Preface
The Wuben H5 is their first AA and 14500 batteries compatible headlamp model with multiple directional usage style.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this new generation Wuben H5 model.
Notes:
- At the time of this post, the Wuben H5 model can be purchased with the following options:
- AA Alkaline Battery or
- 14500 Battery with USB-C Charging Cable (as shown in this review)
- Stay tuned till the end of the review for the 20% discount code.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The thread and o-ring were lightly lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The head electronic switch requires a slightly firm press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- The headlamp attachment clip comes pre-installed from factory.
- Headlamp attachment clip is not easily removable. The tailcap has to be removed first before the clip can be removed. However, the dual-direction clip enables for a fairly deep pocket carry option, with bezel up carry.
- This clip is unique as it enables dual 360 degrees of rotation as well as being magnetic.
- Magnetic tail cap is able to bear the light’s weight when attached horizontally and vertically (upside down) to a flat ferrous metallic surface.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- Headband provided is of good quality and should withstand day-to-day abuse without issue.
- No holster and/or pocket clip is provided/included.
- The provided non-proprietary Wuben 14500 battery (ABF920R) will work in other brands’ flashlights or external chargers.
- Battery compartment can take other Button Top 14500 OR AA batteries that have a slightly longer and/or thicker battery width.
- There are 2 QR codes on the box’s back but they are too small to be picked up by the phone/tablet camera.
Note:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time, remove Insulation Film from the battery tube.
- Battery is inserted into the battery tube with the Positive end (+) in first.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Headlamp Attachment Clip:
Removing Sticker:
Removing Insulating Film:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Aluminum
- Body Color: Black
- LED: Osram P9
- Battery Format: 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 (3.7V rechargeable/1.2V NiMH rechargeable/1.5V lithium primary batteries/1.5V alkaline [not recommended]) ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with included Wuben 14500 3.7V/920mAh battery (ABF920R):
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 5days)
- Low (50 lumens / 7h)
- Mid (150 lumens / 3h)
- High (400 lumens / 10min) → (250 lumens / 1h 30min)
- SOS (150 lumens)
- Output & Runtime (with included Ni-MH AA 2450mAh battery):
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 3days 8h)
- Low (50 lumens / 6h)
- Mid (150 lumens / 3h)
- High (250 lumens / 1h 30min)
- SOS (150 lumens)
- Max Beam Distance: 73m
- Beam intensity: 1,338cd
- Waterproofness: IP68 Standard
- Impact Resistance: 1.5m
- Dimension: 72mm (length) x 23.8mm (diameter)
- Weight: 63g (including batteries, excluding headband)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Wuben 14500 3.7V/920mAh battery (ABF920R)
- 1*USB C Charging Cable
- 1*Headlamp Attachment Clip
- 1*Headband
- 1*Lanyard
- 2*Spare O-Rings
- MSRP: ~$50
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is good for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is very straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the head electronic switch on the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1 Click – Last brightness level (all modes except SOS are memorized only) is activated.
- 2 Clicks – Direct access to SOS; 1 Click to switch OFF or HOLD down to switch modes.
- HOLD (~1 sec) – Direct access to MOONLIGHT; 1 Click to switch OFF or HOLD down to switch modes.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- 2 Clicks – Direct access to SOS; 1 Click to switch OFF or HOLD down to switch modes.
- HOLD – Mode change (light cycles through MOONLIGHT, LOW, MID & HIGH only; SOS is not part of the sequence).
Note: There is 1 blinky mode for this light (SOS only) and no STROBE modes.
Power Indicator
There is only 1 type of Power Indicator for this headlamp.
When switched ON, the switch will light up for ~5 seconds, based on the current battery charge:
- Solid Blue – Power is >90% (as seen in below photo).
- Flashing Blue – Power is 40% to 90%.
- Solid Red – Power is 15% to 40%.
- Flashing Red – Power is <15%, do recharge or replace the battery immediately.
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 feels well balanced (not head/tail-heavy) and the headlamp will disappear in a clenched medium sized hand. Easy activation of the angled head switch can be done using the thumb.
While the Headlamp Attachment Clip is versatile in ensuring the headlamp can be positioned exactly where light is required (dual 360 degree rotations), removing the headlamp from the Clip will require removing the tailcap first. It would be nice if Wuben had an alternative solution to attach the Headlamp Attachment Clip to the headlamp without having to remove the tailcap.
For headlamps, it is usually more of test of comfort whilst it’s on your head. The Wuben-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 headlamp’s rubber head mounts helps ensures that it does not leave any marks on one’s forehead after prolonged usage.
The knurling with grooves makes the light “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves but not overly aggressive (i.e. still fabric and pockets-friendly).
Even with the lanyard attached, it is able to tail-stand perfectly without the slightest wobble.
With Headlamp Attachment Clip:
Dual 360 Degrees:
Headband Installation:
Charging Process
With the provided USB C Charging Cable, the battery was charging at ~0.55A.
As the battery is required to be removed from the headlamp for recharging, the headlamp will not be operable during the charging process.
Solid RED indicator on the POSITIVE part of the battery depicts charging in progress.
Solid GREEN indicator on the POSITIVE part of the battery depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic used. The LED is clearly visible despite having 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 squarish hotspot with some slight corona and circular wide spill (most 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 (For 14500 Battery – MOONLIGHT: 2.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 0.6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/3sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB) & (For AA Battery – MOONLIGHT: 2.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 0.6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/3sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/4sec, 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.
With 14500 Battery
Control shot:
MOONLIGHT (1 lumen):
LOW (50 lumens):
MID (150 lumens):
HIGH (400 lumens):
With AA Battery
Control shot:
MOONLIGHT (1 lumen):
LOW (50 lumens):
MID (150 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 MOONLIGHT mode is at 1 lumen which is sufficient for bedtime night snack runs or with night-adjusted eyes.
On a side note, the LOW mode (50 lumens) is just about perfect for up close and longer period of usage and the headlamp will not get warm during the extended usage periods.
Tint & CRI
Wuben did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LEDs used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
However, there are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is a cool white tint whilst the corona possess a slight yellowish tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is still slightly noticeable in real life usage.
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 head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
Mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the tail portion of the headlamp will enable Mechanical LOCKOUT.
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 headlamp, it is a YES, if the implementation of the Headlamp Attachment Clip is suitable for your usage.
The small form factor, dual battery chemistry compatibility (AA and 14500), double 360 degree rotation options using the Headlamp Attachment Clip, straightforward UI with Direct Access to MOONLIGHT & SOS from OFF, magnet in the tailcap & Headlamp Attachment Clip, in-built battery power indicator function and USB C Charging option for the Wuben 14500 battery are all plus points for this flashlight/headlamp.
That said, we do hope that Wuben will introduce an easier way to remove the Headlamp Attachment Clip for future headlamps and to perhaps include stronger magnets for the Headlamp Attachment Clip.
Here is a bonus size comparison with some of the other similar sized flashlights we reviewed previously.
From Left to Right: Olight Perun Mini, Wuben H5, Streamlight ProTac 90 and Malkoff MDC HA 1AA.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Wuben (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.
Wuben H5
- Wuben: Click Here to see best prices on Wuben website. Use discount code “TLRH520” for 20% off.
- Amazon: Click Here to see best prices on Amazon.
Available Discount Coupon Codes
- Click HERE to view our complete list of discount Coupon Codes.