Noctua HL16 Headlamp

Camping flashlights are essential for safety, especially once it starts getting dark. Often campsites are strewn with streams, logs, rocks, and many other items that may cause you to fall or trip, resulting in injury. Camping flashlights help to ensure your ability to see where you are going at all times. A flashlight is a must for those taking a late-night hike or venturing into unknown territory. Camping flashlights also serve an essential purpose during an emergency or power outage.

When examining the specs on this headlamp, a few things stuck out immediately. Not only does it offer 520 lumens of light, but a max run-time of 80 hours (moon setting) and is IP66 Waterproof Rated. Those are impressive stats in a small headlamp!

Once I got my hands on my review sample, I confirmed the Noctua's outstanding brightness levels and extended run time. Powered by a rechargeable battery, the headlamp offers excellent performance, even in the medium-brightness setting.

And while it's true that you have to carry a battery pack rather than disposable batteries to recharge the headlamp in the field, it does use a standard 16340 or CR123A rechargeable battery that can easily be swapped on the trail. Because the batteries offer such a long life, with a backup replacement, you'll probably be able to get through most outings without worrying about recharging.

Brinyte designed the Noctua to be easy and convenient, adding several excellent features you don't usually see on competitors' models. For example, it has a large, single power button that not only turns the lamp on and off but adjusts brightness too. That button is easy to find while wearing the headlamp and is fully glove-compatible. This makes operating the Noctua simple and without tiny slide switches. One stand-out feature is taking it off the head strap and using it as a standard flashlight! It has a 90* adjustable head, magnet on one end, and a clip providing many hands-free options.

Other excellent features include IP66 water, dust, snow-proof rating, and 5-foot impact resistance, ensuring the Noctua is durable enough to survive outdoors. TIR optic lens for a smooth beam, optimized field of vision for all 4 lumination settings, and an emergency strobe.