REVIEW: Nitecore NU05 Headlamp / Accessory Light

Bdm82

Flashlight Enthusiast
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The NU05 is one of the smallest, lightest weight, and lowest cost headlamps offered by Nitecore. It is also the only headlamp specially designed to be worn rear-facing in combination with another headlamp – or as a bike light.

The NU05 uses both red and white LEDs to offer a total of 5 blinking and steady-state modes up to 35 lumens. It is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery charged via micro USB.

It can be purchased either in "simple" or "kit" varieties. The former is just the NU05; the latter includes bike mount and head strap.
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This is an abbreviated review, yet here are the key details in one table for the those not inclined to read more:
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Skip to the commentary section at bottom to read my subjective notes.



This light, in NU05 KIT form, was provided free of charge by Nitecore Store for review.



Unboxing

The NU05 arrived in a retail box. The style overall is consistent with most of Nitecore's other lights. The NU05 is visible through a transparent window with the remainder of the box front being dedicated to showing intended uses.
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The back of the box highlights the power switch and charging port location. It also describes how to select modes and lock/unlock the NU05.
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Both sides of the box simply state "Headlamp Mate".
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Inside, the NU05 is packaged in a plastic carrier.
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Included is the NU05, a headband, USB to micro USB cable, the bike mount, and two straps for the bike mount (only one is required; the other is a spare).
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The manual is in 9 languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Polish, Japanese, Romanian, Chinese, and I believe Korean); each language's section is complete as the text is quite small.

It can be accessed online here:

Nitecore backs the NU05 with a 1 year warranty.



Design

The NU05 is 29.5 mm tall, 30.3 mm wide, and 16.3 mm thick. This is roughly a 1 1/8 in square. At only 10 g (without headband), it is the lightest headlamp I've tested by a wide margin.

The power button is in the center; each of the 4 corners is occupied by a COB-style emitter. An additional small red LED is immediately to the right of the power button. There are no lenses; the unspecified model emitters simply emit light through the transparent plastic front.
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The micro USB charging port is located on the lower side. The NU05 is rated IP66 dust and water resistance. Rain will not damage the NU05, though the two piece black and clear design is not intended to be submerged in water.
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The other sides are clean.
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The rear of the NU05 has the multi-use clip as well as the product designation, disposal, registration, and battery information.
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When attached to the included headband, the clip appears oversized. This is by design, though; the NU05 doesn't need a larger band given its light weight.
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The NU05's headband adjustment is with a single cinch-style clip. Adjustment is quick and easy, though some users will find the dangling strap behind the adjustment point to be bothersome.
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A thicker strap is not needed given the light weight of the NU05, but the NU05 is designed to work alongside other headlamps (on their existing bands). Thus, this clip is perfectly sized to securely attach to headlamps like that used with the HC60.
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The box front also suggested it could be clipped to a dog's collar. A leather collar would be too thick, but the NU05 would fit on thinner cloth collars. Red flash would be a good way to keep track of a dog in the yard at night.


The bike mount for the NU05 is not a typical bike mount. Rather, it's a small plastic piece that the NU05's clip slides into. It has two U-shaped channels and the included rubber band wraps around the bike post and hooks into these channels. Friction and gravity hold the NU05 to the mount, and the bands provide the grip to keep the mount from shifting position. I was unable to shake it free though I could foresee certain rough conditions could present a greater challenge.


It can be attached to a seat post:
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Or handlebars of various sizes (though fast riders will need a light with longer reach; it's a good fit for kids):
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The clip and band can also be used to hang the NU05 from other objects.
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Performance

The NU05 has 5 modes utilizing 3 LED combinations.

The first mode is a single small red LED that blinks a little more than twice per second. Nitecore rates this at mode at 20 hours; I did not test to verify runtime.
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This small red LED is also used to indicate battery voltage. Holding the power switch from off will produce 3 blinks if the battery is > 50%, 2 blinks if 10-50%, and 1 blink if nearly depleted.

It also illuminates when charging, and turns green when done. Nitecore rates the battery at 120mAh; the NU05 consumed 174mAh when charging. Charge rate was 0.15A.


The second and third modes are comprised of slow and fast blinks of the two larger red emitters in opposing corners. Nitecore rates output at 4 lumens and 9 hours for both modes. I tested output at 3 lumens; runtime was not tested.
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The fourth and fifth modes utilize the two white emitters, also in opposing corners. First is the slow blink, rated at 35 lumens for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Last is steady white illumination at 35 lumens for 1 hour.
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With no focusing optic or reflector, the output is unsurprisingly floody. Light is sent in all directions to some degree, though most goes forward.
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Tint is slightly yellow and somewhere between warm and neutral. To demonstrate the relative color balance, L to R: Convoy S2+ with cool XM-L U2 1B, ThorFire TG06S with XP-G2, Nitecore NU05, Lumintop Tool with warm 219B, BLF348 with neutral 219B.
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I tested output at 44 lumens for 58 minutes (to 10%). Delivery was very flat through 53 minutes and the NU05 hung on for a total of 62 minutes before powering off.
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Both outputs tested:
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Throw was not tested.




Interface

From off:
· Press and hold 1 second to check battery voltage
· Press to activate small red indicator blink
· Press and hold 3 seconds to disable lockout
From on:
· Press to cycle small red blink -> red slow blink - > red fast blink -> white slow blink -> white solid illumination
· Press and hold to turn off and enable lockout




Problems

No problems were experienced while testing the NU05.




Commentary

The NU05 shouldn't be compared to other regular headlamps. The output is modest. The battery is not replaceable and battery life on the single solid white output mode is only an hour. Beam direction cannot be adjusted. It is not rated for full submersion in water. But these not the goals of the NU05.

The NU05 is designed and advertised to be used as an alerting device. Attach it on the back of a hat so someone else can see you walking. Attach it to the dog to track it in a dark yard. Attach it to a backpack. Put it on a car's dash to help you find your vehicle in the dark. Uses like these are why the NU05 is sold in "simple" version without accessories. It meets advertised specifications and works as designed.

The "kit" is $5 more expensive and allows the NU05 to transform from a utility light to a headlamp. It also adds a basic mount so the NU05 can be attached to a bike seat's post, alerting vehicles approaching from the rear. I consider the upgrade to "kit" well worth it the cost.

Ultimately the NU05 is a handy supplemental multi-purpose light. It should not be considered in lieu of other lights but rather a complement to them.



Meter: Dr. Meter LX1330B
Integrating "sphere": Homebuilt tube-style device calibrated on other known lights and test results. Numbers should be considered relative to each other and my other review figures but accuracy is in no way certified or guaranteed.

Camera: Canon SD4000IS

 
Last edited:

dwong

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Messages
57
Location
SD, CA
Thanks, good bike rear light that could be a backup HL when needed. Very interesting.
 
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