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NiteCore HC30

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: NiteCore HC30 headlamp

Great headlamp for a good price. Best for serious night navigation and caving.

Pros

  • Well-built rugged design
  • 1000 lumens
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Internal tail spring and cap seem less durable

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Ok, so I can finally add this review after several months of punishing caving and some night navigation. This light gets a fantastic review. Bought it when one of my Zebralight H600 lamps died. It is similar in the general design, but there are marked differences.

1. The light cycles through the different modes much more intuitively than a Zebralight. It can be annoying to users like me at first, but once you figure it out it's great! Less of a tendency to blind myself while using it. It ramps up brightness with each click.

2. The button is large and flat. It is easier for gloved hands to press.
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3. The beam is more pronounced and spot-like than the H600, but still plenty of usable spill.
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4. Very intriguing, the head screws off the battery tube so you can clean the contacts.
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5. Yep, price.

The light uses rechargeable 18650 or two cr123. With these lights you just pop in the battery and go all night. Heavier than the ZL a bit, and the tail cap seems like a possible weak point if you step on it or smash it when it's off. Other recommended lights are Zebralight H600 series (better beam) and Armytek Wizard (great button for gloved hands).

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $50

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Specs

Price Historic Range: $54.95
Reviewers Paid: $50.00
Weight 40.3 g / 1.42 oz
Max Output 1000 lumens
Max Beam Distance 162 m
Max Beam Intensity 6600 cd
Max Run time 330 h 0 m / 13.75 d
LED CREE XM-L2 U2
Product Details from NiteCore »

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