Nitecore UT27 Headlamp Review

Nitecore’s latest headlamp, the Nitecore UT27 Headlamp, offers a lot that paddlers will get excited about. I got my hands on a pre-release copy of the headlamp and this review will focus on my initial impressions.

The Nitecore UT27 features a waterproof (IP66) and lightweight body with the total weight of 2.61 ounces (74g) including the headlamp, headband, and battery pack. The battery pack has a built-in USB-C charging port, and the headlamp accepts both the rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries. Like many modern headlamps, the UT27 has both a spotlight and a floodlight for different situations. The spotlight uses a 3,000K bulb for a slightly yellow or warmish glow and the floodlight uses a cooler/bluer 5,700K bulb.

Nitecore UT27 Stats		Spotlight		Floodlight		Red Light
	Turbo	High	Low	High	Low	Constant	Flashing
Lumens	520	400	100	200	55	16	16
Battery Life (hours)*	–	6	10	8	13	6	60
Throw (meters)	103m	128	65	31	16	18

Nitecore UT27 Use and Functions

To turn on the light, you long press either the button for the spotlight or floodlight. A long press turns on in the low mode. To change between the low and high modes, you short press the button again. You can switch between the spotlight or floodlight with a short push of the other button. A long push turns off the light.

Turbo mode provides the maximum lumens for 30 seconds. To activate turbo, when the light is on you double push either button. Basically, turbo turns on both lights for a brief maximum output that combines the features of a spot and floodlight.

A red light turns one when you double press either button when the Nitecore UT27 is turned off. A second short push turns on the blinking light function and a long push turns off the red light.

There’s also a lockout function, so the light doesn’t accidentally turn on in one of your dry bags. To activate it long press both buttons. Once the floodlight flashes, it’s locked out. To turn it off, you long press both buttons again.

Finally, you can check the battery level by short pressing either button when the headlamp is turned off. Three flashes of the red light means the power is over 50%. Two flashes is that it is below 50%. One flash is below 10%.

Rechargeable Batteries

The headlamp comes with a 1,300mAh rechargeable battery. To charge it, you open the flashlight and either leave to battery in the headlamp or pull the battery and then plug a USB-C charger into the battery. In the field, you could carry and charge the headlamp with the Nitecore NB10000 Ultra Lightweight Energy Brick, which Nitecore claims is “the world’s most compact and lightest” 10,000mAh battery pack. It weighs 5.29 ounces (150g). I carried a NB10000 on a recent Boundary Waters trip and used it to charge camera batteries, but didn’t need it to charge the UT27. It works well.

Short of carrying a recharger on longer trips, you can always carry an extra rechargeable battery or AAA batteries if you think you might need extra power.

Initial Impressions

I’ve had this new headlamp for about three weeks as I write this initial review. I’ve used it camping, during hikes into photography locations and during night photography. It provides ample light for all my uses. I really like the 3,000K color temp of the spotlight. As a photographer, I find that 3,000K gives a nice warm and yellow look when using it to add a splash of light to scenes. There are also health issues with color temps higher than 3,000k. The International Dark-Sky Association covers the issues well. It’s nice to see companies adding 3,000K and lower color temps to headlamps.

While I didn’t paddle with it, based on how I used it I expect it would be plenty bright for canoeing or kayaking at night. Honestly, I don’t paddle at night anymore unless it’s on a calm inland lake to paddle out and look at the stars. If you do paddle at night often, you could add the Nitecore NU05 to the back of the band to provide a white light pointing backwards to help your paddling partners see you from behind. The NU05 also has blinking functions in red and white. While you won’t want to use those on the water unless it’s an emergency, they do work on the back of a bicycle.

The only thing that I missed in this headlamp is a lower output mode that offers a dimmer light and longer battery life for use while playing games or reading in the tent or around camp.

If you are looking for a bright, waterproof and rechargeable headlamp for your adventures, the UT27 is worth considering.

• Buy the Nitecore UT27: Amazon.
• Buy the Nitecore NB10000 Power Bank: Amazon
• Buy the Nitecore NU05 Headlamp Mate: Amazon