Headband Modification For NITECORE NU25 Headlamp

[@__-pl3jg]

Thanks for sharing! I used 1/16" shock cord instead of the heftier 1/8" in this video. Because the lamp is so light weight the thinner cord is strong enough to secure the lamp perfectly. Now I'm able to wrap the cordage around the lamp forehead clip while not in use so nothing dangles or tangles in my pack. I absolutely adore this headlamp! I'm going to sell my Petzl Actik core on Ebay because I know i'll never use it again.

[@WILDONTHETRAIL]

Thanks Sara! I’m sitting here preparing mine for my AT2020 attempt. I searched for headlamp modifications and yours was the first to pop up. Take care!

[@lauragalvan2860]

Thanks Sara for this video! This was a great modification. I found the shock cord headband to be much more comfortable than the stock headband. I always feel like headlamp headbands squeeze my head too much, no matter how I adjust them. And it's feather light!

[@brimstone33]

Used a 1 inch wide "Halo" brand sweatband to replace the stock band, much lighter and works flawlessly. With either band it is possible to thread it through the horizontal slot in the angle bracket so ti won't fall off. I put some "glow in the dark" duck tape on it to find it in the dark. I'll try your mod, though, with glow in the dark bungee cord. Thanks.

[@jflow53569]

I have the same headlamp and bought the Litesmith mod for it. Litesmith has the shock cord weaving through the holes on the mounting bracket. Your mod is pretty much exactly what the Litesmith mod is. A bonus is that the Litesmith mod comes already done on a mounting bracket. So, all you have to do is remove the headlamp original mounting bracket and attach the Litesmith mounting bracket and mod. Great videos by the way!

[@SaraHikesNH]

jflow53569 great to know! In no way was I trying to ‘dis them...I love their store and products...this just came together easily in my head. I would eagerly tell everyone to shop with them. Again, thanks for the feedback and support!

[@deAndaJake]

Thank you for sharing! I didn’t even know a company made these! And I got to pick my own color :)

[@jantomaszrogala4230]

hey Sara, I just made one shock cord(top one) with the toggle behind, works perfect, without complication of extra cords and knots to deal with and 30gr as a result

[@chuckmckenney4491]

I just got one of these! I have been testing it out walking the pup in the mornings. So far I really like it. I have been looking at making this strap modification as well but using aluminium crimping sleeves instead of the knots.

[@SaraHikesNH]

Good luck with your project! I"m a little concerned the battery life on this may bother me - are you having to recharge it frequently?

[@chuckmckenney4491]

I have not had it turned on a whole lot when walking the pup. Just for clean up duties and I use the red light while crossing a certain field to let others know that someone is out there. So far it is still on the first charge after two weeks. I will start giving it a more extensive test for battery life.

[@chuckmckenney4491]

@@SaraHikesNH Update on the battery life. During a recent backpack trip I had to hike out in the middle of the night during a new moon so it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. I used the NU25 on the 190 lumen setting for that hike which took about 2 hours and it performed wonderfully. Love this thing so far.

[@SaraHikesNH]

@@chuckmckenney4491 oh this is so encouraging! I have been reading to not leave it in the highest setting as it drains the batteries quickly - but so happy to hear you are having good success. I still have not had the opportunity to use it "in the field" as I've only been doing day hikes...NH suddenly hit winter very quickly and abruptly! Thanks for the good news - so appreciated!

[@perryrush5378]

Thanks, I was just trying to buy the cords if they existed and this will help.

[@FreedomOnFoot]

Thanks Sara, very useful video. I’ve just bought the NU25 as well and want to make this same mod. Good run through here on how to do that. 👍

[@JRoss707]

Just received my Nitecore 25 lamp. I had plenty of cord and a lock to to the hack, but gosh, the stock headband is the most comfortable headband I have used. It stays snug and is very soft. Now I’m sure the .7ounce difference in weight will more than likely make my head tip over when I’m hiking so I’ll have to train a bit to overcome that. But, I can’t understand why anyone would not like that stock headband.

[@clausvilliam]

Looks very nice 👌😊, I'm gonna try do it too. Just one question... You say the top cord is the prominent cord, but I'm a bit confused because it looks like the bracket is upside down, but I'm not sure. So just to be sure... Which cord is the prominent when the bracket is placed correctly on the forehead? Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰😊

[@SaraHikesNH]

Doesn't really matter when you are wearing it - it is more important when you are making the project so you don't cut a set of long cords too short :) You will want one cord long so the others can slide on it.

[@clausvilliam]

@@SaraHikesNH 👍 I just want it to be as pro looking as yours 😉

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks for the DIY it works great.

[@SaraHikesNH]

So glad to hear this! It was perfect on my thru hike!

[@danielkutcher5704]

@@SaraHikesNH ..

[@nedanother9382]

exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much

[@underdogontheappalachiantr9646]

Good seeing you...appreciate the hack...hope all is going well.. thanks again Underdog

[@robopecha]

hmmm.. the sliding knots remind me of those wristbands we used to make as kids. dont they only make sense if you use only one long cord, no toggle in the back and the knots are both ends of the same cord? if you have a second cord it is basically just for comfort/stability, right? so the knots dont really have to slide, right?

[@cheesecake1003]

Hi Sara. Loved your mod so I tried it since I have this lamp and quite dislike the bulky strap that came with it. From Litesmith I bought six feet of 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) shock cord and Mini cord lock. Followed your directions (had 10 inches of leftover shock cord so buying 6 feet was perfect for this mod) and voila, uber SUL headlamp. Thank you very much!

[@mikelisacarb]

Good to see a source for this. Many thanks.

[@DARTHDANSAN]

Hi does this make the headlamp feel super snug ?? That’s what I’m looking for in aftermarket option . I love the head lamp just not the head band , just got it free days ago

[@Mikegritton]

Thanks for the video, I followed it step by step.

[@homesteadingminimalist7191]

Hahaaaa. I just proved this method is dummy proof. Yipeee! Works great!

[@sweetbodhisoul891]

Nice vid! How much shock cord did you end up using (approximately in inches)? thanks!

[@SaraHikesNH]

I don't really know - but if you had 3 feet I'm sure it would be more than enough :)

[@sweetbodhisoul891]

OK thank you for the input. That is about what I was thinking! @@SaraHikesNH

[@lrrana2103]

Hi Sara - just wondering what size cord you used - I have 1/8 but wondering if it is too light?

[@SaraHikesNH]

lrrana2103 I would give it a try...I don’t have the measurements of what I used (just used what I found in my supply drawer)...if it turns out to be too light you can go up a size to 1/4...and consider your first run a trial! Good luck and I hope this size works for you!

[@Adam_Newman]

Great Headlamp, I don’t see the problem with the original head band , I enjoy it just as it is, seems the cord would be uncomfortable to me, just wondering what all the fuss is about over the factory one

[@BohemianAdventurers]

It's a weight issue. Oz add up to pounds really fast when you are thru-hiking.

[@randyholloway920]

What size shock cord?

[@yoxisem544]

Awesome work!!!!

[@KuntryRD]

Pretty sweet!

[@christianseguin8732]

You are awesome

[@bahamajim1998]

Nice video sara

[@nathansharp3193]

Can you let me know how the NU-25 is holding up after two years? Do you still use it? I'm thinking real hard about getting one.

[@jankupka8540]

I am using mine almost two years and it is still great

[@BohemianAdventurers]

@@jankupka8540 How long does one charge last on it?

[@jankupka8540]

@@BohemianAdventurers After those two years, the battery is a little weaker, but it's not terrible. I guess it's 10% worse or something like that

[@trailnamejasper9457]

Thank you.

[@somedavehikes]

nice job, thanks!

[@tomkajah8476]

I don't get it, on the website for the Nitecore NU25 it lists the headlamp at 28g and with your mod it increased to 34g, why the effort?

[@SaraHikesNH]

Kaiser24 I’m guessing their weight is without a headband, just the actual light.

[@adkeric]

the headlamp without the strap that comes with it is 28g. With the strap it's 51g.

[@Dgk23]

Because those handful of grams will break your back on a long trip😂

[@Umi-imU-We-Are-One]

I don't think those cords embedded across my forehead would feel comfortable at all.

[@randyholloway920]

Half of what you’re raliking about is out of the camera shot. You don’t need the slip knots, you have a toggle