My old Black Diamond headtorch was dropped, bounced once, and died. That felt like a betrayal after years of loyal service, so I replaced it with something that looks like it might survive similar treatment.
I’ve been using the LED Lenser H7R Core since 23rd November 2025. Once or twice a day, every day. Mostly walking William in pitch darkness around Cumbria, though I also took it for a 5K run along the canal towpath in Birmingham where it performed admirably in the rain.
What I like about it:
It’s bright. Properly bright. I have driven cars with worse headlamps. On the higher settings it throws a long, clean beam that lights up hedgerows and reveals the reflective eyes of distant sheep who’d rather I didn’t see them.
For dog walking it’s complete overkill, which is fine because you can dial it down instantly using an actual analogue dial. No cycling through strobe-sos-turbo-moonlight modes. Just turn the wheel until it’s right. You can do this with gloves on, which matters when it’s +1 degree and your hands are already cold.
There’s a second dial for focus – wide beam for walking, tight beam for scanning fields. Both dials are large enough to use without looking, which is the whole point of a headtorch.
The power button has a travel lock. Hold it for a few seconds and it won’t turn itself on in your bag. This is exactly the kind of sensible design that makes you trust something.
What’s less good:
Charging isn’t especially fast. The magnetic connector works well but can be knocked off if you’re careless. I charge it overnight and it’s ready, which is all I need.
It’s not the lightest headtorch available, but I’m not counting grams. I’m walking a dog, not running ultramarathons.
Will it last?
Too early to say definitively. The real test will be overnight kayak camping trips this summer – salt air, damp kit bags, general expedition chaos. But it feels properly made. Not flashy, not tactical-for-Instagram, just solid.
So far I’m very impressed with it. If you want a headtorch that works reliably without requiring a phone app or a degree in button combinations, this does that job well.
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