Olight H2R Nova Review – 2300 Lumen Palm Size Flashlight / Headlamp System

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A detailed review of the Olight H2R Nova versatile illumination tool.

In this gear video I go over my personal experiences with using the H2R Nova flashlight / headlamp system, specs, features, and operational procedures to access the Olight H2R Nova’s light modes and lockout function. I also talk about my thoughts on the systems application for backpacking, camping, personal defense, and daily chores, based on my use of this light as my EDC (every day carry) light over the course of several weeks of testing.

H2R Nova Specs, as per the Manufacturer

Beam Distance Max: 501 feet / 153 meters
Performance (lumens) 2300
Charge type Magnetic USB charge base
Compatible Batteries customized 18650
Light Intensity (candela) 5850
Light Form Wide/broad hotspot. Perfect for up close illumination.
Lens / Reflector Type TIR bead lens (wide/broad beam)
Mode Operation Front SwitchForm/
Size Factor Medium size (Permanent Marker)
Series Series H (Headlamps, Multitasking)
Unique Characteristics Huge beam spill (TIR with diffuser lens)
Optimal for packstrap, pocket, headlamp, pocket light and headlamp in one with magnetic charging.
Magnetic tail fix, 90 degrees light illumination direction

LIGHTING LEVELS

  • Turbo 2300 lumens(~750lm) 1h10m- Cool White / 2000 lumens (~750lm) – Neutral White1h50m (1m)
  • High 600 lumens Cool White / 550 lumens – Neutral White 2h30m
  • Medium 150 lumens Cool White / 140 lumens – Neutral White 10h
  • Low 30 lumens Cool White / 27 lumens – Neutral White 50h
  • Moon 1 lumens Cool White / 1 lumens – Neutral White – 45 days
  • Strobe: No
  • SOS / BEACON: Yes

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Waterproof IPX8
  • Weight 2.26 oz , 64 grams
  • Length 110mm / 4.33 in
  • Head Diameter (mm / in) 25 / 0.95
  • Body Diameter (mm / in) 23.2 / 0.91
  • Led Cree XHP50
  • Use: everyday carry , car, camping, fishing, household, EDC, general use, fishing, climbing, cave exploration, outdoor activities, house activities.
  • Package Contents: Flashlight Olight H2R, 1 pocket clip, 1 head strap, 1 silicone mount, 1 customized Olight 18650 3000mAh battery, 1 Magnetic Charging Cable,  1 EVA Pad (replacement of the magnet), Single-sided Adhesive Replacement EVA Pad, instruction manual

Other items seen in the video: Aukey 30,000mAh USB Battery Bank, ThorFire BD04 Flashlight, ThruNite Universal Charger

Costa Rica Pt 2 – Rainforest Hike, Waterfalls, and Poisonous Frogs

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Part 2 of our Costa Rica Travel Series. 

Today we decided to spend the entire day soaking up what the immediate area surrounding our rainforest resort had to offer, and save our driving adventures for the following day.

 


Itinerary for Day 2

  • Wake up around six and admire the bright, tropical skies.
  • Order a traditional Costa Rican breakfast consisting of Gallo Pinto (rice mixed with black beans), natilla (sour cream), eggs, fried plantain, tortilla and Mantequilla cheese (we saw this cheese paired with a lot of dishes and it’s pretty amazing).
  • Do a rainforest waterfall hike.
  • Dodge a mid-afternoon storm by grabbing some lunch we had a slighlty fancier than usual version of casados – a traditional Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, often a protein as well (in our case, beef).  It was very good, but we still had a visit to a local soda (small, family owned restaurants serving traditional dishes for super reasonable prices) where we could get the authentic experience of a Costa Rican meal with the locals.
  • Make friends with some monkeys, hummingbirds, butterflies, and cattle.
  • Get an amazing massage at our hotel.
  • Do a nighttime visit with some Costa Rican frogs and toads, including some poisonous frogs. Do a nighttime visit with some Costa Rican frogs and toads, including some poisonous frogs.  Frogs shown: Tiger Frog, Red Eyed Tree Frog, Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, Poisonous Blue Jeans Frog.

Where we stayed: Peace Lodge and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Top Rated Costa Rica Travel Guide on Amazon

Top Rated Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica

Stay tuned for Part 3 where we drive across the country towards the Pacific coast, exploring some towns and mountains along the way.

 

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List 2017

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A detailed look at my 2017 Ultralight Backpacking Gear List (warm weather & 3-season)

For a detailed list of my backpacking gear, with itemized weights and descriptions, you can download PDF and CSV format copies of this list as well as lists for previous trips / videos my Gear Lists page.

Sintax77 Gear List 2017 in PDF Format for viewing and printing.

Sitnax77 Gear List 2017 in CSV Spreadsheet Format for use in your favorite spreadsheet or backpacking software.

Below is a simplified list of the backpacking items shown in the video (without weights or descriptions) along with links for details and current pricing.

Backpack
Backpack – ULA Ohm 2.0
Pack Cover – Dutchware Argon

Shelter
Hammock Body – Dutchware Half-Wit
Hammock Suspension – Dutchware Dyneema Beetle Buckle
Tarp – Hammock Gear Cuben Hex Tarp
Tent spike – Titanium
Ground Cloth – Tyvek, long 3′ 6′ – I forgot to show this in the video. I like to place this under my hammock for organizing gear, keeping my feet dry when changing / getting out of the hammock and for wrapping around my pack to keep it dry during windy rain storms. 4 oz.  A 3’x3′ square can get the job done as well for half the weight.

Sleep System
Under Quilt – Hammock Gear Phoenix 30
Top Quilt – Hammock Gear Burrow 40

Storage
Bear Bag Line – Zing-it rope and Carabiner
Zip-lock Bag – Gallon
Zip-lock Bag – Sandwich

Cooking & Eating Utensils
Cook Pot – Toaks 750ml Titanium
Stove – Esbit DIY (made out of pellet tin)
Cookset Stuff sack (came with Toaks pot)
Matches – Waterproof
Fire Steel – Light My Fire, Mini
Pot Cozy , DIY Reflectix
Spoon – backup, disposable
Spork – Sea to Summit Alloy
Windscreen – Vargo Folding Aluminum
Paper towels squares and Sea to Summit Pocket Soap slivers

Water Treatment & Storage
Water Filter – Katadyn BeFree
Water Bottle – 1.5 Ltr, Disposable (2)
Spare water bottle caps

Tools
Compass – Brunton Classic
Lighter – Eddie Bauer
Multi Tool – Tool Logic Card

First Aid
First Aid Kit
Bug Spray – 100% Deet in a 3ml bottle
Sunscreen – 30 SPF in a 10ml bottle

Clothing (not worn)
Dri Ducks Rain Jacket
Underwear – Synthetic (1 Pair)
Shorts, Synthetic workout style
Shirt, Long Sleeve – light weight synthetic
Shirt, short sleeve synthetic Champion
Hat, Beanie – Lt Wgt Fleece
Socks, Wool – light weight 1/4 Darn Tough

Lighting
Headlamp – Fenix HL21 w/ battery

Toiletries
Toilet Paper
Toiletry Kit
Wet Wipes
Hand Sanitizer

Clothing Worn
Pants, Hiking – Lt Wgt
Shirt, short sleeve synthetic Champion
Underwear – Synthetic
Socks, Wool – light weight 1/4 Darn Tough 
Shoes, Trail Runners – Merrell Moab Ventilator

Optional Items Seen at End of Video
My every day carry flashlight – Preon 2
Long Underwear, Synthetic
Down Jacket – Montbell UL Down Parka
Dri Ducks Rain Pants
Dri Ducks Poncho
Spot Messenger Gen3 GPS Locator

Costa Rica Pt 1 – Landing in San Jose | Driving to the Rainforest in a Downpour

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Part 1 of our Costa Rica Travel Series.

 


Itinerary for Day 1

  • Take an evening flight out of Baltimore, bound for Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (connection in ATL).
  • Arrive in San Jose the next morning around 11AM
  • Pick up our rental car.
  • Sharpen up our Central American driving skills by cruising through downtown San Jose
  • Drive about an hour north from San Jose towards LaPaz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge Resort
  • Navigate through an afternoon rain forest downpour.  This happened every day around 12:30PM.  The following morning we would awaken to a perfect reset of bright sun and clear blue skies.  We quickly learned to plan our outdoor activities between 6AM and Noon, followed by storm watching in the afternoons.
  • Arrive at the Peace Lodge hotel.
  • Lounge on the balcony and try to absorb the fact that we made it to Costa Rica.
  • Head out for a fancy Costa Rican dinner.
  • Get some much needed sleep and prepare for our upcoming day of rain forest exploration.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we do a rainforest waterfall hike and see how Sara does face to face with poisonous frog (spoiler alert: they become best friends).

Top Rated Costa Rica Travel Guide on Amazon

Top Rated Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica

Aukey AC LC2 Review – $70 Action Cam w/ Accessories?

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A Review of the Aukey AC-LC2 Action Camera

A detailed look at the Aukey Action Camera‘s specs, features, and operational instructions along with my personal experiences and thoughts on the unit.

Specifications and Features, as per the Manufacturer

  • 4K Ultra HD 25fps 12 Megapixel Action Camera with 170° HD wide-angle fisheye lens.
  • Delivers stunning, super-sharp videos and photos of your adventures, activities, and sports in all conditions
  • Includes an extensive accessories kit of mounts, brackets, and fixings for versatile use in varied configurations for all kinds of activities and situations
  • Freedom and convenience to view and control your camera over its local WiFi connection using your phone and the free app. Or capture photos and videos with a simple button press on the included 2.4GHz wrist remote
  • Waterproof case supplied for use when diving as deep as 30m / 98.4ft or doing other watersports. Also protects your camera from rain, mud, sand, and impacts
  • Package Contents: AUKEY Sports Action Camera, Accessories, User Manual, 24-Month Warranty Card

The Backpacking Trip that Never Was – Hiking the Susquehanna River

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Getting our Bear Grylls on. Hiking with a full overnight backpacking load-out & zero intention of actually sleeping outside.

When an iffy forecast caused us to cancel an overnight backpacking trip we had planned about four hours from home, we decided at the last minute to still get outside.  Only instead of a full backpacking trip hours from home, we decided to grab our already packed gear and hit a local spot for a day in the woods.  Backpacking meals, hammocks, a tarp in case it rained earlier than expected, etc.  The only thing that wasn’t in our plan was to actually sleep out there.  And then things didn’t go to plan.  Again.

In the end, it was a great, fun day.  Certainly not what we expected, but better than sitting on the couch (well, all day at least).  We got some exercise, Sara had some of our favorite camping foods, and I got to test out some gear and packing techniques.  The moral of the story?  Do weird stuff.  Sometimes it pays off.

Trailhead Parking Location: Rock Run Grist Mill parking area. This is a decent sized parking area by the Rock Run Grist Mill at the intersection of Stafford Rd and Rock Run Road in Susquehanna State Park.

GPS Track Data for this trip can be found on my Trip Data Page.

Total Mileage: 4 miles
Total Elevation Gain: A whopping 225′

Susquehanna River Day Hike Elevation Profile – Sintax77

Notable Gear Used

Packit Gourmet Pico De Gallo salsa and Pasta Bolegnese
Denali’s Dog Backpack – “One Tigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack”
Denali’s Collapsible Dog Dish – Doggone Dish
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack
Generic Canister Stove
ALLPOWERS 21W Solar Charger
Notch Hat (Classic Multi-cam Operator model)

Aerial Photography – DJI Mavic Pro
Primary Camera – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera