The Nitecore NU20 Basic (left, above) is an upgraded model of the unique NU20 (proper, above), a 360 lumen headlamp which I’ve carried on all of my mountain climbing and backpacking journeys ever since 2017. Whereas the unique NU20 continues to be totally practical, it lacks the brand new options of the NU Basic, like a pink gentle mode and USB-C charging. My unique NU20 was beneficial by my backpacking pal Martin Rye from the UK. Martin’s suggestions are often spot on in terms of backpacking gear, cameras, and electronics.
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- Product: Nitecore NU20 Basic
- White gentle, Auxiliary white gentle, and Auxiliary pink gentle
- Battery: 500 mAh
- USB-C Recharging Connector (practical whereas charging)
- Weight: 1.34 oz / 38g
- Max Brightness: 360 lumens
- White Runtimes: 360 lumens – 2h; 200 lumens – 5h; 38 lumens – 7h; 1 lumen – 97h
- Headband: Reflective wire
- Professionals: Ultralight, intuitive management sequence, cheap, lock, energy meter
- Cons: Wire-based headband is much less comfy than a fabric one
The unique NU20 is a quite simple USB rechargeable headlamp with a white LED, an influence indicator, and a mechanical lock constructed into the plastic headband mount to forestall the headlamp from turning on and by chance draining in your pack. However the most effective factor (for my part) concerning the unique NU20 was its easy management sequence with a single management button that rotated between the low-medium-high beam settings so you might use it with out having to memorize an elaborate multi-button or multi-gesture sequence to regulate the sunshine’s depth. Easy is nice. I nonetheless use that unique NU20 at present.
The brand new Nitecore NU20 Basic is a way more refined headlamp with two buttons, an digital lock, and power-indicator, and USB-C recharging. Nonetheless, the identical easy management logic discovered on the unique NU20 is retained, the place a single button press, cycles you thru the white or red-mode intensities. That’s good. The management logic for the SOS and Beacon modes is extra nuanced and straightforward to overlook, however I not often, if ever, want these modes. Whereas the lock mode – urgent each buttons for 3 sec. is fairly memorable, and a standard idiom throughout headlamps from a number of producers.
The NU20 Basic is hooked up to a plastic mount that permits you to change the sunshine angle, both down for shut up, or pointing extra ahead to throw a beam far forward. That mount is then linked to a reflective wire that has an adjuster to tighten it round your head or over a hat. Whereas that wire shouldn’t be as comfy as a fabric headband, the headlamp is so light-weight that you just hardly discover that it’s there in any respect. The reflective parts within the wire are additionally an amazing security characteristic if you happen to’re exterior at evening and also you need to be seen.
Suggestion
Should you’re on the lookout for a light-weight headlamp, the Nitecore NU20 Basic is a cheap and ultralight headlamp filled with options that hikers, backpackers, and path runners will respect. Weighing barely multiple as soon as, it has white and pink modes with a simple-enough management sequence which you can shortly determine it out, even if you happen to don’t use the headlamp incessantly. That plus a battery meter, digital locking, and USB-C charging make it an amazing worth if you would like a cheap headlamp for mountain climbing tenting, or backpacking. For simply $25, the Nitecore NU20 Basic offers you quite a lot of bang to your buck, particularly in contrast with dearer headlamps from Black Diamond or Petzl.
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