Flashlight Fiesta
Spelunking Special
LED LENSER H7R Rechargeable Head Torch
Price: £12
Manufacturer: LED LENSER
Model: H7R
Power: LED LENSER/Cree High End Diode
Run By: 3x AAA (rechargeables)
Focus Type: Zoom
Modes: 3 + Dimmer Switch
Vendor: Seller via Amazon
Description:
Shipped From: UK
What's in the box?: H7R, 3x AAA Lenser branded rechargeables, Nylon carry pouch with belt loop, charging cable, Plug, instructions,
Easy adjust Focus ring
First Impressions
I looked forward to this arriving especially after using the amazing H7.2.
LENSER seem to make some pretty good head torches so expectations were high for the H7R.
This particular model is discontinued. The H7.2R seems to be its replacement. This basically means that the H7.2 I reviewed is the non rechargeable new version of this. (If that makes sense). - There is a huge difference in features between the two, it would be unfair to compare them. (Which I had originally intended to do.) So I will try my best not to compare if I can.
The package arrived at my door in good time. Shipped From the UK makes buying so much easier. It was well packaged and didn't show any signs of damage.
Inside the box was the H7R neatly packed inside a belt pouch.
Quite how the guys at the factory managed to stuff the head torch in there so neatly is beyond me. It's a nightmare to repack it!
Also inside the main box is a smaller box containing all the charging cables etc.
4x AAA led lenser rechargeables are stowed in the battery compartment. These are ready to go once you removed their outer plastic film.
The H7R featurs an aluminium focussing head, high strength plastic mount and a good quality elasticated head band. Nothing so far looks crap.
To change the focus you simply fell for the small protruding stump of metal just below the lens. A gentle movement left or right adjusts it. Easy to use with gloves on. Easier than the H7.2.
The pouch which comes in the box is nothing special. A cheap flimsy neoprene style thing which does it job of holding the headlamp but it offers little or no protection from accidental knocks. Not a deal breakage by any means 👍
Overall a nice neat little package.
The dimmer switch
Atop the battery pack lives the Dimmer switch handle. (You can't really see it in the picture below) It's basically a potentiometer with a 2" long plastic stick attached. This stick can be moved left to right to obviously increase or decrease the brightness. Once you set the level you want the head lamp will remember this setting after you turn it off etc. This feature works really well and I love it!
Rubberised battery cover
You don't really want water getting into the battery compartment when you're traipsing about on a rainy night.
On this model LENSER decided to use an all-rubber back plate to solve the waterproofing problem.
Acting like one big rubber o-ring this little rubber cover only manages a splashproof rating therefore this head lamp is not waterproof in the normal sense. No dips in the local pond for example!
Testing:
With the Dimmer mode set to its highest the flood beam is clear and bright with a good defined edge. Set the zoom to narrow and the spot is bright and without the shape of the LED.
With the Dimmer set to its lowest position and we get a fire fly mode which provides just enough light to see what you are doing. Probably something like 5 lumens and impossible for my camera to pick it up. Really useful for campsite low light activities.
The Dimmer feature on this headlamp is easy to use and very effective for fine tuning your lighting requirements. I imagine it would be easy to operate if you were wearing gloves.
Dimming is the highlight of this product. (no pun intended!)
Overall then it's not the best headlamp out there but it's certainly not the worst!
Rating: ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 out of 5
Yes they are a discontinued product but for the price you can get these for now, it's silly not to. A great option if you want a good quality Rechargeable headlamp.