Best all round headlamp?

[kwieto]

Heh :")
But don't you prefer regulated lights?
X-zoom is not (for me it is an advantage).

And if you want to spend several hours with it on your head, Myo is more comfortable. Of course if you use a helmet, it is no problem...

Anyway, I think it is well thought headlamp.
There is even possibility to set that you are using rechargeables, to protect the cells against overdraining
Expensive (in Poland its cost is twice as Myo XP) but worth its price.

 

[Yucca Patrol]

Man, it's amazing the world-class headlamps you can get for <$100!

yes, there are a lot of decently performing headlamps under $100, but only if you plan to never get them wet.

I love my $99 Zebralight H60, but it took on water while being cleaned under a gently running faucet. Sadly, that made it no longer one that I can count on to survive my caving pursuits. It is going on my wife's helmet in addition to the also potentially leaky PT Apex and we'll just try to keep her out of the waterfalls. :p

In my opinion, the Zebralight H50 version without the leaky switches of the other models is the only one worth trusting if there is a cloud in the sky. . ..

Personally, the best all-around headlamp for my purposes is my Serv-Light as it has a very low mode for long runtimes, as well as a Seoul P7 and a Cree MC-E to pump out some serious lumens running on high capacity battery packs. But there is no use talking any more about it since there are only 7 in the US (more in Europe) and they are no longer in production. . . .

 

[kwieto]

In my opinion, the Zebralight H50 version without the leaky switches of the other models is the only one worth trusting if there is a cloud in the sky. . ..

As I said before - mine was leaking :")

X-zoom is - according to the producer information - waterproof. But I didn't tested that yet in practice and there is no IP norm after that declaration (and after result on - in theory IP68 waterproof - H50 I am a little doubtful).
It looks like it is waterproof, but... well... I should try...

From the other hand, Myo XP is not waterproof, but its ventilation holes are placed smart enough to avoid problems even in a heavy rain (probably). Fortunately I didn't need to use it during a really heavy rain, but I lost it one winter evening. When I found it next day, it was laying in the wet snow (it was thawing that time) - working, and it is still working today.

As far as I remember Tikka XP is waterproof or it has waterproof version.

 

[Linger]

honestly, i'm stunned by all these comments on leaking zebra's. I say this having been abusive enough to mine to trust it with water. It's rated 1m/30minutes, if these stories are true send it back I'd suggest.

FYI - UK kinetics has a ~10m rated headlamp, and OMS provides a dive rated headlamp.

 

[Woods Walker]

Don't you think about H30?
I probably posted here some links to the report where H30 leaked, if I remember it lost some of its modes, and then after a drop to the ground stopped work anyway.
But it was H30, not H50.

I had only one H50, which I tested in a cup of water after I red all these reports of leaking H30's or H60's. And it leaked, what I noticed day after the "bath" - when I found water inside during battery change (straight after "bath" it was clean inside).
Then I decided to go for H60, both for better power and more manageable leaking (it's more easy to apply additional protection on removable rubber cap than a fixed head)

As you probably remember, mine H50 had a little skewed head. It was not visible at the first look, but noticeable if you looked more carefully. Maybe this was the reason for leaking?
I don't know, but I am sure that it is possible for water to go inside the head and I would be careful... Hope that some sealing lube is ok to protect it for most cases.

Maybe that was it. I am always looking for reports that are both good and bad. Sounds like your H50 has issues if the head is skewed. My H50 is not that way. I did use the H501w in a group camping area on the AT. I got a bit sick and had to put on the poncho and use the open air sit-on toilet during some heavy rain. It was not dignified but the light didn't leak. I did have a bit of a flakey switch issue a few weeks ago with it but that seemed to clear itself up after I pulled up on the boot some. Don't know the reasons for this. So far I am happy with the field weather resistance on my Zebra lights but this is not to say they couldn't leak. It just has not happened to me. Anyways these are camp lights for me. When going into the bush I pack my EOS or Apex and use the ZL for its intended purpose. I would contact ZL customer service if there are issues with your head lamp. I had great results dealing with them. Naturally great customer service is not really going to help someone miles into the backcountry but as stated I am not bushwhacking and night kayaking back from a fishing trip with a ZL mostly due to its flood beam. Same thing that makes for a great camp light works against it for other applications needing throw.

For 3XAAA I am kind of happy with the Rebel EOS. Runs off NIMH and lithiums just fine. Water tight O-ring and regulated output that drops into a very long direct drive mode. Not much to dislike given the great beam and reasonable output/runtime for that forum factor. I just wish they made a 3XAA version with battery pack.

 

[Woods Walker]

honestly, i'm stunned by all these comments on leaking zebra's. I say this having been abusive enough to mine to trust it with water. It's rated 1m/30minutes, if these stories are true send it back I'd suggest.

FYI - UK kinetics has a ~10m rated headlamp, and OMS provides a dive rated headlamp.

I want one for the Kayak but don't think UK has updated the LED given a newer one might put out twice the lumens at the same runtime as this was the case for the improved EOS. If they update that UK (unless it has be done and I don't know) it would be purchased in a second.

 

[tnuckels]

I was interested in the Underwater Kinetics Vision ~ $30, till I saw how little there was to it HERE, and especially HERE. At 30lm it seemed a bit dim, though there is a 50lm version if you’re into rubber head straps, both available at BrightGuy. Despite ease of access to the LED, I wonder if there’s a heatsink, maybe no electronics (unless they’re tucked in with the switch), maybe just a switch and batteries and a resistor? I like simple, but was concerned that it wouldn’t be upgradeable to a standard size and more powerful LED.

OMS Ultra Bright K2 Head Lamp ~ $50 looks pretty tough.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[kwieto]

Sounds like your H50 has issues if the head is skewed.

But it was that way straight out of the box, no marks of hit or drop (and I think the force enough to skew a head should be enough to leave some marks on the body).
So if something happened to it, it was on the production line. Second, it was a very little skew, at first I didn't even noticed that. Not before I played with it in my hands and sensed a little unevenness with my fingers.
Then I took closer look and realized that the tiny gap between a head and body is - in fact less than 0,5mm - wider on the one side of the LED glass.
I think many people wouldn't even notice that kind of "skew".
And I didn't suspect that it can make the lamp leaking, the skew was so little... I think not enough to case problem with seals or glue (probably the head is attached to the body with some glue?)

In the meantime I changed some of my assumptions and decided that H60 will be a better fit - so I simply showed the problem with H50's head to the seller and replaced it for H60.

Anyway - my test leaded me to the conclusion that I can't trust even H50 design.
In fact it is not a really big problem for me.
I don't need 100% waterproof light on the camping place. And I am sure H50 is rainproof enough. You can lube this tiny gap between head and body with some silicone grease, designed for pipe's o-rings. I used Molycote 8104 in my H60 and I hope it is enough.

The reason why I'm mentioning leaking in Zebras is that they claim IP68 norm, which is for sure not fulfilled.
And I think that it is better to know if there is some - even potential - risk, because then you can take better care on that, i.e. apply silicone grease as I did.

 

[Linger]

I want one for the Kayak but don't think UK has updated the LED

I know, sad eh?
Silly manufacturers using emittors nearly 1/2 a decade old.
Thing with the plastic cases is that heat-sinking may be a challenge if you're gonna run it out of the water. Not the best mod fodder around.

L

 

[tnuckels]

Just curious, now that you’ve used it a bit, how the Tikka XP is working out for you?

 

[*Dusty*]

Hi there, I've had it a couple of weeks now and have found it stupidly easy to wear, and very very gentle on batteries. I recently replaced the batteries with lithium energizers i bought on special and put the supplied duracells into the childs little cheapie led thing.

I use mine almost exlusively on flood mode, rarely use the boost as there is little to no need, and ALWAYS on low low mode inside the house for when I check the kids in bed etc, or reading in bed, working in the attic etc. Low Low mode provides more than ample light.

It is a slightly warm tint which is easy on the eyes. I can stand at my back door and let the dog out for a sniff round and light up the entire back garden which is approx 26x28ft. I also use it in work behind storage racking in a large manufacturing warehouse where i often have to locate "lost" items and count other bits and bobs which have fallen in the dark corners, and obviously it leaves my hands free. I've taken some photos which really don't do it justice but I'll upload them anyway :D

I tried to take some photos of the flood but it wasn't happening so you'll have to take my word for it, it is far better and covers a much larger area more evenly than the Energizer headlamp.

Overall it feels a more quality and specialised product than the headlamp I was replacing.

I''ll have some pics for you shortly.

 

[*Dusty*]

Here ya go.

I suppose it could always be a little bit brighter, but for the average person like me, doing average things, it is well above requirements.

Also worth keeping an eye out for the new Fenix headlamp due in August I believe, that is if you really want bright white light up the county stuff.

packaging

old and new

This pic was taken in daylight

Tikka XP Hotspot

Energizer 6 led using 2 led on spot

White roof Tikka XP on right, Energizer on left approx 8 feet from light to surface.

Worth noting the Tikka lights up a room significantly more when the beam is bounced off the roof.

Tikka has a slightly smaller hotspot but further throw, especially with turbo button pressed.

 

[Mundele]

The newer PT Rebel LED EOS is nice.

+1 on this reccomendation

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

+1 on this reccomendation

This is my recommendation as well. I have quite a few headlamps, and the new rebel EOS is my favorite. It would be the perfect headlamp, if only it went low,medium,high instead of high,medium,low.

 

[davidt1]

For those worrying about ZB lights not waterproofing, test it at home. I put my H501 in a glass of water for 2 hours. It came out OK.

 

[Gryffin]

Hi there, I've had it a couple of weeks now and have found it stupidly easy to wear, and very very gentle on batteries.

Glad to hear it!!

I'm a little late to the party, but what you bought is what I would've recommended. I own a half-dozen various headlamps, but if I could own only one, the Tikka XP would be it, without question.

 

[*Dusty*]

I'm tempted by this new Fenix headlamp, however I already have the fenix headband and use my L1D when walking the dog at night. Works well when I need that bit more throw to see where the wee beastie has run off too :D

 

[jankj]

Yes, I love the flood/throw balance of fenix L1D/L2D and would very much like to see that in a headlamp. (The niteize headband doesn't cut it for me - it is too uncomfortable, at least for me).

Looking forward to the first reviews of the fenix headlamp... my guestimate is that this headlamp will have a flood/throw balance not too different from L1D/L2D.

 

[NE450No2]

I have used several different models of Petzl's over the years and have never had any problems with them.

Many have been worn and used in very rainy, wet conditions.