Nitecore NU25 headlamp enthusiasts rejoice

[Philip Tschersich]

A number of years ago Nitecore discontinued the NU25. It was a truly spectacular headlamp, and what replaced it was generally deemed to be a step backwards in terms of lighting features. It took a while, but Nitecore seems to have taken the feedback on board and has apparently resurrected the NU25 in the form of the new NU20 Classic. (Yes, their naming scheme is nonsensical.) The updated lamp has USB-C, a better battery fuel gauge, come standard with a shock cord headband, and cost $15 less. Here are the beam specs for comparison.

NU25:

NU20 Classic:

[Mark Verber]

I was actually more of a fan of the original NU20.  I didn’t need red and I liked the simplicity of the controls.  It would be lovely if someone could generate a runtime graph at each of the intensities of the new NU20classic.  Would be interesting to see how the NU20, NU25, NU25new, and NU20classic compared.

When it comes to regulation few lights exceed the old Zebralight H51 when it comes to regulated output.

[Adrian Griffin]

The LightBench project might include that.

[Dan]

I use one of the older models that looks just like this for casual winter dog-walking, and it’s ok. I don’t need something so elaborate so I wouldn’t mind a simpler group of settings and controls that were easier to use with gloves, but it works fine. The quality is definitely good. I kind of miss the old days where it was just an on-off switch, or maybe two light levels. Those simpler devices are still my favorites. But obviously I don’t miss the heavy battery packs.

I bought one for my wife because she skins the local mountain probably 5 times a week in the darkness and she loves just being able to recharge the battery instead of replacing batteries constantly. It has held up very well to her constant use.

[David D]

Mark, here’s a helpful in-depth NU20 classic review:

• Turbo (spec : 360 lumens – 2h)
• High (spec : 190lm – 5h)
• Medium (spec : 38lm 7h)
• Low (spec 1lm – 97h) : not tested

Here are the NU25’s run times (longer due to bigger battery)  for comparison.

The NU20 light is a bit harsher in colour and apparently narrower and the red light is much less intense

I’m interested in the NU20 Classic for its LiI battery run time in sub freezing night hikes, where my SPOT’s NiMH drains too quickly

I’d much rather see LightBench test run time at each setting.  I rarely run my light at full tilt, just the minimum light needed for the task.  There’s no accurate way to convert the area under the curve at highest setting to run time for each setting as the power efficiencies in each setting are unknown.

[Jerry Adams]

90+% of the time I just use light at its lowest setting, so run time at low is the main spec I care about

Occasionally I’ll put it on high to look around so that’s a good capability, but I quickly put it back to low.  It doesn’t matter that it has short run time

[David Thomas]

Jerry: Yeah, once my eyes have adjusted, I’m usually on low, 1 lumen on developed trails and only using higher levels at trail junctions or to get my bearings for 10-30 seconds.  As such, Nitecore’s Tube ($11, 10 grams) often suffices.

“But it doesn’t have a headband!”.  Yup.  Lights worn on your head fill all holes with light making them hard to discern.  Lights carried at waist level create shadows that help you see the dips and rises.

[Philip Tschersich]

Yes, if you want a simple on/off white light (with a brightness option or 2), look elsewhere. This thread was meant for folks who like the NU25’s features and were bummed by its demise.

On group trips we use pretty much every light function on the NU25. What a versatile light!

[Bill Budney]

Lights carried at waist level create shadows that help you see the dips and rises.

Yes, and they don’t care whether you are wearing a headnet or other odd hat.

So… what is your favorite way to attach a light at waist (or chest) level and keep it aimed in the right direction? I have experimented some, but have yet to find a solution that I like.

Regarding battery life, I may look at this differently than others, but it doesn’t seem important as long as the light can operate from the external battery pack that I carry for everything else. I prefer the battery in the light to be lightweight and/or removable, but I like it to operate while it is charging. Nitecore and Rovyvon both do that (not sure about the Tube?).

[David D]

I got a week long trip in (no night hiking) without recharge using the Tube.  Great little light but bug pressure was low.

It’s lack of red light is a real liability when bug pressure is annoying and the NU20 would be better suited especially with it’s new lower lumen red setting (1Lum)

I tried the Tube for winter snowshoeing and it was OK but it’s lack of reserve felt risky when needing to bushwhack or go deeper into the night.

The Tube is really a specialty item (when there are few bugs & lack of reserve is low risk) but I’m glad I have it.  It and the NU20 would complement each other well

[Bill Budney]

Agreed about the red light. Although low-lumen red auxiliary LEDs are useful, I also want a brighter 50-150 lumen red main light for seeing vague trails while reducing bug attraction and maintaining some of my night vision.

Unfortunately, they are frustratingly rare in UL headlamps that can operate from an external battery while charging.

The “perfect” headlamp has yet to be made, as far as I can tell. There are some slightly-heavier hunting and tactical lights that are closer to the ideal — they are just unnecessarily heavy. Sigh.

 

[David Thomas]

BillB: I most often carry the Tube in my hand, but I’ve had lights like the Zebralight that clip nicely on one’s waist band and I’ve expanded / extended the head strap of some headlamps to be a waistbelt.

[Bill Budney]

Cool, thank you.

[Ray J]

I have two NU20’s.  One, something recently got on the elastic and softened it.  I have a NU25UL that I use every night.  I go out with the dog, we have a large yard.  I “check things”.  It only runs maybe 15 to 30 minutes a night but the thing battery just LAST.  The NU20’s don’t seem to last as long.  Unscientific opinion.   But I’m glad the NU20 is back.

[Philip Tschersich]

On solo trips I generally just use the low and medium main light. On group trips, in addition to the main lights for camp work or hiking, I hang the light in the peak of our cook tent and use the pleasant flood ‘auxiliary’ light until it gets late and then I switch to the bright red light overhead until bed time. Once we had a group coming down off the mountain in the dark and I put the headlamp in a tree near camp on the bright red flash mode to guide them in. They found it psychologically helpful to have a visual goal in the dark. The low red is nice for late-night gear shuffling without bothering your tent mate. Every mode has its application and I appreciate having them.

On trips I also carry a Tube light. Those are fantastic too, but different in use cases.

[Jerry Adams]

You could replace the headband with webbing and a buckle, then it would be easier to use on waist.

That makes sense you can see better when at a lower angle.  That’s like the light on the vacuum cleaner – makes it easier to see stuff to vacuum up

[Author]

Posts