Coast LED Lenser Micro Headlamp (1xAAA)

[Spordin]

I've picked up a couple of these at Fred Meyer for $20 each. Haven't used them for very long, but they seem reasonably sturdy, use 1AAA, Nichia LED puts out about the same as the Fenix EO. Don't know about runtime, but I would assume at least 5+ hrs of good light. Useful to have on hand for power outages and weekend camping. Comes with a little belt pouch.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00097DKSI/?tag=cpf0b6-20

 

[BlackDecker]

I think that's a great idea having 2 small LED's in back like taillights.

 

[Omega Man]

Figures I hear about this after ordering a 27 led headlight from DX I'm not expecting much from it, it'll probably go in the trunk.

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Seen those at Target under the Eddie Bauer name. Can't remember the price tho

 

[Spordin]

Oh, yeah forgot to mention the light swivels up & down a bit, which I like. What I hate about headlamps for camping is when someone looks at you, you get an eyeful of light that ruins your night vision. These little guys swivel just enough to avoid that.

 

[Omega Man]

Headlamps are worthless without the ability to pivot up and down. If these suckers are at Target, I'll have to grab one to try. It's nice to have the option of returning it ,too.

 

[defloyd77]

Target has them for 19.99, but my local Shopko has them for 10. It seems that it wasn't too good of a product, according to flashlightreviews.com, but they could've fixed those problems.

 

[Spordin]

I haven't had any of the problems flashlightreviews mentioned (maybe I have a new improved version?). Still, for $20 and just 1AAA, I wouldn't expect much. Use until it breaks, or keep on hand as a backup. What other 1AAA headlamps are out there?

 

[r0b0r]

It's certainly a good concept, I'm sure it wouldn't be all to difficult to modify it up to a more rugged standard

Not aware of many 1xAAA or 1xAA headlamps on the market. I saw a browning 1xAA headlamp on the forum but I think that had a pretty low runtime (a couple hours?)
I'd want the option to have very extended, low output.

 

[Lux Luthor]

I bought one at Target a few days ago (20 bucks). Very comfortable, and the head does swivel. The led portion is so short that it shines a little light onto my glasses - something I personally don't care for. I would have prefered the battery be integrated into the head. There is also a thin wire that routes through the strap, but is exposed in one place. I would worry about that if you're hard core on dependability.

 

[Spordin]

I'll be taking it camping in a few days and will report. The exposed wire can be protected by a bit of electrical tape. I agree it's not a hard core type light, but I'll find out how reliable it is for other less demanding uses.

 

[BlackDecker]

This same headlamp is sold at Target Stores under the "Eddie Bauer" label.

Don't look for it on the normal flashlight aisle at Target - walk over into the camping section is where I found them.

On sale this week in my local Target for $16.99. I picked one up, even came with a handy little velcro storage pouch with a belt loop on back. I agree that exposed wire needs a few wraps of electrical tape to hold it against the strap.

Also, the battery pack on back doesn't have any type of weather seals, so not sure how it would hold up in rainy weather. The included alkaline cell was almost dead in the model I purchased, but seems to run fine on a 850mah Eveready NiMh battery.

 

[BlackDecker]

Just thought I'd report back on this little gem of a headlamp. The pkg is labelled 'genuine Nichia LED', and the output of the emitter running on nothing but a AAA cell is quite impressive. I've gotten a solid 4 hours of output out of a 850mah Eveready NiMh cell.

I think it would make an ideal backup headlamp to take on extended backpacking trips. The small padded velcro carrying case is perfect for dropping into a backpack. It's a good deal for $17.

My only concern is the battery pack on back has no water seal, so unsure how well it would hold up in rain. The loop of wire coming out of the battery pack on back is easily fixed with a wrap of electrical tape around the headband to hold the wire in place.