Fenix HM50R V2.0 Headlamp Overview

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The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a dependable, reasonably priced headlamp that’s sturdy and vivid. Weighing simply 2.75 ounces, it’s gentle sufficient for actions like backpacking, working, and climbing with out compromising on power. With a most output of 700 lumens and a beam distance of 377 toes, it gives loads of gentle 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 just a few drawbacks—akin to a stiff tilt operate, no flood lighting, and harsh gentle high quality—these don’t overshadow its worth. It’s a strong option to hold available for emergencies, family duties like working beneath the sink, or much less intense actions like fishing, leisurely evening mountain climbing, or stress-free round camp. Total, this headlamp is sensible and reasonably priced, 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 & Gentle 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 powerful throw, making it one of many brightest in our lineup. Nonetheless, for the reason that 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 preferrred for close-range actions, the place a flood possibility could be useful. 

The sunshine high quality will get the job achieved, but it surely does have its drawbacks. It’s a bit harsh and doesn’t render colours tremendous correct, making issues really feel somewhat off, particularly when working up shut. With no true flood mode, the beam can come throughout as somewhat too sharp at occasions, relying on the place it’s aimed. It’s loads 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 every thing (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 occasions evaluate properly with others within the headlamps value vary. Whereas we’d love extra runtime on turbo mode, it’s so vivid that it’s arduous 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 –adequate for many non-technical nighttime actions. We regularly took this headlamp on night walks in Genesee Mountain Park or to have available whereas stress-free by the hearth outdoors Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.

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

The lower-setting burn occasions labored simply effective 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 after we actually wanted these additional lumens. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it surely’s one thing to bear in mind if you happen to 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 prime headlamps in weight. It additionally boasts the most effective lumen-to-weight ratio of any headlamp we’ve examined, making it preferrred for actions the place each ounce counts, like working, ultra-light backpacking, and mountain climbing.

Regardless of its sturdy construct, the HM50R’s continues to be straightforward to put on for an extended evening summit push or hours of huge wall climbing. It feels remarkably gentle and cozy, 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, significantly on the upper settings. This warmth buildup could make the headlamp uncomfortable sufficient that you just 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, but it surely 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 working on cool evenings or early morning climbs? Excellent. Lengthy, sweaty endeavors in hotter climate? Possibly keep watch over the warmth buildup.

Ease of Use

This headlamp is exceptionally straightforward to make use of. It encompasses 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 gentle operate is just accessible from the off place: double-click the button to activate the pink 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 operate, so it powers on within the final used mode. 

The headlamp physique can be straightforward to take away if you happen to’d like to make use of it as a pocket-ready flashlight. Lastly, the strap is easy to regulate, although it sometimes requires each fingers, 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 every thing again as much as get to our vehicles.

Options

The HM50R V2.0 has comparatively primary options however an excellent worth for its value. For lighting modes, it features a white gentle with varied brightness ranges, a pink gentle, and a pink strobe. The headlamp has a tilt operate, although it’s much less user-friendly than most; adjusting it requires extra drive 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 eventualities. 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 unintentional battery drain throughout storage. One standout characteristic is the simply detachable physique, which makes it a handy pocket flashlight for family initiatives the place the strap isn’t obligatory.

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 good for basic family duties and nighttime walks, and its sturdy design makes it well-suited for much less intense actions like evening mountain climbing, backpacking, looking, and fishing.

When you’re on the lookout for 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 Take into account?

When 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 Overview: If funds isn’t a priority, you’ll be able to go for the Ledlenser HF6R Signature. It’s brighter, has an aluminum physique, and permits you to simply change between spot and flood lighting with an intuitive focus wheel.

Petzl Actik CORE Overview: The Actik CORE is certainly one of our favourite headlamps. It gives comparable illumination, superior gentle high quality, and is healthier fitted to backcountry adventures.