Hi all,
I originally posted this query in the "Recommend me a Light" subforum but one user suggest I repost the query in this subforum. Recommendations thus far have been Surefire Saint Minimus and Zebralight H51w. I'd be grateful for opinions on either of these headlamps, or suggestions of others!
***
I'm shopping around for my first headlamp. The intended uses are (1) for camping, so that I can do things hands-free, and (2) as a secondary light source for night-time road biking; when biking I have a Fenix LD20 strapped to my handlebars and shining ahead of me. I really like the Fenix LD20 and am game to pay more than low-end head-lamps cost to get something of similar quality. But I'm really open as to suggestions for brands and models for my first headlamp. Here are my parameters from the sticky questionnaire:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! 🙂
Ideally, less than $100; but I’m flexible, so tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
I want a headlamp.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
I want it light enough for it not to get uncomfortable with continuous use > 1 hour.
5) Emitter/Light source:
I'm flexible, but gravitate toward LED.
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I'm flexible, but would like to least having the option of using alkaline batteries.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
Any of the below would be attractive. Ideally, I'd also like the option to reduce the light intensity.
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
Ideally, at least:
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care, or I don't know that I care..
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Ideally I'd like at least 2 light levels -- a max level and a lower level that is sufficient for close-up work (e.g., cooking at a dark campsite) but uses less batter.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don’t care, so long as it's reasonably durable.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
None.
I originally posted this query in the "Recommend me a Light" subforum but one user suggest I repost the query in this subforum. Recommendations thus far have been Surefire Saint Minimus and Zebralight H51w. I'd be grateful for opinions on either of these headlamps, or suggestions of others!
***
I'm shopping around for my first headlamp. The intended uses are (1) for camping, so that I can do things hands-free, and (2) as a secondary light source for night-time road biking; when biking I have a Fenix LD20 strapped to my handlebars and shining ahead of me. I really like the Fenix LD20 and am game to pay more than low-end head-lamps cost to get something of similar quality. But I'm really open as to suggestions for brands and models for my first headlamp. Here are my parameters from the sticky questionnaire:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! 🙂
Ideally, less than $100; but I’m flexible, so tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
I want a headlamp.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
I want it light enough for it not to get uncomfortable with continuous use > 1 hour.
5) Emitter/Light source:
I'm flexible, but gravitate toward LED.
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
I'm flexible, but would like to least having the option of using alkaline batteries.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
Any of the below would be attractive. Ideally, I'd also like the option to reduce the light intensity.
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
Ideally, at least:
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care, or I don't know that I care..
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
Ideally I'd like at least 2 light levels -- a max level and a lower level that is sufficient for close-up work (e.g., cooking at a dark campsite) but uses less batter.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don’t care, so long as it's reasonably durable.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
None.
