My rating
9 out of 10 points
Author and tester
Hi, I'm Martin. Through my experience of living in the wilderness and doing nature crafts, I know how important the right equipment is. I want to help you to be well equipped for your adventures. More about me on my "About me" page.
Today, let's take a closer look at the product "Fenix Unisex HM50R V2.0 Headlamp".
My evaluation and experience
The Fenix HM50R V2.0 has accompanied me through the woods for months. What convinced me? You have two lamps in one.
I take it off the mount in the evenings and have a small angled pocket flashlight. Perfect for making a fire or when I’m still reading in the tent. With the clip I attach it to my backpack. That way I have my hands free when I’m out with classes in autumn.
You hardly notice the weight. 78 grams with battery and strap. The 64 millimeters of length disappear in every pocket.
The four light levels cover everything I need. 700 lumens in turbo mode illuminate the whole campsite. Most of the time the 400 lumens are more than enough for me. I often use the red light. It preserves night vision and bothers the others in the group less.
White light mode:
- Low: 30 lumens (42 hours) – 23 m beam.
- Size M: 130 lumens (8 hrs.) – 49 m beam.
- High: 400 lumens (3 hrs.) – 86 m beam.
- Turbo: 700 lumens (1 hr.) – 115 m beam.
Red mode:
- Red: 5 lumens (60 hours) – 6 m beam.
- Red SOS: 5 lumens (120 hours) – 6 m beam (light visible at a considerable distance).
The lamp has already been through quite a bit. Rain, mud, it even fell into a stream. No problem thanks to IP68 protection. After 1.5 hours on USB-C it is ready for use again.
I recommend the HM50R V2.0 to everyone who wants to travel light. Hikers, wilderness educators and campers. It is robust enough for daily use in the forest.
It is less suitable for long cave tours or if you need wider illumination. In that case, grab a larger lamp with more flood light.
I like that
- Versatile usable as headlamp or signal flashlight
- Robust with IP68 certification (dustproof and waterproof up to 2 meters)
- Powerful with 700 lumens and 115m range
- Practical red light for night vision and SOS function
- Fast charging in only 1.5 hours via USB-C
- Lightweight with only 78g including battery
- Works also in extreme cold down to -40 degrees with CR123 battery
I do not like
- Headband is described as not comfortable
- Lamp feels noticeably warm at the head when in turbo mode
- Battery life could be better
What other buyers say about the product
I have watched many reviews about the Fenix HM50R V2.0. Customers appreciate the 2-in-1 function – headlamp and flashlight in one device.
The brightness with 700 lumens convinces. Just like the red light for nocturnal activities. "The red light preserves your night vision when you look at the map or into the cooking pot at night" – an important point for outdoor enthusiasts.
The robustness is often mentioned. The lamp is IP68-certified, therefore dust- and waterproof.
The USB-C port makes charging easy.
Criticism exists about the headband – not especially comfortable and not very durable. Also, the lamp noticeably warms up at the head in turbo mode.
My rating and conclusion
I have been using the fenix HM50R V2.0 for a year on many tours. It accompanies me through forest and meadow, in rain and snow. The versatility makes it especially valuable. As a headlamp and flashlight in one, I save weight and space in my backpack.
The red light protects my night vision when reading maps. The 700 lumens truly light up every trail.
Most in my group appreciate the robustness and the fast USB-C charging. The headband could be more comfortable.
A reliable companion for everyone who is out and about.
Based on my tests and usage, I rate the product "Fenix Unisex HM50R V2.0 Headlamp" with the following score:
9 out of 10 points
Buy Fenix Unisex HM50R V2.0 Headlamp
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Current price: $60.45
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Since this is a review and test report, here ...
🤝8 reasons to trust my review
Hands-on experience: I have tested most of the products I recommend myself in a variety of conditions.
Independence: As a wilderness mentor, I am not tied to any particular brands - this means my recommendations are unbiased.
Expertise: My years of experience allow me to understand the intricacies and details of various products that a layperson may miss.
Target audience understanding: I understand the needs and challenges of outdoor enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned experts.
Quality focus: I place a high value on quality and durability. These are characteristics that are crucial in the wilderness.
Clear communication: I try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each product clearly and understandably so that you can make an informed decision.
Up-to-date: I always keep my reviews up to date and adapt them to new findings or products.
Community feedback: I work in wilderness schools, give courses myself, attend courses and am active in various outdoor and survival communities and therefore integrate the feedback and experiences of others into my recommendations.
So when I introduce the best survival knives or flashlights, you can be sure that every recommendation is based on solid experience and comprehensive knowledge. Find out more about me here.
