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Want one light that works as a headlamp and a flashlight? The Olight H2R Nova is a right-angle ‘periscope’ light that does both, at 2300 lumens.
I picked up the Olight H2R Nova because of the specs: an XHP50 LED, IPX8 waterproofing, 153 meters of throw and 2300 lumens. It’s a periscope-style light with a pocket clip that pops into a headband. Below: the unboxing, the magnetic charger, every mode including Moonlight and lockout, and a night test outside. The H2R Nova has been replaced in Olight’s lineup, so the button goes to the current right-angle headlamp from Olight, the Perun 2, on Amazon.
- Headlamp and flashlight in one
- Turbo is crazy bright and floods a wide area
- Magnetic charging cable is wicked cool
- Magnetic head mount helps hold it in the band
- Moonlight mode and lockout for your pack
- Feels rock solid without being heavy
- Fits the headband without removing the clip
- Lots of click combinations to commit to memory
- The head gets warm quickly on turbo
- Not cheap
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
What’s in the box
There are pull tabs everywhere, and inside you get the light, an anodized blue USB charging cable with a magnetic end, and the headlamp piece. The headband is a stretchy band that wraps around the sides and over the top, all adjustable, with a polymer mount and a rubber flap that holds the light in place. You can rotate it up and down.
Because of the periscope design you can also hold it like a pistol grip as a flashlight. Lots of headlamps can come off your head, but this one is purpose-built to be both.
Build quality and the magnetic tricks
It’s nice and small for 2300 lumens. The lens has a little texturing to diffuse the light, and you can see the LED element behind it. There are fins near the head, blue anodizing around the lens and knurling at the base. It feels like a rock-solid piece of equipment, with good weight but not too heavy.
The clip has a double curve, so it clips on either way, and you don’t have to remove it to put the light in the headband. The magnetic charging cable just snaps onto the tail, and the headlamp mount is magnetic too, so the light won’t fall out at the drop of a hat and the rubber strap carries less load.
Modes, Moonlight and lockout
Unscrew the tail (there’s an O-ring for waterproofing) and you’ll find the 18650 battery with a plastic tab. Once it’s in the right way, one click turns it on and it’s freaking bright. I could feel the heat on my hand.
- Hold from on: steps through the brightness levels.
- Double click: turbo, and double click again to go back.
- Triple click: SOS.
- Hold 2 seconds from off: Moonlight mode, a very low light for map reading.
- Keep holding (about 3 seconds) from off: lockout, so it can’t turn on in your pocket or pack. Hold again to unlock.
It’s a lot to commit to memory, but I’m kind of enamored with that Moonlight mode.
Outdoor night test
On my head it’s super comfortable and feels like any other headlamp. Mine is the natural white tint, a little more yellow than the cool white version, and I really like the more realistic colors it gives you.
The low level is perfect for night hikes, camping and working with your hands. The higher levels light up the grass and trees nicely, and turbo is like noon. It’s not just a pencil beam; it throws a big swath of light. The top of the light was getting warm already, so turbo is for bursts.
Verdict
Olight equipment is top-notch. You can feel it in the construction, the magnetic charger is awesome, and the light output is unreal. It costs a couple of bucks for sure, but having a flashlight and a headlamp in one means you can take one device with you into the wilderness.
FAQ
How bright is the Olight H2R Nova?
It is rated at 2300 lumens on turbo, with 153 meters of throw.
How do you charge it?
With the included magnetic USB cable that snaps onto the tail. It runs on an included 18650 rechargeable battery.
How do you get to turbo?
Double click. Triple click is SOS.
What is Moonlight mode?
A very low light for things like map reading. From off, hold the button for about two seconds.
How do you lock it out?
From off, keep holding the button past Moonlight (about three seconds). Hold again to unlock.
Is the H2R Nova still sold?
It’s been replaced in Olight’s lineup, so the box links to the current Olight Perun 2 right-angle headlamp.
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