The first impression of the lamp is really positive. The use of the rotary and push switches is intuitive and quick. It is pleasant to wear on the head due to its low weight and comfortable headband. The possibility of using a separate power bank also makes the new product particularly interesting. The test timing coincided with almost the brightest time of the year. However, it was dark enough in the forest at night, so the test was conducted during night hikes in the forest.

Produkt test HM75R SUPERRAPTOR 3

User Experience

The lamp is operated with the rotary and push switches on its right side. The rotary switch selects the spotlight, floodlight, or a combination of both. The push switch selects the desired power mode. When the lamp is off, holding the push switch turns on the red light. Pressing the push switch allows you to switch between three different brightness settings of the red light. The red light turns off by holding the push switch or turning on the desired white light with the rotary switch. The battery level can be checked by briefly pressing the push switch when the lamp is off, and the indicator on the lamp body shows the charge level with four LEDs.

Battery and Charge Status

The lamp uses the 18650 battery standard with 3500 mAh capacity. This is not particularly large considering the 21700 standard offering 5000 mAh capacity. The manufacturer likely chose this solution due to the lighter weight of the smaller battery, resulting in a better user experience.

POWER EXTENDER Power Bank

The test also included the new accessory for the SUPERRAPTOR 3, the POWER EXTENDER power bank. This separate power bank represents a completely new design and allows for additional capacity when needed. The POWER EXTENDER attaches to the back of the headband with a belt clip and a short 40 cm charging cable, or alternatively, it can be carried on a belt, in a pocket, or in a backpack with the included long 100 cm charging cable. The power bank can also supply power through the USB-C charging port. The original charging cables can be locked to both the SUPERRAPTOR 3 and the power bank by connecting the charging cable and turning the connector clockwise. This helps prevent the cable from coming loose during use. The charging cable connection is waterproof, so both the lamp and the power bank maintain their waterproof rating when connected. The power bank has a power button with an LED light that allows you to check the battery level when the power bank is not connected to the lamp or another device.

Produkt test HM75R SUPERRAPTOR 3

Product Packaging

The sales package also includes an extra o-ring seal and two quick-release clips for the charging cable to attach the SUPERRAPTOR 3 headband or, for example, to a backpack strap. The use of the smaller battery in the lamp and the separately available power bank with large battery capacity is a very interesting solution that combines a lightweight lamp with the ability to use extra power when needed.

Separate Battery

Initially, I do not find the separate battery for a headlamp convenient because it requires using a charging cable and separate battery placement, making the lamp's use slower and more cumbersome. In this case, the feature is not a disadvantage since the lamp itself has its own battery. Thus, the lamp can be used with both 18650 standard spare batteries and the POWER EXTENDER power bank, making it more versatile.

Uninterrupted Use

The power bank allows uninterrupted use of the lamp when the main battery is depleted, as long as the power bank is connected to the lamp. The manufacturer promises double the usage time compared to using the lamp without the POWER EXTENDER. This estimate seems cautious. Due to the power bank's large 5000 mAh capacity, the theoretical usage time without power transfer losses is up to 2.4 times longer, increasing the capacity by as much as 140%.

Comparison to Other Power Banks

The POWER EXTENDER is advantageous not only for the extended simultaneous usage time but also for its large battery capacity, ability to attach it to both the lamp and pocket/belt/backpack, and power output capability for charging devices such as mobile phones. Additionally, the power bank can potentially enhance the lamp's performance in cold weather as it can be placed in a pocket or other insulation. However, this could not be tested in summer conditions. Compared to other power banks, the POWER EXTENDER combines a compact size, water and dustproof structure, relatively large capacity, replaceable battery, fast charging, and cable locking function with a high-quality metal construction and quick attachment capability. There are not many other power banks on the market that combine all these features.

Battery Replacement

If you do not want to use the power bank but need more battery power, replacing the lamp's battery is quite effortless by opening the battery compartment cover on the left side of the lamp body. The cover is protected from dirt and moisture with an o-ring, and its threads are of very high quality, so battery replacement is quick as long as the battery is correctly inserted, i.e., with the positive terminal (+) inward. The battery compartment is also protected with a gold-plated spring against shocks. These quality features of the battery compartment also apply to the POWER EXTENDER's battery compartment, except for battery placement.

Charging the Lamp and Power Bank

Both the lamp and the power bank's charging ports are protected by a thick, rounded rectangular rubber cover. The structure appears functional, and the rubber cover fits snugly and did not let water through during the test. Charging the lamp with the included USB/USB-C charging cable takes about 3 hours from empty to full with a charging current of 5 W. In contrast, the POWER EXTENDER charges with its own USB-C/USB-C charging cable in about one and a half hours with an 18 W current. In this respect, the power bank's charging is clearly more advanced. We also tested charging the lamp with the power bank's charging cable, drawing power through the intelligent USB-C Power Delivery charging port, and the charging current fluctuated between 4 and 5 W. Thus, using a USB-C/USB-C cable did not improve charging, and the lamp does not have a fast-charging option. I recommend the manufacturer add this feature in the next version of the lamp.

Spotlight

The lamp's spotlight worked best for illuminating slightly more distant objects. The spotlight's lowest power setting was sufficient for light surrounding illumination. The second power setting proved to be the most used. It had enough power for moving along trails, although even with this power setting, you could not see very far. The two highest power settings provided good visibility in the dark forest for spotting and searching. The maximum power setting of 1600 lm is not particularly high compared to similar handheld flashlights, and the spotlight can effectively see only about 100 m in the dark forest. This is understandable as the weight is a limiting factor for a headlamp, and higher light output would require a larger battery capacity. Additionally, the headlamp's purpose differs enough from handheld flashlights that few people would need more power in practice.

Floodlight

The floodlight turned out to be a pleasant surprise for illuminating close surroundings and wide paths. The light pattern is very even and wide, and its power is easily adjustable. The floodlight's lowest power setting was sufficient for walking even on trails. The second power setting provided enough illumination for running. In contrast, the two highest power settings proved to be too bright for this use. The highest power setting is best for spotting, like the spotlight. With its combination of spotlight and floodlight, the lamp is more versatile. The lamp also has a memory function, and it turns on at the same power setting it was last used. The user manual contains this information.

Kombinationsljus

I kombinationsljus-läget används både punktljus och brett ljus samtidigt. Detta möjliggjorde att se bra både nära och långt bort. Kombinationsinställningen var den bästa när terrängen var utmanande och man letade efter rätt väg eller mål. Även användningen av denna inställning var mycket behaglig.

Produkt test HM75R SUPERRAPTOR 3

Red Light

The red light proved to be a functional feature. Using the red light preserves night vision better, and the maximum output of 120 lumens is sufficient for moving through dark forests. The weakness of the red light is that it makes it harder to distinguish the shapes of the terrain while in use. Thus, the red light is not ideal for challenging trails, where correct foot placement determines the difference between progress and injury. In camp conditions, the red light worked well. The lowest power setting was adequate for basic tasks. The middle power setting is suitable for camp conditions as well as for moving calmly in non-technically demanding environments. At the highest power setting, using the red light casts a strong red hue on the immediate surroundings. At this level, the power is sufficient for moving along trails, as long as one remembers the aforementioned limitation regarding the more challenging perception of terrain shapes.

Produkt test HM75R SUPERRAPTOR 3

Automatic Power Reduction

The lamp automatically reduces its power by about 50% after 5 minutes of use on the highest power settings, which increases battery life and prevents the lamp from overheating. I didn't have a meter to measure power consumption during the test. However, the lamp's head temperature increased, suggesting that its brightness reduced as intended. The lamp's own battery was sufficient for a few hours of normal night hiking. The lamp's combined use of a power bank almost doubled its usage time, so the power bank's usage time estimate seems accurate.

Final Verdict

The SUPERRAPTOR 3 is an excellent lamp for night hiking in the forest, and its new features and versatility make it the best choice for more demanding outdoor activities. The power bank is a valuable accessory for the SUPERRAPTOR 3, and its additional capacity and versatile use increase the lamp's versatility even further. The lamp's usability and wearing comfort were very good, and its light output is sufficient for normal night hiking. The lamp's build quality and materials are of high quality, and the new design and usability features are a significant improvement from its predecessor.