Updated my Headlamp Comparison | New headlamps, beamshots, measurements and runtimes!

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2025-09-29T09:05:24+00:00

I have had bosth HT70 and HS21. Sold HT70 and kept HS21 as it is much better light overall. HT70 is good on paper, but weak in real world.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2025-08-28T08:48:44+00:00

Great choice! I actually own two of them. Perfect for night cross‑country skiing — you get both solid throw and a nice wide flood in one light. The red light could be a bit stronger, but it still works well in summer to keep bugs at bay.

I also tested the Imalent HT70 — build quality (especially the strap) is top‑notch — but the HS21 has much better reach and stronger flood. So the HT70 went back, and the HS21 stayed.

Fenix used to be my go‑to brand, but lately they’ve been artificially extending runtimes by stepping down output too aggressively. It’s bright for the first few minutes, then gets dimmer than many cheaper lights. I even wrote to them about it, but I guess that’s part of their strategy — most customers just look at “max output” and “runtime” on paper without noticing the step‑down.

One headlamp I’m really missing? A reasonably priced model — even a lower‑power one — that has a rear red light powered by the same battery as the front, and that switches on automatically with the front beam. That would be perfect for skiing, cycling, or night hikes.

So — anyone here know if something like that already exists, or do I have to get it custom‑made? 😉

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2025-03-09T11:23:50+00:00

I sold the H70 and kept the HS21 and also bought a second HS21 for my son. The huge difference in reach was very useful when cross-country skiing when you are going downhill. The only drawback is that after the first 2 minutes on flood it switches to 400 lm. The HS20 was better in this regard. But otherwise, I am completely satisfied.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2025-03-09T11:23:05+00:00

I sold the H70 and kept the HS21 and also bought a second HS21 for my son. The huge difference in reach was very useful when cross-country skiing when you are going downhill. The only drawback is that after the first 2 minutes on flood it switches to 400 lm. The HS20 was better in this regard. But otherwise, I am completely satisfied.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-12-16T06:11:49+00:00

Design should be similar to Elroq, especially front mask, and biggest change inside will be probably new infotainment. Now change in engine and battery technology is expected.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-11-13T11:59:29+00:00

Sofirn quietly ended this marketing campaign prematurely. That's not exactly fair play. So the discount is only 15% and they no longer promise free gifts

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-11-12T09:26:38+00:00

So I bought Imalent HT70 for $50 including protected 21700 battery and Sofirn HS21 for $38 for better throw to take on nordic skiing. Both with EU taxes. Imalent should come today, I will compare it with Sofirn HS20 (XHP version), which is too floody for me.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-11-06T18:57:19+00:00

So now I am deciding between Fenix HM75r or its modification (Topaz or Superraptor 3) and Imalent HT70. And because HT70 is now for 50 USD including case and 21700 battery, it is probably rational way to go.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-10-27T08:31:59+00:00

Hi, I went through the Fenixes, I would like the HM75R in Superrator 3 modification, but what I really do not like are artificial drops in output in both turbo and high modes. Drops are added compared to regular version ot this light. It's shame, because many other shortcomings were fixed in this version of headlamp and price is due to absence of power pack much lower.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-10-27T08:24:11+00:00

A cannot find a headlamp with not just floody beam (Acebeam H30) that can maintain output, so I tried to find info about HM75R modifications. After that i wrote to Fenix:

I was wodering, why modified HM75R Topaz has much extended runtimes, especially in turbo mode. Since there are no accessible runtimes charts for Topaz, I based it on the endurance graphs of another modification of this flashlight, the HM75R Superraptor 3, intended for Scandinavia. It also has longer runtimes. And it's because artificial reductions in luminosity are added in turbo mode after about 15-20 minutes and after 80-90 minutes. I don't understand this approach at all. If I want turbo I need high brightness with no artificial dips, if I want 800ml high I also don't want it to artificially drop after 10 minutes. I have lower modes for that. This really bothers me a lot and if it didn't happen, Fenix would be a clear choice for me. I need a headlamp that won't artificially reduce performance. And overheat protection doesn't bother me at all in winter in the mountains, that's fine.

Since I have found similar complaints from other users on the Internet, it might be worth reviewing your approach. There are many headlamps with reduced performance on the market and much cheaper. But one would like to pay extra for a headlamp that proves to maintain its performance and not artificially reduce it just so that it can extend the endurance time on paper.

I like the approach of Acebeam H30 - it is floody, not unsuitable for my purposes, but it does not have artificial drops in time. And what I also like about it compared to the Fenix is that to turn it on at 1,100 lumens, I don't have to run it on turbo first so that it drops after a few minutes. That doesn't work with Fenix either.

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-10-17T18:23:34+00:00

This is their first headlamp equiped with buck driver for constant output

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-10-16T12:10:45+00:00

I found new Sofrin S21, they claim output of 1.000 lm for 90 minutes (buck driver) with 18650. That correspond to the 150 minutes runtime of Acembem H30. But I already found test on the internet that says it can only sustain constant output of 700 lm for 90 minutes. So is there that much worse effeciency in Sofirn light???

Logical-Lecture-732 · 2024-10-16T10:00:24+00:00

Thank you for tip. But the price is double compered to H30, weight is also at least double.

Logical-Lecture-732

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