click to switch between them and that they start low and get more bright. It’s nice that the strobe mode is hidden. I find that the light output of the H15 is sufficient for what I do. So the smaller size of the H15 and the option to use AA or 14500 makes that my preferred one of the two. (I usually only use it for a couple minutes at a time to take the dogs out. So I don’t need the longer runtime of the H02 w/ 18650.)

I have experienced a few minor issues that I will try to keep track of in this thread: Skilhunt H15 Issues. At this point, I’m not sure if I just have one quirky light or what.

Has anyone found a good way to mount the H15 or H02 to bike handlebars?

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I think, Strap mount is the easiest way how to do that. Both headlights are light enough to stay secure in this mount.