Which headlamp would you buy?

[Capt Caveman]

Note, a lot will also depend on what you need the lighting for. A lot of the > 1 watt bulbs will give you a very concentrated light. Some will provide a diffuser that can be used over the light but I've found that they really dim the light. If you don't need a bright concentrated light, I've found the Petzl Tikka Plus to be a great light. I've used it for camping, reading, around the house and running on the street. The only negative is that it's not regulated and will dim when the batteries weaken.

 

[herm0016]

honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: herm0016
honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

Still going to give a shout out to the Black Diamond stuff. My Moxie has more than handled anything I've thrown at it, and still on the original 3 month old batteries.

If you have an outdoor store near you, then try that out. The REI near me is staffed by real outdoors people, not some stupid prep fool trying to earn beer money through high school. Test them all out (said REI near me has a dark area for testing lamps) and make your own decision. I know Coleman has had a reputation for selling good gear, but it seems they have sold that reputation off in favor of profits. I got a Coleman mess kit from Target for $7, which was subpar. I guess at that price I have no reason to complain, but they could have always made the price higher and produced higher quality stuff...

 

[iGas]

I currently own over half a dozen head lamps, because I need it almost everyday at work (HVAC). So far, the lightest and smallest head lamps are my favorite such as the $4.00 that is very similar to the GSM Atom LED Headlamp at less than 2 ounces with strap, and less than 1.5 ounce with 2 batteries and no strap (it can be clip to a cap with out the annoying strap). I use 2 head lamps on either side of my cap for hand free work in the dark. The CR2016 doesn't last long but it should be long enough for the casual user, and I beef it up with CR2025 when I replace the batter (CR2032 doesn't fit).

And, I back it up with my fav Streamlight 4AA with 7 LEDs (single LED model isn't as bright, and battery life is a bit shorter). I own over a dozen of LED flashlights.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: herm0016
honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

It's nice so you don't walk off a cliff in the middle of the night. And of the nicer 3 LED models should be able to light up 50 feet in front of you.

 

[herm0016]

yes. most of the smaller ones will do you just fine for nearly all tasks, that's exactly the point. i only got a brighter one so that i could inspect rigging points and such if need be. ( if you look up in the thread i also recommended the black diamond lamps)

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: herm0016
honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

It's nice so you don't walk off a cliff in the middle of the night. And of the nicer 3 LED models should be able to light up 50 feet in front of you.

Uh, yeah, you would need to be at full sprint to have the need to know what is 50 feet in front of you.

I seriously have to wonder how many of these people recommending lights have never used them for more than taking the trash out at night? That is great and all, but some of us using this gear do take the outdoors seriously, and as such, can make better recommendations.

 

[imported_Imp]

I chose the 3 AAA one because it used less batteries, but honestly, buy this one:

Princeton Tec Aurora

I've had it for 3 years now, brought it to a camp, used it to build a computer, and turn it on once every few weeks at other times. I'm still on the same 3 AAA batteries I started with.

I know it says bikelight, but it should have a headband, unless I got a slightly different model.

 

[spidey07]

I'd still like to restress the importance of getting one with a second color other than white. It's a very, very, handy feature for you and others.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: herm0016
honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

It's nice so you don't walk off a cliff in the middle of the night. And of the nicer 3 LED models should be able to light up 50 feet in front of you.

Uh, yeah, you would need to be at full sprint to have the need to know what is 50 feet in front of you.

I seriously have to wonder how many of these people recommending lights have never used them for more than taking the trash out at night? That is great and all, but some of us using this gear do take the outdoors seriously, and as such, can make better recommendations.

yeah, and when I camp/hike I bring a fat flask of whiskey so it's a good idea to be to see where I'm taking a leak so I don't stumble off a cliff. Weight be damned.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I'd still like to restress the importance of getting one with a second color other than white. It's a very, very, handy feature for you and others.

Depends on your needs.

 

[iGas]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: herm0016
honestly, i have never had a need for a very bright light when camping or working. how often do you need to look more than 50 feet infront of you? quality of beam and battery life should be more important than "hey look! its 400 watts!!! woot"

It's nice so you don't walk off a cliff in the middle of the night. And of the nicer 3 LED models should be able to light up 50 feet in front of you.

Uh, yeah, you would need to be at full sprint to have the need to know what is 50 feet in front of you.

I seriously have to wonder how many of these people recommending lights have never used them for more than taking the trash out at night? That is great and all, but some of us using this gear do take the outdoors seriously, and as such, can make better recommendations.

A few years back I got an LED bug and stupidly spend almost $200 on a surefire that pump out 120 lumen @ less than 1 hour at full power (is rated at 2 hours by manufacture) with expensive batteries that can't be found in local mom & pop shop. It will throw a 100+ feet beam, but I never had the need for it other than fool around the house when I first got it. Now, almost any flash light that I own with in reach will serve most tasks, and the Steamlight 4AA come in for the rescue when I need more light or broad beam.