Switches
Spotlight switch: for on/off, mode switching, lockout function and output selection on spotlight mode.
Floodlight switch : for on/off, mode switching, lockout function and output selection on floodlight mode.
On/off
Press and hold either of the two switches to turn on/off the lamp. Low output level is selected by default.
Mode Switching
With the light switched on, single click either of the two switches to reach the corresponding mode.
Output Selection
Spotlight mode: Single click the spotlight switch to cycle through Low→Med→High→Turbo.
Floodlight mode: Single click the floodlight switch to cycle through Low→High→SOS.
Lockout Function
Lock: With the lamp switched off, press and hold either of the two switches, or simultaneously press the two switches for 3 seconds, the lamp will blink twice to indicate locked status.
Unlock: With the lamp locked, simultaneously press the two switches for 3 seconds, the lamp will be activated with 3 one-second blinks and activated on Low of floodlight mode.
In locked status, clicking or pressing the switches will activate 3 one second blinks to indicate locked status.
Charging
Uncover the anti-dust cap and plug the Micro USB side of the charging cable into the charging port of the lamp. The four constant-on indicators shows the lamp is fully charged. The normal charging time is about 2.5 hours with the lamp being switched off.
Note: The headlamp can only be used on Low output when charging.
Battery Level Indication
The indicators will display the battery status for 3 seconds each time when the lamp is switched on. With the lamp switched off, single click either switch to check the battery status, single click once again and the lamp will go out immediately, or without any operation the status will last for 3 seconds. There will be no response with the lamp locked.
- Four lights on: saturated, 100% – 81%
- Three lights on: sufficient, 80% – 61%
- Two lights on: poor, 60% – 41%
- One light on: critical, 40% – 21%
- One light flashes: 20% – 0%
Battery Replacement
- Pull battery cover latch that is located between the switches to open the tail cap.
- Insert the batteries in accordance with the polarity marks.
- Replace the battery cap.
Overheat Protection
The light will accumulate a lot of heat when used on Turbo output level for extended periods. The light will automatically step down by a few lumens to reduce temperature.
Headband Assembly
Notice: The headband is factory assembled by default.
Step 1: Attach the headband to the headlamp as shown (Pic 1), by first sliding the band down to the bottom of the slots. Then hook the top edge under the top slot.
Step 2: Adjust the headband by sliding the buckle to required length.
Usage and Maintenance
- Disassembling the sealed head can cause damage to the headlamp and will void the warranty.
- Fenix strongly recommends using quality rechargeable Ni-MH batteries. Alkaline batteries will shorten the runtime with the lamp switched on high output.
Warning
This light is a high-intensity lighting device capable of damage to the user or others. Avoid shining the light into anyone’s eyes.
Jay Chua (verified owner) –
I love the yellow white spotlight! It’s easy for your eyes to read.
Steven (verified owner) –
Dim light. While “lumens” may show this is a “powerful” headlamp, the color is so yellow it’s illumination is worse than a $20 WalMart headlamp. I called Fenix for a return >week ago, still waiting for a call back. Don’t waste your $’s on this light, not as advertised. 1st Fenix light I’ve ever bought that disappointed me.
Dianne (store manager) –
Yes, the HL18R is a neutral light, as listed in the description. Neutral lights have a yellow color. The HL18RW is a cool white LED. Warranty is reaching out to you for that return.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Nice, but haven’t yet tried it.
Don Manning (verified owner) –
There is no better light on the market, period. I am a hunter and fisherman, an the only light I always have with me is a Fenix.
Adam W. (verified owner) –
I own multiple Fenix headlamps and flashlights and this is the first one I would not recommend. I love the HL26R but bought this because when I travel there are times when a headlamp is critical and I need to be able to carry backup batteries in case it runs out of power. The HL18R appeared to be very similar to the HL26R in specs and size with the added benefit of being able to run on changeable AAA batteries. The problem I have with this headlamp is the output light color is awful. Every Fenix product I own other than this puts out a clean whitish colored light. The HL18R on the other hand puts out very yellow light that is reminiscent of a 1970s era incandescent light bulb. I came within 10 feet of a pack of feral hogs while jogging the other night because I find it hard to see anything due to the light color, with the HL26R I can usually spot them from 50+ feet away. This headlamp does have the normal whitish colored LEDs on the sides but they are so dim they are useless for most things other than possibly reading at close distance. Just noticed they make a HL18RW with the normal colored beam, get that one I wish I knew that in advance.