Nitecore HC30 1x18650 battery,Cree XM-L2 LED,Headlamp REVIEW

Thank you
the higher degrees more open?
the spot fades with more or less degree?

Yes, the higher degree provides the more spill (more opened beam).
The spot is quite inexistent with those type of optic

anyone knows a 100 degrees TIR optic mod for the HC30?
Shop?
thanks.

I don’t think you can physically get a 100 degree TIR, the specs are for HALF the angle of spread (ie a 20 degree optic will give you a 40 degree cone).

I switch the led for a warmer last year, change it for a XM-L2 4D. This is how it looked inside. Maybe you have fixed it by now. There is more pics if some one needs.

Thanks for the review!



how you did unscrew the bezel? i can’t get any grip on it.

I used the rubberized side of my mouse pad, pressed down across the top of the bezel with my thumb and twisted. I had to replace the driver in my HC30 already. :~

It worked thanks.

Only problem is that this is no longer waterproof.

. . . Ya, with the bezel and lens removed it would not be waterproof. :wink:

Thanks for this little mod, I like it much better without the hot spot! Uncertain which lens I preferred as I can’t identify them (I ordered both 45 and 60 degrees, but the text on the label doesn’t help much - 09 122 18 ; 89 5 73 on this one, whatever lens that is). Still doesn’t feel as wide as the flood on my Fenix HP25, but this will do just fine, and I won’t get neck problems from it… :stuck_out_tongue:

Next step : swap the emitter !
I’ve heard here that it’s always difficult to swap emitter in Nitecore products, but it wasn’t that hard (okay, it’s not a screwable S2 pill…)
Sooo, I put an XM-L2 T6 4C and it’s way more usable now !

Oh, I also replaced the stock clip with an Olight one (much more sturdy) and put 3 neodymium magnets on it to stick it everywhere !

Oh, I put a spring on the positive side to remove the reverse polarity protection

And put a magnet on the negative side, after removing the spring :

Sorry for the last pic, my smartphone made it weird…

Nice job. Do you think it would be possible to swap out the driver too?

I tried to remove the driver but didn’t want to scratch it…I didn’t succeed, and the UI is not that terrible so it will stay like this.
I wanted to use a Noctigon but the LED wires are really short and couldn’t reach the solder pads, so I just reflowed the emitter on the stock alu MCPCB

A neutral white option is now being sold! Wooo so much interest now!!
Does anyone know where I can get the best deal on this HC30W? Neutral tint option. Looking for a pair of 3400s and a charger with USB capability for use with power banks as well.

Quick bump for an update : my HC30 is now equipped with an Olight S2 clip (longer than before) with rectangular neodymium magnets in some heat shrink :

I also swapped the emitter for a T5 5D1 80+ CRI from INTL outdoor, and add some GITD putty under the TIR :

Cool mods!
You can unscrew the front bezel to change the LED but its easier to use the same MCPB and just swap the emitter. My HC30 is my most used light it has heaps of hours on it from fishing and i use while working on electronic for extra light. I love it!

I kept the stock MCPCB as the wires are really short and can’t accommodate a Noctigon…

I just got my HC30 from BG.

It’s the NW version and on turbo the head heats up quick.
Arround 57 degrees “after 2 minutes” the ATR kicks in and I don’t see any drop in lumens with the naked eye.
It keeps it between 50 en 53 degrees, I love it!
Kept it running on turbo for 5 minutes and took the 18650 out.
I used a 3200mAh panasonic with protection and measured the heat of it.
It was 32 degrees.

Is that a safe temp for a 18650? I mean could I run it for 30 minutes on turbo?

Just wanna be safe.

Oh also you can wear the headband inside out so it is all black.

Edit: but I guess you can do that with any headband…

32 °C doesn’t seem a high temp at all for any battery :slight_smile:
If the light is about 50°C once it stabilizes, then the battery will eventually be at that temp too.