Skilhunt H300R V3 Cree XHP50.3 HI Headlamp Review
Skilhunt introduced the H300R, a headlamp with great lineage, and now with the updated user interface, a reflector, and throwy Cree emitter!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a ShareASale link to the Skilhunt H300R V3 Cree XHP50.3 HI headlamp product page.
Versions
Quite a few options exist for the Skilhunt H300R 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 (technically the H300R, seen here) and the TIR version (seen in this review). And finally, with any of those configurations are available multiple emitter options: Cree XHP50.2 CW, Cree XHP50.2 High CRI, Cree XHP50.2 NW, Cree XHP50.3 HI (seen here), and Nichia 144AR High CRI.
Price
As seen in this review, the Skilhunt H300R Cree headlamp is $80.90. That includes the 3500mAh 18650, too!
Short Review
The H300R is a clear improvement over the build quality of previous 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 what I’d consider “great” but you might need to play around with it. And finally, the emitter options! The Nichia 144AR emitter is fantastic and I’m glad to see Skilhunt using it so much (remember that M300 I tested with that emitter?) but if you need more throw, the Cree XHP50.3 HI emitter option seen here is great, too!
Long Review
The Big Table
| Skilhunt H300R Cree XHP50.3 HI Headlamp | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Cree XHP50.3 Hi (Cool White) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $80.90 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| Quiescent Current (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | Proprietary Magnetic |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | with cell: all modes without cell or tailcap: lowest 5 modes |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2050 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1964 (95.8% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 5.3 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 195 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 497lux @ 4.72m = 11072cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 210.5 (107.9% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6500 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 6200-7000 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 H300R Cree headlamp
- Skilhunt 3500mAh 18650
- Charging cable (USB to proprietary magnetic)
- 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 H300R 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 H300R is better. While it’s hard to explain why that is, it’s obvious in hand. It’s just better. This version seems to differ only in emitter from the other H300 I tested a good while back – the H300 with Cree XHP50.2 in Neutral white. Skilhunt doesn’t seem to always label their webpages with “V2” or “V3” though, so I’m unsure if this is only an emitter difference, or a version change, too.
The tailcap is easy to remove and reveals fairly short and anodized threads.
The tailcap has a beefy tailcap spring, and also a 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 also show that (usually in 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.
Also above on the left is a new feature light!! Laulima Metal Craft sent this Todai in tumbled aluminum for some size comparison photos like the ones above. Laulima has a bunch of incredible items. I’ve tested one (the Laulima Metal Craft Hoku) (the official site for Hoku is here) that was a Friend Fund Friday review. I was impressed enough by that Hoku that I bought a Laulima Metal Craft Diamond Slim (also in tumbled aluminum) (review is upcoming!) These lights by Laulima have impeccable build quality and not only that, they’re quite configurable. There are some (great, actually) default configurations, but Joshua Dawson (of Laulima Metal Craft) is open to ideas and emitter options and the like. I haven’t reviewed this Todai, but I have to say, it feels absolutely fantastic and I love it thus far. (Notably, I love how warm and eggy those emitters look through the TIR.)
Below you can see the H300 V3 (which I just tested) beside the H300R V3 (on the left). They are identical in the body as far as I can tell, and even have the same printing (that is to say that the H300R does not get labeled with an “R” in the name).
Retention and Carry
The Skilhunt H300R Cree 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 H300R. 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 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 H300R, 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.
The removable magnet in the tailcap is also perfectly sufficient to hold the H300R.
Power and Runtime
The Skilhunt H300R Cree headlamp runs on a single lithium-ion cell. It’s sized for a 18650, and an appropriate cell is included. It’s possible to buy two cells – a 3100mAh capacity, and a 3500mAh capacity. My testing is with this 3500mAh version.
Notably, the working voltage mentioned on the H300R 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 H300R 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 wouldn’t say there’s anything super surprising here. Output is very stable once a stepdown has happened, and low voltage protection is observed. There’s also a low voltage warning in the indicating e-switch. The switch also indicates the power level upon turning the H300R on. The indication it gives indicates the power level as follows:
Blue constant: 100-80% power
Blue blinking: 80-50% power
Red constant: 50-20% power
Red blinking: 20-0% power
Charging
The Skilhunt H300R Cree headlamp also has built-in charging, just like the other H04 headlamps. This charging is by way of a magnetic charge port at the top of the light. Here’s the black body (I didn’t get a photo of the grey one, yeek!)
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.
This is the “MC-20” version, though, which is advanced over some previous versions, like the MC-10. I think charging is a bit faster here.
The charger also has a little indicator as well – while charging, the indicator is red. When complete, it’s blue. Again, the shot below is the black body, but the charger works the same way for both.
You might think that the MC-20 charges this 18650 too fast – faster than you probably usually charge your 18650 cells. But this is a 3500mAh cell, so even charging at 2A is just barely over 0.5C (where “C” is charging current/capacity, or 1.91/3.5). That is to say, the max measured of 1.91A is around 0.55C. Around 1C is often regarded as the “faster side” of charging and 0.5C is regarded as “extends cell life” charging rate (the slower rate).
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | 2050 + 730 + 500 | 1m/90m/50m | 1964 | 5.34 |
| T2 | 1150 + 580 + 380 | 3m/120m/50m | 1082 | 2.30 |
| H1 | 420 + 270 | 200m/50m | 397 | 0.72 |
| M1 | 140 | 12h | 139 | 0.24 |
| M2 | 35 | 55h | 28 | 0.04 |
| L1 | 4.5 | 350h | 5.2 | ~ (low) |
| L2 | 0.5 | – | 0.6 | ~ (low) |
Pulse Width Modulation
One thing to love about these lights is the lack of PWM. No mode has even a ripple of PWM.
For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. Also, here’s the light with the worst PWM I could find. I’m adding multiple timescales, so it’ll be easier to compare to the test light. Unfortunately, the PWM on this light is so bad that it doesn’t even work with my normal scale, which is 50 microseconds (50us). 10ms. 5ms. 2ms. 1ms. 0.5ms. 0.2ms. In a display faster than 0.2ms or so, the on/off cycle is more than one screen, so it’d just (very incorrectly) look like a flat line. I wrote more about this Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight and explained a little about PWM too.
User Interface and Operation
The Skilhunt H300R Cree 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.
The user interface could be a bit daunting, but it’s very straightforward when you get used to it. It’s also very logical and provides access to low from off, which is as close to a requirement from a user interface as I have.
Here’s a UI table! Note that this is the same user interface as is on the recent M300 lights, and likely many of the other new-generation Skilhunt lights. That’s fine because I love it, and I also love the delivery of a consistent and reliable user experience. (Also it’s super nice to be able to just copy the already-written table into this post.)
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Hold | Low (Memory between L1 and L2) |
| L1 or L2 | Hold | Iterate between L1 and L2 |
| L1 or L2 | Click 2x | No change in level |
| Off | Click 4x | Lockout (Three blinks of main emitters to confirm and the switch turns red briefly) |
| Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock to Low group (memory, can be L1/L2) |
| Lockout | Click 2x | Iterate lockout indicator^ |
| Lockout | Hold | Momentary Output (Appears to be approximately L1) |
| L1/L2 | Click | Off |
| Off | Click | On in “Main Group” (Mode memory M2/M1/H) |
| Main Group | Hold | Mode advance (M2 > M1 > H) |
| Main Group | Click | Off |
| Main Group or Off | Click 2x | Turbo Group (Mode memory T1/T2) |
| T1/T2 | Hold | Iterate between T1 (higher) and T2 (lower) output |
| T1/T2 | Click | Off |
| T1/T2 | Click 2x | Main Group (memory output) |
| Main Group or Off | Click 3x | Strobe Group (with memory) |
| Strobe Group | Click 3x | Previous Group (T1/T2 or M2/M1/H, depending on how you accessed Strobe Group)^^ |
| Strobe Group | Click 2x^^^ | Strobe Advance (S1 > S2 > S3)† |
| Strobe Group | Hold | No result |
^ Lockout indicator blinks a red switch every 2-3 seconds.
^^ Aside from just general mode memory (which you know I don’t like) this seems to me to be the only place where you may need to immediately remember what mode you were in so you have the experience you expect. However, the difference is getting the two highest white outputs, or the three main white outputs – it won’t be that dramatic even if you don’t remember. Also note that if you access the strobe group from off, triple-clicking will not return to off. For continuity, it should! In fact, if you accessed the strobe from an off state, a triple-click sends the light to the Main group!
^^^ Seems like the strobe group is the only group that isn’t advanced by a hold. Since there’s no hold anywhere else into or out of Strobe, I am not sure why that user interface continuity wasn’t maintained here.
† Strobes are like this:
S1: Disorienting strobe of White (turbo, ish)
S2: SOS (main white, some mid-High output)
S3: Beacon (one highish blink every second or so)
LED and Beam
Skilhunt offers quite a few emitter options for the H300R headlamp. In this test, it’s the Cree XHP50.3 HI emitter, which is 6500K and domeless. It’s a very good emitter for a throwy headlamp.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
Both the CCT and CRI are seen in the images below. The light is rated at 6500K. The Duv is slightly positive but then bends toward the pinker side of things (negative Duv) when driven hard (on Turbo).
Beamshots
These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.
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
- Many emitter options!
What I don’t like
- Price creep from the original Skilhunt headlamps
- Proprietary magnetic charging
Notes
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