Skilhunt H300 Headlamp Review

Skilhunt has introduced the H300 a headlamp with many features of the venerable H04, but a new emitter option and improved build quality.

---

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Skilhunt H300 headlamp product page.

Versions

Quite a few options exist for the Skilhunt H300 headlamp. First, there are two body colors, as you can see above. Black and grey (seen in this review). Secondly, there are two options with regard to what goes over the emitter. There’s a reflector version (which is technically the H300R) and the TIR version (seen in this review). And finally, with any of those configurations are available two emitters CCT options: Cool white and neutral white (seen in this review).

Price

Just the light (any configuration) costs $65.90. There are two cells available, which bump the price to either $74.90 or $75.90.

---

Short Review

The H300 is a clear improvement over the build quality of other Skilhunt headlamps. With that improvement, we see an increase in price too. The price increase stinks just a little bit, pushing this light into competition with some more recognized brand names. However, the package as delivered here is really quite nice. The user interface is interesting and once mastered is very usable.

Long Review

The Big Table

Skilhunt H300
Emitter:	Cree XHP50.2 (Neutral White)
Price in USD at publication time:	$65.90
Cell:	1×18650
Turbo Runtime Graph	High Runtime Graph
LVP?
Switch Type:	E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA):	0.04
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	Proprietary Magnetic
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port
Claimed Lumens (lm)	2200
Measured Lumens (at 30s)	2171 (98.7% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen	3.5
Claimed Throw (m)	141
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	770lux @ 3.161m = 7694cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	175.4 (124.4% of claim)^
Claimed CCT	Neutral White
Measured CCT Range (K)	4950-5800 Kelvin
Item provided for review by:	Skilhunt
All my Skilhunt reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

• Skilhunt H300 Headlamp
• Skilhunt 3100mAh 18650
• Charging cable (USB to proprietary magnetic)
• Nylon pouch
• Lanyard
• Headband and headmount
• Spare o-rings
• Rubber magnet replacement
• Pocket clip
• Manual

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

As I already said above, the H300 has a better build quality than the Skilhunt H03 or H04 – both of those (or “either” of those) are headlamps you should probably already have. The H300 is better. While it’s hard to explain why that is, it’s obvious in hand. It’s just better.

The H300 does retain many of the design features of previous Skilhunt headlamps, including deep cooling fins in the back of the head.

The tailcap is easy to remove and reveals fairly short and anodized threads.

Here you can see the beefy tailcap spring, and also the magnet. The spring is removable as is the magnet. Skilhunt includes a rubber “magnet delete” for replacing that magnet. It’s a nice touch that probably 1% of users will actually use.

Size and Comps

Length 104.7mm / 4.12 inch
Head diameter 25.2mm / 0.99 inch
Body diameter 21.6mm/0.85 inch
Weight: 54g / 1.90 oz (without battery)

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll show that here, too (usually the fourth photo).

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. Mine’s a custom “baked” edition Nichia 219b triple. A very nice 18650 light.

And here’s the light beside my custom engraved TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats.

Here is the H300 along with a few other Skilhunt headlamps.

Retention and Carry

The Skilhunt H300 is primarily a headlamp, so let’s cover that first. The plastic attachment that connects to the headband has a clip in slot for the H300. It’s very easy to use.

As you can see below, there are three band slots, including one that allows an over-the-head band.

The headband is standard Skilhunt, and that’s good.

Skilhunt has very adequately covered how to build this headband, so I’ll just link their video.

 

The second option is, of course, the pocket clip. It’s a good clip. Flexible, and deep carry, and the fitment is very snug.

The clip can really only connect on the head end of the H300, as seen above and below. There is no groove on the tail end.

Also included is a lanyard, which attaches through this little hole in the tailcap.

Separate from the package I received was this nylon mesh pouch. I presume you’ll receive one of these with your order, but I can’t be certain – again it was packaged separately. I do like the pouch.

Finally, and as mentioned above, the tailcap has a magnet. The magnet can hold the H300 securely (and is removable.)

Power and Runtime

The Skilhunt H300 headlamp runs on a single lithium-ion cell. It’s sized for a 18650, and an appropriate cell is included.

Notably, the working voltage mentioned on the H300 product page is 2.8V to 8.4V, so you could likely run two 18350 cells in this light if you wish.

The 18650 fits into the H300 with the positive terminal toward the head, as seen below.

In case you forget that bit of information, there’s a sticker just inside the tube to help.

Here are a few runtime tests. I measure the output barely below the 2200 lumen claim. Note that the output claim is almost certainly for the cool white version, and I have here the neutral white version. It’s a bit of a surprise that the NW version essentially meets the claim of 2200 lumens. I appreciate that. I would guess the CW version has output quite higher than this!

Charging

The Skilhunt H300 also has built-in charging, just like the other H04 headlamps. This charging is by way of a magnetic charge port in the top of the light.

A proprietary cable is included. This is the same type as is used on other Skilhunt lights, so if you’ve “bought in,” you’ll be all set to use this on your other Skilhunts, too.

The charger also has a little indicator as well – while charging, the indicator is red. When complete, it’s blue.

Modes and Currents

Mode	Mode Claimed Output (lm)	Claimed Runtime	Measured Lumens	Tailcap Amps
T1	2200/820/570	1m/90m/50m	2171	5.75
T2	1300/650/430	3m/120m/50m	1263	2.58
H	480/300	200m/50m	484	0.80
M1	160	12h	174	0.26
M2	45	55h	39	0.06
L1	5	350h	5.8	13.05mA
L2	0.5	–	0.6	4.44mA

Pulse Width Modulation

One thing to love about these lights is the lack of PWM. No mode has even a ripple of PWM.

Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor.

Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.

User Interface and Operation

The Skilhunt H300 is operated by a single switch. It’s an indicating e-switch on the head. The switch has a silicone cover and is black but still translucent. It requires minimal force and has a positive, quiet actuation. If you’ve had other Skilhunt headlamps, you’ll be very comfortable with this switch.

Here’s a user interface table!

State	Action	Result
Off	Hold	Low mode (L1 or L2 memory)
Off	Click	Regular mode (M1, M2 or H memory)
Any (Except Turbo)	Double Click	Turbo (T1 or T2 memory)
On	Hold	Mode cycle for specific Mode (L1>L2 OR M1>M2>H OR T1>T2 OR S1>S2>S3)
On	Click	Off
Any	Triple Click	Strobe
Off	Click 4x	Lockout
Lockout	Click 2x	Iterate Switch locator beacon (two red blinks)
Lockout	Click 4x	Unlock to Low memory
Turbo group	Double click	Regular mode (M1, M2, or H memory)

LED and Beam

In the Skilhunt H300 headlamp is a Cree XHP50.2 emitter. I have the TIR version, but also available is a reflector version.

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

The CCT here is claimed as “neutral white.” I measure this at around 5000K, which is reasonably NW. 5000K is a great CCT for general use. The CRI here is lower than I’d like to see, but that’s probably standard for a Cree XHP50.2.

Beamshots

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Conclusion

What I like

• Great build quality
• Cell is available with the purchase
• User interface allows access to many options from off
• Working voltage up to 8.4V, so can use 18350×2 (but probably not with an output bump)
• Reflector and TIR options
• Good headband and connector
• Many carry options

What I don’t like

• Price creep from the original Skilhunt headlamps
• Proprietary magnetic charging

---

Notes

• This content originally appeared at zeroair.org.  Please visit there for the best experience!
• For flashlight-related patches, stickers, and gear, head over to PhotonPhreaks.com!
• Please use my amazon.com referral link to help support zeroair.org!
• Please support me on Patreon! I deeply appreciate your support!