Here is how these two headlamps compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| Nitecore NU31 | Coast FL75R | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 73✓ | 73 |
| Max lumens | 550 lm | 1000 lm✓ |
| Weight | 3.4 oz✓ | 3.7 oz |
| Beam distance | 145 m | 168 m✓ |
| Max runtime | 147 h | 14 h |
| Price | $40✓ | $50 |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Hybrid |
| Water rating | IP66 | n/s |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NU31 in blue, FL75R in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Runtime is shown for context and is not scored, since makers publish it at different brightness levels. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full headlamp comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The Nitecore NU31 against the Coast FL75R is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The NU31 is 9 g lighter and $10 cheaper. The FL75R is brighter (1000 vs 550 lm) and a longer beam (168 vs 145 m). Their GearScores land within a couple of points (73 vs 73), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the NU31 if you care most about low weight and price, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the FL75R if brightness and longer throw matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Nitecore NU31. It is 9 g lighter than the FL75R.
The Coast FL75R. It is brighter (1000 vs 550 lm) than the NU31.
They are nearly tied at 73 and 73 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the NU31 for low weight, or the FL75R for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.