Fenix HL18R Rechargeable LED Head Torch

The Fenix HL18R is a rechargeable head torch designed with running in mind, but is equally as good for hiking, camping, dog walking and many other activities where a lightweight head torch is preferred.

There is a choice of either spot or flood lighting. The central Cree XP-G3 warm white LED offers spot lighting with a beam angle of 13° and a maximum output of 400 lumens on turbo, while the two side Everlight 2835 white LEDs offer flood lighting with a maximum output of 30 lumens on high.

A 84° wide angle beam in flood mode allows you to see your path and around you and is great for reading any signposts without blinding yourself, while the spot beam is ideal for long distance vision so you can clearly see where you are heading. The direction of the light can be altered with the hinged bracket that allows the torch to tilt forwards at a 60° angle.

Two independent switches are located on the top of the head torch for easy operation. The right hand spot button turns the central LED on by holding the switch for 0.5 seconds and then each press after that will cycle through low, mid, high and turbo. The left hand flood button turns the side LEDs on by holding the switch for 0.5 seconds and then each press after that will cycle through low, high and SOS. Both spot and flood are turned off by pressing and holding the corresponding button again.

Apart from being lightweight, the HL18R has a number of other features that make it great for running. The headband is comfortable and adjustable, has a silicone strip on the inside that channels sweat and rain away from the eyes and the new weaved design is hollow to not only reduce the weight by 30% but also provide more breathability and comfort. On the outer part of the headband there are reflective strips, which are excellent for enhanced visibility.

The HL18R is powered by the included 1300 mAh lithium polymer battery pack and recharging is easy with the included USB cable. Simply pop open the rubber dust cover on the bottom of the torch and insert the micro USB end of the cable, then plug the USB end straight into a computer USB port, or into a USB mains/car adaptor. The LED indicator will slowly illuminate and once all four turn solid after approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes the light is fully charged.

If you are away from a charging point and the battery has ran out of charge, you can remove the lithium polymer battery pack and insert 3 x AAA alkaline or NiMH batteries, however these must not be attempted to charge inside the torch.

A single press of either button while off will activate the battery indicator LEDs and display the power level for 3 seconds. Four LEDs indicates +80% power, three LEDs indicates 60-80% power, two LEDs indicates 40-60% power, one LED indicates 20-40% power and one flashing LED indicates less than 20% remaining, charge the headlamp as soon as possible.

To prevent accidental activation the HL18R has a lockout function. This can be accessed with the light turned off by holding down either button or simultaneously holding both buttons for 3 seconds until the light blinks twice. Unlock the light by simultaneously holding down both buttons for three seconds and the light will blink 3 times and activate low flood to show it has exited lockout mode. The battery power indicator will not work while the lamp is in lockout mode.

The temperature regulation will automatically step down the brightness if the torch is constantly used in turbo and becomes too hot.

Product Features

Battery level indicator
Spot & flood separately controlled
Overcharge and over-discharge protection
Ultralow standby current 1μA, reduces battery leakage with inserted dry cell

Operational Modes

Central Spotlight;
Turbo: 400 lumens: 8 hours, 30 minutes run-time; 76 m beam range*
High: 130 lumens; 12 hours, 30 minutes run-time; 40 m beam range
Mid: 70 lumens; 17 hours, 30 minutes run-time; 30 m beam range
Low: 30 lumens; 48 hours run-time; 20 m beam range

Side Floodlight:
High: 30 lumens; 54 hours run-time; 10 m beam range
Low: 4 lumens; 145 hours run-time; 5 m beam range
SOS: 30 lumens; 72 hours run-time; 6 m beam range

Tested to ANSI / PLATO FL1 standard using the included 1300 mAh lithium polymer battery pack.

Note: *The temperature regulation will automatically step down the brightness if the torch is constantly used in turbo and becomes too hot. This run-time is inclusive of any reduced outputs due to temperature regulation and therefore does not run at 400 lumens constantly for 8.5 hours.

Technical Details

Type: LED head torch
Operating Modes: Spot: Turbo, High, Mid, Low / Flood: High, Low, SOS
Luminous Flux: Up to 400 lumens
Lamp Type: 1 x Cree XP-G3 white LED and 2 x Everlight 2835 white LEDs
Beam Range: Up to 76 m
Batteries Required: 1 x 1300 mAh lithium polymer battery pack / 3 x AAA alkaline or NiMH batteries
Run Time: Up to 145 hours (low flood setting)
Measurements: 57.7 × 42.3 × 37 mm
Weight: 80 grams (including battery)
Body Colour: Black
Body Material: Quality PC and aluminium
Switch Type: Push button switches
Impact Resistance: 1 m
Environmental: Dust and water resistant to IP66 standard
Warranty: 5 years (head torch), 1 year (battery)

Packaging and Contents

Supplied in retail packaging and includes:
Fenix HL18R LED head torch × 1
1300 mAh lithium polymer battery pack x 1
USB charging cable × 1
Manual × 1