I need one of the hat bill mounted led lights for night time bass fishing to help when i need to retie a lure or do whatever while out in my boat. I've saw several diff brands and just wonder if there is much difference in them. some seem to cost a good bit more than others. just need some recommendations, price dont really matter that much, they all seem pretty cheap. thanks
best hat bill mounted led?
- Thread starter Kevenater
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Marduke
Flashaholic
Most of them are pretty cheaply made, and run on CR2032's. Perhaps a real headlamp would work better?
jzmtl
Flashlight Enthusiast
If I recall the browing nitro can be clipped on hat bill, but not sure if it'll be too heavy.
Oh my current "headlight" is L1 clipped to hat bill, a tad heavy but manageable.
Oh my current "headlight" is L1 clipped to hat bill, a tad heavy but manageable.
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Illum
Flashaholic
L0D-CE Q4 + fenix clip, 'nough said 
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
I think I, too, would go with a small AAA powered light with a clip instead. That way you'd have a nice little pocket light to use at other times.
Geoff
Geoff
nightshade
Enlightened
Agree with Flying Turtle. I still really like the UKE pocket light when using a ball cap. For what they are, they will withstand alot of abuse. Waterproof, excellent runtime and lightweight. Clip works fine.
http://www.defensedevices.com/uk2aaaled.html
http://www.defensedevices.com/uk2aaaled.html
Wattnot
Enlightened
+1 on the L1 clipped to the hat bill. Holds very tight.
half-watt
Flashlight Enthusiast
the "do whatever" is pretty open ended. as such, an answer is difficult. for nearly anything that you'll do in the boat, including tying the lures a real bright thrower is NOT necessary and is probably detrimental. ignoring the "do whatever" for a moment and restricting ourselves to the clearly stated objectives, a small multiple 5mm LED light is all that is necessary. two levels of light o.p. might(???) be nice too. when it comes to lights like this, here is my suggestion:
Pak-Lite, the 9volt light. all are powered by a 9V "transistor", as they used to be called, battery.
all have 2x5mm LEDs.
it comes in different color of LEDs (for preserving one's dark adaptation) as well as WHITE.
all but the most basic model have two levels of light o.p., viz. LO and HI. LO is dim and is perfect for having minimal impact on one's dark adaptation. HI is bright enough for use as a task/proximity light - anything out to 10+ feet and further indoors or anywhere there is a lot of nearby reflective surfaces (like in a boat).
several models come with two different color LEDs (one white, the other a different color - with only one light level from either.).
burntimes are VERY LONG (especially on LO).
all are relatively inexpensive.
accessories include a wrist lanyard, mounting brackets for hard surfaces, and various means of attaching it to one's ballcap visor/brim, e.g. STICKY-back (real sticky - won't come loose in my experience) magnetic strips, and STICKY-back (ibid) velcro strips.
these have replaced my small Li coin cell powered lights in my arsenal. the Pak-Lite is so much better. just Google "Pak-Lite".
for distance viewing, go with the others' suggestions of a nice Fenix (or similar) light - they do clip very nicely to one's ballcap brim/visor - i've use them for night hiking.
my two shekels.
thanks guys! I really think I want the style that goes under the bill. mainly i want something as light as possible and that WONT flop around or be unbalanced. seems like the under the bill ones would work best. i may buy one this weekend to try out. i'm gonna go check out that pak light!! thanks again!!!
half-watt
Flashlight Enthusiast
just keep in mind that *ALL* Li coin cell lights (at least all that i'm familiar with and have owned and used, including 2xCR2032 and 4xCR2032 powered Li coin cell lights), will have SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED brightness when they are run continuously for even a relatively short period of time.
Li coin cells have relatively high internal resistance. hence, they heat up quickly and then further drop the cell's external voltage "seen" by the load as they continue to heat up due to the current being drawn from them.
as such, when using HI mode (for any Li coin cell powered light) expect the light o.p. level to drop to 25% of its initial starting brightness in 15 to 30 minutes (usually closer to 15min) of a continuous burn. i've seen burntime plots of this. it's really quite instructive.
sure, many of these lights will produce very low light levels for 10-12 hours, or even 20 hrs or more, depending upon the number of LEDs, and the number and type of cells powering a specific light. however, that light will be very low intensity compared to how impressively bright such a tiny light appeared when first turned on with fresh cells in it.
now, you may NOT be using these lights continuously for that length of time, but more likely a couple of minutes here and a couple of minutes there. so, you'll experience somewhat better performance. just be aware that these lights, including the ones you describe (i've owned several - check out Cabela's for some) will be a disappointment if you ever need to use them for extended periods of time. after 15min of continuous use on their sole or highest o.p. level, they may already be too dim, depending upon what it is that you are trying to do.
hope this helps.
half-watt
Flashlight Enthusiast
they provide, either as part of a "kit" or as an accessory, both sticky-back velcro and sticky-back magnets to accomplish this. i've used both myself. both work fine. the velcro holds stronger/better, but the magnets are more than sufficient also.
i've also used an "alligator" clip and a cable tie to afix the 'gator clip to the 9V battery. then, the 'gater clip is used to clip the Pak-Lite to the ballcap brim/visor. if you decide to try this, be sure to pick a large enough, strong enough clip. the cable tie can be made to slide off of a battery and slid on another - no need to use more cable ties.
Sarratt
Enlightened
L0D-CE Q4 + fenix clip, 'nough said
thats my plan
Not to mention it moves when you want to use a different hat.
Moka
Enlightened
I use my E1B, the dual directional clip is great... Lighter than the L1 as well...
Bezel down in pocket, and Clips to hat...
Bezel down in pocket, and Clips to hat...
kitelights
Flashlight Enthusiast
As a direct answer to your question, I recommend the Pelican VB3 2220 LED.
I first became familiar with it when I did a group buy for the Pila IBC charger from FlashlightZ. A fellow CPFer from England, who is a LEO, ordered a couple of chargers and a couple of the VB3s. His fellow officers were so impressed with the VB3 that he ordered another 10 units and I got one for myself.
I have an older Toyota Camry that only has a main overhead light - no light on the mirror or other front light, so I use the VB3 clipped to my visor and I love it.
The trade off is the use of coin cells, which isn't an issue for me. I buy quality cells in bulk and pay less for them than most people do for AA or AAA alkaline cells. I've been using mine for 4 months without the need to change cells yet.
I agree with half-watt's assessment of lights that use coin cells. They are more suited to short, intermittent use.
The OP's objective seems to be a lightweight, functional light that won't be noticed adding it to his hat and that is exactly what this light was made to do. In addition, it's not junk. It's a Pelican with a no bull lifetime warranty. It doesn't require fiddling with a switch or twisting it on. Just flip it open (one finger) for on and close it for off. It's hinged and so you can easily adjust where you aim the light. The clip is quality, too - secure and not awkward to use.
Shipping from FlashlightZ runs about $7-8 for most things in the states. Orders over $100 are shipped free. You might call their CS and ask if they can ship it in a bubble mailer via USPS more reasonably. Items like this are where CPFers really do well in a group buy.
When lightweight, convenience and versatility are the objectives, this light is a winner. Surprisingly, everything about it is quality. I highly recommend it.
I first became familiar with it when I did a group buy for the Pila IBC charger from FlashlightZ. A fellow CPFer from England, who is a LEO, ordered a couple of chargers and a couple of the VB3s. His fellow officers were so impressed with the VB3 that he ordered another 10 units and I got one for myself.
I have an older Toyota Camry that only has a main overhead light - no light on the mirror or other front light, so I use the VB3 clipped to my visor and I love it.
The trade off is the use of coin cells, which isn't an issue for me. I buy quality cells in bulk and pay less for them than most people do for AA or AAA alkaline cells. I've been using mine for 4 months without the need to change cells yet.
I agree with half-watt's assessment of lights that use coin cells. They are more suited to short, intermittent use.
The OP's objective seems to be a lightweight, functional light that won't be noticed adding it to his hat and that is exactly what this light was made to do. In addition, it's not junk. It's a Pelican with a no bull lifetime warranty. It doesn't require fiddling with a switch or twisting it on. Just flip it open (one finger) for on and close it for off. It's hinged and so you can easily adjust where you aim the light. The clip is quality, too - secure and not awkward to use.
Shipping from FlashlightZ runs about $7-8 for most things in the states. Orders over $100 are shipped free. You might call their CS and ask if they can ship it in a bubble mailer via USPS more reasonably. Items like this are where CPFers really do well in a group buy.
When lightweight, convenience and versatility are the objectives, this light is a winner. Surprisingly, everything about it is quality. I highly recommend it.
hopkins
Enlightened
This looks like a good deal at Ace Hardware at $4.99.
Replacement batteries alone would be more than $5 so why not just buy several
of these cap lights and toss them in the junk drawer when they die...?
http://ledlightsathome.com/tag/baseball-cap/
Replacement batteries alone would be more than $5 so why not just buy several
of these cap lights and toss them in the junk drawer when they die...?
http://ledlightsathome.com/tag/baseball-cap/
UK 2AAA pocket light. Comes with a xenon lamp which is adequately bright and acceptable runtime, especially with NiMH. Or you could get the red led drop-in....or IIRC there is an eLED version which comes with a white led. Light has a hat clip, as waterproof and certified for use in exposive environments!
ironhorse
Enlightened
I was just in Wal-Mart and saw a Brinkmann Tuffmax LED clip light. I am new to this hobby and will do my best to review it.
It runs on 2 AAA batteries and has a spring clip and a 90 degree pivoting head. It works nicely on the brim of a hat.
It is considerably brighter than a AA mini mag with the Nite Ize 1 watt LED upgrade. According to the package it is 45 lumens, 2 hour run time and 42 m beam distance. After dropping it on the hardwood floor from about 3 feet (not on purpose) the top of the lens cover needs glued on. Only had it for 4 hours. With the lens cap and reflector off it says cree x lamp 7090. It has a push button on off switch and is made entirely of plastic. It does not seem all that durable, but it only cost $10.88.
It runs on 2 AAA batteries and has a spring clip and a 90 degree pivoting head. It works nicely on the brim of a hat.
It is considerably brighter than a AA mini mag with the Nite Ize 1 watt LED upgrade. According to the package it is 45 lumens, 2 hour run time and 42 m beam distance. After dropping it on the hardwood floor from about 3 feet (not on purpose) the top of the lens cover needs glued on. Only had it for 4 hours. With the lens cap and reflector off it says cree x lamp 7090. It has a push button on off switch and is made entirely of plastic. It does not seem all that durable, but it only cost $10.88.
