Hi Barry thank you for your comments... I think this one will be my go to for winter camping. 5 hours runtime at 600 lumen and 200g is a great combo.... ATB Tom
Great review. I really like the look of this. It looks like a great balance between weight, run time and light output. If it had a focusable beam it would be even better. Thanks
Hi John, we both love the focusable beams.. To be fair this light gives a good balance and fab peripheral vision without the wall of sudden darkness of the focusable beams.. I am a little undecided but also love the super tight spot and control of the beam tightness when you can focus it.. mmmm Back to the H7R Core or Signature but then they are a bit heavy for trail 👣 running 🏃♂️ 🤔
Hey thank you for watching and taking the time to comment...This is a great lamp with decent output and amazing run times... The Neo5r is also a great option. Much lighter and amazingly comfortable but not as powerful and also less runtime... ATB and good luck selecting a running headlamp.... Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 hello i own Neo5R and it is not really good for technical downhill trails with 300lm (boost 600lm only 10sec). This is why Neo9R is interesting with 600lm. No need more. But why is there a 200lm mid power mode instead of a 300 or 400? Why there is not simple amovible battery system like Neo10R for exemple? But i will buy it considering it is the most lightweight, comfortable and powerfull headlamp! thanks Tom Heaney Adventure for your reviews!
@@Jerome-H Hey Jerome.. I totally agree with you regarding the step down in the power levels.. All the manufacturers do it.. Silva had a light at 1200lumen and the next setting was 600... I am currently testing the Ledlenser H19R Signature.. Its 1800 lumen and the mid setting is 800.. Very annoying... Yes Ledlenser could be a bit better to regarding modularity and interchangeable batteries.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Finally i own Neo9R since this winter and could test it several times. This is a really good lamp with super light. Battery is more weight than neo5r so need to keep the middle elastic on the top of the head. First one i bought did not work correctly so changed for new one. I noticed the power button doesn't work everytime. Depending on how you push it. Strange. Also now separate battery pack is on sale.
Can you replace the 18650 batteries inside the pack? If not, then this headlamp is pretty much pointless with its battery packs and its unique magnetic charging port (talk about finally making micro usb obsolete). You're better off buying Armytek, Sofirn, Skilhunt, Zebralight, all of which use replaceable 18650 batteries, and some of them even have magnetic charging too which can be used while doing activities. You can buy a cheap rear red light separately to compensate for not getting a "trail running" headlamp.
Hi Erwin, thank you for bringing these other brands to my attention.. I reviewed this light primarily as a trail running light and it has a number of features for this specific use.. I had a quick look at Armytek and Sofrin lights and perhaps you could point me in the direction of models of these lights designed for trail running... I have discussed the magnetic charging and accept that some like it and some don't.. Also I have asked Ledlenser why they are not using a 18650 battery.. It could be that one 18650 is not powerful enough to give the run times and two may be too heavy...I will update you when I get a response.. ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't your neo9r use a battery pack consisting of two 18650 batteries? Try looking up a Skilhunt H04 Mini, it uses even smaller replaceable batteries thanks to which the headlamp is very light.
@@freezak3864 it possibly does but it's a sealed unit for some reason in the Neo9R... So many brands out there.. many seem to copy each other.. At least Ledlenser design their own.. ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 very true. Its unfortunate how you can't replace 18650 batteries inside the pack, this way the neo9r would've been the perfect headlamp for us trail runners. The way it curently is Ledlenser is just looking for additional money from us buyers and sealing the pack permanently is a shady tactic and definitely does not scream environment friendly. A 30 year old company should know better.
Love past 2 gen led lenser torches i use for ultra running, particularly the 7 year warranty. However, an annoying thing about my NEO10R is that it will start on 600 lumens for a minute but then will automatically reduce down to something approaching 400 thereafter on maximum power. Does the NEO9R do the same thing?
Right that's the key point and a very important one too... On the back of most ledlenser boxes there is a power output and time graph. Eg on my H19R Signature it clearly shows 1800 Lumen out put for 3.5 Hours. BUT on the Ledlenser box for the NEO9R there is no graph. I have moved the light on now so cant test it but as far as I'm aware it doesn't back off. I contacted Ledlenser with your question and the response wasn't 100 percent conclusive but they used the words constant light output.... Back to your neo10R, this has insane runtimes for the power and weight of the unit so backing off the output would explain how this is achieved. The NEO9R doesn't have these insane runtimes so this would again support the theory that it doesn't back off.... I hope that helps. All the very best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks for the detailed reply. 5hrs @ 600 lumen seems to be typical. Petzl's Nao RL has those figures for a very lightweight Headtorch. I got 8 hours + last year with the NEO10R in a race, with supposedly full power of 600 lumens, but in reality a lot less. While that's still insane compared to the previous generation it does feel like a bit of a con. There's times running on technical trails i want that full 600 lumens and there's no way of accessing that instantly without turning the thing off and on again, and for such a limited period.
@@simon7141 Hi I would pick the Neo9R for running and x country Skiing... Its more designed as an activity light while the H7R Core is more general.. The Neo9R is lighter and has better run times and is super stable for sports.. It also has a great spot and flood combination of light without having to adjust it.. I have sold on most of my Ledlenser lights but kept these two as I can't decide which I prefer.. I mainly use them for camping walk ins at night and for that purpose it's such a close call.. But if it was running then the Neo9R would win for its lighter weight and comfort stability... Hope this helps...Tom
Good to see this lightweight, comfortable and really functional headlamp. Good to also see the diversity of reviews you do, Tom. 👍🏼
Hi Barry thank you for your comments... I think this one will be my go to for winter camping. 5 hours runtime at 600 lumen and 200g is a great combo.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Do you prefer Neo09R than MH11 for ultra trail?Similar than 100miles.
Thanks
I like that Tom, the variable battery pack size would be a good addition that they should look at.
Hey thank you Shamus.... Would be a great option.. Tom
Great review. I really like the look of this. It looks like a great balance between weight, run time and light output. If it had a focusable beam it would be even better. Thanks
Hi John, we both love the focusable beams.. To be fair this light gives a good balance and fab peripheral vision without the wall of sudden darkness of the focusable beams.. I am a little undecided but also love the super tight spot and control of the beam tightness when you can focus it.. mmmm Back to the H7R Core or Signature but then they are a bit heavy for trail 👣 running 🏃♂️ 🤔
Thanks for the tips. Looking for a night headlamp for runs. Appreciate you sharing and look forward to more videos. Keep it up!
Hey thank you for watching and taking the time to comment...This is a great lamp with decent output and amazing run times... The Neo5r is also a great option. Much lighter and amazingly comfortable but not as powerful and also less runtime... ATB and good luck selecting a running headlamp.... Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks!
@@TOMHEANEY100 hello i own Neo5R and it is not really good for technical downhill trails with 300lm (boost 600lm only 10sec). This is why Neo9R is interesting with 600lm. No need more. But why is there a 200lm mid power mode instead of a 300 or 400? Why there is not simple amovible battery system like Neo10R for exemple? But i will buy it considering it is the most lightweight, comfortable and powerfull headlamp! thanks Tom Heaney Adventure for your reviews!
@@Jerome-H Hey Jerome.. I totally agree with you regarding the step down in the power levels.. All the manufacturers do it.. Silva had a light at 1200lumen and the next setting was 600... I am currently testing the Ledlenser H19R Signature.. Its 1800 lumen and the mid setting is 800.. Very annoying... Yes Ledlenser could be a bit better to regarding modularity and interchangeable batteries.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 Finally i own Neo9R since this winter and could test it several times. This is a really good lamp with super light. Battery is more weight than neo5r so need to keep the middle elastic on the top of the head. First one i bought did not work correctly so changed for new one. I noticed the power button doesn't work everytime. Depending on how you push it. Strange. Also now separate battery pack is on sale.
Good review Tom
Hey Stewart, thank you for your positive feedback... Tom
Thank you Tom
Welcome.... Tom
Looks like a great quality headtorch Tom, is there any options for red light though?
Hi, no I am afraid no red light options on this one..... ATB Tom
Can you replace the 18650 batteries inside the pack? If not, then this headlamp is pretty much pointless with its battery packs and its unique magnetic charging port (talk about finally making micro usb obsolete). You're better off buying Armytek, Sofirn, Skilhunt, Zebralight, all of which use replaceable 18650 batteries, and some of them even have magnetic charging too which can be used while doing activities. You can buy a cheap rear red light separately to compensate for not getting a "trail running" headlamp.
Hi Erwin, thank you for bringing these other brands to my attention.. I reviewed this light primarily as a trail running light and it has a number of features for this specific use.. I had a quick look at Armytek and Sofrin lights and perhaps you could point me in the direction of models of these lights designed for trail running... I have discussed the magnetic charging and accept that some like it and some don't.. Also I have asked Ledlenser why they are not using a 18650 battery.. It could be that one 18650 is not powerful enough to give the run times and two may be too heavy...I will update you when I get a response.. ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't your neo9r use a battery pack consisting of two 18650 batteries? Try looking up a Skilhunt H04 Mini, it uses even smaller replaceable batteries thanks to which the headlamp is very light.
@@freezak3864 it possibly does but it's a sealed unit for some reason in the Neo9R... So many brands out there.. many seem to copy each other.. At least Ledlenser design their own.. ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 very true. Its unfortunate how you can't replace 18650 batteries inside the pack, this way the neo9r would've been the perfect headlamp for us trail runners. The way it curently is Ledlenser is just looking for additional money from us buyers and sealing the pack permanently is a shady tactic and definitely does not scream environment friendly. A 30 year old company should know better.
Love past 2 gen led lenser torches i use for ultra running, particularly the 7 year warranty. However, an annoying thing about my NEO10R is that it will start on 600 lumens for a minute but then will automatically reduce down to something approaching 400 thereafter on maximum power. Does the NEO9R do the same thing?
Right that's the key point and a very important one too... On the back of most ledlenser boxes there is a power output and time graph. Eg on my H19R Signature it clearly shows 1800 Lumen out put for 3.5 Hours. BUT on the Ledlenser box for the NEO9R there is no graph. I have moved the light on now so cant test it but as far as I'm aware it doesn't back off. I contacted Ledlenser with your question and the response wasn't 100 percent conclusive but they used the words constant light output.... Back to your neo10R, this has insane runtimes for the power and weight of the unit so backing off the output would explain how this is achieved. The NEO9R doesn't have these insane runtimes so this would again support the theory that it doesn't back off.... I hope that helps. All the very best wishes Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks for the detailed reply. 5hrs @ 600 lumen seems to be typical. Petzl's Nao RL has those figures for a very lightweight Headtorch. I got 8 hours + last year with the NEO10R in a race, with supposedly full power of 600 lumens, but in reality a lot less. While that's still insane compared to the previous generation it does feel like a bit of a con. There's times running on technical trails i want that full 600 lumens and there's no way of accessing that instantly without turning the thing off and on again, and for such a limited period.
Whats the best of these headlamps?
This is only one headlamp. My overall favourite is the Ledlenser H7R Core if your asking.... ATB Tom
@@TOMHEANEY100 niice, ill check it out
@@TOMHEANEY100 Would you prefer the H7R Core over the Neo9R for trail running and backcountry skiing?
@@simon7141 Hi I would pick the Neo9R for running and x country Skiing... Its more designed as an activity light while the H7R Core is more general.. The Neo9R is lighter and has better run times and is super stable for sports.. It also has a great spot and flood combination of light without having to adjust it.. I have sold on most of my Ledlenser lights but kept these two as I can't decide which I prefer.. I mainly use them for camping walk ins at night and for that purpose it's such a close call.. But if it was running then the Neo9R would win for its lighter weight and comfort stability... Hope this helps...Tom