NiteCore SENS Mini

An ultralight and compact light for backpacking just .68 oz without the battery. Use it as a headlamp with the NiteIze headband.

I purchased this light to use on my ultralight trips. Combine it with a NiteIze headband and you have a headlamp, a flashlight and a night light all in one.

Specs;

• 170 lumens on high for 1 hour
• 50 lumens on med for 4 hours
• 20 lumens on low for 14 hours
• 69 meters beam throw on high
• IPX-8 (waterproof and submersible to 2 meters)
• Size  2.24 inches x .78 inches
• .68 oz w/o battery

This light has active dimming technology meaning when activated the light auto dims when looking straight down to 20 lumens and to 50 lumens when looking down at a 45 degree angle. When you look straight ahead it powers to full brightness. You can extend your battery life by several hours when used in this mode. 

The light is activated simply by twisting the lens. The the light can be operated in various modes depending on what angle you hold the light when you twist the lens. It's very simple once you play with it a bit.

The particular version uses the CR2 battery normally found in some car remotes and home alarm remotes. Not a battery you will find at the corner store but it is carried by most hardware stores and defiantly online and at Amazon for about $2 each. A CR2 battery weighs about 11 grams so you can easily carry several. They will work in extreme temperatures as well since they are lithium batteries.

The SENS series is available with either a CR2, a CR123 and there is also a AA version. I went with  the CR2 version simply as it was the smallest in size and weight.

Here is a picture of the SENS Mini used with the NiteIze headband.

The SENS Mini with key ring attached.

I bought the SENS Mini on Amazon for $34 but currently it sells for about $28. The NiteIze headband can be bought for under $10 and will work with any AA light or smaller.

A size comparison picture.

I use this light on my ultralight hammock trips as a headlamp in the evenings and I hang it on my ridge line in the evenings as a reading light. I also keep it on my keychain as a ready use light when I'm not camping. I usually keep a few extra CR2s in my pack. You will be amazed how much light this can put out for its size.