For what it is worth

[whippoorwill]

First of all, let me say that I am a big fan of headlamps. Especially for those situations that require both hands free. I am a deer hunter and use headlamps almost exclusively in this pursuit.

This past hunting season was notable for the amount of rain that we experienced and I am notoriously late for leaving my stand in the evening. I walk out in total darkness using a headlamp. As the season wore on, I found myself using less and less light to navigate through the woods both in the early morning and in the evening. In fact, I used the two red lights on the ROV 1AA headlamp most of the time. They seemed to put out enough light to navigate by.

Interestingly enough, the main beam of the PT EOS (except on low) and the ROV 1AA seemed to be too much at times. I walked out several times in a light or misty rain with the main beams on after I got on the logging roads and, quite frankly, the depth perception was horrible.

I have been a proponent of more powerful headlamps but now I am not so sure. With dark adapted eyes, I found that you just do not need that many lumens to safely navigate in the woods. I am still an advocate of more powerful lumens in a handheld. The 6P drop in from Gene Malkoff came in quite handy on several occasions but the race for lumens in a headlamp seem self defeating to me.

YMMV, but this has been my experience.

 

[jch79]

As you said, YMMV! It all depends on the uses and the users! While the lumen race may not be important/relevant to one person (and I totally respect that!), lumens can be a caver/diver's best friend! It's a cool time in lighting technology where we have LED's that are so efficient, that we now have lights that are TOO bright!

It seems like a PT Quad might be more up your alley, if you're not out for "punch". :thumbsup: (I have an EOS and Quad, and like both of 'em for different tasks).

Best,
john

 

[whippoorwill]

It seems like a PT Quad might be more up your alley, if you're not out for "punch". :thumbsup: (I have an EOS and Quad, and like both of 'em for different tasks).

Best,
john

Trust me, I have damn near every headlamp made and I have yet to find the perfect one! If the ROV 1AA had levels on the main beam and a longer runtime it would be close. Real close.

Thanks for the input. As you confirmed YMMV!

 

[degarb]

Heretic! "Eye's adjusteth, but their loss is in detail and color" Luminescence 1:23

But seriously, you don't use high beams when driving in the rain, so it follows that the red might work best in the rain. Human eyes need bright (sunlight type bright, as evolved/designed) to see detail well. However, just walking, you don't need detail.

Also, "Walk by faith and not by your lumens for good throw, or a good flood." I believe the rainbow too, is sign that the Lord won't flood the world again. But don't remember from Sunday school class what bin He used. The whole Book really does appear to be about Lumens and Lux factors. Hide not your flashlight under a bush , and what not.

 

[RonM]

Trust me, I have damn near every headlamp made and I have yet to find the perfect one! If the ROV 1AA had levels on the main beam and a longer runtime it would be close. Real close.

You can say that again! Multiple levels, with low being very low (don't follow the Fenix model). Are you listening Ray-O-Vac?

 

[Glock40]

I had a very similar situation just this past November while coming out of the woods in the dark after I had been deer hunting. I use a PT quad for walking to and from hunting spots in the dark, and this has always worked perfect until one night. A very thick fog rolled in down in the valley where I was. The quad beam was very wide and the high mode just blinded me, I could see slightly better on low but was actually still blinded and could not see past 15 feet in front of me. I was not worried i had a few more lights on me of course. I switched off the quad and fired up the trusty Surefire A2. The incan pierced the fog with ease for the short hike back to camp.

 

[Glasstream15]

I only have 2 headlamps, both from Brookstone. Yeah, before I found CPF. One is about 5 years old and and a 2XAA incan and the other is a 3XAAA, as Brookstone says, "Super-Bright LED Headlamp". Sometimes, for things I need a headlamp for, the LED is almost too bright. Other times, it's perfect. I can't imagine trying to walk with a 100 lumen thrower on my head. I think I would get very dizzy with it moving as I move my head. If I need that much light, I think I would prefer a hand carried light.

So headlamps, and I may still get something better than I have, are for close work and taking vehicles into the Trolley barn at night, where I am only looking to shut down and exit the building. Much brighter and I'd blind myself with reflections.

But, as stated earlier, YMMV!

 

[whippoorwill]

Trying to walk with a light cannon on my head is exactly my point. I think it would disorient me, too. If I need the lumens, I would rather have it in my hand.

 

[AvPD]

For those of us who don't speak in acronyms YMMV= Your mileage may vary according to dictionary.com.

YSFA