SuzukiBlueS2000
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2020
- Messages
- 4
Hello everyone,
I'm new to quality headlamps and batteries like 18650's in general. I'd appreciate any advice that could be given based on what I need.
I like to repair vehicles at nighttime, but I'm running into a big problem regarding lighting. I am in close quarters most of the time, in areas with not a lot of room, such as under cars, under dashboards, or tight areas of engine bays. Up to this point I've been using modified "400 Lumen Energizer" headlamps( My favorite lights so far but required soldering and taking apart), and recently the "310 lumen Quantum" Headlamp from Harbor Freight( I don't like this one, it's too bulky, the back battery pack/front light magnifier gets in my way, and it's not floody enough). The stock 3X AAA batteries simply did not provide bright light for long periods of time. I made a 3X D battery box and added a digital voltage meter to it, and carry it on me using a chest gun holster to hold the battery pack. I made it modular with removable connectors.
The other power source I made was a universal power adapter, which I set to 4.5 volts and (soldered/crimped) connected to the Energizer headlamp. This was my favorite set up so far, but I had to lug a power cord around for hours and it got annoying. I'm not sure if the insides of that headlamp had thermal regulation and if it's made to take max voltage for that long, It was fine when I used it but still.
What headlamps do you guys recommend? Quality and safety would be my #1 priority, I don't mind paying extra if need be for this. Maybe high CRI based on what I read? it would be nice for different colored wires to stand out. 400 lumens for extended hours would be great if possible. I'm assuming a USA made light is the best? I don't know what brands are considered good in 2020.
At first the "Nitecore HC70" stood out to me for its battery pack that supposedly could be used with additional usb power banks. But, I was reading about quality problems with the battery pack that connects to the light.
Next I saw the "Acebeam H30" which can use a 21700 battery if I read that correctly. Again I read concerning reviews about the quality of the device. I liked this one cause you can get one that has a UV sublight which would be useful for seeing engine dye.
Lastly the "Wizard Pro Nichia" looked really good to me based on what you and other forums were saying about it. My concern was with ArmyTek, and the quality control concerns with the light itself. People have been saying that there is a "Tint Lottery", and that if there is a problem with the light that ArmyTek's customer service is likely to ignore you.
My budget for the headlamp itself is $200 USD, but I can increase that if the quality merits it. I had planned on getting "Panasonic Orbtronic 18650's 3600 mAH" batteries assuming I get a 18650 headlamp. But if there are better alternatives to this I'm all ears. I have no idea what kind of external charger I should get. I planned on getting maybe 3 extra batteries.
I'd highly appreciate any advice and recommends towards this, thank you.
I'm new to quality headlamps and batteries like 18650's in general. I'd appreciate any advice that could be given based on what I need.
I like to repair vehicles at nighttime, but I'm running into a big problem regarding lighting. I am in close quarters most of the time, in areas with not a lot of room, such as under cars, under dashboards, or tight areas of engine bays. Up to this point I've been using modified "400 Lumen Energizer" headlamps( My favorite lights so far but required soldering and taking apart), and recently the "310 lumen Quantum" Headlamp from Harbor Freight( I don't like this one, it's too bulky, the back battery pack/front light magnifier gets in my way, and it's not floody enough). The stock 3X AAA batteries simply did not provide bright light for long periods of time. I made a 3X D battery box and added a digital voltage meter to it, and carry it on me using a chest gun holster to hold the battery pack. I made it modular with removable connectors.
The other power source I made was a universal power adapter, which I set to 4.5 volts and (soldered/crimped) connected to the Energizer headlamp. This was my favorite set up so far, but I had to lug a power cord around for hours and it got annoying. I'm not sure if the insides of that headlamp had thermal regulation and if it's made to take max voltage for that long, It was fine when I used it but still.
What headlamps do you guys recommend? Quality and safety would be my #1 priority, I don't mind paying extra if need be for this. Maybe high CRI based on what I read? it would be nice for different colored wires to stand out. 400 lumens for extended hours would be great if possible. I'm assuming a USA made light is the best? I don't know what brands are considered good in 2020.
At first the "Nitecore HC70" stood out to me for its battery pack that supposedly could be used with additional usb power banks. But, I was reading about quality problems with the battery pack that connects to the light.
Next I saw the "Acebeam H30" which can use a 21700 battery if I read that correctly. Again I read concerning reviews about the quality of the device. I liked this one cause you can get one that has a UV sublight which would be useful for seeing engine dye.
Lastly the "Wizard Pro Nichia" looked really good to me based on what you and other forums were saying about it. My concern was with ArmyTek, and the quality control concerns with the light itself. People have been saying that there is a "Tint Lottery", and that if there is a problem with the light that ArmyTek's customer service is likely to ignore you.
My budget for the headlamp itself is $200 USD, but I can increase that if the quality merits it. I had planned on getting "Panasonic Orbtronic 18650's 3600 mAH" batteries assuming I get a 18650 headlamp. But if there are better alternatives to this I'm all ears. I have no idea what kind of external charger I should get. I planned on getting maybe 3 extra batteries.
I'd highly appreciate any advice and recommends towards this, thank you.