Review: Olight H2R Nova: (head)lamp, XHP50, 2300 lumens, 1 x IMR 18650, (beam)shots

kj75

Enlightened
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
892
Location
The Netherlands
In the past season, Olight surprised me by introducing the H1R Nova: a multipurpose light, built-in charging option, magnetic tail and headband included. A great thumb-sized light that I tested earlier; I was impressed by the output of this very compact and rechargeable light. Recently, Olight has released the big version of this all-in-one: Same idea and looks, but equipped with the powerful XHP50 emitter and a customized 18650-cell. This means more power and runtimes, so this may be a good pick for those who liked the H1R, but wished it had some more power. Some improvements also to this light relative to the H1R; I'll show you them and the further details of this light in my review. Also I will show the H2R side-by-side to the H1R and to another compact light that has big output. Let's have a closer look!

amazing power to a (head)lamp
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the Olight H2R Nova
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a TIR-lens and powered by a XHP50 LED
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can be used as a headlamp
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the included customized cell gives huge output
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a compact multipurpose light
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Here are the specifications, given by Olight:

Key features of the H2R Nova:

· Body made from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
· TIR (Total Internal Refraction) optic bead lens provides evenly dispersed beam
· LED available in two different colors:
o Cool White (5500K-6500K): Provides a clearer view than incandescent light. Very common amongst LED lights.
o Neutral White (4500K-5000K): Closer in appearance to natural sunlight, less strenuous on the eyes. Ideal for photography.
· Silicon mount on head strap allows for easy attachment, 360° of vertical rotation
· Light automatically dims after 1 minute of Turbo to prevent overheating
· Gradual brightness changes when switching outputs to allow eyes to adjust to new brightness
· Special S.O.S. Mode efficiently signals for help in emergency situations
· Easy-to-use side switch turns light ON/OFF, accesses all 6 outputs with one hand
· Internally rechargeable using included magnetic charging cable (Only when equipped with included 18650 battery)
· Low battery warning; light blinks once per minute when running low on power
· Comes with Olight's 5 Year Warranty



The specifications:

· LED: Cree XHP50
· Max Output (lumens): 2300
· Low (lumens): 1
· Max Run Time (hours): 45 days
· Beam Distance: 153 m / 501 ft.
· Peak Beam Intensity (candela units): 5850 cd
· Water Resistance: IPX8 (up to 2 meters)
· Impact Resistance: 1.5 m / 4.9 ft. / 1.5 m / 4.9 ft.
· Head Diameter: 0.95 in. / 25 mm
· Body Diameter: 0.91 in. / 23.2 mm
· Length: 4.33 in. / 110 mm
· Battery Type: 18650 customized
· Weight (oz): 1 2.26 / 64g


And the output and runtime specs:
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Unboxing:

A big step forward is the package of the actual Olight-torches: It seems that Olight has definitively banned the plastic cases and replaced them by luxury boxes. Same to the H2R-package here. A neat black box with hanging loop that has a nice colorful carton wrapped around it. On the sealed box you can find main specs and features, and also the version (cool white or neutral white). In the box we find two sections: One for the light, one for the headband and the accessories. Several symbols indicate and explain how it works; I must say that Olight really takes good care about their boxes! This is an all-in-box, except one thing: a charger. Only the cable is included, but I think that all households own a charger with USB-out. Striking is that a new part is in: An EVA-pad: this is meant as replacement if you don't want a magnet in the headband. So, in short: A nice and neat package here. Have a look at the pictures below that show the carton and what's in!

I like the new style of the Olight packages
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a colorful wrap around a black box
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sealed; most details can be found on it
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two sections, one for the H2R and one for the accessories
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inside: headband, H2R, 18650-cell, manual, charging cable and an EVA-pad
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Impressions:

I told you earlier that the H2R is a big version of the H1R. Actually it seems like that.. It has the same style, but isn't an enlarged H1R. The H2R is a is made of different parts, and hasn't that much similarities to the little H1R brother. Only the head has about the same looks. Like we're used of Olight the H2R Nova is excellent machined and built. Also the finishing is very well done, this light looks like a high-end product. The H2R Nova looks like a real member of the Olight-family: Nice deep, black color, a TIR-lens and nice looking blue and silver accents. Anodizing job is well done, no defects. Same to the laser engraving. The light is standing stable both on the head and the tail and it has, thanks to the head, a great anti-rolling design. An improvement knurling on the body, that gives the light better grip. The long double clip can be fixed at the light at two ways, but that not all: You have the use the clip at two ways too: Use the narrow part for clipping on (for example) you shirt and the thick part to add the H2R (for example) to your cap. Nice find of Olight! Looking to the head we see the same idea that Olight uses at the S- and H-series: The LED is covered by a TIR-lens and has metallic blue edge around. On the head a big rubber switch that has stiff structure, I like these buttons. New at the tail is a warning that you may not short circuit the + and – pole. With normal use, you don't have to be afraid about this. The threads are well machined but needed some grease in my case to secure longer life of the light. When we're looking into the cap and tube we can't see anything that we to worry about. My conclusion about how the light is built and finished is a short one: This is a well-made product. Scroll down to watch my photos about the H2R that show more details and impressions!

a new member to the big Olight-family
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a single-18650 powered multifunctional light
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can be used as candle or marking-light
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stands stable on the head too
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compact, barely bigger than a finger
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together with the included High-Drain 18650
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the powerful XHP50 is covered by a TIR-lens
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this is the Coolwhite version
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little aggressive knurling for good grip
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cooling-fins in the head, at turbo the H2R gets hot soon
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the big power-button has stiff structure
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a blue metallic edge around the lens
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the TIR-lens spreads the beam, so you get a wall of light at close range
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a warning at the magnetic tailcap
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the threads need to be lubed
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the cap released
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and a look into it
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a look into the tube
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a new designed headband
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comfortable wearing, easy adjusting
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a specialty: the holder is magnetic!
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so you can carry the light without fixing it
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charging works simple, but needs the dedicated charger
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clip it on your car
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together with the little brother here
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excellent built and finished
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compact and user-friendly
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you can fix it to the holder both with or without clip
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2300 lumens coming out of such a compact light!
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User interface:

The H2R is not as tiny as its brother, but that's not a surprise because it run on a 18650. To a 18650-torch, it is very compact, not to heavy and easy to handle with. The knurling at the body, the two-way clip and the shape of the lights' head give the H2R very good grip. Attaching the light to the headband works easily and fine: the magnet in de headband (that can be removed if you like) keeps the light in place during attaching the light. The magnet is strong enough to hold the light also without strap; but for running or some heavy job it's better to fix it by the strap. A plus is that you don't have to remove the clip; the H2R fits with clip too into the holder.

The H2R Nova has the same charging option as the other S- and H-series. It doesn't take effort: add the magnetic connector to the tail and look for a source that has USB-out, and charging starts. To charge the H2R, the dedicated charger is needed; maybe if you own another Olight yet, you can pick the charging dock or for example the charger of the S1R. So, don't forget you special charger! Personally, I would like to see a micro-USB port; maybe this will come in future, like on the X7R Marauder. Near the connector there's an indicator that lights up red during the progress and green when it's done. Works well. New (to me) is that the light shortly vibrates when the charger is connected. Another nice feature that I only found on an Olight. The big, stiff button is easy to locate, Olight has improved the heads' shape to find the switch easier.

The interface is the same as we're used of most actual Olights. A single click to turn on or off, press and hold to cycle through the modes. The H2R cycles continuously through the three medium modes. This means that if you start for example in moon-mode and cycle trough, you will get low>medium>high>low and so on. Moonlight can only be activated from off by a long press. Turbo (2 quick clicks) can be activated both from off and on. Same to SOS that needs three quick presses, that is quite far away in case of emergency. The output of SOS is 600 lumens, the high mode. Nice feature is that the HIGH and TURBO turn on and off gradually: I like this "high-tech", but to me this doesn't make a lot of difference between normal turning on and off. The light can be locked-out by pressing and holding the button for more than three seconds; if the H2R Nova is locked it lights up shortly when you press the button. Press again more than three seconds (the light will firstly show moonlight), and a short off and on will indicate that the light is unlocked.

I hope that Olight keeps this interface for a long time; only the SOS is quite far away. But to me, this is one of my favorite interface on a light that has a single button.

Modes:

The H2R Nova has five normal output modes, two are "hidden", in order of: MOON > LOW > MED > HIGH > TURBO. Same like most recent Olights have. The spacing is good, the light has a good LOW; the big step between HIGH and TURBO isn't a big problem because TURBO is only for short time. TURBO steps down after a minute to 750 lumens, that's about the same as HIGH (that has 600), and the difference is barely visible. The MOON and TURBO are instant-modes. One special mode: SOS. Maybe Strobe or Beacon would be a nice option to this light. The H2R has LOW-VOLTAGE-WARNING: it blinks once per minute when the battery is low. You can LOCK-OUT the light by using the button or by releasing the cap a little. Most (instant) modes can be found on this light, so nothing to complain about here.

Size comparison:

For comparison I picked the little H1R brother to show the differences in size and details. The Nitecore Concept 1 is also by a high drain 18650-cell but has a different LED. When we're going outside for the beamshots, I'll pick these three again.

18650-cell, Olight H1R Nova, Olight H2R Nova and Nitecore Concept 1
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Olight H1R Nova, Olight H2R Nova and Nitecore Concept 1
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Olight H1R Nova, Olight H2R Nova and Nitecore Concept 1
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Olight H1R Nova, Olight H2R Nova and Nitecore Concept 1
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the heads: XM-L2, XHP50 and XHP35 HD E2
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the tails: Olight H1R Nova, Olight H2R Nova and Nitecore Concept 1
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Tint:

The overall tint of the H2R is good for a coolwhite one. The lower modes show (as we see often) a slightly greenish tint. To me, this is ok. If you want a more neutral tint, you can choose the NW-version of this light. The bluish tint that you see in the middle on the photo below is the edge of the beam of the Nitecore Concept 1.
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Beamprofile:

The TIR-lens affects to the beam: A very big spot, medium corona and almost no spill. The quad-led XHP50 creates a quadrangular profile when we project it to a wall or the ceiling. The H2R Nova gives a wall of light at closer range; you can light up a big and wide area using the H2R. Please scroll down to watch how the H2R Nova performs outside. I couldn't detect any defect in this beam, it's also free of PWM.

Beamshots:

Time for some beamshots now! Starting indoors by projecting the H2R to a white wall. Distance about 1 meter away. The very good low can't be seen at this picture.

Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 1/125 sec, 35mm
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GIF:
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Taking the H2R outside to a place with some trees, near to a river. You can see here again the very low moon-mode. First the five output modes, after that a GIF. Nice to see here how a wall of light the H2R Nova creates for such a tiny lamp!

Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 4 sec, 35mm
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a GIF:
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Time to have a look at some comparison-shots now! I thought it would be a nice idea to show the H2R Nova in a shoot-out against the little H1R. The H2R is a big step up; but thanks to its used battery and LED it should have about four times the output of the H1R Nova.

the H2R Nova against the H1R Nova, both at highest mode
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A comparison against the other light that I showed you earlier in this review, the Nitecore Concept 1. The light has a different LED and no TIR-lens. Therefore it has clearly more throw, but doesn't show the same wall of light that the H2R puts out.

the H2R Nova against the Nitecore Concept 1, both at highest mode
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Some pictures now with the light mounted on the headband. The H2R Nova lights up a big area at about 50 meters and has a wide beam-angle.

the Olight H2R Nova at highest level
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the Olight H2R Nova at highest level
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Same location, the light in hand now, using it as a torch.

the Olight H2R Nova at highest level
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Conclusion:

A have to say to Olight again did a very good job by introducing this H2R Nova. The built-quality and finishing is the same like the earlier released ones: Very well done! Moreover, this light has (to me) one of the best one-button-interfaces there is: three "main" modes that you will use most, two special hidden, with an impressive turbo that's meant for very big output for short times. That turbo don't las for very long time will not be a surprise to you; but I will last for about 1 minute without issues. Charging works fine, but needs the dedicated plug; maybe we'll a micro-USB jack at these lights in future. The new headband with magnetic part is a good addition and makes the H2R Nova easier to attach. This light can be used at many ways, and has a lot of applications.

To me, this is great all-in-one that has a lovely wide beam and very nice options!

Special thanks to SkyBen Trade and Olightworld for providing me this sample!
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Last edited:

blindedbythenight

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 20, 2016
Messages
252
Great review...I really wish this had a beacon mode and the potential for shorting at the tailcap concerns me...Other than that this light looks just about perfect, especially the magnetic headband attachment.
 
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