UltraFire UF-H6
I finally found the time (and good weather, as you can see ;) ) to make a review of the kinda-successor of the glorious UF-H3: the H6.
Many people have been eagerly awaiting an alternative to the famous but expensive Zebralight H600.
Ultrafire got the message and made the step to bring out an 18650-powered headlamp featuring the XML emitter.
This is my first review and I want to thank Foy for unknowingly lending me his review pattern. :)
For about 38$, this light comes in a nice box, containing the removable clip, pre-installed on the light and the standard Ultrafire headband. Related improvement to the H3: the light can be swiveled up and down in the headband rather easy although the clip is installed because its clipped on rather than being screwed.
What I like:
-soft button
-beam: large hotspot with really useful spill
-machine quality
-takes flat-top cells thanks to positive spring (H3 didnt)
-size
-mode spacing
-heat dissipation
What I dont like:
-no magnet in tailcap
-soft button cant be unscrewed
-tube too tight for certain cells (HiMax for example)
I got mine from http://www.ultrafire-shop.net/UltraFire_Shop.php?view=productPage&product=133
They claim to be the official Ultrafire store. The H6 was listed for 45$ + 8$ shipping with tracking number upon release. I asked for a special price for BLF and they set up above link -> 38$ including tracking number. Thats a 15$ (almost 30%) discount on a new product! Shipping was fast and everyone was happy. Well, almost.. My first light had a faulty switch. As they couldnt supply me with spare parts, they sent a new light, without further questions. Good for me, because now I had a light to take apart for some shots of the internals which can be seen in the review.
Delivery times were about 2 weeks both times.
Now the official specs, as seen on the package:
LED: XML T6
Brightness: 700 Lumens
Voltage: 2.7-4.2V
Current: 2.2A
Runtime: 1.5hours
Finish: HAIII
Weight: 100g
Dimensions: 105mm*25mm
Brightness levels: 3%-30%-60%-100% (and strobe)
UI:
Simple click: cycling from low to high, then off
Double click: strobe
Holding the button when off: no effect
Holding the button when on: turn off with memory
Torch will automatically step down from 100% to 60% after ~60sec (measured). With another click, you can enter "turbo" again, but it will get warm.
Measured currents (LG D1 charged to 4.2V):
Low: 0.05A
Med: 0.45A
High: 0.9A
Turbo: 2.25A
PWM exists in all modes (tested with camera) but I wasnt able to notice it.
Threads are very smooth and came lubed. No square threads, just well cut. Anodization is on a high level, but not perfect. Lens and reflector are flawless. There is a nice GITD O-ring between bezel and lens and the light seems to be waterproof (not tested).
The LED is well centered and glued in with thermal adhesive. The brass ring for the driver is press fit and was really hard to get out.
As you can see, its not that much larger than a standard 18650 without PCB.
The modes are well set. Low could be lower, but the light is spread pretty wide. High is very bright and there is still turbo for the extra punch when needed. The light gets warm quickly and thoroughly.
The magnet in the tailcap was a big plus for the H3 and I dont know why they didnt include it. 20mm magnets fit and allow the light to hang from metal surfaces, but the bottom of the tailcap is rather thick so it doesnt stick to stuff as good as the H3.
On my broken light, I tried to get the soft button out but it didnt work. I ripped the rubber cap and desoldered the wires to turn it, but it still wont come out.
The tint is white and less blue than the UF980L. I'm a NW guy, so that might not bug everyone.
I was able to lever the whole driver and LED assembly out with a large screwdriver. That worked rather good, but I put some soft stuff around the screw driver so I wouldnt scratch the body.
So, modding is doable if you have steady hands, a tiny soldering tip and some patience.
Beamshots indoors:
980L low vs. H6 low:
980L low vs. H6 med:
980L low vs. H6 high:
980L low vs. H6 turbo:
980L med vs. H6 turbo:
Outdoors:
980L low:
H6 low:
H6 med:
H6 high:
H6 turbo:
980L med:
And - for color reference - my Trustfire Z8 XML T6 3C @ 2.8A:
Settings for outdoor beamshots were ISO-400, F/4.5 and 2s.
I really like that light. Its small, bright, has an intuitive UI and, if you compare it to other available headlights, its very well built at a budget price.
If I hadnt put several hours in modding my H3 to meet my expectations, the H6 would be my headlamp of choice.
Verdict: Recommended!