Fenix HP25 Headlamp Review

Posted in Camping Gear

The Fenix HP25 Headlamp is one of the larger and more powerful headlamps on the market. Sometimes you just want power, right? If this is the case the Fenix is going to be a smart choice and it hands-down easily produces a brighter, more powerful light than all the other headlamps I’ve reviewed.

Headlamps make simple tasks around the campsite at night a lot easier, as well as being used by professionals to navigate caves and orienteer, etc. If you don’t have one yet, what’s holding you back? Get past looking for feeling silly if that’s the case, having a headlamp around your head makes your life so much easier it’s an easy choice.

Setup and Design Features

Setting up headlamps in general is straightforward, and this model from Fenix is no different. There is a battery pack that sits on the back of the head strap. Make sure the batteries are secured in the pack properly. Attach the power cable from the battery pack to the front lamp, fix the straps to comfortable positions, and you’re ready to go.

With a massive 340 Lumens you can’t expect the battery life to match up with the smaller headlamps. The HP25 does take 4 x AA batteries, which is some heavy duty power. Even so, when used on high mode you have less than two hours of continual use.

When it comes to brightness the HP25 isn’t beaten by many, if any. The 340 lumens leaves the likes of the Black Diamond Spot far behind with its 130 lumens, and the Black Diamond is a highly rated headlamp. I’d go as far as to say that this headlamp is will provide all the power and light you will ever need.

Weight is always a consideration as you are wearing this piece of gear around your head. As you would expect, with power and lots of batteries comes a more weight. This is one of the heaviest headlamps on the market. But don’t panic, it’s by no means too heavy to wear. It weighs 8 oz, headlamps are usually one of the smaller items of camping gear they don’t take up much space in the bag. Some people just keep them on their heads all day anyway and forget it’s there for the most part.

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It’s worth noting that it’s IPX-6 Waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. While it’s unlikely you will go underwater with this on, it’s peace of mind that when it gets sweaty or rained on it’s not going to be affected. You also get a lifetime guarantee too, and with the reputation Fenix have for reliable products, it’s no surprise.

Comparison Information

When it comes to comparing the Fenix HP 25 against other headlamps on the market it’s a one-horse race when it comes to power. Knocking out 340 lumens and reaching distances of 525 feet, this is a headlamp to impress with.

The Black Diamond Spot is a highly rated headlamp. It’s a well-designed little unit and its 130 lumens is going to be more than sufficient for most. So if you just want something that is suitable for general nighttime activity around the campsite or reading in your tent I’d check out that model.

Pros

One of the most powerful headlamps on the market
Lifetime guarantee
Bright light with incredibly long distance of sight

Cons

Short battery life
High-end price point

Insider Tips

A simple bit of advice I can give you that will go a long way; You are unlikely to need to use the Fenix on max brightness very often, so turning down the brightness will make the batteries last significantly longer.

There are a couple of buttons above the LED lights, one is a spot switch and one is a flood switch. Just toggle through these to find a level of brightness you need. Another tip, you can also tilt the whole headlamp up to 60 degrees to adjust the angle of the beam.

Fenix HP25 Headlamp Summary

I have to state the obvious, this headlamp is going to be just too powerful for a lot of people. But for those who put performance first, or those who enjoy gadgets, this is the headlamp to pick up. As I mentioned in the opening comments, if you don’t have a headlamp yet you don’t know how much easier your life is going to get. For me, they are essential camping items if you’re doing anything other than sleeping when the sun has gone down.

Conclusion

The Fenix HP25 Headlamp comes in first where it counts, in power. It’s well-designed and has a reputation for being reliable. Click the link below to take a closer look and read some customer feedback.