Chest mounted light?

[chackoc]

I'm looking for a specific form factor but I don't know what to call it. The closest I've found is the Streamlight 14002 but I'm not seeing many real world reviews of that light.

I want something that I can attach on the straps of a pack and will work as a hands free, forward facing lamp to light up the path ahead. It should also attach fairly flat against the pack strap and not stick out too far.

As far as the lamp I'm looking for a flood type light that would last a fair bit of time (i.e. not a super powerful spot that lasts an hour.)

Is there a specific form factor for that style of light?

Can anyone recommend any lights with that form factor? Does anyone know anything about that Streamlight and whether or not its any good?

Oh also, I know a headlamp would do something similar but I'd prefer something I can tie tightly to a pack rather than something strapped to my head.

Any info you gurus could throw my way would be appreciated.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Sounds like a zebralight to me. Besides the headband they also come with a mouning clip. Beam etc are all as you describe.

 

[carrot]

Try First-Light Tomahawk.

 

[chenko]

Sounds like a zebralight to me. Besides the headband they also come with a mouning clip. Beam etc are all as you describe.

+1 for Zebralights, you just can't get any better :twothumbs
Also a Quark with a prism kit would do, but remember the (optional) diffuser lens "eats" some light. Those are still wonderful lights of course.

 

[TMedina]

The lights recommended are generally referred to as "angle head" lights - Pentagon made a very good AA angle head before they went out of business.

You can also look at the Petzl Adapt system as a possible solution.

-Trevor

 

[Flying Turtle]

+2 for Zebralight. I regularly clip mine (H50) to a shirt pocket or lapel of bathrobe while wandering around the house. With the glare shield attached it's a natural. Almost works better that way than as a headlamp.

Geoff

 

[angelofwar]

The energizer hard-case pro's at Lowes may be a cheaper (yet still decent) option for ya...they go for about $35...two levels of white, and red and green as well. The newer hard-case tactical sticks out even less...and then there's the stream light sidewinder...probably the lowest profile one there is and a well made. Awesome looking light, and mounts to a MICH/PASGT Helmet...

 

[kramer5150]

-Energizer hard case
-Fenix MC10 (angle light)
-Zebralights will do that but they are all flood and no throw (a bit of a warning).
-Streamlight survivor, sidewinder and sidewinder compact
-FirstLight
-Fultom MX991U

Just about any headlamp you can wear loosely around your neck. I do this with my zebralight.

 

[RAGE CAGE]

Brinkman had some 45 Lumen (older version of link below) MOLLE/Sternum strap compatible lights on clearance for $5.00 each yesterday. Not sure on the LED- possibly Luxeon or Rebel......Zebra light would be more durable- but also more expensive.


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brinkmann...wmlspartner=GPA&sourceid=44444444440027888705

 

[kramer5150]

Theres also a dorcy 3AAA showerhead. I normally do not like these kinds of lights, but my wife and kids use the straight non-crimp version all over the house. She ran hers through the wash too and they work fine, although one has a bum emitter.

Pentagonlight had a 1AA.

 

[artdeg]

I recently purchased a First Light Tomahawk from Lighthound. It is a very useful chest mounted or hand held light with great spill and throw. I use it on my dog walks.

 

[TriChrome]

I would look into the tactical gear sites (as in military gear). It's very common to have a hands-free flashlight tucked into a band of Molle (which is similar to the 1" thick band of nylon you'll commonly have on a backpack's strap).

I know Pentagon Lights used to make one.

 

[Ragiska]

quark prism and you have an angle light, headlamp, and handheld in one.

 

[gprice74]

Inova 24/7

 

[chackoc]

This is great everybody. I had no idea there were this many options.

One desired attribute I failed to mention was that I'd like to run it on a single CR123 as my other flashlights use CR123s already. With that additional requirement I think I've narrowed it down to Zebralight H30-Q5 or Zebralight H31. I really like the Tomohawks but they seem to be significantly bigger than the others, not to mention significantly more expensive. The Inova also looks interesting but it seems like it would be hard to control the position of the light when it's attached to a backpack.

Can anyone comment on the two Zebralights? Seems like the main difference is XR-E Q5 versus XP-G. Is one of those considered better than the other? Seems like the XP-G based light is newer -- do you think that makes a difference?

 

[ElectronGuru]

I've narrowed it down to Zebralight H30-Q5 or Zebralight H31.

Can anyone comment on the two Zebralights? Seems like the main difference is XR-E Q5 versus XP-G. Is one of those considered better than the other? Seems like the XP-G based light is newer -- do you think that makes a difference?

The H31 is so new, its not yet shipping. It also appears to have a new body design and the 6 modes formerly only found on the larger H60 (an interface I like). With some exception, the main drawback to XPG's right now is that many put off a green tint. So you're getting more lumens per amount of energy, but perhaps not in a color you would like. Overtime, Cree will improve the design and future batches will be closer to neutral white.

So if you're in a hurry, get the H30. If you can wait a few months, get the H31.