FENIX HL 55 - Better is the enemy of the good

So far, I was happy with my FENIX HP 25; Although it is installed much plastic, but there were no defects or other problems. Now there are quite new, the HL 55. This headlamp has only one LED for a mix of flood and spot as opposed to two separate light sources. There are, however, much more light in a more manageable design.

The separate battery-pack of HP 25 at the back and possibly the switching between the two LED is not necessarily something for Grobmotoriker. Furthermore, the cable connecting the battery and is not necessary if both sitting in a case like the HL 55th

Short to the data: Five brightness levels of 900, 420, 165, 55 and 10 ANSI lumens, operating with a lithium-ion battery of size 18650 or 2 x CR123 batteries. Operation using only one switch with clear pressure point; even with large hands / gloves precisely controllable.

It is supplied in a blister / carton packaging with manual and spare O-ring. For normal delivery at the factory are neither Batteries or Charger. The processing of these aluminum lamp appears properly; Threads are cut precisely and smoothly, the anodizing no errors. The bulb is protected from overheating; the light intensity is electronically controlled constant. The lamp heats up even at level high not serious, only the (repeated) burst mode with 900 lumens notice a significant warming of the light thrust is reduced, however, automatically after 30 seconds to 420 lumens .; Walking For The rich already 55 lumens, for cycling, depending on speed 165 or 420. waterproof to IPX-8 standard.

The light is the result of a CREE XM-L2 T6, sitting behind a hardened washer. A protection circuit prevents damage from reverse polarity, the lamp housing is vertically adjustable in many small increments to 160 degrees. The adjustment of the headband is big enough to 55, for example to mount the HL on a safety helmet. The lamp has a weight of only 155 grams (without battery), which when worn on the head and the helmet brings both no appreciable effect with it.

At level high results in a considerable burn time of more than three and a half hours (with 3,400 mAh battery). The specified beam length of approximately 120 meters is correct and sufficient for all aspects of the use of a head lamp. With significantly higher demand for a wide thrower should already belong to the equipment.

CAUTION !! Lithium-ion batteries are not completely harmless. Who does not know this, should definitely inform the Internet. My rule: Only the same age and identical quality batteries from the same manufacturer and combine in the same state of charge.

The current price level for the HL 55 is found from just 60.- for delivery without batteries, rechargeable batteries, charger and plus. possibly Porto.