Nitecore NU43 Rechargeable LED Head Torch

The NU43 rechargeable head torch is Nitecore's (and potentially the world's) lightest built-in 18650 rechargeable head torch, weighing merely 116 grams. It offers two white LEDs as well as a secondary red light, and has an optical sensor that will lower the brightness to low mode if an obstruction is detected too close to the light.

The two high power LEDs output an intensely bright beam of 1400 lumens on the turbo output, which is designed as a boost setting, allowing 30 seconds output at a time in order to prevent the temperature of the torch becoming too high and thus protecting the LEDs. The high output is a constant setting of 600 lumens that lasts for 10 hours and three other brightness settings are available as well as two red outputs and two special modes.

To accomplish the lightweight design, the NU43 has a special PC plastic rear housing which is high strength and low temperature resistant, while the stamped aluminium alloy front housing is rigid, durable and has high efficiency heat dissipation. With ultra smooth TrueVision+ technology, the NU43 utilises a unibody optical lens system for a high light transmission of 94%, which reflects a uniform and soft mixture of spot and flood light that provides over a 100° beam angle, and reduces eye strain.

A smaller red LED sits in the centre and provide constant red or red flashing outputs, which can be directly accessed to preserve your night vision, and is good for wildlife observation, map viewing, stargazing and night photography.

An updated head band designed features the a widened 32 mm thicker band which is also hollowed to reduce weight and increase breathability. It also has reflective properties to help keep you visible and a wider silicone strip on the inside to provide better grip as well as divert sweat away from your eyes. Additionally the head torch has an adjustable bracket with a rotation angle of 72°, however unlike a traditional hinged bracket, this has a rotating axis in the centre which provides a smoother and easier adjustment that reduces the pressure on the forehead and lower edge of the bracket.

Two push buttons are located on top of the NU43, a larger power button and a smaller mode button. The power button turns the light on/off and changes the brightness level. To access the white light hold the power button for one second, and it will turn on in the low mode. Each press of the power button will then cycle through low, mid and high. Ultralow brightness level is accessed by double pressing the power button when the light is off, while turbo is accessed by double pressing the power button with the light on and will remain in turbo for 30 seconds or can be exited early by pressing the power button.

To change between the white and red mode while the light is on, press the mode button to cycle back and forth. Once in red mode each press of the power button will cycle between the red constant and red flash settings. To directly access the red light, instead use the smaller mode button and hold for one second from off. When the light is on in any mode simply hold either the power button or mode button for one second to turn the light off again. Two special modes of SOS and beacon are also available, and can be accessed in any state with a double press of the mode button, and once accessed the power button will cycle between the two with each press. To exit the special modes simply double press the mode button again to go back to the previous output.

Four battery indicators are built into the bottom of the torch and will display remaining battery power when the mode button is pressed once while the light is off. All four lights is approx. 100%, three is approx. 75%, two is approx. 50% and one is approx. 25% and the light should be charged as soon as possible. To prevent accidental activation there is also a lockout function which can be done by holding down both buttons for 2 seconds until the white light flashes 3 times. To unlock do the same again and the light will turn on in the ultralow mode.

The NU43 has a built-in 3400 mAh lithium-ion battery that is charged via the USB-C charging port on the side of the torch. Reveal the port by rotating the protection cover and then simply plug the included USB-C cable into the charging port and the other end into a suitable USB power source. The charging indicators on the top will flash in turn before becoming solid, and once all four indicators are solid the charging will be complete after approximately 2 hours when using a 5 V, 2A adaptor.

Product Features

White light or red light options
Direct access to red light output to preserve night vision
Built-in power indicator reports remaining battery power
Wide angle 100° combination beam
USB-C rechargeable with included cable
New design wider and breathable headband

Operational Modes

Turbo: 1400 lumens; 130 m beam range*
High: 600 lumens; 10 hours run-time; 77 m beam range
Mid: 300 lumens; 15 hours run-time; 53 m beam range
Low: 100 lumens; 29 hours run-time; 30 m beam range
Ultralow: 8 lumens; 165 hours run-time; 8 m beam range
Red Constant: 10 lumens; 66 hours run-time; 5 m beam range
Red Flash: 10 lumens; 90 hours run-time
SOS: 1400 lumens
Beacon: 1400 lumens

Note: *Only stays in high mode for 30 seconds before dropping down due to overheat protection, therefore a constant run-time is not available. The high can be accessed again after it drops down, but if the NU25 becomes overheated it will stay in the lower output until the torch cools.

Tested to ANSI/NEMA FL1 standards with the integrated battery fully charged in laboratory conditions. End user results may vary due to individual usage habits and environmental conditions.

Technical Details

Type: Lightweight LED head torch
Operating Modes: Ultralow / Low / Mid / High / Turbo / Red / Red Flash / SOS / Beacon
Luminous Flux: Up to 1400 lumens
Lamp Type: 2 x white spot LEDs / 1 x red LED
Beam Range: Up to 130 m
Beam angle: 100°
Batteries Required: Built-in 18650 3400 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable
Dimensions: 79.8 x 46.1 x 43.9 mm
Weight: 116 grams
Body Colour: Black
Body Material: Durable polycarbonate materials
Strap: Adjustable
Switch Type: Dual push button
Impact Resistance: 2 m
Environmental: Water and dust resistant to IP68 standard
Warranty: 2 years

Packaging and Contents

Supplied in retail packaging and includes:
Nitecore NU43 head torch x 1
USB-C to USB-A charging cable x 1
Manual x 1