Nitecore NU25 MCT UL was sent to me directly by Nitecore for review.
For product description and purchase: https://nitecorestore.com/collections/n … t-headlamp
Nitecore updates, after three years, the highly appreciated NU25 headlamp, sold in two versions that differ only in the headband.
The NITECORE NU series is composed of lightweight, lithium-powered lighting tools with wide and uniform beams, specifically designed for hiking, climbing, camping and outdoor recreational activities.
The new Nitecore NU25 MCT UL (Ultra Light), the subject of the test, presents improvements being now updated with the new MCT (Multi Color Temperatures) system, which offers multiple color temperatures, and high light efficiency thanks to the UHE LED system.
The new headlamp is powered by a built-in 700 mAh lithium-ion battery with a maximum autonomy of 45 hours and has a built-in USB-C port that allows full charging in just 1h15min (5V/0.5A).
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL uses an optical system with a wide field of view and a maximum power of 400 lumens for a maximum intensity of 4,351cd. The beam covers a maximum distance of 132 meters.
It has 2 buttons for complete management of the torch, 4 levels of primary white light + 3 special modes (SOS, Beacon and Red Slow Flashing) and 2 levels of auxiliary red light.
On the body we find, to the right of the main LEDs, 4 blue LED indicators of residual charge.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL has a protection rating of IP66 (protected against strong jets of water from any direction and sea water) with an impact resistance of 1 meter. To avoid involuntary activations NU25 MCT UL has an electronic lock mode.
Nitecore NU25 MTC UL is suitable for countless uses including hiking, camping, climbing, caving etc.
KEY FEATURES
• Maximum output of 400 lumens
• Utilizes dual-core UHE MCT (Multiple Color Temperature) LEDs
• Equipped with primary lights with 3 color temperatures (3000K warm light / 4500K neutral white light / 6500K cool white light) and auxiliary red lights
• Utilizes a unibody optical lens system with multiple facets
• Maximum range of 132 meters
• Built-in 700mAh lithium-ion battery
• Built-in intelligent lithium-ion battery charging circuit with a USB-C charging port
• Designed with two buttons with different shape and touch, offering easy one-handed operation
• Offers 4 brightness levels, 3 special modes and 2 brightness options for red light
• All new power indicators for intuitive power indication
• Made of durable PC material
• Shockproof up to 1 meter
• Grade waterproof and dustproof in accordance with IP66
Dimensions and Weight:
Dimensions: 60.0 mm x 33.0 mm x 25.7 mm / 2.36" x 1.30" x 1.01" (including bracket)
Weight: 47 g (1.66 oz) (including bracket and strap)
Warranty:
Any DOA/defective NITECORE product can be exchanged for a replacement through a local distributor/dealer within 15 days of purchase. After that, all defective/malfunctioning NITECORE® products can be repaired free of charge within 24 months from the date of purchase.
Beyond 24 months, a limited warranty applies, which covers the cost of labor and maintenance, but not the cost of accessories or replacement parts.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL arrives in a small dark cardboard box. The main features that distinguish it are printed on the packaging.
Inside the box we find:
- Nitecore NU25 MCT UL with bracket and band
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- Storage bag (usable as a diffuser)
- Multilingual manual
The bag included in the sales package transforms the headlamp into a camping lantern or ambient light if necessary.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL next to other headlamps.
From left: Nitecore NU25 MCT UL, Zebralight H604c, Armytek Wizard C2 PRO e SPERAS B7.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL (Ultra Lightweight) is IP66 certified and is made of PC material, tough and resistant to impacts. Extremely light on the head, with only 47g, it is optimized for outdoor enthusiasts who need a dedicated headlamp with a low weight, wearable and adjustable without any difficulty.
NU25 MCT UL is easy to wear thanks to the band design with lock adjuster and reflective, elastic paracord with easy adjustment.
On the NU25 MCT UL bracket, hollow to lighten the weight, there is a small neoprene protection to avoid direct contact with the rigid plastic when wearing it. The bracket, designed specifically for this model, cannot be separated from the paracord band even by removing the locking regulator.
The projector of the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL uses a TrueVision+ optical matrix lens system (minimal light loss and improved reflectivity) with multiple facets and dual-core UHE MCT (Multiple Color Temperature) LEDs.
The beam has a wide range illumination (100°) with a maximum power that remains at 400 lumens with a maximum distance reached by the beam of 132 meters.
The MCT system, already adopted on the new NU27, is equipped with primary lights with 3 colour temperatures (warm light 3,000K / neutral white light 4,500K / cold white light 6,500K) and auxiliary red lights for night vision without disturbing others or for a long-lasting signal light.
On this updated version we find the 4 blue LEDs, which indicate the remaining charge of the headlamp, to the right of the LED system. To activate them (for 2 seconds) when the torch is off, just press the “Mode” button.
In particular, the name of the product and the characteristics of the internal battery are reported on the back of the front panel.
The Nitecore NU25 MCT UL features 5-step tilt adjustment with the chosen position remaining unchanged even when the head is swaying. The mount can be easily detached from the lamp.
On the top of the NU25 MCT UL you can see the NITECORE writing (seen from the front) and nearby we find the two rubber buttons, of different sizes, for the complete management of the front light; The power button, of larger dimensions, which we will use to turn the torch on and off as well as to adjust the brightness levels and the “Mode” button to switch the light sources. The buttons have a firm click that is barely perceptible and must be pressed firmly.
The Nitecore NU25 MCT UL has a built-in 700 mAh battery. This battery can be recharged via the USB-C socket on the left of the lamp. To protect the socket, we find a “thin” rubber cover with the writing on it that reports the IP66 certification (dustproof and protected against powerful jets of water).
During the charging process, the 4 power indicators flash to inform the user.
When the battery is fully charged, the 4 power indicators light up constantly. The charging time, measured in my tests, is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
When fully charged, the standby time is about 12 months.
User Interface and Operation:
The user interface of the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL requires a bit of learning at the beginning due to the numerous functions available.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL has, on the upper part, 2 buttons for complete management of the front (MODE Button and Power Button), with 4 brightness levels (High, Medium, Low and Ultralow), equipped with primary lights with 3 color temperatures (warm light 3,000 K / neutral white light 4,500 K / cold white light 6,500 K) and auxiliary red lights. An electronic block is available by pressing, when off, the two buttons simultaneously.
Power Button / MODE Button
• The power button is used to turn the light on/off and adjust brightness levels.
• The MODE button is designed to change color temperatures.
Power On / Off
• When the light is off, press and hold the power button for 1 second to enter the “Low” mode of neutral white light.
• When the light is on, press and hold the power button or MODE button for 1 second to turn it off.
Main Light
• When the light is off, press and hold the power button for 1 second to enter the “Low” mode of neutral white light.
• When the light is off, double press the power button to enter the “Ultra Low” mode of neutral white light.
• When the main light is on, short press the MODE button to cycle through “Neutral White Light – Warm Light – Cool White Light”.
• After switching from neutral white light to warm light, if there is no operation for more than 1 minute, short press the MODE button will directly switch back to neutral white light (skipping the cold white light in this cycle).
• When any color temperature of the main light is on, short press the power button to cycle through the following brightness levels: LOW – MEDIUM – HIGH.
Red Auxiliary Light
• When the light is off, press and hold the MODE button for 1 second to enter the “Low” mode of the red light.
• When the red light is on, short press the power button to switch between “Red Low” and “Red High”.
Special Modes (SOS / BEACON / SLOW FLASH)
• When the headlamp is in any state, double press the MODE button to enter the SOS mode.
• When any special mode is on, short press the power button to cycle through the following sequence: SOS – BEACON – SLOW FLASH. Double press the MODE button again to return to the previous state.
Lock / Unlock
• When the headlamp is off, press and hold both buttons for 2 seconds until the headlamp flashes 3 times to indicate entering Lock Mode.
In Lock Mode, any brightness level or special mode is not available, and the headlamp will flash once to indicate this state when either button is pressed.
• When in Lock Mode, press and hold both buttons again for 2 seconds until the “Ultra Low” mode of neutral white light activates to indicate unlock.
Note: The product will automatically unlock when charging in Lock Mode.
BEAM and RUNTIME
The beam of the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL is alluvial in nature with no particular visible artifacts.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL is an innovative headlamp in the management of the light beam thanks to the recent MCT (Multi Color Temperatures) system it has. Now it is possible, in the three main levels, to choose the preferred color temperature between neutral, warm and cold light.
With the OPPLE Light Master Pro, a fairly precise device even if not calibrated, I measured the value of the CCT color temperature, of the Ra color rendering. The Flicker is in the green band not at risk. The Color Rendering Index, even if under 70 Ra, is on sufficient values for this type of product. Here are some values found for the Nitecore NU25 MTC UL:
Warm Light: Color Temperature (K): 3312 - Color Rendering Index (Ra or CRI): 66.4 - Duv =0.0070
Cool White Light: Color Temperature (K): 5774 - Color Rendering Index (Ra or CRI): 69.8 - Duv = 0.0045
Neutral White Light: Color Temperature (K): 4199 - Color Rendering Index (Ra or CRI): 69.1 - Duv = 0.0048
Runtime were done indoors at a temperature of about 18°C, using the internal 700mAh battery, fully charged.
I would like to point out that the values expressed in the graphs should be considered primarily as a reference because they were made with means and conditions different from those used in the laboratory.
The tests were done using the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL with High (400 lumens) and Medium (200 lumens) output.
The discharge curve is decent with times that correspond to those declared by Nitecore. In both brightness levels there is a fairly sudden drop for the first few minutes, especially with the highest brightness of 400 lumens.
VIDEO
CONCLUSIONS
Nitecore NU25 has been updated, in this “Ultra Lightweight” version with the new MCT UHE System which has, as its main feature, the possibility of choosing the preferred color temperature between Neutral, Warm and Cold.
Certainly an added value that satisfies the different needs of external lighting.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL has a decent power and is complete with an internal battery, with a good autonomy, rechargeable with the common USB-C socket. There are also 2 auxiliary red light LEDs on the front, always useful, which preserve night vision without attracting mosquitoes and insects, and if flashing they are useful for warning or responding to emergencies.
In conclusion Nitecore NU25 MCT UL remains an excellent headlamp, very light to wear and carry recommended, in this ultra light version, for those situations where weight and space are limited.
Thank you for reading the review.
Roberto
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