Fenix HM65R Shadowmaster Headlamp

The Fenix HM65R Shadowmaster must be one of the most powerful dual-colour twin-beam headlamps currently available. It measures 80.5 x 55 x 40mm (L x W x D) and weighs 97-grams (excluding battery). It has a tough, lightweight magnesium alloy body with a 90° angle tilt action and uses top quality Luminus SST-40 white and Cree XP-E2 red LED’s. It’s rated 2m drop resistant, dustproof and waterproof down to 2m for 30mins.

The aluminium orange peel reflector has an optical lens that helps provide a powerful clear main beam, boosted from 1000 to 1200 lumens. It also boasts a separate 150-lumen red floodlight with a diffused lens.

The Shadowmaster has upgraded non-dimming power electronics and features a focus-free, perfectly balanced main beam that has five white light brightness levels. These reach out up to 168m, simultaneously generating a wide area floodlight. The powerful red floodlight offers four brightness settings from 5 to 150 lumens, giving a wide choice of night vision protection/stealthy operation or full red floodlighting out to 30m when required.

Got the power

The supplied Fenix ARBL18- 3500mAh 18650 rechargeable battery is replenished on board, via the included USB-C type cable and your choice of mains or outdoor charger. A four LED battery meter between the individual beam switches indicates charging status and remaining charge. The battery recharges in just three hours from a 5v 2A mains USB adapter (not supplied) and can also be powered by two nonrechargeable CR123A cells.

The white LED brightness levels and runtimes are 50L (40 hrs), 150L (14 hrs), 400L (6 hrs) 600L for (3 hrs) plus a continuous turbo output of 1200L (20mins) dropping to 800 Lumen (1 hr 40 mins).

The red floodlight nondimming brightness levels and runtimes are 5 lumens (120 hrs), 25L (28 hrs), 85L (10 hrs) and 150L (4.5 hrs).

Press it

There are two top-mounted rubberised pressure switches. Press and hold the left switch for 0.5 seconds to turn the red floodlight on/ off, while the right switch controls the white beam.

‘Tapping’ the switch allows you to cycle through the brightness levels. Pressing the inoperative switch while a beam is lit allows you to switch between beams, but the red and white lights cannot be combined. It also has a memory mode that will remember your last used brightness level for both beams next time you switch it on.

More features

It has a useful Lock Out mode to prevent accidental operation, which is accessed by pressing either or both switches for 3 seconds. The Shadowmaster’s ‘hollow headband structure’ is breathable, plus integrated silicon strips keep sweat out of your eyes. Also, Fenix offers a compact APB-20 storage case or the APB- 30 camouflage version.

Conclusions

The Fenix HM65R Shadowmaster is a very versatile, robustly made, top-performing headlamp. It’s powerful, the switching system is positive and very userfriendly, plus it’s extremely comfortable to wear.