Fenix HM50R V2.0 Headlamp Evaluate

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

Whereas the HM50R V2.0 has just a few drawbacks—comparable to a stiff tilt perform, no flood lighting, and harsh gentle high quality—these don’t overshadow its worth. It’s a strong option to maintain available for emergencies, family duties like working underneath the sink, or much less intense actions like fishing, leisurely evening climbing, or enjoyable round camp. General, this headlamp is sensible and inexpensive, nice for low-key adventures and on a regular basis makes use of.Try our Finest Headlamps of 2024 Gear Information to see the way it stacks as much as the rivals.

Illumination & Mild High quality

In our testing, the HM50R V2.0’s illumination and lightweight high quality had been considerably blended. On the constructive facet, this headlamp has a powerful throw, making it one of many brightest in our lineup. Nonetheless, because the HM50R lacks an adjustable beam, it features solely as a highlight. It has restricted peripheral lighting and no true flood. This makes it much less ultimate for close-range actions, the place a flood possibility could be useful. 

The sunshine high quality will get the job completed, nevertheless it does have its drawbacks. It’s a bit harsh and doesn’t render colours tremendous correct, making issues really feel just a little off, particularly when working up shut. With out a true flood mode, the beam can come throughout as just a little too sharp at occasions, relying on the place it’s aimed. It’s lots highly effective, however we’d like to see a softer, extra versatile beam possibility for duties like cooking at camp or studying a map with out feeling like we’re blasting all the things (and everybody—sorry, associates!) 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. General, on paper, these burn occasions evaluate properly with others within the headlamps value vary. Whereas we’d love extra runtime on turbo mode, it’s so shiny 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 admire the 45-hour burn time at 30 lumens –ample 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.

Nonetheless, these numbers don’t inform the entire story. Like many headlamps, the HM50R dims because the battery drains, nevertheless 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 occasions labored simply high-quality for fast night runs within the entrance vary or brief 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 after we actually wanted these additional lumens. It’s not a dealbreaker, nevertheless 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 gentle 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 ultimate for actions the place each ounce counts, like working, ultra-light backpacking, and mountaineering.

Regardless of its sturdy construct, the HM50R’s continues to be straightforward to put on for a protracted evening summit push or hours of huge wall climbing. It feels remarkably gentle 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, retaining your sweaty head from much more discomfort. We discovered it stayed in place whereas working 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, meant to grip the pores and skin and maintain the headlamp in place, can get sweaty throughout intense exercise. Second, our greatest gripe is that the headlamp’s physique will get scorching, notably on the upper settings. This warmth buildup could make the headlamp uncomfortable sufficient that you simply need to take it off after ten minutes on excessive., If Don’t plan to make use of this headlamp constantly at excessive brightness. It’s not scorching sufficient to burn you, nevertheless 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 would have liked it most. Path working 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 includes a responsive single-button design that works even when sporting medium to heavy gloves. Undesirable features are hardly ever activated, partly on account of 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 by way of medium, excessive, and turbo brightness ranges. Press and maintain the button once more for one second to show it off.

The crimson gentle perform is just accessible from the off place: double-click the button to activate the crimson gentle, 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 perform, so it powers on within the final used mode. 

The headlamp physique can also be straightforward to take away should you’d like to make use of it as a pocket-ready flashlight. Lastly, the strap is simple to regulate, although it sometimes requires each arms, so it’s possible you’ll must 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 had been foggy, however we nonetheless wanted to pack all the things again as much as get to our automobiles.

Options

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

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

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

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

The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a powerful 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, gentle weight, and sensible options.

This headlamp is right for basic family duties and nighttime walks, and its sturdy design makes it well-suited for much less intense actions like evening climbing, backpacking, searching, and fishing.

Should you’re searching for a flexible headlamp that covers a spread of actions with out pointless options at a fantastic value, the HM50R V2.0 is value contemplating.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Think about?

Should you just like the Fenix HM50R V2.0 however need different choices as properly, try these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the listing of our favourite headlamps:

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

Petzl Actik CORE Evaluate: The Actik CORE is considered one of our favourite headlamps. It supplies related illumination, superior gentle high quality, and is healthier suited to backcountry adventures.