NiteHawk Eco Headlamp Review
The new kid on the block, NiteHawk, a Canadian outfit, enters the lamp fray with a proprietary light “emitter” that its designers say is “beyond the LED”—and will “replace existing lighting in the not-so-distant future.”
Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
NiteHawk Eco |
$79.95 | nite-hawk.com
Weight (with batteries): 10.8 ounces
Batteries: 4 AA Light Settings: 2
Burn time: 10 to 96 hours
The new kid on the block, NiteHawk, a Canadian outfit, enters the lamp fray with a proprietary light “emitter” that its designers say is “beyond the LED”—and will “replace existing lighting in the not-so-distant future.”
For sure, the Eco is the brightest headlamp I’ve used, LED or otherwise. This powerhouse throws a searchlight-like blast farther than I can even see. And it should. Powered by four AA batteries and sporting a plum-sized light housing, this is the largest and heaviest headlamp, more so even than my old Petzl Zoom. The bulk and heft are somewhat offset by a battery life of between 10 and 96 hours. (As with all headlamps, longevity varies by brightness level and battery type.) At its brightest setting, the Eco runs all night. At its dimmest (10 percent) setting, you can power through the Old Testament, though with some eye strain. A mid-range setting, one that would burn for 50 hours but at half the brightness, would be a welcome improvement, as would shedding ounces by trimming the beefy harness and scaling down the heavy-gauge wiring.