Review Olight H2R Nova (flashlight)

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

I usually like to start my reviews with an opening paragraph that highlights my general impressions of the item I'm talking about. For some odd reason I am struggling a bit with the Olight H2R – it's not that I'm displeased or unsatisfied either; in fact my difficulties stem from the fact that I don't want to come off sounding like some gullible school-girl gushing on and on about her wonderful prom date.

In keeping with the prom date scenario, I will say that the first couple of dances (with the H2R) didn't go quite as smoothly as I now remember them. Sure the H2R is built like the proverbial brick, err, outhouse (a very finely crafted and exotic outhouse at that) and I'll freely admit to the fact that I've spent a good amount of time just admiring the H2R while dreaming about all those dark places I'd slay with it. But I struggled with three issues (at first) that seemed to consume my thoughts: the warm tint (neutral white) of the light, the fact that I never wear headlamps, and reports of possible issues with the magnetic tail shorting out.

Looking back I'm a bit embarrassed because the first two “issues” were nothing more than my own inability to accept change gracefully. The latter issue hasn't proved to be much of a worry (for me anyway) but my understanding is that Olight offers (free of charge) an end cap replacement that corrects the original (potential) problem. (Contact Olight for further details)

All that aside, I consider the Olight H2R to be one of the very best tools I've ever had the opportunity to use. The build quality is fantastic, the finish impeccable, and the flashlight itself is immeasurably useful.

Were I a less wordy individual my review could consist of two or three short sentences:

I love Olight's H2R flashlight. It is fantastic in every way. You will love the H2R too.


What's in the box?

Olight H2R

Custom 18650 battery (3000 mAh)

Magnetic tail charger

Stainless Steel clip

Head strap

Owner's manual

The body itself is a cylinder with two flattened sides (opposite) that are branded (Olight on one side and H2R Nova on the other). The rest of the cylindrical body is grooved to give a good grip. The head has thick cooling grooves cut into the back and sides. Just below the head is the mounting location of the clip.

The clip is a very nice two-way clip; making it possible to use the clip from either end. The clip can be removed, but it is of ample stoutness that the clip isn't likely to come off (the body) by happenstance.

The tail cap features a magnet; making the H2R extremely versatile and very useful. I found the magnet to be fairly strong and it held the H2R (to steel surfaces) quite easily.



The magnetic charger plugs into a usb port and the other end to the tail of the H2R. I love this feature: it makes charging the H2R a breeze and it's a simple thing to take the charging cord with me if I think I might need to charge the H2R while I'm out.

The switch is located on the top of the head. It's slanted somewhat and very comfortable to use. The switch cover is a synthetic rubber of some sort and features a very nice, pliable, feel and has a good grip even when wet.

The head strap is a two piece adjustable strap. It is nice and wide (about 1 inch) and stretches for even more comfort. The attachment point has a magnet to hold the flashlight while fastening/unfastening the synthetic strap (that holds the H2R securely). The flashlight can be placed in the head strap with the clip on, but that makes it a bit more difficult to rotate the flashlight to the best possible vantage. I found the magnet to be rather ingenious and very useful. Changing modes, while in the head strap, was simple – thanks to the head mounted switch.

The owner's manual is larger than most, but I always download the manual from the company website – making it much easier on my aging eyes.

[URL='https://flic.kr/p/YmmaqS']


Specs

Length – 4.33 inches

Head diameter - .95 inches

LED – Cree XHP50

IP68 – water proof to 2 meters

Drop resistant to 1.5 meters[/url]

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

Modes and User Interface

I am reviewing the neutral white version of the H2R. The figures listed are for that version (the CW version has slightly different – higher - figures).

The head switch turns the H2R on/off and selects the various modes.

Click and release the switch to turn the H2R on/off.

Press and hold the switch to change modes – low, medium, high.

The H2R does have memory – the flashlight turns on to the last mode used (does not apply to the SOS mode or the Turbo mode). If turbo mode was the last mode used, the H2R will turn on in high mode.

Moonlight Mode – from the off position, press and hold switch until light turns on – then release switch. If light is turned off while in moonlight mode, turning the flashlight on will return the H2R to the moonlight mode.

1 lumen and the flashlight will run for an amazing 45 days in moonlight mode.


Low mode - 27 lumesn, and flashlight will run for 50 hours in this mode.



Medium mode – 140 lumens and flashlight will run for 10 hours



High mode – 550 lumens, and flashlight will run for 2.5 hours.



Turbo mode – double click the switch (from any mode – even off) and the flashlight goes to 2,000 lumens for 1 minute. After 1 minute the flashlight ramps down to 700 lumens. In total, the flashlight will run for 111 minutes in this mode.

The automatic ramp down is to protect the flashlight from heat. The H2R does get very warm while in turbo mode.




SOS mode – triple click the switch to go into SOS mode. This can be achieved while on or off.


Lockout mode – press and hold the switch for two seconds. The light will go into moonlight mode first – but continue to hold the switch and the flashlight will turn off when it is in lockout mode.

Press and hold the switch (while in lockout mode) until light comes on (moonlight mode). Keep pressing switch to stay in moonlight mode. Release switch and flashlight returns to lockout mode.

To get out of lockout mode – press and hold switch for 2 seconds. Light will flash once, release switch and light will be in moonlight mode. From there you can press and hold switch to cycle through the other modes.



Beam Profile

The H2R is a flood beam; it lights up the immediate area extremely well. There is a hot-spot center beam, but thanks to the diffusing lens that hot-spot is nearly indistinguishable from the much wider spill. The beam is very well mannered, very effective, and very very bright when the H2R is in turbo mode.



The neutral white version is a much warmer temperature (of light) than I expected. It isn't an orange color, but I find it to be warmer than neutral white. It took me a few outings to grow fond of the warmness, but I have to admit that I now enjoy it very much.

Olight rates the maximum distance (of the beam) to be 153 meters. In my immediate environment (either tons of trees or lots of buildings) I'm not sure if the effective distance is 153 meters. That's because the small reflections from all those trees/buildings/etc.. make it difficult to judge how far I'm able to see. I can say that the H2R is extremely effective out to 50 yards or so – probably a bit more.

 

[Tahts-a-dats-ago]

Conclusion

I absolutely love the H2R. The build quality is amazing, there are no sharp edges, no missed opportunities, no issues that could use improvement. In fact I don't have the slightest idea of how Olight could make this a better product.

The user interface is intuitive and it works wonderfully; I especially love the instant access to turbo mode (double click) and the extremely useful moonlight mode (from off, press and hold for one second – until light comes on – then release).

The beam itself is amazingly smooth as it transits from hot-spot to spill; providing a very pleasing wall of light that gives the user great visibility (with a touch of a finger).

While I probably won't use the head straps much (my wife will – as she's the reason I bought a headlamp model) but I will make good use of the clip and the magnetic tail. In fact I already have – numerous times.

I'm also very fond of the magnetic charging system. While it isn't difficult to take the battery out and charge it in my charger, the magnetic charging system is much simpler and it is far easier to carry the cord (as opposed to a charger) if I think I might need to charge the H2R while out.

I've used the H2R for a number of purposes: gathering kindling for late-night fires, finding dropped items in those dark corners, working on my truck, lighting the path on my nightly walks, as a night-light sitting on the deck while drinking coffee, checking animals, and just playing around. It has never failed to meet (and exceed) my expectations and I am constantly amazed by its usefulness.

To me, the H2R is a MUST HAVE tool.

 

[utah_fish]

Tahts-a-dats-ago, can you please send me a note? Want to talk to you about one of your recent posts. If you have to go via e-mail, my e-mail is anton1101@hotmail.com. Thx!