Review: Fenix HL50 Headlamp
Fenix Lighting makes products that put other flashlights and headlamps to shame. Once you start looking into the specifications and features of the different models and compare them with other brands within the same price range, it’s really a no brainer.
The HL50 headlamp weighs in at just 2.5oz (with battery) and produces a maximum of 365 lumens (burst mode). To put it in perspective how impressive this is you have to compare it to similar headlamps:
-The Petzl Tikka XP 2 weighs in at 3.1oz and it puts out only 80 lumens.
-The Black Diamond ReVolt weighs 3.4oz and its max output is 130 lumens.
-The Princeton Tec Apex weighs a whopping 8oz, its max output is a respectable 260 lumens.
This all might seem a little silly but a headlamp is an important piece of equipment on a backcountry trip. Whether you are using it to read by the campfire, repairing or making adjustments to your bike in low light conditions, or using it to chart out your next days route.
The HL50 handles all of these tasks with ease and then takes its usefulness one step further by also being a stand-alone flashlight. This is great because you no longer have to pack both a flashlight and a headlamp.
Another important factor on extended trips is runtime: how many extra batteries are you going to have to carry? In mid mode the HL50 will run for just shy of ten hours and on the low setting it can last up to a claimed one hundred and fifty hours.
Can’t find CR123A batteries on your trip? No problem, the HL50 can use AA batteries instead by simply threading on the tube extension. Something else that makes this unit stand out from its competition is that it is waterproof up to two meters and impact resistant from one meter.
The HL50 is small, lightweight, puts out a ton of light and is reasonably priced. I think it is the best bang for your buck on the market by far. MSRP: $49.95 FenixTactical.com
PROS | CONS |
▲ More light than the competition | ▼ Gets hot on high settings |
▲ Waterproof and shock resistant design | ▼ Battery life could be better |
▲ Compact and lightweight | ▼ So small it can be easy to lose |
https://adventuremotorcycle.com/gear/gear-fenix-hl50-headlamp#sigProIda6408e089a