Preface
The Nitecore HC33 is the successor of the Nitecore HC30 headlamp.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this newer Nitecore HC33 model.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The threads and o-rings were well lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The provided clip can be installed at the head or tailcap area. However, it will require quite a bit of effort to swap it around once it has been installed.
- The clip has sufficient tension to ensure that the light will stay clipped to any material, to prevent the light from falling out.
- The magnetic tail cap is able to bear the light’s weight when attached horizontally and vertically (upside down) to a flat ferrous metallic surface.
- The head electronic switch is recessed and has a nice tactile feel that produces an audible click upon activation (full click).
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- Headband provided is of good quality and should withstand day-to-day abuse without issue.
- Battery compartment holds the KeepPower 18650 3400mAh battery with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. 18650 3500mAh batteries should be able to fit without issue as well. However, for this flashlight it is recommended to use a high capacity 18650 battery with a continuous discharge rate of at least 8A – such as the Nitecore NL1835HP.
- Scanning the QR code with your phone/tablet on the box’s back would bring up the Nitecore HC33’s product page.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Top:
Bottom:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED: Cree XHP35 HD
- Battery Format: 1 x 18650 (8A battery is recommended), 2 x CR123A or 2 x RCR123A ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with 18650 3.6V 3500mAh battery such as the Nitecore NL1835HP):
- Ultra-Low (1 lumen / 330h)
- Low (70 lumens / 16h 30min)
- Mid (240 lumens / 5h 45min)
- High (780 lumens / 1h 45min) – there is a temperature-based output step down.
- Turbo (1800 lumens / 30min) – there is a temperature-based output step down & 8A battery is required to access this mode.
- Max Beam Distance: 187m
- Beam intensity: 8,750cd
- Waterproofness: IP68 Standard (2m)
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 105.3mm (length) x 25.5mm (head diameter) x 23.8mm (tail diameter)
- Weight: 51.2g (excluding Battery)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Spare Button Cover
- 2*Spare O-rings
- 1*Pocket Clip
- 1*Headband & Holder
- MSRP: ~$65
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is good for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is relatively straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the electronic switch on the top of the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- HOLD (~0.6 sec) – Light will switch ON to last used mode (last mode memory). All modes except STROBE, SOS & BEACON are memorized.
- HOLD (~1.5 sec) – Light will switch ON to last used mode (last mode memory) and then switch to TURBO mode; 1 Click to switch to ULTRA-LOW mode.
- 1 Press – Direct access to ULTRA-LOW.
- 2 Press – Direct access to STROBE; 1 Press to activate SOS & 1 Press again to activate BEACON (cycles STROBE-SOS-BEACON -> STROBE-SOS-BEACON), 1 Press again to switch OFF.
From ON:
- HOLD (~0.6 sec) – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Press – Mode change (light cycles through ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID, HIGH & TURBO -> ULTRA-LOW, LOW, MID, HIGH & TURBO).
Power Indicator
There is only 1 type of Power Indicator for this flashlight.
- After disabling mechanical LOCKOUT mode or replacing the battery, the Battery Capacity Indicator function will be activated (LED will flash in the following sequence).
- Each LED blink signifies 1V.
- After a ~1 sec pause, the next LED blink signifies 0.1V.
- Hence, 4 LED blinks, followed by a ~1 sec pause and another 1 LED blink – signifies 4.1V.
- If 2 x CR123A / RCR123A batteries are used, the battery reading will be the average voltage of the 2 batteries.
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 light fits a medium sized hand easily. For headlamps, it is usually more of test of comfort whilst it’s on your head. The Nitecore-branded headband held the light 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 slight curvature of the headlamp’s head mounts helps ensures that it does not leave any marks on one’s forehead after prolonged usage.
While using the light without the headband, the light is able to stand perfectly on its head or tail. The inclusion of a pocket clip helps provide an alternative way of carrying/using the headlamp without the headband.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the relatively shallow Smooth Reflector. With the LED used, the beam is still sufficiently “throwy” for recognising items in the near to mid-range distance.
The above beam profiles are a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a rather distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a rather wide usable (almost circular) spill. It also helps that the LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There are some rings in the beam when white wall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (ULTRA-LOW: 2 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1/2 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/4 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, HIGH: 1/6 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, and TURBO: 1/8 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:
ULTRA-LOW (1 lumen):
LOW (70 lumens):
MID (240 lumens):
HIGH (780 lumens):
TURBO (1800 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 ULTRA-LOW mode of 1 lumen which is what most would call a moonlight mode and is perfect for night-adjusted eyes and midnight snack runs.
On a side note, it is great seeing that Nitecore went with a HIGH mode of 780 lumens instead of 900/1000 lumens, to ensure a longer runtime and will run much cooler – as the difference in output is almost imperceptible to most human eyes.
Tint & CRI
Nitecore did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the main LEDs used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
There are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is cool white whilst the corona possess a slight yellowish-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
This could have been avoided if a “throwier” LED like the XHP35 HI was used instead and would have made full use of the smooth reflector, but at a slightly lower maximum output.
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 TURBO.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch, body or tailcap was seen.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the head or tail section of the headlamp will enable Mechanical LOCKOUT.
Quick Comparison to Previous Generation
| Description | Nitecore HC33 | Nitecore HC30 |
|---|---|---|
| LED Used | Cree XHP35 HD | Cree XM-L2 |
| TURBO Mode Output | 1800 Lumens | 1000 Lumens |
| Max Beam Distance | 187m | 162m |
| Beam Intensity | 8,750cd | 6,600cd |
| Dimension (Length) | 105.3mm | 98.0mm |
| Weight (excluding battery) | 51.2g | 40.3g |
| Waterproof Rating | IP68 (2m) | IPX8 (2m) |
| Battery Level Indicator | Yes | No |
| Magnetic Tailcap | Yes | No |
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 tint shift is not an issue for your usage.
The rather straightforward UI, direct access to ULTRA-LOW from OFF, “direct access” to TURBO from OFF, strong magnetic tailcap, properly recessed switch on the head and inclusion of clip for additional carry/usage options are all plus points for this flashlight.
As mentioned earlier, we look forward to the day that Nitecore uses a “throwier” LED instead to make full use of the smooth reflector and would help get rid of most of the tint shifts.
Here is a bonus size comparison picture with other Nitecore flashlights/headlamps.
From Left to Right: Nitecore HC65, Nitecore HC33, Nitecore EC30, Nitecore P12GTS, Nitecore MH12GTS and Nitecore MH25GTS and Nitecore TM10K.
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.
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Nitecore HC33
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