Xtar H2 Headlamp Review - Pics added - ONLY $23.59 at Gearbest

Xtar H2 Headlamp (CR123/16340)

Only $23.59 with Coupon Code: XtarH2 (Only 140 units available)

Sample provided by Gearbest for review

Pros of the H2

  • Small - Only 81mm compared to Skilhunt's 110mm
  • Lightweight - Much lighter than any 18650 powered headlamp
  • Tight beam vs usual flood beams
  • Dual use batteries - Primary Cr123 or Li-Ion 16340
  • Low Voltage Protection
  • Included clip
  • AR Glass
  • 330 Lm with Li-ion 16340
  • Additional Red LED

While not a cool Mhanlen review My unsolicited opinion is as follows :) :

This is not my first Xtar product. We all know Xtar chargers. My first Xtar flashlight experience was a WK50 AA light and then a BK12. Both deal finds. The quality was impressive and since I was on the hunt for a super lightweight but very inexpensive headlamp for those coworkers that feel the 18650 powered units are too heavy - this looked like it fit the bill - and it does.

The first thing that I noticed was that the headband did not have the stabilizing band on the top. That can sometimes be a nuisance. The included pocket clip can be used in a pocket or even on the rim of a hat instead of the headband. I already knew it was small. About the same length as a a Nitecore HC50 but about half the diameter, and shorter than the Skilhunt H02.

The size makes this great for table work where a heavy light can be cumbersome. This light is not meant to compete with the 18650 headlamps but rather fill the gap. Even so, with the tight beam and 330 Lm this can easily be used for work. The trade-off is that for the lighter weight we use a battery with less runtime but the lower output and greater throw compensates for that. Not everybody needs a spotlight on their head. LOL.

A few added notes that some may find helpful.....

  • The H2 always starts on low (which many will appreciate)
  • A double click of the switch activates the Red LED
  • The Red LED has a beacon for which could be useful many
  • The emitter bezel is easily removed to get the XPG2 LED

The emitter and board are easily accessible

This thing is not much bigger than an 18650 battery and a whole lot smaller than a Convoy S2+ :)

Yes, I chipped the glass :( But a quick measurement shows that it is 17mm and easily replaced from Flashlightlens.com

The reflector has a very very slight orange peel texture but so slight that it is like an SMO..thus throw.

The below shots are taken at 20 feet.(The fence is 6 ft tall)

On the left is with the reflector removed and thicker glass from Flashlightlens.com would be recommended.

On the right is with reflector installed. Decent sized hotspot but not anywhere near as floody as most headlamps.

These shots are in pitch black darkness. The surrounding light you see is the actual spill.

I am really starting to get attached to this little thing. I wish it had mode memory for me but I would still not shy away from it for that. The lack of mode memory prevents blinding one's self if you have your hand in front of the light when turning it on. Regular headlamp users with light mounted switches know what I am referring to. :)

This thing is perfect for the things that I do around the house and even at work I thought that runtime would be an issue but it was not because I believe in extra batteries. Speaking of work...this thing was a hit among those that thought an 18650 light was too heavy and they loved the single headband.

All in all ...this light fits the bill for being lightweight and having very decent output, as well as added features. For me it will be another item to add to the "Xmas list" and very well worth the asking price.

Thanks for introducing us to this light! I find it weird that high has a runtime of 1.5 hrs while turbo, at more than double the lumens hence, even more than double the current, has a runtime of 1.4 hrs…

Wow thanks for the review and the deal link, I picked one up even though i didn’t need one, that is a great price for this headlight.

Looks like a great smaller format at a good deal!

Not sure how comfortable the headband will be.

I wish Gearbest had a similar deal on the H1 Commander AA/14500—
as I am a huge fan of that battery format.

I do not have a true answer for that because they do not tell us what battery they used for specs BUT I can say that I am using the Xtar protected batteries (600mah) and I am getting the 1.5 on Turbo...except I have to keep re-activating turbo due to the step-down. I used cleaning my patio and hot tub and it does work well. Tonight I will take it to work to test there but I already know how it will behave.

I tried to get an H1 but Gearbest said it is unavailable. Possibly phased out? Don't know but all of a sudden the H3 showed up.

I do not need these. I have a ton of awesome headlamps, so why do I want it

I would be all over it except for 2 things:

1. I don’t like the battery size. Either 18650 or 14500 would’ve been better for me.
2. I wish it had a normal clicky switch. I know an e-switch saves space, but in a headlamp, especially one that takes a small battery, I don’t like the parasitic drain.

With that said, I wish GB would send me some nice stuff to review… I’m jealous.

The mah between the 16340 and the 14500 is minimal. The main draw here is the size and weight. Even 14500/AA would be larger :)

You don't. Your inlaw's pup does. He sent me a PM stating that you have all of these cool headlamps and he has none. LOL

Edit: For others...the size and price. This is a quality headlamp for $23.59....the cheapest I have ever come across that I would not be afraid to place on my forehead :)


Just bring back to the top for people to see :)

I will post some pics Sunday :)

He could have used one tonight! We went for a walk and I used the moonlight mode on my SRK. He needs a UV one so its easier for him to find pee spots to sniff. How easy would an emitter swap be

In all seriousness… I was going to buy one until that shadow sale popped up last night. That blew my wad.

Thanks for the review. I was thinking about this headlamp but when you said it had a tight beam, I reconsidered. I have little to no use for a spotlight headlamp. I want pure flood.

Also, always starting on low seems annoying. I prefer it to start on high or better yet, just have memory.

I know the bezel can be removed with little effort. I will/want to see how easy a swap can be and if the reflector can be left out. It looks like it can easily be modded but I will know more this Sunday when I have off. Even as it comes it still is very usable especially for those that want a small headlamp and the price point is better for the quality than the human mounted bicycle headlamps. :)

This headlamp is what I have been waiting for, at this price with code it is half the cost of the others I was considering

Thanks for the review bugsy.

I like the size of this flashlight, every 18650 headlamp I found too heavy. I bought a secondhand hc50, and it is still too heavy (anyone cares to buy it from me?). And I never need more than 200 lm on my head.

But:

-AA/14500 is a way better battery choice. For a flashlight the alkaline option is not so interesting, it makes a good flashlight bad, but for a headlamp, that is used at <50lm most of the time, with an alkaline it is still very functional.

-still an R5 bin XP-G2 in a new model?? That is almost an insult for a flashaholic. S4 is admittedly only 16% more light, but mind that it is completely free, every time.

(sorry, still grumpy)

The more I play with this light the more I am really liking it. Will it replace my Skilhunt H02 or my HC50....nope. Will I need a couple to add to the two I keep at work..ABSOLUTELY!

Here is what I found so far.

  • With the unit so small and light it is really useful for when I have to roll around on my back. The Skilhunt H02 stays but the Nitecore HC50 does not. THIS Xtar H2 has ZERO pull when on my back tilting my head back. It STAYS put!
  • I also found that the reflector is easily removable and this now becomes all flood.
  • I do not have my caliper here but I think the emitter is sitting on 16mm and there is plenty of room to add an XML or XPL emitter.

My only issue is the starting on low but that is not the end of the world either. The lower output compensates for the 16340 battery so run time is not that bad at all I have no illusions that I am going to light up the distance I can with my other lights. THIS light was NOT designed for that :)

I will have one or two of these around the house because they are small. For work, just as have have many screwdrivers for many tasks this Xtar H2 will also get added to be used when I want something lightweight or do not need the output of the other headlamps in my tool box. I think it will also convert those at work that did not want to use the 18650 headlamps because they felt they were too heavy.

Tomorrow I am off so I will add pics and finish the review but in all seriousness this light is well worth it. I am not just saying that. This little bast@rd is useful :)

Had to order one at this price, thanks for the heads up on it. I like a smaller, lighter headlamp anyway. Have you tried diffusing the lens on this instead of removing the reflector? Some Clear Plastidip or even rough scotch tape works pretty good before you get into modding it… nevermind, I forgot it was Bugsy as the OP… I will try that instead…

New pics in op

I am going to have to pick up more of these, the modability of them looks interesting, but they seem fine in stock form….

I have no idea why headlamps cost so much in this format, but with this coupon I can afford a couple of these. Thanks again for the coupon!

EDIT: Any visible PWM?