Fenix HM50R V2.0 Headlamp Evaluate

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The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a dependable, inexpensive headlamp that’s sturdy and vivid. Weighing simply 2.75 ounces, it’s mild sufficient for actions like backpacking, operating, and climbing with out compromising on energy. With a most output of 700 lumens and a beam distance of 377 toes, it supplies loads of mild for technical duties, although its restricted options and lack of a flood operate may go away some wanting extra versatility.

Whereas the HM50R V2.0 has a couple of drawbacks—similar to a stiff tilt operate, no flood lighting, and harsh mild high quality—these don’t overshadow its worth. It’s a strong option to preserve available for emergencies, family duties like working underneath the sink, or much less intense actions like fishing, leisurely night time mountain climbing, or enjoyable round camp. Total, this headlamp is sensible and inexpensive, nice for low-key adventures and on a regular basis makes use of. Try our Finest Headlamps Gear Information to see the way it stacks as much as the opponents.

Illumination & Mild High quality

In our testing, the HM50R V2.0’s illumination and light-weight high quality have been considerably combined. On the constructive facet, this headlamp has a formidable throw, making it one of many brightest in our lineup. Nevertheless, because the HM50R lacks an adjustable beam, it capabilities solely as a highlight. It has restricted peripheral lighting and no true flood. This makes it much less splendid for close-range actions, the place a flood choice can be useful. 

The sunshine high quality will get the job performed, however it does have its drawbacks. It’s a bit harsh and doesn’t render colours tremendous correct, making issues really feel a bit of off, particularly when working up shut. With no true flood mode, the beam can come throughout as a bit of too sharp at instances, relying on the place it’s aimed. It’s lots highly effective, however we’d like to see a softer, extra versatile beam choice for duties like cooking at camp or studying a map with out feeling like we’re blasting all the pieces (and everybody—sorry, mates!) like a highlight.

Burn Time

The HM50R V2.0 has a burn time of 45 hours on its lowest (30-lumen) setting and 1 hour on turbo mode. Total, on paper, these burn instances evaluate effectively with others within the headlamps value vary. Whereas we’d love extra runtime on turbo mode, it’s so vivid that it’s onerous to think about needing it for greater than a minute or two at a time. Choosing the excessive setting over enhance yields a burn time of three hours, which feels extra sensible.

We additionally recognize the 45-hour burn time at 30 lumens –enough for many non-technical nighttime actions. We regularly took this headlamp on night walks in Genesee Mountain Park or to have available whereas enjoyable by the hearth exterior Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.

Nevertheless, these numbers don’t inform the entire story. Like many headlamps, the HM50R dims because the battery drains, however it felt particularly noticeable on enhance, excessive, and medium settings (low held up higher). To their credit score, Fenix is upfront about this and supplies power-drop charts on their web site.

The lower-setting burn instances labored simply positive for fast night runs within the entrance vary or quick summit pushes. However on longer outings, we discovered ourselves wishing for a bit extra juice on excessive and enhance modes—particularly over the last stretch of a pre-dawn summit of Tabeguache Peak once we actually wanted these additional lumens. It’s not a dealbreaker, however it’s one thing to remember should you rely closely on the brighter settings.

Weight

The Fenix HM50R V2.0, weighing simply 2.75 ounces, is impressively mild for a headlamp. It has a sturdy aluminum physique and competes with our high headlamps in weight. It additionally boasts the very best lumen-to-weight ratio of any headlamp we’ve examined, making it splendid for actions the place each ounce counts, like operating, ultra-light backpacking, and mountain climbing.

Regardless of its sturdy construct, the HM50R’s remains to be straightforward to put on for a protracted night time summit push or hours of massive wall climbing. It feels remarkably mild and comfy, letting you focus in your pursuits with out being weighed down by their gear.

Consolation

The HM50R V2.0 is sort of comfy, thanks primarily to its light-weight and balanced design. The strap is breathable, with holes for airflow, maintaining your sweaty head from much more discomfort. We discovered it stayed in place whereas operating trails on North Desk Mountain in Golden, Colorado, even when sporting a hat.

We did discover two points affecting consolation. First, a rubber band on the within of the strap, supposed to grip the pores and skin and maintain the headlamp in place, can get sweaty throughout intense exercise. Second, our largest gripe is that the headlamp’s physique will get scorching, significantly on the upper settings. This warmth buildup could make the headlamp uncomfortable sufficient that you simply wish to take it off after ten minutes on excessive., If Don’t plan to make use of this headlamp repeatedly at excessive brightness. It’s not scorching sufficient to burn you, however it will get noticeable and uncomfortable. 

Regardless of these quirks, this headlamp earned a spot in our packs for its comfort and efficiency. It’s a go-to for shorter, high-intensity actions, and its light-weight design made us neglect it was even there—till we wanted it most. Path operating on cool evenings or early morning climbs? Excellent. Lengthy, sweaty endeavors in hotter climate? Possibly regulate the warmth buildup.

Ease of Use

This headlamp is exceptionally straightforward to make use of. It contains a responsive single-button design that works even when sporting medium to heavy gloves. Undesirable capabilities are hardly ever activated, partly attributable to its easy options​​. There’s not a lot of a studying curve, and the directions are clear.

To show the headlamp on, maintain the button for one second; a fast press gained’t activate the sunshine however will present the battery life indicator. The headlamp begins in low mode, with subsequent presses biking via medium, excessive, and turbo brightness ranges. Press and maintain the button once more for one second to show it off.

The pink mild operate is barely accessible from the off place: double-click the button to activate the pink mild, and a single press prompts the red-light strobe. To show it off, maintain the button for one second. The HM50R V2.0 additionally has a reminiscence operate, so it powers on within the final used mode. 

The headlamp physique can be straightforward to take away should you’d like to make use of it as a pocket-ready flashlight. Lastly, the strap is easy to regulate, although it usually requires each palms, so it’s possible you’ll have to pause your exercise to make strap changes. We discovered the convenience of use and adjustment particularly useful when climbing the ultimate night pitches in Clear Creek when our brains have been foggy, however we nonetheless wanted to pack all the pieces again as much as get to our vehicles.

Options

The HM50R V2.0 has comparatively primary options however a great worth for its value. For lighting modes, it features a white mild with varied brightness ranges, a pink mild, and a pink strobe. The headlamp has a tilt operate, although it’s much less user-friendly than most; adjusting it requires extra pressure and isn’t straightforward to do on the go.

The headlamp is absolutely rechargeable utilizing a USB-C port (a welcome improve from micro-USB). Further batteries can be found from Fenix, which is nice for backcountry situations. We recognize not counting on single-use batteries.

A reflective strap will increase visibility and helps find the headlamp in a darkish tent. A locking function prevents unintentional battery drain throughout storage. One standout function is the simply detachable physique, which makes it a handy pocket flashlight for family initiatives the place the strap isn’t vital.

Ought to You Purchase the Fenix HM50R V2.0 Headlamp?

The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a formidable headlamp for its value. Whereas its design and options are much less technical than some in our lineup, it stands out for its strong construct high quality, distinctive brightness, mild weight, and sensible options.

This headlamp is right for normal family duties and nighttime walks, and its sturdy design makes it well-suited for much less intense actions like night time mountain climbing, backpacking, looking, and fishing.

For those who’re in search of a flexible headlamp that covers a variety of actions with out pointless options at an excellent value, the HM50R V2.0 is value contemplating.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Think about?

For those who just like the Fenix HM50R V2.0 however need different choices as effectively, try these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the record of our favourite headlamps:

Ledlenser HF6R Signature Evaluate: If price range isn’t a priority, you possibly can go for the Ledlenser HF6R Signature. It’s brighter, has an aluminum physique, and means that you can simply change between spot and flood lighting with an intuitive focus wheel.

Petzl Actik CORE Evaluate: The Actik CORE is one among our favourite headlamps. It supplies comparable illumination, superior mild high quality, and is best fitted to backcountry adventures.