Why the Lack of Innovation?

[Bolster]

As a minimalist idea, it might be possible to make a light where the headband was a piece of replaceable thin shockcord which could be wrapped around the light when not in use, but there'd need to be something to stop the light rotating about its horizontal axis when in position (some kind of solid or collapsible/foldable backplate or other stabilising 'arms', etc).

Seems like a good idea. Somewhat similar to the DavidT carry but with elastic. My version of his style of carry is to put a ZL inside an elastic finger bandage (sold at Walgreen's) which fits the light tightly, and then thread through a flat shoestring. A cordlock secures the string around the neck or the head. The flat shoestring has some minimal "give" to it so it's pretty comfortable for short periods of use on the head. This is ideal for travel. You just keep the light around your neck under your shirt until it's needed. Once in the dark back seat of a Taxi you pop the light out and turn it on at chest level, to read directions & etc. (Works best with full flood light.) The other advantage is storage. Wrap the shoelace around the light and into a pocket. Minimal bulk and the windings protect the light.

 

[finn]

People like AAA micro lights because they are small enough to fit into a pocket or keychain. Once you quadruple the size by adding a headband and clamp, it's hard to justify the small battery performance.

 

[varuscelli]

People like AAA micro lights because they are small enough to fit into a pocket or keychain. Once you quadruple the size by adding a headband and clamp, it's hard to justify the small battery performance.

But a tailstanding AAA lamp that directs light the way ZebraLight headlamps do would be innovative and desirable by many, regardless of headband. Headband aside, I'd find a lamp like that very useful.

ZebraLight does need to find a way around their seemingly stubborn desire to stick to the same headband with holders that vary only slightly in size for every headlamp. The current headband, even with a smaller holder, would indeed be overkill for an AAA headlamp version. Maybe that's part of the reason they haven't come out with an AAA headlamp, with the headband and holder being seen as some kind of undesired expense in terms of mass production (who knows?).