2nd Gen NITECORE NU25 & NU25 UL Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ย. 2024
- The new Nitecore NU25 and Nitecore NU25 UL are lighter, brighter, and have longer runtimes. This is a first look at these headlamps, features, and specs AND how they compare to the 1st generation Nitecore NU25. But is the all Nitecore NU25 Gen2 better than the original?
Nitecore NU25 UL: amzn.to/3XPg61L
Nitecore NU25: amzn.to/3izMkOi
Nitecore NU25 (2017): amzn.to/3XXE8Y8
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Let me know what you think? Is the 2nd gen better than the original?
Outside Chronicles
0 seconds ago
I found an error in my first video and re-uploaded. Here are the lost comments.
@X wrote:
I'm considering a USB Charging Headlamp. I've been using the Black Diamond Spot 350 with Alkaline Batteries. I like all the features except one.
@X wrote:
Outside Chronicles I also have a 1500 Lumen USB Charge small tactical flashlight I think its by "OdePro Outdoor"on Amazon. Fully charged which doesn't take long- it lights up the area. I do like it. Apparently, there are some of these LED Lights that you can cook eggs with, who knew? I constantly forget about the Flashlight on my phone and have come off the trail in pitch dark more than once.
@X I love the USB battery now. I was very hesitant and still carry a backup with old school batteries, but have never had to use them. I carry a small battery pack for my phone and watch, so my first option would be to power the Nitecore with that...just remember the cable! See you outside.
i ordered the old one, yellow, for the lighweight.
i own 2 expansive Fenixes but i need a small headlamp too. ill probably use it only in the 20lumens high cri mode.
I prefer the original NU-25 for 3 reasons :
- warm flood light
- dedicated red light button for a direct access with a quick press to 2 lm/13 lm/beacon compared to an annoying hold down press on the mod button for access to only 10 lm/beacon on the new gen.
- You can choose between a band or a shock-cord (you have to buy two lights for the same versatility with the new gen).
All vids about the new gen talk about the battery life increase, but I don't consider getting only from 610 mAh to 650 mAh with a bigger size and weight as an upgrade.
All great points, I think there are some good upgrades, but they missed the mark with others. Great observation with the bands, I did not think about that.
I found an error in my first video and re-uploaded. Here are the lost comments.
@McCosta wrote:
In fact, the old one is much lighter! Has better UI, high CRI, 2 red levels and 1 Lumen which much more useful than 6 lumen in my opinion. I like the look of the new one, the usc b and the charger indicator. That's it! The old one is still my main headlamp.
Much lighter I guess.depends. If you are talking just about the headlamp unit, the original is 10g lighter. But if you are talking out-of-the box straps, the original is 56g on my scale and the new, regular version is 57g. The UL is 45g. I will take the extra gram for the extra battery life.
As far as the CRI, I guess I am not sensitive to the color difference. In the real trail use, I preferred the 2nd Gen low/mid to the 1st gen mid/high. Plus the 2nd gen high blows away the 1st gen on the turbo since it is 2.5 hours vs 30 mins.
I am not sure I will miss the two red levels. I feel like I am always using the high at camp.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. See you outside.
The gen one had ;
the very low power setting, 160 hours, which is about extending your battery life when you've run low. Most hikers would not want to sacrifice long battery life for an unnecessary slight increase in brightness. Thats whats been done. Low levels are also good for maintaining night vision.
The low level red light is for use when people are sleeping nearby. Shelters and huts. The brighter red is for when you need more detail but dont want to hurt peoples eyes.
The bright warm unfocused light is for use when you don't want a focused beam eg in a tent. That light gets used the most often. Or it did. Most hikers only night hike for a couple of hours pm or am, at most.
All of these things are attractive to hikers. All of these things have been removed in the gen 2.
I think a jogger or runner would like the changes. They are never far from a power point. Although the increase in weight and smaller contact patch on the forehead is not a good thing.
I did a headband mod. By my scale the gen 1 with mod is 35g. The gen 2 UL is 47g. An about 35% increase in weight on your forehead. And bulkier for a modest 6% increase in battery life, which has been squandered on brighter, focused, settings.
The gen 1 used dim red led flashes as on off indicators. The gen 2 uses very bright night vision destroying white light flashes instead. Not even joggers would want that.
The usb c fast charge is a good thing except the change in location to the more exposed side, and inferior rubber cover were a bad move and unnecessary . You can buy 90 degree USB's and under the light is a better location.
Nitecore has completely lost touch with their customers on this one. There were no hikers involved in the changes to gen 2.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, all solid points. I find myself sticking the gen 1 in my backpack more. I like some of the new features, but you make some great points. I think they could have switched to USB-C and kept everything the same. People would have been thrilled. They have the NU33 to make feature rich, which is a real workhorse IMO. See you outside!
Simply going to USB-C would have possibly made me get the newer version but I don't like any of the other changes. I really like the warm flood light as well as the ultra low light settings on both the red and white light which was removed on the gen 2. Ill be sticking to my original gen1 NU25 and hope nitecore goes back to the drawing board before it quits on me!
Agreed, the new version is in my pack 100% now, but would have just liked a usb-c update. See you outside!
Great video! Most thorough I’ve seen out of 5 TH-camrs reviews of this Gen 2!
Thanks
Thanks, I appreciate that. See you outside!
I’ve read the button functionally is the biggest gripe but your video doesn’t make it seem that bad; power btn and mode btn. The battery and increased lumens w more burn time are enticing. USB-c makes a lot of sense for the AT🤔. Great review, thank you!
I originally thought the button functionally was going to be frustrating especially seeing videos before using the headlamp. The buttons work much like the original if you use the mixed mode and red LEDs. What’s nice that I did not highlight is the buttons are different shapes and sizes. That is one of my gripes with the original, both buttons are the same size. You have to remember placement. The original is lighter, but the extra battery life, I think, is worth it. It’s a good choice. See you outside!
A really great review, thank you!
Just the rigth informations and you structured them well. Nice!
Thanks, I appreciate that. Now the question, regular or UL?
My NU25 got broken due to heavy rain usage , I still love the simplicity of NU25 but I would try to consider the NU25 v2 .
Some people are complaining that it is more complicated. It really works the same for basic functions. I would have preferred they did not add the extra functionality, but it does not get in the way. See you outside!
Prefer gen 1. If they basically made the gen2 a smaller nu33 instead of trying to put a primary flood in, it would have been perfect. The new one is actually heavier than the old. And dimmer in throw. But it's also more efficient in throw and has USB c. Would have loved to see the tini 2 screen instead of dot indicator.
I agree, they could have put a battery indicator and USB C and everyone would have been happy. Maybe even offer the UL version. The NU33 is a work horse. It is a great headlamp too, just not as light on your head. I like the extra battery life, but really never had an issue running out on the version 1. Thank for the comment, see you outside!
Great video, thanks👍🏻 I think the new one could be a better headlight if you want one for everything, although it seems a bit complicated yes.
I'm your opinion, is there any noticeable comfort difference between the UL and Normal?
It’s funny you ask! I like the shock cord when I do not have a winter cap on, but hiking more with a winter cap, I find it more uncomfortable than the full band. I also like that the half band is yellow to see it in the dark. With shock cord and black headlamp body, it is hard to see. That long answer, I think I would pick the half band option, though prefer the first generation.
I don't get it when people say black diamond headlamps are confusing to use. Maybe the old ones were but the new are really simple. Two buttons, one the power which is on/off and cycle through the brightness and the other is to cycle through the modes, spot-flood-red. You can also access red when the light is off by pressing for 2-3sec the circle button.
I found an error in my first video and re-uploaded. Here are the lost comments.
@RDJim wrote:
Good timing on this one - looking to upgrade from my Black Diamond.
@RDJim I really like the old Nitecore and think I will like the new one just the same. It is not perfect, but the upgraded battery and USB-C port are a big plus.
I'm thinking of getting the NU25 I(non-UL). Don't want a "string" head band".
Do you know if one can get a full head band vs. a hybrid?
Thanks for an excellent video!
I think only the hybrid. I like the hybrid feel over the cord. It feels almost like a full band.
@@OutsideChronicles Thank you for all of your replies. The Leukotape is one I'm strongly looking at to protect my achilles tendon on my left foot. Had major issues with it from surgery, and want to protect that area. Is it ok to simply put over an area that might need protecting?
@@kenwbrenner Yes, you can put Leukotape right on the skin as a preventative measure. It will stick for weeks. If you have a hotspot, you can put it over the top. If treating a blister, you need to put gauze or a bandage first or the tape will rip the blister.
@@OutsideChronicles Thank you so much!
Honestly, dont like all the modes and ways of clicking buttons. It is supposed to help you with seeing during nighttime, and the lowest power setting will do that. On/off will suffice. Would prefer a small plastic cover you could draw over the button to make it not turn on in the pack. When you are out there on the trail a lot, you will appriciate the efficiency of simplicity. Maybe add a feature to program the button and what it does via the computer?
Can't agree more, simple is better.
My buddy Mark just got one of these, interesting changes!
Some I like, some I don’t, and some I question, but still a great headlamp.
Probably won't upgrade mine to v2 but I do like it!
Agreed, if you already own the original, the upgrade is not worth running out to upgrade. If you are buying new, the gen 2 is a great headlamp.
I have a NU35 and think it's great. Was also the first good headlamp I've ever bought. A headlamp seems like the type of gadget I won't buy another of until it dies, is lost, or gets gifted out and needs to be replaced. Or someone buys me one.
They are pretty simple devices. If you are happy with yours, no real reason to change. I know every gram counts, but 10 grams of savings is not going to make a huge difference. I also have the Nitecore NU33 to use and review. It is also really nice, just a little bigger but way more battery life. See you outside!
I'm researching this one at the moment but I like the look of those clips on the back. It should be very easy to attach to a horizontal strap on the shoulder strap of my backpack.
I think so, the clips just compress down on the strap. So as long as the strap you are using is a similar thickness, it should work. See you outside!
@@OutsideChronicles I know this is late, but I just wanted to say thank you for not only replying but giving thoughtful consideration to my comment, I appreciate it. I ended up buying this light and it fit my purpose almost perfectly (I wish it tilted down a little more) but overall I am happy, since I am not exactly using it in it's intended way.
Really well reviewed, Thanks
Thank you! See you outside!
Great info! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! See you outside!
Great headlamps. But I can't use them. Same for the Black Diamond. None of the "name brands" have bright enough red lights. They also don't usually list the lumens for the red light mode. I have limited night vision. Finally found a rechargeable headlamp with a bright red light; the Everbrite. About $20. It's a lot bigger and heavier than the Nitecore. But I have to accept that so I can see where I'm walking in the dark. Tom Loves DIY
Interesting, I did not know red helps with poor night vision. Thanks for the comment, see you outside!
Gen 1 is still easier to use. And def more UL. While I am not the biggest fan of the micro port. I am willing to still
keep the Gen 1 as my goto.
Give me the Gen 1 with a USB-C and thats a WIN WIN !
Nitecore just sent me the NU21 for review. It is still not as compact as the Gen1, but has simplified modes. and comes in white and yellow! I hope to compare these soon in a video.
Just imagine the gen.1 with USB C would be perfect
It's not lighter. It's a couple 1/10th oz heavier than my original NU25 with ultralight Zpacks headband. I do wish it had the very low light setting of the original.
I think Nitecore missed the mark. All they needed to do was add USB-C.
Is it waterproof?
Water resistant IP66 which is what most headlamps are rated for.
I have a BD spot and it too is confusing to use.
That has been my experience with BD headlamps. The Nitecore are much easier. See you outside!
but does it flash SOS
Yes, it has an SOS and beacon mode.
@@OutsideChronicles ouch - I was kidding
am i the only one noticing 2nd gen front len is easily scratched.
Best China Brand : Olight ,, Nitecore ,, Fenix
I can assure you it's not charging at 100 watts
audio too low
Great review. Thank you!
My pleasure, see you outside!