REVIEW: Olight H2R Nova headlamp

I'm sorry, I cannot help with that request.

Hands free! A headlamp is incredibly useful in many situations, but it gets even better when you can use the lamp without a band. Today we introduce you to the civilian Olight H2R Nova. The H2R Nova from Olight is the big sister of the Olight H1R, which in turn is the rechargeable version of the H1 Nova. While the H1R is seen as a compact lamp with light weight and medium power, with the H2R Nova you get a lamp with plenty of light.

Here are the technical specifications:

The H2R measures 11cm x 2.5cm with a weight of 64 grams. With the battery added, it weighs 109 grams. With the headband, the total weight is 174 grams.

The headband is secured with an additional band over the head, ensuring comfortable wearing. The holder for the lamp is magnetic, so when the lamp is attached, it holds by itself and can additionally be secured with a rubber band in the middle. The base, or "tailcap," is slightly thicker, allowing the lamp to stand securely. There is also a magnet here, allowing attachment to metallic surfaces. This is also where the battery is charged.

A USB charging cable is included in the package.

At the head of the lamp are cooling fins on the sides, which keep the lamp at a bearable temperature during normal operation. In Turbo mode, the lamp quickly becomes hot, so it regulates down from the maximum output of 2,300 lumens to approximately 700-900 lumens after about a minute.

Here you can also see the removable belt clip. This allows the lamp to be worn in both directions, thanks to the two twists in the clip. The body of the lamp is ridged for a good grip.

The normal light modes are cycled by holding the button. There are dark, medium, and bright options to choose from. The Turbo mode cannot be cycled through, it needs to be activated by double-clicking the button. What we like: the lamp doesn't transition seamlessly to the next mode, but has a very fine dimmer that makes the transition smooth and soft.

Additionally, the H2R has a Moonlight mode, a reading light, which provides 30 lumens of power and lasts for 50 hours. The 1 lumen Moonlight mode is activated by switching to Lockout. Once activated, press the button for 2 seconds to access the 1 lumen mode, which lasts approximately 45 days.

To prevent accidental activation, there is also a Lockout mode. Hold the button for slightly longer than a second when the lamp is off, the Moonlight mode will briefly light up, then you will have only momentary light (so there is no complete lock) when pressing the button. Pressing the button for longer than two seconds will exit this mode.

There is also an emergency mode: SOS. Press the button three times in any mode to start the SOS mode.

For all modes except SOS, there is a memory function. The lamp remembers the last mode before being turned off and starts the new cycle with that mode.

The included battery is a 18650 lithium-ion battery with 3,000mAh. It is a special battery, with the negative pole placed around the ring near the positive pole in addition to the base.

When the battery is low, the lamp blinks once briefly per minute, and shortly before running out, it blinks continuously twice briefly.

You can see the beam distance of 195 meters in Turbo mode - the light of the lamp is more spread out rather than focused - providing good illumination.

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
Send us your news: [email protected]