[Review] - Nitecore LR50 - High CRI>90 2x18650 Powerbank USB - by Lock

lock · 2019-06-03T18:20:34.000Z

Hi everyone ... Today we will see the new one Nitecore LR50:
very useful lantern/powerbank powered with 18650, CR123 and RCR123 cells. The product was supplied directly by Nitecore for the review. Here the link of the company and here the link of the product.

Packaging and content
The Nitecore LR50 was sent by the company without packaging and with only a micro usb cable for recharging but by purchasing it it will arrive in a colored cardboard box with some of the main features of the product written on it. Inside the package you will find:
• The LR50 lantern
• A micro-USB cable for charging
• Replacement O-ring for the diffuser
• Multilingual instruction manual
• Nitecore Warranty Card

Main Features
• USB rechargeable and dischargeable outdoor camping lantern
• Utilizes 9 high CRI LEDs (CRI≥90, Color Temperature: 4000-4500K), with a maximum
output of 250 lumens
• Integrated intelligent USB charging and discharging management system to be used as a
portable power bank
• 3 brightness levels and 2 special modes available
• Multiple illuminable direction settings available
• Highly translucent PC diffuser allowing all light source to be well distributed
• A power indicator indicates the remaining battery power
(Patent No. ZL201220057767.4)
• The power indicator can also display the battery voltage (±0.1V)
• Recommended to be powered by 1-2 x 18650 Li-ion batteries and compatible with CR123
batteries
• USB port enables a max output current of 2.1A
• Automatic detection of the battery level and automatic adoption of the optimal charging
modes between CC and CV
• Activates over-discharged batteries with protective circuits
• Location Indication function
• High efficiency constant circuit provides stable output up to 100 hours
• Magnetic base and hanger equipped for multiple environments
• Body made from durable and fire-retardant PC materials
• IP66 rated
• Impact resistant to 1 meter

Dimensions and weight
• Dimensions: 119.8mm×57mm×30mm
• Weight without battery: 110g
• Weight with two 18650: 200g

Output Levels and Runtime
The Nitecore LR50 is equipped with 9 whites that provide natural light with Hi Cri> 90.
The output levels are as follows:
High - 250 lm (measured 260 lm) – 10h
Mid - 65 lm (measured 70 lm) – 22h
Low - 6lm (measured 9 lm) – 100h
Beacon - 250 lm (measured 260 lm)
SOS - 250 lm (measured 260 lm)
The measured data are to be considered as peak data (taken within 30 seconds of switching on and with fully charged batteries) and all have proved to be consistent with what was declared by Nitecore.

The body and the materials
The Nitecore LR50 is a light and compact lantern with a body made entirely of plastic.

The diffuser of the LR50 is opaque and stuck firmly to the body via two hooks. To access the battery compartment it is necessary to remove it by applying pressure to the ends of the base and pulling it upwards.

The LR50 accepts as battery 1 or 2 18650 in 2P configuration, but alternatively it is also compatible with cells CR123 and RCR123A for which however it is not possible to use the integrated recharge.

Nitecore kindly provided two 18650 3400mAh cells for the review ...

The LR50 is equipped with two comfortable switches, one on each side. These are two yellow rubber buttons, very reactive and easy to find even in total darkness. Both perform the same interface management functions.

On the body of the lantern there are some dissipation fins, which are not very deep and are useful to disperse the heat produced during the charge / discharge phase.

The LEDs provide good diffused light with excellent chromatic performance. We have 9 scattered in different positions. It is possible to choose towards where to direct the beam, avoiding for example to illuminate areas of non-interest, thus prolonging battery runtimes and also avoiding annoying glare.

At the bottom a yellow rubber cap hides the charging interface and the USB output socket.

The presence of a powerful neodymium magnet allows the lantern to be attached to any ferromagnetic surface both vertically and horizontally.

A steel ring allows you to hang the torch upside down and use it as a source of lighting from the high type of chandelier

To the positive poles we have a small protruding button while to the negative poles a golden spring.

Supply
As we said, the LR50 can be powered by one or two 18650 batteries. Alternatively, cells CR123 and RCR123 are also accepted, for which, however, charging via micro-USB port is not required. 18650 flat top batteries are not accepted.

Power Indication
When the battery is inserted, the blue indicator will flash to show the battery voltage (±0.1V). For example, when the battery voltage is at 4.2V, the power indicator will flash 4 times followed by a 1.5-second pause and 2 more flashes. Different voltages represent the corresponding remaining battery power levels
Note: This function only applies to the first put-in 1 x 18650 battery or 2 x CR123/RCR123 batteries. When using 2 x CR123/RCR123 in series, the indicator will show the average voltage between the two batteries.

When the light is off, short press either button and the power indicator will flash to indicate the remaining power of the batteries:
• Flashing three times indicates that the power is above 50%;
• Flashing twice indicates that the power is below 50%;
• Flashing once indicates that the power is below 10%.
The batteries should be replaced or recharged when the output appears to be dim or the product becomes unresponsive due to low power.

Power Bank function
The LR50 is equipped with a USB output to charge an external USB device behaving like a powerbank. The blue indicator in this case will illuminate with constant light. (Output voltage: 5V, output current: 2.1A MAX)

USB charge
Connect to a power source: Connect the LR50 to an external power source (a USB adapter, a power bank
or other USB charging devices with an output of 5V/2A) via the USB charging cable through the USB input
port to begin charging. The charging time for 2 x 18650 Li-ion batteries (3,500mAh) is approx. 5 hours.
Charging indication: When the charging process is normal, the blue indicator will flash slowly. When the
charging process is complete, the blue indicator will glow steadily.

Over-Discharged Li-ion Battery Activation
The LR50 is capable of activating over-discharged Li-ion batteries with a protective circuit. After the battery insertion, the LR50 will test and activate the batteries when necessary.

User Interface
The user interface is very simple and is controlled exclusively by the two buttons located at the base of the lantern and which have exactly the same functions.

Power On/Off
When the light is off, press both switches to access the Low level. When the light is turned on instead of pressing both switches the torch will turn off.

Brightness Levels
When the light is on, short press either button to cycle through the following brightness levels: MID –
HIGH – LOW.

Illuminable Direction Settings
The LR50 has 3 illuminable directions available (top and both sides) for different needs according to the surroundings. When the light is on, press and hold either button to cycle through the following direction settings: TOP – ONE SIDE – TOP+ONE SIDE – ALL. Release to select the current direction setting. (This function has mode memory. When reactivated, the LR50 will automatically access LOW Level of the previous memorized direction setting.)

Special Modes (BEACON / SOS)
When the light is off, press and hold both buttons to cycle through the following modes: LOW – BEACON – SOS. Release to select the current mode. Turning off the light will exit special modes.

Location Indication
The LR50 is equipped with the Location Indication. With this function turned on, the blue indicator located at the top of the product will flash once every 2 seconds to indicate the location of the LR50.
When the light is on, press and hold both buttons for over 2 seconds to turn off the light and access
Location Indication. With 2 x 18650 Li-ion batteries, the standby time is approx. 6 months with Location Indication turned on and approx. 12 months with this function turned off. Reactivating the LR50 will turn off this function.

Beam, Tint e Beamshots
The beam of the Nitecore LR50 is obviously wide and totally widespread. When projected onto a wall, no type of artifact is noticed and it is very uniform.
The color of the LEDs is a true Neutral White, very "clean", coherent and without any kind of color change: in nature it makes colors very well thanks to the high color rendering index Hi CRI> 90.
Following some night shots ...

Beamshot 1

Beamshot 2

Beamshot 3

Beamshot 4

Beamshot 5

Beamshot 6

Beamshot 7

Beamshot 8

Beamshot 9

Beamshot 10

Beamshot 11

Final considerations
The LR50 is an interesting product. On the surface it looks like a simple camping lantern but in reality hides several features that make it very attractive compared to competing brands:
• Neutral white light with Hi CRI> 90 for exceptional color rendering.
• Different types of power supply: 1-2 18650 and CR123 / RCR123
• Integrated USB charging
• Powerful neodymium magnet in the back that allows the lantern to be attached to any ferromagnetic surface
• LED indicators for charging status and for indicating cell voltage
• Simple but complete UI that also includes the special SOS, Beacon and Locator functions
• Direct access to the Low level
• Steel hook to take advantage of the lantern like a chandelier
• Excellent waterproofing, resistance to water and dirt
• Powerbank function for charging any USB device
• Battery activation function with blocked PCB (0V activation)

In short, an object definitely to be owned, very useful not only for camping but also at home in daily use. Product well done from every point of view ... definitely to recommend.
thanks for reading!!!
Lock

angerdan · 2019-06-04T17:39:34.000Z

Thanks for the review:

Can any admin please move the review into the corresponding forum:
http://budgetlightforum.com/forum/otherled/lanterns/reviews

raccoon · 2019-06-04T17:47:40.000Z

lock can move the thread.

acab · 2019-06-04T17:51:09.000Z

Is it me or are there no pictures visible? I can see 1 of the images, so far.

lock · 2019-06-04T18:27:43.000Z

[quote=acab]
Is it me or are there no pictures visible? I can see 1 of the images, so far.[/quote

hi.... what's the problem? wait for the download of picture..

bmengineer · 2019-06-04T19:06:54.000Z

Images working fine for me. Any chance you can open the base and see what it looks like inside?

acab · 2019-06-04T19:14:21.000Z

The server where the pictures are located is on several spam/block lists, the only animation I can see is on imgur. Sorry for interrupting your great review - your pictures will work fine on a network or sytem that doesn’t actively block specific servers.