OLight H2R Headlamp Review: Good for Survival?

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By Elijah Langford •  5 min read

Survival situations don’t operate on your schedule. And the first step to learning to navigate for these situations is preparing for them.

Having the right light handy can be a lifesaver. Being able to signal quickly and see in the dark exponentially increases your chances of survival.

On paper, the OLight H2R is a super powerful headlamp that has a ton of features that can help you get out of a survival situation safely.

Olight H2R LED Rechargeable Headlamp - Available in 2300 Lumens Cool White...
  • BRIGHTEST SINGLE CELL HEADLAMP - The H2R features a CREE XHP50 LED capable of emitting up to an...
  • EASY TO USE - A conveniently located single button user interface controls all four brightness...

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 09:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

OLight H2R Review

Build

OLight H2R review

The H2R uses a combination of plastic and metal and feels super sturdy. While the lamp is not shock-proof, it is IPX8 rated, so it will work even if it’s been submerged in water for an extended period.

Features

There are a lot of features that make the OLight H2R a reliable survival light. The first of which is the included head strap. It comes with a magnetic mount that wraps around the light, making for a firm and secure hold.

But what I like about the H2R is that I can remove the light from the head strap at any time. It turns into a perfectly-sized handheld flashlight, and it can also double as a pocket light by attaching the included pocket clip to it.

The headlamp has different brightness modes, which can help you manage the battery better in a survival situation. But since even the low-power modes get sufficiently bright, you won’t have to compromise much when it comes to brightness.

Brightness Options

The H2R headlamp has six brightness options:

There is no strobe mode, but I don’t consider it to be a deal-breaker. But considering the relatively high price of the lamp, I do feel like not including a strobe mode is a little stingy.

But one useful feature is that when you turn the lamp on or off to medium, high, or the turbo mode, it will gradually increase or decrease the brightness. In this way, the light protects your eyes from damage from sudden changes in stimulation.

The lamp’s peak beak intensity is 5850cd, which is super impressive considering its size, and the peak beam distance is 153 meters, which is not surprising considering how bright the light gets in the turbo mode.

Operation

You can access all six modes from the easy-to-use side switch. It makes for a smooth one-handed operation, and the SOS function can be accessed in seconds.

Warranty

OLight offers a five-year warranty, which I find super reassuring.

Battery

The OLight H2R comes with a custom 18650 3000mAh battery. The battery is rechargeable, and you can recharge it without removing it from the lamp using the included magnetic charging cable.

When the battery starts to run low, the lamp will flash once per minute. When it’s running out, it will blink continuously.

Pros of the OLight H2R

Cons of the OLight H2R

Olight H2R LED Rechargeable Headlamp - Available in 2300 Lumens Cool White...
  • BRIGHTEST SINGLE CELL HEADLAMP - The H2R features a CREE XHP50 LED capable of emitting up to an...
  • EASY TO USE - A conveniently located single button user interface controls all four brightness...

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 09:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Things to Consider When Choosing A Survival Headlamp

Getting a headlight that detaches from its head strap is a plus. It makes in-hand use a lot more comfortable.


Questions about the OLight H2R

Q: Can I use a 3.7V 3600mAh battery with the H2R?

A: You can use a 18650 3.7V 3600mAh battery as long as it is the same height as the provided battery.

Q: How long does it take to charge?

A: It takes about four hours to charge fully.

Verdict

The long battery life, the powerful LED, and the different brightness options make the OLight H2R a compelling choice.

Finding spare batteries can be a little challenging, but overall, I think it is a solid survival light. I’d trust it to get me out of a survival situation safe.

Olight H2R LED Rechargeable Headlamp - Available in 2300 Lumens Cool White...
  • BRIGHTEST SINGLE CELL HEADLAMP - The H2R features a CREE XHP50 LED capable of emitting up to an...
  • EASY TO USE - A conveniently located single button user interface controls all four brightness...

Last update on 2024-03-28 at 09:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Elijah Langford

Elijah is proficient in flintknapping, fire-making, fly-fishing, and foraging. After leaving Arkansas, and then Tennessee to chase the trout he dearly loves, the Colorado Rockies have become his permanent home where he resides with his wife and daughter. Read his full interview here.