this is “work-in-progress” sort of review. This winter is unbelievably snowy, there is still so damn much snow around, so it doesn`t contain usually high amount of outdoor pics and beamshots. I see no sense in filling review with this “polar bear on iceberg” sort of pics that some other reviewers are ok with. As soon as snow melt - i update review.
You Like lightweight plastic headlamps but don’t like built-in, non-replaceable batteries in them? If so, pay attention to Nitecore UT27. Lightweight, dual light, with replacable battery that has type-c charge port. Ah, you can also use 3 * AAA batteries in case of urgent need. In general, this litle headlamp turned out to be definetely good one. So i offer you to take a closer look at it.
you can buy Nitecore UT27 at:
- AMAZON
Specifications
TIR-optics
FLOOD light: CREE XP-G3 S3 (5700K). Maximum brightness 200lum and 31m maximum throw
SPOT light: CREE XP-G3 S3 (3000K) Maximum brightness 400 lumens and 128m maximum throw
Powered by a patented lithium-ion battery and compatible with 3 AAA batteries
HLB1300 rechargeable Li-ion battery (1300mAh) with USB-C rechargeable charging port
Glow in the dark battery compartment
Two easy access buttons
Battery level indicator
Advanced Power Measurement Technology (ApC) for ultra-low standby power consumption
Adjustable 90° angle for different types of lighting
Specially designed lightweight and breathable headband and diffuser pack included
Made from durable polycarbonate materials
IP66 dust and waterproof
Impact resistance up to 1 meter high
Size: 55.4*42.5*32mm, 74g complete.
PACKAGE AND APPEARANCE
Gone are the days of plain black and yellow cardboard boxes. Now Nitecore packs products in their own packages.
was before
and now
Agree, a completely different look, way better gift potential
Kit includes flashlight itself , battery (2 of them in PRO version), a Type-C charging cable, a manual and a translucent pouch that Nitecore suggest to use not only to store and carry a headlamp, but also as a diffuser for camping needs.
Luckily , I got PRO version with 2 batteries. I think that is worth to pay more for this version. As the battery has built-in charging. So you can charge it “on the run” by a power bank while your headlamp is powered by 2nd battery.
Charging is fast, takes about an hour. There is the usual red-green indication.
And here is the headlamp itself. It’s quite compact, and definetely lightweight with its 74g, which is quite logical as Nitecore position this is as running headlamp. Of course, there are smaller models, but there have significantly less brightness and battery capacity (non-replaceable, by the way).
For comparison - the classic T-shaped Nitecore HC65 v2, new headlamp by Nitecore
I liked the headband. Lightweight and perforated, with light-reflecting elements.
But the gel strip for some reason breaks off in the middle ….
As usually, a ratchet regulates angle.
Let me remind you that Nitecore UT27 works by both a propriatary lithium-ion battery and (with lower brightness) by ordinary ordinary AAA.
And here’s a pleasant surprise - the battery compartment is phosphorescent!
Nitecore UT27 is controlled by a pair of buttons. Each of them is responsible for either flood or spot light, pretty easy to understand even without opening manual. There is no cover that protects them against accidental pressing. But as there is an electronic button lock, you should not worry.
And here is the optics. Here we have 2 TIR lenses, equal size for Flood and Spot. only read light lenses are tiny here. As usual for such flashlights, there is no glass over plastic.
The Nitecore UT27 looks and feels like a good brand item in the hands. There are no visible flaws build quality.
UI
Really simple one. And that`s sort of simplicity which doesn`t make me vomit. I guess even this UI will be ok even for most of BLFers who can click Morse code of Anduril II
ON-OFF - long pressing button.
Flood\spot - press either left or right button.
Start in LOW, there is a memory for spot or flood.
Switching between LOW-HIGH by button click
2*clicks from ON - turbo
2*clicks from OFF - red light. No matter what button you press in this mode, it will change brightness in red light mode.
(un)locking - hold both buttons in OFF
short click in OFF turns on the charge level indication: 3 flashes >50, 2 flashes <50, 1 flash <10% charge.
How Nitecore UT27 illuminates
Of course, you should not expect that a compact plastic headlamp will sustains 200 or 400 lumens. UT27 can hold this brightness only for limited time. The good fact is that you can restart both HIGH or LOW at any time, almost up to full discharge.
Even Spot LOW 100 lums is a quite decent mode in terms of brightness and range, and you can quite rely on it. Again, after 40 minutes later it falls, but it can be restarted.
TURBO is 520 lumens bright. But each of both LEDs in this mode is less bright when work in HIGH mode separately. I mean that if you turn TURBO right from HIGH in Spot light mode, then the range will only decrease. As well as when you turn TURBO from FLOOD mode, then the sidelight will only become dimmer.
However, I think that when you need instant “far and wide” light , then with its honest 30 seconds TURBO will be suitable for this, because the brightness here does not slide down.
Yes, it is worth noting that the manufacturer claims thermoregulation. Well, headlamp body is plastic, with a low heat transfer. If it barely warms up in higher modes, then it is logical that I did not see any effect of fan cooling.
As for the light, everything is fine in terms of light distribution. Nice Wide flood light for near range, and Spot light is focused with a reasonable balance of center and side light. 3000K here will certainly perform well in fog, rain and similar air conditions. But again…why Nitecore chose cold light for flood mode, if other their models had normal neutral light exactly in the same mode? Cold light is something I definitely don’t like. And i dont understand why Nitecore so stubbornly cram it anywhere they can.
what is next…mode spacing. There are only generally bright levels. I think that is exactly what you need for a running headlamp.
Firefly at 0.5 lum or just dim ~ 15-20 lum modes are mandatory for household and tourist purposes, but I don’t see any use in them for needs of runners.
So, as you understand, i rate Nitecore UT27 as “ok, will do”, no higher for regular household and camping needs.
Here, I would undoubtedly prefer much more suitable Nitecore NU32, which has almost the same size and weight.
Oh, guys, there is a lot of red light here. Very bright. I don’t know what use it is for running, but if you need a headlamp with a bright red light, then Nitecore UT27 is definitely just that.
50m range
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
Nitecore claims to sponsor all kinds of races , marathons and study the needs of runners to construct headlamp for runners` needs.
Here, in no way, i have any relation to this target audience for which Nitecore made this headlamp. If I limit myself with only 3-4 beers on Friday, I run only once a week in the gym during the warm-up. So my opinion of whether this headlamp is good for running or not has a very shaky basis in the form of complete incompetence. But…this opinion is positive, by the way.
The flashlight is convenient in use. These short phrase describe all what i feel about Nitecore UT27. It fits well on the head, i don`t feel it`s weight at all, it doesn`t slip off.
!
It has simple UI, simple in a good way. I don’t think that running involves a frequent change of modes, most likely (correct me if I’m wrong) the use is rather “turn on, set up, run”. With some occasional need in instant turbo. And here UI of UT27 fits this needs perfectly, as setting either flood or spot does not require hitting the Morse code on the buttons. There are two of them, and each one is simply responsible for its own LED, it’s impossible to get confused here.
The runtime in each mode is quite in line with my (I won’t lie, they are low) expectations for a lightweight headlamp. Actually, even surpasses them thanks to the ability to restart the fallen brightness.
What surprised me is that there is a quite long turbo, which does not dive down from the first second as i`d expect from plastic headlamp. 30 seconds of 520lumens is really a lot for plastic lightweight headlamp.
It is worse than each of the modes separately, but it fully meets its purpose. Namely, instantly turn on a bright light that will allow you to shine both far`n wide. This mode, by the way, can also be restarted. But I sincerely recommend not to abuse this feature - I didn’t find the promised thermoregulation here at all, so flashlight can simply overheat in this case.
The light itself is comfortable: both near and far. Though, again, I really do not understand why Nitecore cannot make a non cold white headlamp.
Again, UT27 should be evaluated from the point of view of the target audience, i.e. runners. And I don’t think that the fact that the flood light here is cold white will push someone away, it would be way worse if spot light LED was cold white.
I also should mention that lack of dim, low light modes definitely limits convenience of using UT27 in touristic and camping needs. I think that Nitecore might do separate camping mode here, with moonlight and 10-30 lumens low modes, so user can switch to it from running mode.
that`s all, folks.
I repeat - this is a headlamp for specific needs. I can objectively show only how it illuminates, and what to expect from it in terms of runtime and build quality.
So, it will take real runners to evaluate if Nitecore UT27 is good for such needs, or not. If you are one of them, I would appreciate sharing your opinion in comments.