Any decent headlamps for $20.00 or less

[blake711]

Just what the title says. Are there any decent headlamps for $20.00 or less? Nothing special Im looking for just don't want to drop 80 bucks for a highend head lamp that I don't know if I will use very much.

Thanks,
Blake

 

[2xTrinity]

Although I haven't got one yet (I have one on the way) I know dealextreme sells some headlamps for $7.25 or so here:

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.113

If you get one of the 1W models, I would recommend switching out the emitter for a Cree (also $7.25 shipped):

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1302

It will end up costing $14.50 total plus a bit of your time. I plan to do this exact thing myself report back once mine arrives, although DX did mention that in a few days it will be Chinese New Year so any orders after that will probably have a long delay.

 

[PJ]

Target stores have the River Rock 2xAAA head light for about $15.00.
It has 2 levels, is water resistant and uses 2 AAA batteries. I think it has a .5 watt LED in it so it has better throw than some of the 5mm LED lights available.

Here is a link to Flashlightreviews.com review of this light

River Rock 2 AAA head light

 

[blake711]

I think I saw another thread about the Target light being a Streamlight and that the SL version is whiter. I may check into one of those. I also looked at some of the lights on Deal Extreme. Not a bad price but I am concerned about quality. Also if you mod a 1watt with a cree. How will that effect runtime and brightness?

 

[lrp]

For around $32 you could buy one of the best headlamps made, imho, the Princenton Tec EOS!!

 

[mjb375]

I can't remember all the specs, but I have an Energizer head lamp that I bought a Wal-Mart a while back. I think it was around $12.00. It has 3 LED's, 2 white, with a red in center. You can also adjust the angle of the lamp. It lasted through 4 separate 3 month tours in the sandbox. And it out performed various higher priced models I was issued from Petzl.

However, on that note, I just got the new Petzl e-Lite ($29.95) and love it. Great little light-weight, versatile system. If you don't mind spending a bit more.

 

[ringzero]

Just what the title says. Are there any decent headlamps for $20.00 or less?

Lightweight, rugged, waterproof, long-running, and bright enough for general utility tasks or walking a trail. This is, IMHO, the best headlamp value available, bar none:

http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Enduro_Headlamp_with_Luxeon_LED.php

Eveready and Ray-O-Vac both make serviceable LED headlamps that are 15 bucks or less. If you don't want to order online, they can probably be found locally.

 

[2xTrinity]

I think I saw another thread about the Target light being a Streamlight and that the SL version is whiter. I may check into one of those. I also looked at some of the lights on Deal Extreme. Not a bad price but I am concerned about quality. Also if you mod a 1watt with a cree. How will that effect runtime and brightness?

A direct swap gives you double the brightness (compared to a Luxeon), with the same runtime. With a regulated light, reducing the drive current you can get the same brightness as before with over double the runtime. Lowering the current with a series resistor will extend runtime also, but not by as much as the resistor wastes some power.

 

[Vickers]

I recently bought a really cheap headlamp from DealExtreme, and it is actually pretty cool (other than that god-awful rubber smell that reminds one of WalMart...I'm airing it out, though). Here is the link:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.479

Low, bright, strobe.

Pretty decent output, about equal to a 2AA MiniMag LED.

 

[rangemaster]

I bought a Princeton Tec SOLO headlamp (2 AA, built like a tank) and put the stippled reflector and a PR base 2cell LED in it. Works fantastic. Usable spill with a hotspot that will let you run OR work under the hood of a car. I got the headlamp from CAMPMOR off their HOTDEALS list. Liked the set up so much I got a second one. Total investment-$20.

 

[IdiotsAbound]

How about modifying this with a Cree or Seoul?

http://www.kaidomain.com/products/sku82.html

Would be nice if I could still use the hi/low switching.

 

[jar3ds]

under $30 there are a lot of options.... under $20..... Rock River .5w ?

 

[GCBStokes]

Blake711,

I think I saw another thread about the Target light being a Streamlight and that the SL version is whiter. I may check into one of those. I also looked at some of the lights on Deal Extreme. Not a bad price but I am concerned about quality. Also if you mod a 1watt with a cree. How will that effect runtime and brightness?

I'm not sure if you are the one I replied to in regards to the River Rock 0.5 watt & Streamlight Enduro 0.5 Watt Headlamps a short time ago or not? The River Rock 0.5 watt Headlight is the Streamlight Enduro. It was made for Target and had the Taget River Rock Name on it. However, this is no longer the case. To get the light now, you'll need to get the Streamlight Enduro. It's the very same light but with the Streamlight Brand Name on it. It does have a better 0.5 watt LED now, it's not as blue and the River Rock 0.5 was, although it still has a blue tint. It's very much like the blue tint you get with most 5 mm LED lights. It's really is not that bad, if fact I kind of like it.

Some of the headlights at Deal Extreme look as if they could be ok, but I can't be sure. However, I am sure that the Streamlight Enduro is a very well made light, it's water proof, has great runtime and has Steamlight's Lifetime Warranty. If it breaks or just stops working, they replace it free. I had got a few Enduro Headlights to give out at Christmas to the kids in the family, and for my 8 year old daughter. I even got an extra for myself just to have and to use around the house. It's a darn good and very tuff little light that more then bright enough for many tasks. It lights up a trail very well to about 25 yard of more and is great in the house, back yard, for putting out the trash and for use if power fails. And it will put out good light on high for up to 6 hours before it dips below 50% of it start out brightness on just 2 AAA Alkaline Batteries.

Even if you get a better light later on, it's a nice little back-up light and nice to have around as an extra light. And at $14.95 at Brightguy.com it's a great value as ringzero stated. I just don't think you can get a better light for under $20.00 plue you get Streamlight's lifetime replacement warranty should it ever fail.

 

[Sharpdogs]

I can't remember all the specs, but I have an Energizer head lamp that I bought a Wal-Mart a while back. I think it was around $12.00. It has 3 LED's, 2 white, with a red in center. You can also adjust the angle of the lamp. It lasted through 4 separate 3 month tours in the sandbox. And it out performed various higher priced models I was issued from Petzl.

However, on that note, I just got the new Petzl e-Lite ($29.95) and love it. Great little light-weight, versatile system. If you don't mind spending a bit more.

I think that Target is still selling that Energizer Headlamp for $14 or less. It's a great, economical headlamp. I had mine for a few years. It died this last summer but I think that the cause was my sister in-law fiance. He borrowed for a year and took it surf fishing a number of times. I don't think he took good care of it, especially with the salt water. For the price I still recommend it.

 

[fishx65]

Blake711, If you have a Lowes by you, check out the Dorcy super 1 watt luxeon for 19 bucks. I have the EOS and Apex but find myself reaching for the Dorcy 99% of the time. This one is not talked about very much here but it is a very nice headlamp. The two I have are pure white with a great mix of spot and flood for those late night fishing adventures!!! Most of the sub-twenty dollar headlamps will have a very blue tint.

 

[EngrPaul]

How about modifying this with a Cree or Seoul?

http://www.kaidomain.com/products/sku82.html

Would be nice if I could still use the hi/low switching.


As a matter of fact, it's a great option for about $20

Deal Extreme "HASTO" is easily upgradeable to a Seoul emitter. The Cree doesn't work well.

1W, 3W, and Blinking red settings. Very bright!

I tried to put the headlight on my cat's head, but he wouldn't have any of that!

P.S. My flashlights were not responsible for this cat's loss of vision. Honest!

 

[Raptor#]

Nice! :rock:

How easy eaxactly is easy?
Open headlamp, unscrew Luxeon star, unsolder it, throw it away, replace it with seoul led & star, solder em, fix screws again, close headlamp, done -kinda easy? Or are there a few more steps in between?

Just checking if our definitions of easy match.

 

[Gnufsh]

Do you think it could be modded to use an 18650?

 

[EngrPaul]

Nice! :rock:

How easy eaxactly is easy?
Open headlamp, unscrew Luxeon star, unsolder it, throw it away, replace it with seoul led & star, solder em, fix screws again, close headlamp, done -kinda easy? Or are there a few more steps in between?

Just checking if our definitions of easy match.

That's about it! I chose to replace the emitter on the star because Seouls were not available on stars when I did the mod. They didn't use thermal compound on the back of the star, chose to do so for better heat transfer to the metal block.

 

[EngrPaul]

Do you think it could be modded to use an 18650?

It uses a 3AAA holder for power (4.5V). It would have to fit exactly into that space. I have it running on NiMH (3.6V total).