Nitecore NU25 400 USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp, Lightweight, Dual Beam, with Red Lighting for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping, with Organizer

--- Update after 6 months. Changed from 4 stars to 5.So, I learned that this headlamp has a super-low setting if you double-click power from off. How did I miss that? I could have sworn I read the manual, but I guess I didn't. Like all the other button presses, "double-click" is a very well thought-out choice. It means you absolutely don't cycle through anything else first to get to it. Excellent.This is the main thing that I wanted. Still! Super-low on this headlamp is 6 lumens. Regular low on the 2017 version is *1* lumen. 6 lumens is not a lot, but it is six times more than the old one. It doesn't "feel" like that much more. It's a dramatically wider area at a little bit more perceived brightness. I still wish it was less. I want 0.5 lumens, narrow throw. Just enough to not step on the dogs. That's a real nitpick.I've used it at work a lot. It's not just brighter than the old one, it's a more usable area than the old one outdoors. I've gotten used to the button presses, and it's genuinely more logical. Having spotlight and wide throw lenses (default: both) is very good.For working outside, it really is the best small, rechargeable headlamp that I've ever used. For close-up indoor stuff, like crawling around under counters or wiring, I prefer the 2017 version's lower output levels.--- End update. Original review below.I have the old NU25 360, and this newer NU25 400.This is a really well thought-out headlamp. The controls are unusual. You long-press to turn it on or off, and quick-press to change modes. This took some time to get used to, but it is a better system, since you can always change modes even after it's been on for a while. The old version was quick-press for everything. Once you found your setting, you would have to turn it off/on again to go to a different brightness.This new NU 400 is sturdier and noticeably brighter. It also uses a type-c charging port, which is the big upgrade to me. It's a bit larger.The thing that makes the old one my go-to is that the low setting is much, much lower. I often need a headlamp just to walk around without disturbing anyone. The "low" setting on the 360 is very low. Like using your phone screen with a dark background as your light. The red light on the 360 also has a high and low, with the low being very dim. The 400 doesn't have that, but I guess I can just use my phone. I also prefer the more intuitive (to me) controls of low-medium-high on the 360. There *are* lower and higher settings on the 400, the low is just brighter than I want it to be. I use the 400 for work, where I don't worry about waking anyone up.The 400 to me is a straight engineering upgrade. 11% better light isn't as valuable to me as one that has very dim options. I guess I'll be keeping my micro-usb cables for even longer. I'd love it if Nitecore put out a "UL Classic" version that's the 360 with a type-c port.

Have used this now on multiple hikes in the dark. (Dozens of them). I'm a photographer, so I'm often hiking out to a location before first light or back after sunset (or both in the same day). This light is absolutely perfect for that. It lasts hours (I usually use it on the middle of three brightness settings). I don't know exactly how long it lasts, but I have used on level 2 of 3 for an hour and a half in the morning and an hour and a half at night on the same hike, with some time in there at level 3 when really needing to blast some light out there - and it's still has better left over. I used it once when working on my car for 5 hours on level 2 and it still had battery left. Variations in how focused the white light is also adds a useful touch. The red light function is essential and works well (although only one level is available). Will start up on white light if you start up using one button and start up on red light if you use the other button. Recharges on USB-C, so no special cables needed and recharges quite quickly. So lightweight you don't even notice it on your head. Tilt capability is absolutely necessary and works well on this headlamp. My only, very minor complaint is that I didn't buy the one that just has the yellow band instead of the stretch shock cords. They can get tangled up and be a bit frustrating in the dark to straighten out, but really very minor issue. If I lost these today, I would immediately order a replacement set. Essential items in my kit.

STORY TIME: I went hiking on the AT with a couple of my friends. Just a small section for the weekend. We left work early Thursday to hopefully be able to reach the campsite before dark. Last year, I’d say we weren’t prepared, But I wasn’t going to let that be the case this trip. It was supposed to be just a fun trip with the boys. BUT.. of course one of them decided to not drink a SINGLE ounce of water the day of the hike and said he’d just get some at camp (Foreshadowing here) Like any hike we walked 2 miles in the wrong direction, then had turn around and climb some insane elevation just to get back where we started only for the waterless boy to start suffering from major dehydration. Big surprise huh…Well after moving slower than the tortoise did in your child’s story book we made it back to the starting point, only for it to be completely dark. So at this point I pull out my light, Strap it on my head, and play through all the cool different settings while I wait for waterless boy to pull out his light. Oh wait. He forgot his. Classic. Fast forward a couple hours we finally get to the shelter after countless stops for waterless boy. (Please drink water when hiking)Needless to say I got to use this light plenty this trip and was incredible impressed with it. After comparing with all my friends it was longer, brighter, and lighter than theirs.I’m cursed with waking up multiple times a night on hikes, so imagine my surprise the first time I wake up to go tinkle, and I turn over with half shut eyes and catch a glimpse of a glowing object right next to my head. Part of me was worried until I made out the shape and discovered that the straps on my light were freaking glow in the dark. Boy did this make life wonderful in the woods. Waking up in pitch black and always being able to find your light source insanely quickly. It’s not Uber bright to affect your sleep. But the perfect amount to find it when looking for it. The red light also worked wonders while tinkling to help your eyes stay adjusted to the darkened. And the straps, boy do I love having the cords more than a itchy and heavy strap all around my head. I felt like I could wear this light for hours. And not worry about being uncomfortable. At the end of the day. I highly recommend this product to any camper/hiker.TLDR: Bright, lightweight, Glow in the Dark straps for easy detection in pitch black. Very comfortable strap design. Red light capability, Battery lasted for hours. adjustable light angles. OVERALL: top notch product