Headlamp + Flashlight (AA)

Expired · May 14, 2012

Hi, I'm looking for a good headlamp and flashlight to run on Eneloops.
I'm thinking a floody headlamp and a flashlight that has a bit of throw?
What would you recommend as a good combination? I'm going to be using them for backpacking and travel.

Right now I'm looking at these.
Headlamp
Zebralight H51Fw
Spark SD52-NW /w optional reflector
Flashlight
Fenix LD22
Fenix LD12

What else should I be looking at? What do you recommend?

Hopefully I remembered all of them.. It would have been nice to have the links removed and not the entire text, but I guess it's my fault for posting links. Highlighting everything and pressing "unlink" at the top works just as fast.

reppans · May 14, 2012

I'd throw a Quark X AA^2 on your list for consideration too, with an optional 1xAA tube, you could have a 1x or 2x AA that will cover ~300 lumens to 400 hrs, and runs on all AA-sized battery chemistries (something the Fenix will not). The spare tube doubles as a great spare battery container, the moonlight mode is great for camping, 10yr warranty and great customer service headquartered in the US. The light and extra tube will run around ~$65 with the current rebranding sales. I have a Nitecore headband ($11) that works well with the Quark for camping.

Also have an H51w which also makes a great all-around light for camping or EDC. It's a floody light, but has a hotspot for some throw and the 90-degree angle with clip has all sorts of hands free options even without using the headband.

Can't really go wrong with either, both are super versatile lights for camping and, well, everything...

eh4 · May 15, 2012

H51Fw or H51Fc (mine) will please you to no end for utility lighting, cooking, sewing, hunting for a lost contact lens, reading, whatever. Just a fantastic light, I forget I'm using a light sometimes. Clips sideways to the bill of a ball cap nicely as well -I've got no idea where the headband went, it just goes from clipped in pocket to clipped to hat and back in pocket. Only problem with this light is that it's small enough to misplace easily, or forget that it's on your head.

Expired · May 17, 2012

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to check out that Quark.

I may have to drop the Spark and go with a Zebralight. A lot of people are saying that it is having trouble remembering settings and it doesn't step down, it just shuts off. Any other quality headlamps out there that are AA? IPX-8 preferred.

CoherentRays · May 20, 2012

Well, I'm no expert on headlamps since I only have one, so I can't compare it to any others, but I do like my Fenix HL21 so far. I got it for working around the house on plumbing and electrical projects in our unlighted crawlspace. It has three levels, 3/47/97 lumens. Included in the package was a diffuser which can be flipped up when I want the throw of a hotspot or flipped down when I want a nice flood. With one AA alkaline it weighs in at 2.9 oz on my postal scale. It is IPX-8 rated to 2 meters.

It seems adequate for walking around outside and biking around town but depending on the terrain, you might want something with a little more power for nighttime hiking and backpacking. The Fenix HP11 does have more power off of 4 AAs and also has the flip up diffuser that I like on the HL21.