Fenix HL23 Weights

Different battery types weigh different amounts. That might explain weight discrepancies. A primary lithium battery is nearly always the lightest choice, but it is also about the most expensive.

–B.G.–

hmmm … thats actually heavier than a petzl tikka loaded with alkalines AAAs which is ~85g

also as a side note the tikka RXP with reactive lighting and a USB rechargeable li-on pack weights ~115g … so ~20g more than yr HL23 all in … and it has ~6.5 Wh in the bat vs ~3 or so of an eneloop AA

the AA vs AAA form factor isnt so much to save you weight, depending on the make and model … but generally to save you in COST of bats if using disposables

;)

No memory – No diffuser, both of which are in the earlier model.
Could live without the memory, but have found the diffuser critical to working with Cree LED and most other lights. The uniform light makes it much easier to distinguish all the features of what I'm looking at.

The lack of memory feature is really putting this light into my return/resale bin for me right now. It defaults to high (150 lumens) in a fairly tight pattern which just blinds me =(

And it's heavy.

I just got mine in the mail and took exactly the same pictures you posted because I was disappointed with the weight.

You can cut down the overall weight by a large part of an ounce by substituting a different kind of head strap. I've reported this previously.

On some headlamps, you can also cut down the overall weight by substituting a primary lithium battery. Unfortunately, this Fenix HL23 does not seem to be one of those, and lithium primary is not listed as a compatible battery type.

–B.G.–

That light will be fine with lithium primaries.

I did put on a much thinner strap (~cm thick, from some cheapo, button cell headlamp) which brings the weight down to 2.99 oz.

The packaging actually does list run times for lithium batteries, so that could help bring the weight down another couple tenths of an oz. It is still disappointing that the headlamp is advertised as 1.76 oz w/o a battery while it is really more like 2 oz w/o the battery and the strap. When you are reporting hundredths of an ounce, under-reporting by ~15% (w/o strap) – ~30% (w/ strap) is pretty bad.

"That light will be fine with lithium primaries."

That may be true, but that is not the way that Fenix advertises it. Fenix specifically left off lithium from the battery list.

I could have understood that ten years ago when lithium primary batteries were uncommon. The higher voltage caused an item or two to fail prematurely. However, most companies are aware of that problem now, I would think.

–B.G.–

"I did put on a much thinner strap"

Sometimes that works. If you get to a strap that is too weak, the headlamp will bounce around on your forehead as you walk. I used an old Croakies eyeglasses strap that I sewed down to get the fit correct.

–B.G.–

The fenix hl22 will take lithiums, the hl23 will be the same

https://www.fenixtactical.com/manuals/fenix-hl22-1-user-manual.pdf

;)

Somebody better explain this to the person who composes the content on the Fenix web site.

–B.G.–

its a chinese made lamp bob

be happy that the instructions are in "ingrish"

;)

Eric, I haven't seen the instructions, so I wouldn't know.

The web site seemed pretty specific, and no lithium was mentioned. Of course, that might be a simple oversight.

–B.G.–