Preface
The Nitecore HA23 is a 2 x AA headlamp that is rather reasonably priced.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this Nitecore HA23 model.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the headlamp will come with as shown below.
- There is no threads but there is an o-ring which is slightly lubricated. The battery compartment is held closed by a snap closure style latch.
- It is designed to be a purely headlamp model only so no clip is provided to pocket carry the light.
- The side mechanical reverse switch requires a fairly firm press to activate and is almost impossible to accidental activate. There is a rather audible click upon activation.
- Polycarbonate (PC) body feels sturdy without any flex when pressed.
- Detents on headlamp bracket (that enables the 70° adjustable angle) has some slight flex when twisted, but should hold up to day-to-day abuse without issue.
- Headband provided is of good quality and should withstand day-to-day abuse without issue.
- Battery compartment holds the provided non-proprietary Pairdeer AA Alkaline batteries with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. It can hold Sanyo/Panasonic AA Eneloops, Energiser Ultimate Lithium (L91) and (Energiser and Duracell) AA alkaline batteries without any fitment issues.
- Scanning the QR code with your phone/tablet on the box’s back would bring up the Nitecore HA23’s product page.
Note: Before using the headlamp for the first time, remove the provided 2 AA batteries from the battery compartment and remove their protective plastic wraps.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Top:
Bottom:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Polycarbonate (PC)
- LED: Cree XP-G2 S3 bin
- Battery Format: 1 x AA (1.2V NiMH rechargeable/1.5V lithium primary/1.5V alkaline [not recommended]) ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with 1 x AA NiMH 2,450mAh battery):
- Low (2 lumens – 5days 10h)
- Mid (65 lumens – 17h)
- High (250 lumens – 3h 30min) – there is a temperature/time-based output step down.
- Beacon (250 lumens)
- Output & Runtime (with 1 x AA Alkaline battery):
- Low (2 lumens – 3days 18h)
- Mid (65 lumens – 10h)
- High (250 lumens – 1h 30min) – there is a temperature/time-based output step down.
- Beacon (250 lumens)
- Max Beam Distance: 56m
- Beam intensity: 800cd
- Waterproofness: IP67 Standard
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Dimension: 70.8mm (length) x 42.3mm (width) x 38mm (height) [Bracket Included]
- Weight:
- 42.5g (including Bracket)
- 80g (including Bracket & Headband)
- Accessories Included:
- 2*Pairdeer AA Alkaline batteries
- 1*Headband
- MSRP: ~$25
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is good for Every Day Carry (EDC) or part of Bug Out Bag (BOB) pack as it is extremely straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the mechanical reverse switch on the side of the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1 Click – Light will switch ON to LOW mode.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- 1/2 Click – Ever 1/2 Click will switch brightness levels (LOW, MID, HIGH, BEACON → LOW, MID, HIGH, BEACON).
Form Factor
For headlamps that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC) and for possibly a long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This relatively lightweight headlamp can almost disappear entirely in a clenched medium sized hand. For headlamps, there isn’t many ways of holding it but rather it would be more of test of comfort whilst it’s on your head. The Nitecore-branded headband held the light rather sturdily even when doing more vigorous activity (e.g. jogging/running), at no time did the light feel like it was about to fall off. The curvature of the headlamp’s head mounts and cushion from the headband ensures that it does not leave any marks on one’s forehead, even after prolonged usage.
While using the light without the headband, the light is able to stand perfectly on its head (where the Nitecore branding is).
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the TIR (Total Internal Reflection) Bead Lens optics. The LED is fully covered under the TIR optic. Hence, the beam has both “throw” and soft flood for recognizing items in the up-close to near range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a wide circular hotspot with some slight corona and rather wide spill (almost all of the beam produced is focused into the hotspot). There are some beam artifacts in the beam when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (LOW: 2.5 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/5 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
LOW (2 lumens):
MID (65 lumens):
HIGH (250 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
The LOW mode of 2 lumens is slightly too bright for bedtime night snack runs or with night-adjusted eyes but is suited for other up-close tasks in day-to-day usage.
Since this headlamp has a reverse mechanical switch, it is not possible to have shortcuts to MOONLIGHT or TURBO modes. This limits the total number of modes that can be accessed through the switch (without having to repeat through the entire mode sequence when requiring a specific mode) and is probably why Nitecore prioritized the BEACON mode over having a true MOONLIGHT mode.
Tint & CRI
Nitecore did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for this headlamp. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
The hotspot is cool white tint whilst the corona possess a slight yellow-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the switch or battery compartment was seen.
Lockout Capability
No mechanical lockout or electronic lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
Due to the reverse mechanical switch used, there is a very low chance of accidental activation of the headlamp. If the headlamp is being transported in an enclosed area (e.g. bag, purse, etc.), we do recommend removing the batteries instead.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same headlamp for our own EDC or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a YES – if the lack of a true moonlight mode is not an issue for your usage.
The ease of finding replacement AA batteries, straightforward UI, direct access to LOW, excellent up-close usage beam profile provided by the TIR optic and rather affordable price point are all plus points for this headlamp.
That said, it would be nice if Nitecore could use a newer (and more efficient) LED such as the Cree XP-L HI that can provide either higher maximum lumens on HIGH or provide a longer runtime if the HIGH output is unchanged.
Here is a bonus size comparison picture with other Nitecore flashlights/headlamps.
From Left to Right: Nitecore NU17, Nitecore HA23, Nitecore NU32, Nitecore TIP2 and Nitecore TUP.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Nitecore (manufacturer) for this review. No other compensation was provided.
Where to Buy Links
Disclaimer: Purchasing using the affiliate link below will enable TLR to receive compensation from corresponding affiliate companies (Amazon/ShareASale/etc.) directly.
It will NOT cost you anything and is a way to help support the website to keep pumping out reviews like this.
Nitecore HA23
Amazon: Click Here to see best prices on Amazon.
Available Discount Coupon Codes
- Click HERE to view our complete list of discount Coupon Codes.