Budget Headlamp?

[IronRanger]

Can anyone recommend a headlamp that uses AA (preferable, but I'll go with AAA) batteries for under $20? The 3 flashlights I've bought, because of recommendations on this site, use AA batteries for which I've purchased rechargeables, so I want to stay with that, but I WILL consider AAA.

I've looked on the DealExtreme website. Any headlamp recommendations from their website? Gotta love the site-wide free shipping. :twothumbs

If anyone has a different site recommendation, please provide whether or not you've ordered from the site and your experience.


Thanks.

 

[none_]

IronRanger,

For an extra dollar you can get the sku.12275. I order one from DX and I am very happy with it. It uses 4AA, direct drive so it's very bright. Runtime is around 90 - 110 min(or a bit more) to 50% with 2100 mAh batteries

[link removed - DM51]

 

[PhantomPhoton]

All the stuff on DX is junk, especially the headlamps imho.

There are some nice ~$20 headlamps to be had at standard brick and mortar stores if you're on a budget. Read down thru some of the threads here in this section. Energizer makes some okay stuff, ray-o-vac sportsman extreme is another one I think. There's a river rock headlamp from Target that's decent from what I hear.
If you're okay with CR2 cells you can get a nice compact one form Coleman for $20 using the family store discount online.

 

[IronRanger]

All the stuff on DX is junk, especially the headlamps imho.

There are some nice ~$20 headlamps to be had at standard brick and mortar stores if you're on a budget. Read down thru some of the threads here in this section. Energizer makes some okay stuff, ray-o-vac sportsman extreme is another one I think. There's a river rock headlamp from Target that's decent from what I hear.
If you're okay with CR2 cells you can get a nice compact one form Coleman for $20 using the family store discount online.

I wouldn't categorize everything on DX as junk, I'm extremely happy with my flashlight purchase (Romisen RC-G2).

The headlamps, I couldn't say, that's why I asked.

I will read through the threads, but I was hoping there'd be a few responses as to a budget headlamp (like the thread on budget LED flashlights).

I've owned a few junk headlamps so far (I love nightfishing and camping).

I'll check in to the suggestions you've made.

Thanks.

 

[Flashfirstask?later]

Can anyone recommend a headlamp that uses AA (preferable, but I'll go with AAA) batteries for under $20? The 3 flashlights I've bought, because of recommendations on this site, use AA batteries for which I've purchased rechargeables, so I want to stay with that, but I WILL consider AAA.

I've looked on the DealExtreme website. Any headlamp recommendations from their website? Gotta love the site-wide free shipping. :twothumbs

If anyone has a different site recommendation, please provide whether or not you've ordered from the site and your experience.


Thanks.

If your in the US or Canada, then the Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme is a good 1AA headlamp with a regulated 2hr runtime.

 

[IronRanger]

I've upped it to $30, and I'm thinking the Princeton TEC EOS.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

The PT EOS uses 3AAAs not AAs. However, it is a great light. It's just been updated to a Rebel l.e.d. making it three times brighter than the original. The original wasn't 25 out the front lumens, it was about 17. The new one is a full 50 lumens on high. It's 20 on medium and 5 on low. Medium lasts about 10 hours regulated at about the same brightness as the original on high. The optic has been frosted for more floodlight and now has my favorite beam pattern. The beam makes a square about the width of a trail. No wasted spill light while having a great balance of spot and flood. The brightness settings have a great spread. Just make sure you get the new one as the old one has too tight a beam and an outdated l.e.d..

 

[IronRanger]

The PT EOS uses 3AAAs not AAs. However, it is a great light. It's just been updated to a Rebel l.e.d. making it three times brighter than the original. The original wasn't 25 out the front lumens, it was about 17. The new one is a full 50 lumens on high. It's 20 on medium and 5 on low. Medium lasts about 10 hours regulated at about the same brightness as the original on high. The optic has been frosted for more floodlight and now has my favorite beam pattern. The beam makes a square about the width of a trail. No wasted spill light while having a great balance of spot and flood. The brightness settings have a great spread. Just make sure you get the new one as the old one has too tight a beam and an outdated l.e.d..

Yea, my preference was AA's, but I'm fine with AAA's, since my charger handles both.

Do you have a link for the new one? I've been shopping around, but hadn't noticed if I've seen the new one or not.

Thanks.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

They have just begun showing up in brick and mortar stores. I got mine at the San Diego REI. My new ones didn't even have updated packaging that claimed the accurate 50 lumens. The packaging said 25 lumens. I suggest going into an REI (the only place I know of that has these so far). If the packaging doesn't say that it's 50 lumens, compare a packaged one to the display model. The older display model has a one watt l.e.d. that has a hexagon shape in it. The older one will also be clearer looking through the lens. The new one will have a smaller l.e.d. on a rectangular circuit board and the lens will seem more blurry as it has a frosted optic. I would avoid buying it online if possible since you really don't know if you'll be getting the old or the new one.

 

[datiLED]

I've upped it to $30, and I'm thinking the Princeton TEC EOS.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

You can't go wrong with the PT EOS. It is my headlamp of choice, and has never let me down. I have gone through many sets of batteries, and it is still running strong. I often use it when I do work in the attic of my house (electrical, CATV, A/C, etC.) and have used it for hours at a time.

The light has a several hours in regulation on high, and then drops out of regulation with a gradual decline in brightness for many more hours. In other words, it won't leave you stranded. (I still bring a backup flashlight just in case.)

These are great in stock form, and even better when modded with a Seoul LED.

 

[IronRanger]

They have just begun showing up in brick and mortar stores. I got mine at the San Diego REI. My new ones didn't even have updated packaging that claimed the accurate 50 lumens. The packaging said 25 lumens. I suggest going into an REI (the only place I know of that has these so far). If the packaging doesn't say that it's 50 lumens, compare a packaged one to the display model. The older display model has a one watt l.e.d. that has a hexagon shape in it. The older one will also be clearer looking through the lens. The new one will have a smaller l.e.d. on a rectangular circuit board and the lens will seem more blurry as it has a frosted optic. I would avoid buying it online if possible since you really don't know if you'll be getting the old or the new one.

I live 20 minutes from Duluth, MN. I haven't heard of an REI store nearby. Maybe I'll check in to REI online, or contact some different websites as to what version they're selling.

Thanks.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

I live 20 minutes from Duluth, MN. I haven't heard of an REI store nearby. Maybe I'll check in to REI online, or contact some different websites as to what version they're selling.

Thanks.

Just checked REI's store locater. Sorry, it seems that the nearest REI to Duluth is about 160 miles away. There's one in Roseville, one in Maple Grove, and one in Bloomington, MN. All are about 160-170 miles away. Those are the only three within 200 miles of Duluth. There are two Sports Authoritys nearly 130 miles away in Coon Rapids, MN. EMS is too far east and Sport Chalet is too far west. There's a Cabela's in East Grand Forks, MN and the nearest Bass Pro Shops is in Iowa. Those are the closest sporting goods stores I could find and think of. Seems like your best bet is contacting online websites or maybe ordering by phone. You might luck out if you can find a nearby Home Depot as they have the EOS on their website, although I've never seen it in their stores (and it might not be the new one).
Good luck.

 

[IronRanger]

It's the Princeton Tec EOS II. It's more expensive (around 50 USD).

Thanks again.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

The EOS II and the new EOS are both 50 lumens on high. Trust me, I own both. The EOS II only has high and low (no medium or strobe). However, if you get an EOS II, it will definitely be 50 lumens. Low is 10 lumens with the EOS II. The EOS has high, medium, low, and strobe. The EOS II has a higher safety rating for explosive environments (you don't need that for most hiking, maybe caving).

 

[IronRanger]

Yea, the original EOS will be fine for night fishing and camping.

Thanks everyone!