review – I don’t camp very often, but a recent experience trying to fix a problem under my daughter’s Suzuki SX4 sparked my need for a good headlamp. The Nitecore HC68 High Performance Dual Beam E-Focus Headlamp will never disappoint!
What is it?
Nitecore’s model HC68 is rechargeable flashlight Contains variable brightness wide and narrow beam LEDs that can be worn as a headband.
Hardware Specifications
- 2,000 lumens maximum brightness
- Peak throw distance: 220 yards
- Peak beam intensity: 10300 cd
- IP68 rating
- 2 meters impact resistance
- Continuously adjustable spotlights and floodlights
- USB-C rechargeable battery
- auxiliary red light
- 800 hours on minimum settings
- 2 meters waterproof
- L-3.6″ x W-1.37″ x H-1.04″
- 4.18 oz
What’s in this box?
- Nitecore HC68 headlamp
- Nitecore NL1835HP 18650 battery
- Spare O-ring
- USB-C charging cable
- scarf
- brackets
- user’s manual
Design and Features:
Like all Nitecore products, the HC68 headlamp comes in a suitable package.
This manual is available in small print.
First, a paper tray must be removed from the battery compartment. The battery arrived partially charged. After a full charge, battery life ranges from 30 minutes at the highest setting to 800 hours at the lowest setting.
A USB charger is not included, but a short USB-C cable is provided.
To access the charging port, unscrew the sleeve. Don’t worry – it’ll keep being held captive, so it won’t get lost. The threads and O-rings on the battery cover and switch/charging cover are very smooth with a little resistance and feel sealed, and the internal components are well protected from water and dirt.
The Nitecore HC68 headlamp accepts rechargeable 18650 batteries (except flat-top batteries), but can also accept a pair of CR123 batteries if desired.
The blue LEDs below the (+) and (-) buttons illuminate to indicate charging. With the lights off and not connected to a charger, clicking these buttons will flash the same LEDs to indicate the current battery level.
The flashlight housing swivels in the headband to allow for different working angles and prevent blinding other campers.
The comfortable headband features a buckle that easily adjusts to fit the smallest or largest headgear.
It can be removed if not needed and the light can be hand held or make a dandy headlight or taillight.
Buttons with pleasant tactile feedback control many functions of the light.
Dual lenses provide wide and narrow beams. The brightness level of each lens can be adjusted using the buttons. The result is that the focus of the light can be adjusted from a very wide and uniform beam to a narrowly focused beam.
The user interface of the Nitecore HC68 has many options, but it takes some practice to master. A click button on one end turns the light on and off. The light will remember the current mode and will turn on where it left off. Brightness and width/dot settings are controlled by the (+) and (-) buttons.
Double-tap the power button to access accessibility features that start with low red. Subsequent clicks step through other functions – bright red, flashing red, beacon and SOS.
When the lights are off, a long press on the power button enters turbo mode, which turns both wide-beam and narrow-beam LEDs for 60 seconds. The Turbo is so bright that it effortlessly drives the shade away from my entire 1/3 acre backyard! Avoid your eyes, boys and girls!
Of course, it also has lower settings. Below are the beam lenses showing the wide and narrow lenses in action.
Broad beam…
Narrow Beam…
low…
Moderate…
High…
The brightest (turbo is brighter than this)…
Much to my wife’s delight, I started walking around the house fiddling with the Nitecore HC68 in all sorts of practical and silly ways. I appreciate the ultra-low setting, it keeps me from losing all my nighttime adjusted vision. The two-stage red LED is great for negotiating in the dark, with less impact on night vision.
I think this light is best for campers and backpackers who need to keep their hands free, but the biggest draw for me is when working in the car. This is great for peeking into the tiny cracks that wayward bolts are trying to hide, and even more practical when trying to hold parts in place with one hand, start the bolt with the other, and hold the flashlight with my teeth! I’ve always used hand-held or floor lamps when working on my car, but the usefulness of a headlamp like the HC68 became apparent when working on my daughter’s car. The car’s secondary oxygen sensor wiring is buried above the exhaust, making it nearly impossible to see or access without enough light. I wish I had the HC68 when I worked on this car because it sure gave me a headache!
what do I like
- crazy bright
- Variable brightness and selectable beam width
- Charges via USB-C
- long run time
- comfortable
- waterproof
what would i change
final thoughts
I’m a big moron and I love flashlights. I own some headlamps, but the Nitecore HC68 headlamps have the upper hand. Its insane brightness, rechargeable battery, rich interface, and comfort are sure to please anyone who appreciates beautiful tools. It’s not cheap, but the quality is top-notch and the practicality is unmatched by any headlight I’ve used. Great job, Nitecore!
Price: $99.95
where to buy: Netco and Amazon
resource: Samples for this review provided by Nitecore.
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