The Nitecore NU20 Basic (left, above) is an upgraded model of the authentic 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 remains to be totally practical, it lacks the brand new options of the NU Basic, like a pink mild mode and USB-C charging. My authentic NU20 was beneficial by my backpacking buddy Martin Rye from the UK. Martin’s suggestions are normally spot on in the case of backpacking gear, cameras, and electronics.
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- Product: Nitecore NU20 Basic
- White mild, Auxiliary white mild, and Auxiliary pink mild
- 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
- Execs: Ultralight, intuitive management sequence, cheap, lock, energy meter
- Cons: Wire-based headband is much less snug 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 unintentionally draining in your pack. However the very best factor (for my part) in regards to the authentic NU20 was its easy management sequence with a single management button that rotated between the low-medium-high beam settings so you possibly can use it with out having to memorize an elaborate multi-button or multi-gesture sequence to regulate the sunshine’s depth. Easy is sweet. I nonetheless use that authentic NU20 at the moment.
The brand new Nitecore NU20 Basic is a way more subtle 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 neglect, however I hardly ever, if ever, want these modes. Whereas the lock mode – urgent each buttons for 3 sec. within reason memorable, and a typical idiom throughout headlamps from a number of producers.
The NU20 Basic is connected 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 a long way 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 just isn’t as snug 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 important security characteristic when you’re exterior at night time and also you wish to be seen.
Suggestion
Should you’re on the lookout for a light-weight headlamp, the Nitecore NU20 Basic is an affordable and ultralight headlamp full of options that hikers, backpackers, and path runners will respect. Weighing barely a couple of as soon as, it has white and pink modes with a simple-enough management sequence you can shortly determine it out, even when you don’t use the headlamp steadily. That plus a battery meter, digital locking, and USB-C charging make it an important worth if you need an affordable headlamp for mountain climbing tenting, or backpacking. For simply $25, the Nitecore NU20 Basic offers you a whole lot of bang in your buck, particularly in contrast with dearer headlamps from Black Diamond or Petzl.
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