Alternative to booklights?

[tolkaze]

I've been wanting a headlamp for a very long time now, but can't seem to pull the trigger on anything. I would love a zebralight, but don't really have a use for it at this point in my life. Until I was trying to use a 2x5mm led booklight... it was pretty shocking. Now I know there are better book lamps out there, but I think that a headlamp would be a far better solution for reading books at home. So question... which light would be a good all rounder, and also be a fantastic book light? all battery configs are fine. Would prefer full flood for reading as a hotspot would be annoying, warm options are always welcome.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

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Alternative ? ..... yes , reading a book on the new Ipad .... might be a good one .

(Backlit reading)

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[Trancersteve]

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Alternative ? ..... yes , reading a book on the new Ipad .... might be a good one .

(Backlit reading)

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That isn't much of an alternative is it? It costs $500 :thinking:

I would say a headlamp is the way forward and one with a good diffuser. From my limited research though I haven't come across a headlamp that is advertised as having a warm LED.. hopefully someone will chime in as I am also eager to hear on good book reading headlamp.

 

[pepekraft]

From my limited research though I haven't come across a headlamp that is advertised as having a warm LED..

I believe all the zebra's ending in "w" are warm, or at least neutral. I don't have one though.

 

[tolkaze]

What about a floody light like the zebralights compared to a hotspot type headlamp with a diffuser. Which is better? For walking as well as reading and close work (like under the house, in the roof, under the sink etc?) Really, if I need more power, I always have like... 30 flashlights within a short distance.

Also, Output levels... what is available? 0-100%, multi mode, programmable, high/low etc?

 

[red02]

Flood is much better than spot for any task within 2m. Pretty much any headlamp with tape over the reflector will do. Just google headlamp and pick the one you want.

 

[Chuen]

I got a zebra-light h30 for my wife to use as a book light. The floody beam works very well for reading and it weights next to nothing. It works so well that my wife did actually use it for reading before bed. For a book light the floodier the better.

 

[wjb3]

Until I was trying to use a 2x5mm led booklight... it was pretty shocking. Now I know there are better book lamps out there, but I think that a headlamp would be a far better solution for reading books at home.QUOTE]

In an emergency I use the Princeton Tec Quad (diffuse, low light, runs on AAA Eneloops), but my wife has forbidden it if she is in the room and my carpool driver has also banned it. For them I use the ( http://www.lightwedge.com/prod_original.html ) which applies the light directly to the page.
=FIN

 

[jankj]

My neutral (called warm, but it is actually neutral) zebralight h50b is perfect for reading, IMO. All flood, an 80 degree cone of light. The light is enough for reading at the lowest (~3 lumens) setting, which gives ridiculous long run times.

Tint is a matter of personal preference for reading, IMO. I like neutrals and probably also warm tints over cool white. YMMV.

A good reading light can be achieved with basically any light and a diffuser. Get the headlamp you like and add some tape or clear plastic gizmo.

 

[Buck91]

I have a ZL H50b and love it. On high the 80* beam is great for running (I'm a slow runner!) and on low its defaintely low enough and floody enough to very comfortably read at night.

 

[JackJ]

My favorite headlamp for reading is the Petzl e+lite--very lightweight, floody beam, appropriate brightness. The coin cell batteries sound like a downside, but they last so long in this light that they're not a factor for me.

I sometimes use my Zebralight H501, but for me, the levels aren't quite right for reading--low is just a little too low, and medium a bit too high in that it lights up the room more than I'd like.

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

I use my Zebralight H501 to read all the time when I'm not at my desk. Pretty good amount of light and no eye strain. Add it with some rechargeables and it's pretty easy and cheap to run.

 

[CaNo]

Zebralight H501 to keep you awake with it's cool tint.
Zebralight H501w for more of a comfortable read... comfortable enough to put you in a peaceful sleep because it is so easy on the eyes.

They have no hot spots, and is ideal for up close projects/reading. Not to mention the 1xAA is so convenient. Just go for it. I've held back on buying it for a while, and am kicking myself for not purchasing it sooner, because it is my most used light in a very big and diverse collection.