Best headlamp for car carry

[KeyGrip]

By that I mean, what is the best headlamp to leave in the trunk of my car until I need it for changing a tire or other random work. I'm looking for:
Flood over spot
AA cells (if possible. I'll take AAA)
Long life over brightness
Tough, reliable, and water resistant.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nell]

PT Quad. Reduce the power as you need and the cells last even longer

 

[grapplex]

...

 

[jar3ds]

yep... the quad is my favorite car headlamp.... with lithiums in it and a extra pack in the glove compartment...

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I keep a Petzl Tikka XP in my truck at all times. 3 levels of output, and 1 flash mode. Built in diffuser for quick switching from spot to flood. Very bright, takes 3 AAA batteries, and had battery life indicator.

 

[jar3ds]

I keep a Petzl Tikka XP in my truck at all times. 3 levels of output, and 1 flash mode. Built in diffuser for quick switching from spot to flood. Very bright, takes 3 AAA batteries, and had battery life indicator.

you do know that the Quad has all those features you list... except the beam pattern is inherintely good at both spot and flood (nothing to mess with)... the quad has the additional benefit of being lighter weight... waterPROOF... being able to use lithiums... brighter... cheaper... and being regulated...

:touche:

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Never knew that the Quad was brighter. I'll have to look into that. Anyway, I was just posting what I use and have had good luck with. I will be looking into the Quad now.

on edit: I looked at the Quad. Nice little headlamp, and the price is right. I do like the 40 lumen boost mode of my Petzl, versus the 21 lumens of the Quad. I also like the spot reflector with flip over diffuser. I use both modes and enjoy the option. I did dig around and confirmed that Petzl warns against using AAA lithium batteries in this headlamp though. Good to know.

 

[Grubbster]

I think the Petzl e+lite would excel in this capacity. It is small, has it's own carry case to protect it, and uses lithium batteries. Nice flood beam for up close work and meets all your criteria except battery type.

 

[utidcapaco]

you do know that the Quad has all those features you list... except the beam pattern is inherintely good at both spot and flood (nothing to mess with)... the quad has the additional benefit of being lighter weight... waterPROOF... being able to use lithiums... brighter... cheaper... and being regulated...

The cost and waterproofness sold me! I really like my Quad.

 

[KeyGrip]

Well, it looks like the Quad has everything I need, and the price ain't bad either. Also, are there no headlamps that run off of AA cells? It's not a huge problem, as I'm going to pick up some lithium AAAs when I order the light, but with a SF G2 already in the car and an Underwater Kinetics 4AA eLED soon to join it, I would prefer to keep the number of battery types down. Thanks for all the great input everybody.
*Edit* All of the AA headlamps I found are too expensive. The Quad wins.

 

[Glock40]

Another vote for the quad. I love mine, very light and bright, very floody.

 

[gunga]

I have to agree on the quad. I have not finished my EOS mod yet, but for a stock, no modding headlamp, the quad has a wonderful flood for medium to close work.

It works well for reading maps too!