Trying to decide on a new headlamp. I have a Thrunite TH20 that’s terrific, but limited in output, and ramping as the only choice of operation is annoying (also, terrible on predicting battery life).
I’m considering the following:
Nitecore HC65 — the cheapest of the consideration group. Nice step up from HC60. A little limited on max output (1000 lumens). Interesting aux emitters. CRI emitter makes up for cold XM-L2 U2 main emitter. Rechargeable port nicely hidden behind screw cap. Ample 3400mAh 18650 cell included. Form factor not good for hand held. (best price: $50).
Thrunite TH30 — very nice and powerful, excellent beam smoothness… even if turbo is capped at 1.5 minutes, it’s good enough for momentary brightness. Decent neutral white tint (if just a tad cool). Good selection of modes. Overall, I really like this one. One detriment: charge port is protected with a rubber stopper—not as well protected as the HC65. 3100mAh cell included. (best price: $65, used one for $55)
Zebralight H600w — (corrected 603 typo) unique Zebralight UI that’s very appealing. XHP35 neutral white 4500k emitter. However, no charge port. Bested by TH30 on brightness. (best price: $70)
Jetbeam HR30 — good value, excellent power cell flexibility (20700, 18650, CR123), USB-C charge port (nice!). But… undesirable cold emitter, limited to 950 lumens. Form factor not good for hand held. (best price: $54).
Frustrating how nobody makes the best combination of features. I’d be drawn more to the HR30 if the beam was better… But I have to say, I like headlamps that have a decent handheld option — central emitters don’t lend themselves for handheld. So, I’m leaning towards the Thrunite TH30, despite the inferior charging port situation. Part of me wants to get the Zebralight because of the interesting UI and the nice emitter, but for a headlamp I want a charge port for that “in the field” convenience. Plus, it’s quite a bit more than the others in cost.
I have the TH30. Got it in cool white for $59 shipped from illumn.com . I also tried the neutral white version from amazon and the difference is miniscule. The beam is super wide and has good throw. It is suuuper bright.
Zebralight H603w has very wide light. It is very diffrent from other 3 headlamps. H600w or H600fw are much closer.
I have ZL , Nitecore HC65 , Jetbeam HR30.
I strongly not recomend Jetbeam HR30. (I made review but it in russian)
Button is inconvenient, plastic holder too, it not have IPx7 as declared, it works with button top 18650 (Hc65 too).
I would go with the ZL simply because of the regulation, with a light source that is fixed to your line of sight any drop of brightness becomes very noticeable and annoying to deal with. This is what a mechanic friend of mine told me after he tried all brands of headlamps. The guy knows nothing about flashlights but has found his zebralight a vital piece of gear after discovering it.
Thanks lotrbfme* and *Adhara for feedback on the TH30. Sounds encouraging!
@AEDe, yes I made a typo, meant to say H600w. I had seen mention before of the TH30 having a slow charger, but wasn’t sure about the degree. Is it like 50% slower? What are your complaints on the HC65 compared to the others?
@will34 — with the regulation on the ZL, is it a very gradual drop? The TH30 seems capable of running on just over 1,000 lumens for 1.5 hours, which is impressive. I should qualify that my average use with lights is usually no more than 60 minutes at a time, and then just a handful of times in the summer for longer periods. So, not sure if I would find myself missing better regulation.
I didn’t test TH30 unfortunately. It takes 7-8hours to charge 3500mAh 18650 using hc65.
I dont like in hc65 :
18650 button top only. Cold white only. (and changing LED is hard procidure). Operation is not quite well e.g. to turn on 1lm mode from 80lm you should go through 1000lm mode. Hicri led have only 1 mode .
Imalent HR70 also dont have Ipx7/8 , have stupid mode set 3000-1500-1000-550-150lm (it is measered numbers), thermal control which allows light to heat up to 90 C.
AT is good light when it works, but
I have met many times when they broke. Real power is about 1600lm not 2300lm.
HC33 has common issues for Nitecore : 18650 button top only. Cold white only. it has also very narrow beam comparing previous headlamps.
But I am caver so very picky in choosing a headlamp. )) May be there are many points that are issues for me, and they are not issues for you.
I recomend usually H600fc mk4 or H03/Hc30 for my friends and colleags. But those headlamps dont have charger.
Thanks! Good to see your perspective. From what you say, I will disqualify the HC65. I didn’t realize it steps down, rather than up, when selecting brightness on main. I have a Sunwayman D40A that does this… and it’s annoying (but D40A does a lot right, and given it’s a thrower for main purpose, I can somewhat overlook it).
I guess when we get to the point where most lights we own are capable of self-recharging (have power port), a light that doesn’t have it will be more painful. Given the form factor size of the H60x series, you’d think ZL would put that in by now. But… if all other factors are good, I think I can overlook that. I’m just a little leery of recent reveals of some glaring QC problems with some recent ZL lights.
I didn’t realize Russia was in the game of LED lights. The Panda is very curious! But your complaints are something that would concern me.