NOVIGEAR HM1 LS HEADLAMP

Novigear HM1 LS Headlamp, retail $28.00 (www.ebay.com...)
Manufactured by Novigear (www.novigear.com)
Last updated 04-30-04




This is a headlamp that uses a high-dome (lambertian) 1.2 watt Luxeon Star LED to produce its light. It feeds from four AA cells.

The packaging it came in reads "FT-2005L-1W Headlamp", but I'll probably just call it a "headlamp" for the remainder of this page.

It comes in a black and yellow plastic case, and has a three-point adjustable elastic strap to fasten it to your head with.


SIZE



The package is held together with two plastic tits near the top. Pull the two halves apart at the top to pop these tits out, and remove your spiffy new headlamp. Feed it (see below), and you'll be ready to roll.

As the headlamp is right-side up and facing forward, turn the knob on the right counterclockwise (as if loosening it) until it clicks to turn the headlamp on. Turn the knob clockwise (as if tightening it) until it clicks to turn the headlamp off. There are "on" and "off" legends embossed into the yellow portion of the knob, so if you forget which way to turn, these legends are there to help you.



To change the batteries in this headlamp, unscrew and remove the cap on the left-hand side of the headlamp, and throw it away...O WAIT, YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead. ;-)

Tip the headlamp into your hand, open end facing down, and dispose of or recycle the used AA cells as you see fit.

Insert four new AA cells into the headlamp body, following the polarity markings shown on two white stickers inside the headlamp body.

Pick up the round cap, and note where the cutouts in the inside of this cap are. Align them with the mating plastic projections inside the light barrel, and screw the cap firmly back on.
Aren't you glad you didn't get rid of that cap now? ;-)




Shown on a flashlight reviewer's head.

The headlamp appears to be reasonably durable. Let me do the brightness test first before I start beating on it - just in case it goes out from the beatings...BRB...ok, the test is done. Now it's time to punish the headlamp and see how it does. ;-)

Dropping and throwing the headlamp did not break it, neither did slamming it against a steel rod 13 times (eight on or very near the bezel, and five on the battery compartment). Let me try dropping it on its lens from chest height or so an see what happens...BRB...ok, it made a plasticky kind of smacking sound, but was not damaged. These tests were done on a low-pile (less than 0.10") carpet with no backing over a linoleum floor. So I don't think that ordinary flashlight accidents will be enough to do it in.

The headlamp is splash- and rain-resistant, but it's not waterproof or submersible. It failed suction tests conducted both at the battery door and the bezel. It did not fail them miserably, but it failed them nonetheless. I don't believe you'll have any problems using the headlamp in rain or snow, but falls into water or water-like liquids probably aren't very good for it. So I'd better not throw this one in the {vulgar term for feces}bowl.

The headlamp has a very noticeable "front heavy" feeling to it, and even when the straps are set to their longest (loosest) position, the unit has a rather constricting feeling to it even though it readily falls off.
Best suggestion here is to use it with a hardhat or other hard type of helmet or similar headgear.

A bit more later...just want to get this page FTP'd up for the time being...



Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 1,060,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.
This is a peak intensity reading from the somewhat eccentric hotspot.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was purchased on Ebay, and was received on 04-30-04. I used this link. When it expires on 07-25-04, you can go to View seller's other items and see if they're still selling this headlamp.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:



CONS:



    MANUFACTURER: Novigear
    PRODUCT TYPE: LS LED headlamp
    LAMP TYPE: 1.2 watt Luxeon Star LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Circular hotspot with irregular corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Rotary on/off
    BEZEL: LED and optic protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 4x AA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Splash/rain resistant, yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: None
    WARRANTY: Unknown/not stated

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Novigear HM1 LS Headlamp * www.novigear.com






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