Fenix HM65R Headlamp Review

Headlamps are the most convenient way to light your way through the dark. When paddling, they point where you look, and when in camp they help you see the area so you can complete your chore or just kick back with a good book. I recently received a Fenix HM65R Headlamp for review. In the past I reviewed another Fenix light and liked it. The Fenix PD36R was a solid flashlight. I was looking forward to trying another one of their lights out. So, how did the HM65R do?

Fenix HM65R Headlamp Description

The Fenix HM65R Headlamp is a rechargeable headlamp constructed from a lightweight magnesium. It features a USB-C charging port which makes it compatible with the cord that the majority of new electronics being produced use. The Li-ion battery is replaceable, and you can use two CR123A batteries in a pinch. If going on a longer trip, you can haul along a second 18650 battery, which is available from Fenix.

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The headlamp boasts a IP68 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand submersion to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. In other words, a capsize won’t stop it from working. It features an IP6X dust-proof rating and can withstand a 2 meter impact. It comes with an adjustable headband with an optional strap that goes over the top of your head (I didn’t find it necessary to use this optional headband, but it might be nice for a helmet). The light tilts downwards to 60 degrees.

The headlamp combines two lights into one headlamp. It has a spotlight for when you need to see into the distance. At the highest setting, it throws 534 feet and runs for 2 hours. At the lowest setting, it’ll run for 97 hours and goes 121 feet. The second light is a floodlight. The floodlight throws 180 feet for 21 hours with 400 lumens at the highest setting. The lowest setting is 19.6 feet for 300 hours. You can use both lights at the same time for a combined floodlight and spotlight. Each bulb has its own control button located on the top of the headlamp. To turn on a bulb, you hold the switch above it down for about half a second. Same to turn it off.

There’s a battery level indicator which activates when you press any button once. It also has a lock-out feature which is nice to have, so it doesn’t accidentally turn on when stored. The lockout is activated by pressing both buttons at the same time for three seconds until the LED lights blink.

It weighs 4.7 ounces with the strap.

In Use

I’ve been using this headlamp for approximately a month on paddling trips and for night photography. The strap and shape of the light feels good on the forehead and stays in place. Operation is easy — just remember to hold the button down for about half a second to turn it off and on.

It’s nice to have two different options of lights. Generally, I’ve been using the spotlight in high to walk around with. At 400 lumens, the brightness lights up enough area ahead to see fine. If I need to see something in the distance, boosting up to the turbo mode cast the light as far as I’ve needed. The light gets hot when in turbo mode, so I use it sparingly.

The floodlight gives a wider beam and allows you to see more into your peripheral vision. While I haven’t used it as much, the flood does light up a larger area. The lowest flood setting is great for reading in a tent without bugging your partner who is trying to get sleep. I do wish the color of the floodlight was yellower in color and around 2000K in color temperature. That would make it less prone to blue light sleep issues at night. While I can’t measure the CRI, it seems high for accurate color under the light. This will be desirable for some users who need color accuracy.

One of the cool features the light has is its memory feature. It remembers the last setting you used. I keep the spotlight in high and the floodlight in low. Then if I need just a low light, I can turn on the floodlight without cycling through the settings. If I need a bright light, I just turn on the spotlight. Not having to cycle through the different light intensities saves a little bit of time, but more importantly is that it gets you the brightness you need right now without having to figure out where it’s at. This turned out to be an excellent feature to use when teaching night photography. If a student had a camera question that I needed to turn on a light for, I was able just to turn on the lowest light setting without having to go through all the settings. By turning on the low floodlight, my light didn’t screw up the pictures of students.

The battery lasts a long time. I haven’t tested it to their claims, but it has been long enough lasting for everything that I’ve used it for over the month. I’ve recharged it once when I got it and once in the middle of the month testing period. That includes approximately 20 nights of use between night photography, testing in bed at home and camping. The second time I charged it, the power indicator was at the two bar level.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a good headlamp, and it earned a spot in my camera bag. It replaces my Princeton Tec EOS. I didn’t have any problems with the Fenix during testing. It provides many options for brightness. The throw with the spotlight is great. Battery life is excellent. I like that you can carry extra batteries instead of relying on power banks for charging in the field. If you are looking for a new headlamp, give the Fenix HM65R Headlamp a look.

• Price: $95
• Get it: Fenix HM65R Headlamp