First, there’s a “tailswitch” on the headlamp. Since it’s a headlamp, it’s not really on the “tail” but let’s call it that. Note: The measurements and data collected, having been made with instruments and environmental conditions different from those carried out by the parent company, can be dissimilar. Dual lenses provide wide and narrow beams. The level brightness levels of each lens can be adjusted using the buttons. The result is that the focus of the light can be adjusted from very wide and even beam to a narrowly focused beam. The light has many options but is still incredibly user-friendly. The infinite adjustment of the light profile and intensity is a unique option that is easy to use. This could be better: Removing the light itself from the headband was a little tough to do at first, but with repeated removals and reattachments, it’s easier to do – the loops holding the light in are tougher than I first anticipated, so they can take a bit of stretching without being damaged.

Interestingly enough, the Spot mode seems to have a warmer colour temperature (albeit not by much) – this could be due to the TIR reflecting light differently. It could also be due to different binned emitters being used, but I don’t think this is likely when Nitecore runs their ship as tightly as they do. CRI is <70 as expected, and all on the green side of the BBL.The HC68 headlamp comes with a 3500mAh high capacity 18650 battery that supports an exceptional 800 hours of runtime on ultra low. You can fast charge the headlamp via its protected USB-C charging port. The LED light beneath the power switch doubles as a charging status indicator and battery power indicator. Easy to Use and Comfortable to Wear Nitecore HC68 is the latest headlamp released by Nitecore, with excellent build quality, equipped with 2 main white light LEDs and an innovative Spot / Flood beam adjustment system (E-focus).

I also tried making a graph of this, but… let’s just say it’s not too pretty, so I’ll let the numbers do the talking. Much to the amusement of my wife, I proceeded to walk around the house fiddling with the Nitecore HC68 in all manners of practicality and silliness. I appreciated the ultra-low setting that kept me from losing all of my night-adjusted vision. The two-level red LED is fantastic for negotiating the dark with even less impact on night vision.Nitecore HC68 has 5 levels of depth white light (Spotlight) and 5 levels of alluvial white light (Floodlight), 2 special levels (Beacon and SOS) and 3 levels of auxiliary red light. The runtime tests were done in a closed environment with about 20° C, using the fully charged 3500 mAh 18650 battery supplied. After the tests the battery showed 2.7V. I tested charging in the following methods: USB-A to USB-C was tested in an Apple 12W charger with the included cable, USB-C to USB-C was tested in an Apple 20W USB-C charger with a low resistance USB-C to C cable, and I tested charging the cell directly in my Vapcell S4+ set to Auto. There’s very similar results with both Apple adapters, so there’s no benefit in charging USB-A or USB-C. Nitecore HC68 has a light output of 2,000 lumens and is powered by a 18650 lithium battery that can be recharged via the USB-C port. Excellent adjustable beam with a lighting angle of up to 150 ° and an autonomy of up to 33 days in Ultralow mode. Operating Modes: Ultra Low / Low / Mid / High / Higher / Turbo / Signalling Modes / Auxiliary Modes