big box stores

[degarb]

Looks like Home Depot and Lowes are discontinuing the good cree headlamps, and only stocking crap of poor reflectors and low efficiency. I am wondering if because of the economy or something better is on the way.

I don't see any headlamp worth buying at Sears. And, the Walmart Crees have crappy shallow reflectors and no throw. Target had a decent 100 lumen AA format cree. I am wondering if giving out your CC info (with recurring payment open, as needed with pay-pal) over INTERNET is only way to buy a good lamp in future.

 

[flatline]

You want a headlamp with throw?

It would never occur to me to use a headlamp for anything further than 10 feet (my typical headlamp use is at arm's reach).

What do you use your headlamps for?

 

[Yucca Patrol]

A headlamp with throw is not an unusual request.

 

[tedh]

I use headlamps for backcountry skiing, backpacking, and car camping. For the most part, I'm with you, I'm looking 10 feet or less (often much less). However, I also am frequently looking across camp, maybe 30 feet, to try to find where I put something down. Or, more importantly, I've wanted throw for finding the next trail marker when caught out after dark. I don't need throw that often, but when I do, I really do want it.

Ted

 

[snapjax]

look out for those flood to zoom headlamps? wouldn't know how much it would stand up to abuse though..

 

[degarb]

Getting into throw is a tad off topic. I was wondering why are we going backwards, rather than forward with these brick and mortar stores? Maybe some 130 lumen per watt stuff is on way, or the end to our economy?

As an holic, I reply:
If you got a throw, for tasks and detail, you can dial down the power. Also, if you got a floody light that barely makes the lux needed for task, after, say, 20 minutes, the light is insufficient for the task. Thus the light is only good after this period for not bumping into walls, finding stuff close by, or maybe reading up close.

A good deep reflector, like the 2005 lux 1 binkman headlamp sold at walmart, can still out throw most cree lights sold today at walmart. And so, have better detail shining after extended use before battery swap, than if they had more efficient emmitter. Inverse square lux law applies to angle of beam, not just distance.