The Sofirn HS21 headlamp delivers a powerful and versatile lighting experience, setting a new standard in portable illumination. This comprehensive review delves into the HS21's design, features, and performance, providing a detailed assessment of its capabilities in various real-world scenarios. From its robust all-aluminum construction to its innovative rotary switch and touchless control, we explore every aspect of this feature-rich headlamp. We'll examine its impressive brightness and beam profile, evaluate its multiple lighting modes, and analyze its battery life and heat management.This review covers everything from unboxing and initial impressions to in-depth performance testing, highlighting both the strengths and minor drawbacks of the HS21. We'll discuss the accuracy of the manufacturer's runtime claims and assess the overall user experience. Ultimately, we aim to determine whether the Sofirn HS21 lives up to its promise as a powerful, versatile, and feature-rich headlamp, and whether it's a worthwhile investment for outdoor enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
Pros And Cons
- All aluminum body, nicely made
- Rotary switch with nice detents and tactile feedback
- Touchless settings using infrared motion detection
- Red light mode twice as bright as HS42 (100 lumens)
- Each mode remembers last brightness setting
- Lock mode available
- Bright illumination in spot and flood modes, reaching up to 40 yards
- Turbo and high modes' runtimes varied from stated specs
- Turbo mode reached 48°C (very hot) after 8 minutes
- High mode reached 50°C (extremely hot) after extended use
- Packaging arrived damaged
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The Sofirn HS21 arrived in less-than-perfect condition, showing signs of damage from shipping. The packaging was significantly worse than previous Sofirn products I've reviewed. Despite the rough handling, all components were present: the headlamp itself, headband, O-rings, USB-C charging cable, and manual.
The headlamp's all-aluminum body feels sturdy and well-constructed. The initial impression is one of a high-quality product, even with the damaged box. The design is distinct and modern, a departure from Sofirn's previous models, prompting some curiosity about the user experience.
Design and Features
The HS21 boasts a unique rotary switch instead of traditional buttons, offering a smooth and satisfying tactile feedback. This innovative design provides intuitive brightness control and mode selection. The lens incorporates TIR (Total Internal Reflection) technology, producing a bright and even beam profile with both spot and flood modes.
Beyond the rotary switch, the HS21 includes a touchless control feature. A triple-click activates the infrared sensor, allowing for brightness adjustments via hand gestures. This is particularly beneficial when wearing gloves in cold weather. It also features a USB-C charging port and a standard Sofirn 18650 3000mAh battery.
Additional features include a red light mode (reportedly twice as bright as the HS42), an SOS function, and independent memory for each mode, maintaining the last selected brightness setting.
The headlamp also offers multiple modes: Eco (moonlight), Spot, Flood, and Combination modes, all with adjustable brightness levels.
Performance and Real-World Testing
The HS21 delivers impressive brightness, easily illuminating objects at distances up to 40 yards. The beam profile is excellent, offering both a concentrated spot and a wide flood. Real-world nighttime testing confirms its powerful output.
The red light mode is exceptionally bright, proving effective for preserving night vision and deterring insects. This feature is a significant advantage for activities like astronomy or night hiking.
The runtime data showed some discrepancies from the manufacturer's claims, with some modes exceeding and others falling short of advertised runtimes. Despite this variation, the overall runtime is satisfactory for most outdoor applications. However, the heat generated during high-intensity operation is noteworthy and requires caution.
Conclusion
The Sofirn HS21 is a high-performance headlamp with several standout features. The innovative rotary switch, independent mode memory, and surprisingly effective touchless control set it apart from the competition. The potent output, including a notably bright red light mode, is well-suited for various nighttime activities. Although there were minor inconsistencies with the advertised runtimes and the high temperatures reached during extended high-brightness use, the overall performance and user experience are excellent.
While the initial shipping damage was unfortunate, the product itself demonstrates high build quality and a refined design. The HS21 earns a solid recommendation for those seeking a versatile and powerful headlamp, especially those who value the ease-of-use features offered by the rotary switch and touchless sensor.