Skilhunt H200 Cool White Headlamp Review
The Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp is rechargeable and uses two Cree XP-G4 emitters. Check out the 6500K data – a great option for higher output!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp product page.
Versions
Three body colors are available: orange, green, and black. Those are available with two emitter choices: Cree XP-L2 HD in 6500K (seen here), as well as a Nichia 519a emitter. That Nichia option is broken down even further into 4500K and 3000K options. Two kits are available too, and they vary only in that an 18650 is included (or not).
Price
Pricing on the Skilhunt H200 headlamp starts at $59.90 but based on the options you select, it might go up to $75.90. Nichia and with 18650 are the most costly.
What’s Included
- Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp
- Skilhunt 3500mAh 18650
- Charging cable (USB to proprietary magnetic)
- Headband and headmount
- Spare o-rings (2)
- Pocket clip
- Lanyard
- Rubber magnet blank (replacement)
- Manual
Package and Manual
Both Nichia boxes get a special sticker on the side. The Cree version does not! (Well it sort of does, since the cool white is the only box that uses the cool white radio button, as seen above.)
Build Quality and Disassembly
This “H” series from Skilhunt is fairly familiar by now. For example, the H300R is just about the same light with just one emitter. I like that one a lot (in fact, I love Skilhunt lights in general). The H150 is another “H” option too – a 14500/AA light with just one emitter.
As seen in many of these photos – I have all three emitter options and all body colors. Yesterday it was the green version (and before that, orange!) but today I’m presenting test results from the black-body 6500K emitter version. Many of the serial photos will be of the orange version, with enough of the black body to give you a good idea of how it looks.
If there’s interest, maybe I’ll make a fourth post on the lights but with a direct comparison (photos) of the difference in output. (All of you’ll be able to see here, but maybe a summary post would be useful too.)
And to not have a TON of repetitive photo editing, photos like this will be reused. The data is what’s important. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
The tailcap has a big spring as well as a strong magnet. These threads are quite smooth, too.
There’s a spring in the head, too.
We could talk about the brand name change from Skilhunt to Eskte; I still don’t know why they needed to do that! “Skillhunt” works just fine for me and plenty of perfectly reasonable reasons for not switching to ESKTE were brought up. But that’s what Skilhunt did, so here we are. I will say, in this post, I’ll freely refer to this as the Skilhunt H200, because there’s clear Skilhunt branding on this light. When the change is complete I suppose I’ll start calling the brand “ESKTE.”
Size and Comps
103.7mm x 23.5mm x 23.5mm and 49g without the cell.
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+. The version you see below is a custom Convoy S2+ host that’s been laser engraved by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Retention and Carry
The Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp is primarily a headlamp, so let’s cover that first. The headband is standard Skilhunt, and that’s good.
The plastic attachment that connects to the headband has a clip-in slot for the H200. 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.
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 (despite being a two-way clip?). Flexible, and deep carry, and the fitment is very snug.
It’ll go on the head or tail but the best option is the tail, as seen below.
Also included is a lanyard, which attaches through this little hole in the tailcap.
You can use the lanyard while the Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp is in the headmout, too! I don’t know why you would but… Maybe a sort of secondary containment.
Skilhunt also (separately) included these mesh bags. I think you’d get one of these with an order, but mine did ship outside the flashlight box!
The removable magnet in the tailcap is also perfectly sufficient to hold the H200 (but not pictured!).
Power and Runtime
The Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp runs on a single lithium-ion cell. It’s sized for a 18650 and an appropriate cell is included.
The 18650 fits into the H200 with the positive terminal toward the head, as seen below. Unlike some other 18650 Skilhunts, this one has a max voltage of 4.2V, so no doubling cells in here!
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. As you should expect, this 6500K (cooler than 4500k, much cooler than 3000K) achieves higher output, but the profile is exactly the same.
The switch indicates the power level upon turning the H200 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 H200 cool white headlamp also has built-in charging, just like other “H” Skilhunt headlamps. This charging is by way of a magnetic charge port at 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. This is the “MC-20” version charging cable. There’s a bit of weirdness in the charging cycle on this version, in one test but it still is overall ok.
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). So don’t worry!
Modes and Currents
Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
---|---|---|---|---|
T1 | 1600+510 +175 | 1m/180m/30m | 1724 (0s) 1677 (30s) |
5.48 |
T2 | 860 +510 +175 | 5m/175m/30m | 875 | 1.98 |
H1 | 510 +175 | 185m/30m | 485 | 0.95 |
M1 | 175 | 10.5h | 170 | 0.29 |
M2 | 50 | 55h | 53 | 0.10 |
WR | 45 | 30h | 47 | 0.11 |
L2 | 1 | 28h | 0.5 | ~ (low) |
Red High | 125 | 30h | 170 | 0.82 |
Red Low | 12 | 28h | 17 | 0.07 |
Pulse Width Modulation
One thing to love about these lights is the lack of PWM. Only the weird “mix” mode (which is “L1” I think – one of the lows, anyway) has some weirdness. I’m not sure it’s PWM, and I don’t think it’ll be visible to you, either.
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 H200 cool white headlamp 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 user interface is nearly the same as other Skilhunt lights with a switch that looks like this but there’s the wrinkle of that red emitter.
State | Action | Result |
---|---|---|
Off | Hold | Low (Memory between WR/L2 or Red Low/Red High) |
Red Low/Red High | Hold | Iterate between Red Low/Red High |
WR or L2 | Hold | Iterate between WR and L2 |
WR or L2 | Click 2x | Iterate between L2 and WR and Red Group |
Off | Click 4x | Lockout (Three blinks of main emitters to confirm and the switch turns red briefly) |
Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock to L2 |
Lockout | Click 2x | Iterate lockout indicator^ |
Lockout | Hold | Momentary Output of L2 |
Any | Click | Off |
Off | Click | On in “Main Group” (Mode memory M2/M1/H1) |
Main Group | Hold | Mode advance (M2 > M1 > H1) |
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 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 (Fast alternating strobe) > S2 (red SOS) > S3 (Red blinking))† |
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
To achieve the high output claim, Skilhunt has used a Cree XP-G4. This one is rated at 6500K. The light uses a triple TIR (I do not know if it’s a standard Carclo optic).
Very special thanks to Skilhunt for sending all three CCTs – that’s great support from the manufacturer! I said I’d probably like the 3000K best – and I really do. It’s so very right; it’s a great nightlight! I do appreciate that they offer a high-output option as well, though.
The red emitter is the same across all bodies and main emitter combinations.
I should have captured the “WR” mode here too – it’s a mix of Red Low and the lowest white output. You can see that most clearly in the (second) CRI chart below.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
The CCT is around what Skilhunt states – warmer than, but near, 6500K. CRI is low, at around 70.
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. You can see in the second photo below (both sets) where there’s the “WR” – mixed. It’s neat, but … I am not sure why you’d need this. The novelty is fun if nothing else!
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!
Summary and Conclusion
While I’ll call the 3000K version of H200 my favorite and the 4500K is a very close second, I do very much appreciate the high(er) output option that this Cree version offers. I don’t think you even have to be a “lumen chaser” to want this version – if you just don’t care about CRI or warm output, this “6500K” (but really much more neutral – warmer – than 6500K) is probably going to be the choice for you. It offers the same great user interface, a red secondary emitter, the levels – everything. I don’t love the proprietary charging but you don’t even have to use that! You can charge the cell in a bay charger. The Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp is a great light!
Skilhunt H200 cool white headlamp | |
---|---|
Emitter: | Cree XP-G4 (Cool White) |
Price in USD at publication time: | $59.90 |
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: all modes except T1 |
Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1600 |
Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1677 (104.8% of claim)^ |
Candela per Lumen | 3.07 |
Claimed Throw (m) | 141 |
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 276lux @ 4.728m = 6170cd |
Throw (Calculated) (m) | 157.1 (111.4% of claim)^ |
Claimed CCT | 6500 |
Measured CCT Range (K) | 5300-6000 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 I like
- Great build quality
- Cell is available with the purchase
- User interface allows access to many options from off
- Good headband and connector
- Many carry options
- Many (3) emitter options!
What I don’t like
- Price creep from the original Skilhunt headlamps
- Proprietary magnetic charging (but the cell can still charge in slot chargers!)
Notes
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