When you live on acreage like I do, a reliable headlamp isn’t just a luxury—it’s often a necessity.
Whether I’m doing farm chores, hunting snakes at night, or keeping an eye out for predators, I need something that provides strong, hands-free light.
That’s why I decided to give the Fenix HP35R a try…and it hasn’t disappointed me.
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed about the Fenix HP35R was its solid build quality. This headlamp feels rugged and ready to handle whatever you throw at it.
It’s got some weight to it, but that’s the trade-off for a device that’s both durable and packed with features.
Right out of the box, it was clear that this wasn’t just another headlamp—this was a serious tool for serious work.
Performance in Real-World Use
I use this headlamp primarily for three things: nighttime farm chores, hunting snakes, and dealing with predators that might be eyeing my livestock. The Fenix HP35R has performed well across the board.
Farm Chores at Night
Whether I’m checking on the animals or involved in any other nighttime activity, the HP35R provides all the light I need.
The headlamp has several modes, but I usually stick to the medium setting for most tasks.
The medium spot mode gives me enough visibility to see clearly without blasting my surroundings with too much light.
When I need to see further, like when I’m walking down a long path or checking the perimeter, I switch to Spot + Flood Turbo.
One thing I really appreciate is the headlamp’s range. The HP35R can light up objects well over 4000 yards away, which is incredibly useful for spotting anything unusual in the distance.
The Spot + Flood Turbo, which cranks out 4,000 lumens, is almost like turning night into day. It’s especially helpful when I need to scan the entire area or deal with an unexpected situation.
Hunting Snakes and Predators
Nighttime is when the snakes and predators come out, and that’s when the HP35R truly shines. For snake hunting, I rely on the headlamp’s combination of spot and floodlight modes.
The floodlight provides a wide field of view, allowing me to spot snakes slithering across the ground, while the spotlight helps me zero in on them from a safe distance.
The light’s intensity and clarity make it easy to spot the telltale glint of a snake’s scales or the reflection of a predator’s eyes.
When I’m out hunting larger predators like coyotes, the headlamp’s turbo mode becomes invaluable.
The ability to illuminate an area hundreds of yards away lets me spot these animals long before they detect me.
The beam is powerful enough to punch through darkness, giving me the confidence to move forward without worrying about missing anything.
Battery Life and Durability
One of the standout features of the HP35R is its battery life. Under normal usage—medium and high settings mostly—the charge lasts a surprisingly long time.
I’ve gone multiple nights without needing to recharge, which is a big deal when you’re relying on this for critical tasks.
And when it’s time to recharge, the USB-C port makes it easy and quick to top up the battery.
However, there’s one thing to be aware of: the housing does start to heat up when you use the highest output settings for an extended period.
It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you plan on using the turbo mode for long stretches.
Comfort and Usability
Comfort is key when you’re wearing a headlamp for hours at a time, and the HP35R does pretty well in this regard.
The headband is adjustable and distributes the weight evenly, so it doesn’t feel like it’s digging into your forehead.
The unit is a bit heavy, but I find that the performance more than justifies the extra weight.
The controls are intuitive, with a rotary switch that lets you easily cycle through the different modes.
The memory function is another handy feature—it remembers the last setting you used, which saves time when you’re turning it on and off frequently.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the Fenix HP35R is a powerhouse of a headlamp that has earned its place in my toolkit.
Whether I’m handling farm chores in the dead of night, hunting down snakes, or keeping predators at bay, this headlamp delivers the performance I need.
The range is incredible, the battery life is impressive, and the build quality is top-notch. Just be mindful of the heat on higher settings, and you’ve got yourself a reliable partner for any nighttime activity.
If you live on acreage or frequently find yourself needing powerful, hands-free lighting, I can’t recommend the Fenix HP35R enough.
It’s an investment, but one that pays off every time you switch it on.