Nitecore NU25 UL Review

Review of the new Nitecore NU25 UL vs the old 2017 model
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#nitecore #flashlightreviews

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There may be affiliate links in this description and website but the cost to you is not increased. I simply earn a small percentage of the sale which I put towards improve the channel. My videos are not sponsored (unless otherwise stated) although I do occasionally get sent products free for review. I always give an unbiased opinion and my thoughts and opinions are my own.

[martingrds]

I just got this lamp, and studied the manual of how to use the functions.
Since I couldn't find a cheat sheet for it online, I made myself one:

Buttons: Power (P) - big, Mode (M) - small
short (s): <1sec; long (l): >1sec; twice (2)

Pl/Ml: turn off (if on)
Ms: Power indicator LEDs (if off)
Lock: both for 2 sec -> flashes x3
Unlock: both for 2 sec -> P2
locked button press: flashes once

Ms cycles between modes (if on)
Ps cycles between brightness levels (if on)

entry (if off) - Lumen, duration
==Mix (Spotlight+Flood LED)==
(P2 - 6, 45h [Flood LED])
Pl - 60, 10h25
x - 200, 4h40
x - 400, 2h40
==Spotlight==
x - 60, 10h30
x - 200, 4h15m
==Floodlight==
x - 60, 10h00
x - 200, 4h15
==Red Light==
Ml - 10, 16h
x - 10, long (slowly flashing)

==Special (not cycled by Ms)==
M2 - 400, ? - SOS
x - 400, ? - Beacon

->With that as a note on my smartphone, I don't have to carry the manual with me. 😀
Just leaving it here in case it helps anybody else.

[isabellam]

The old ones throw beans was too narrow. It made you have to keep moving your head instead of your eyes, I hated it. And also the old style headband didn’t last very long before it started loosing its stretch. Also the flood light on the old one was to dim so I’d always use the medium throw bean for everything when I’d rather use flood 95% of the time. I’m happy they made improvements.

[frogturtle]

Just ordered the original version due to the simple user interface, smaller form factor and great reputation. Maybe Gen 3 will solve what people seem to dislike about Gen 2. I don’t think the Gen 2 is a bad product, but it is a pretty big departure from what made Gen 1 so beloved.

[pixxel]

Great review, honestly. I have a BD Spot which is great, the only problem is how to charge the 3 AAA batteries once they are empty. So the integrated charging is a big plus, also it's exactly half the weight of my headlamp so that's good too.
I'm just wondering why the runtimes of my headlamp are so much higher on paper (300lm=30h as opposed to 400lm=2:40h?) I mean the Nitecore will have a shorter runtime, but so much shorter? I think they used different testing standards but I cant verify sadly

[Roberto-M.]

Hey!
What is the actual (tested) runtime of the flashlight at maximum power? If it is kept on continuously, that is, at its highest declared lumens.

[TyTObzor]

Nitecore NU25 UL купил - фонарик вообще замечательный в меру яркий, освещение равномерное, на голове сидит удобно, советую. Если что обзор есть на канале с тестами ночью и в лесу

[petersherman]

I just got the new version of the NU25 and find it a giant leap backwards.
I use a single length of shockcord on the older version and find it much more comfortable than the new tangle. The sweaty itchy forehead piece looks cheap on the new one. It's also too small on max extension, especially when wearing a hat.
Old version is noticeably slimmer and less bulky than the new.
Old version with shockcord headband is (on my scale) 35 gram. The new version is 47g. A 34% increase in weight.
You can charge whilst using both the old and the new NU25. A larger battery is not really necessary. Especially since its made the NU25 heavier and bulkier for only a modest 6.5% increase in power.
The Dual primary on the new NU25 replaces the old single primary AND the soft warm high CRI light. Big disappointment.
The old button set up is more intuitive.
The old NU25 had 2 red light settings. 0.9 and 13 lumins. The new NU25 has a single 10 lumin red light setting.
The USB C is a plus on the new version. But the rubber plug is poorly placed, thinner rubber and fits so badly that I can see it failing quite soon. The old NU25 position under the light is less exposed to driving rain. Note that you can buy 90 degree USB C micro adapters so there was no reason to shift the plug.
On the old version you can press and hold the R button to get a battery level indication (led flashes use less power).
To switch the new NU25 off you press and hold, then get 3 VERY bright, night vision destroying, flashes. The old NU25 gave a dim red led flash.
How on earth did the the team at nitecore, who worked on the NU25, get it so wrong?
I'm going to be using the old NU25.

[Komma]

Too bad the new one doesn't have a low red light mode. I like the USB Type-C but I won't trade in the low power red light for it.

[procrastinator]

I had high hopes for this, but the throttling on all three brightness modes is off the charts. It dims itself over 150 seconds to below half brightness. WTF nitecore?

[BornIntoThis]

It seems new version has lost the auxiliary high CRI >90 mode unfortunately. I would have upgrade for usb-c convenience alone otherwise.

[koningklootzak]

I'm trying to understand why this is so popular. Please someone help me understand.

[mgarcia]

Is the adjustable headband elastic/stretch, or is it like paracord? I don't seem to see this info anywhere I look. Thank you!

[bombtham]

Does it charge with USB-C to USB-C cable? or only with USB-C to USB-A. Thanks.

[elsizzle]

I got it and the straps are uncomfortable and itchy and hard to get into adjust. Head piece is also uncomfortable. The mode iterations are weird. No moonlight or moonlight red. Step backwards

[rkdbaj]

Is the battery sealed or is it not sealed & replaceable or not sealed & dual powered with AAA?

[leejohn]

I fell the older one is more comfortable on head.

[danielyacykewych]

My older NU25 is yellow. I like it that way.