Headlamp for Workshop Use

[tjloeb]

I do a great deal of home gun smithing and as the old eyes are not what they used to be I am in the market for a good workshop headlamp.

Since my work in never more than a few feet in front of me I do not need all the power/lumens in the world.

A nice wide beam to cover my work area and comfort are also key.

Thanks

 

[fixitman]

Sounds like you need a Zebralight. The H501 model takes a single AA battery, and has a wide flood beam, with no central spot. I love mine for up close work. It has several brightness modes, so you should be able to find the light level you need.

 

[tjloeb]

Thank you for the reply.

Are they readily available and from where? I admit I have never heard of them.

 

[Mr. Tone]

Yes, the Zebralight 501 or 501w is what you need for that application. It produces an even, smooth, flood with no hotspot. The output and runtime are really good and they can use alkaline, NIMH rechargable, and lithium primary AA batteries.

The 501w will produce a tint that is closer to incandescent light, while the 501 will have more blue tint to it. I much prefer the neutral/warm white LED to cool white. That is my personal opinion and not that of everyone here.

There are several dealers that frequent CPF that come to my mind. Here are 3 that I can think of right now. There are probably more, though.

Flashlight Connection - www.flashlightconnection.com

4sevens - www.4sevens.com

GoingGear - www.goinggear.com

 

[davidt1]

+1

H501 is good light. Me use one for cooking, taking showers, sewing, cleaning dishes, and brushing teeth to keep the house cool and save electricity.

 

[Lucciola]

+1 for Zebralight H501w

I use it very much when I am working on the familys bicycles in our garage. The beam is so nice wide that after a while I hardly recognize that I'm wearing it. It's just like being wrapped up in light. Very nice.

As worklight on the bike I use the high setting, for reading medium is enough. On high it will only last for about an hour with a fresh rechargeable so make sure to have a few rechargeables handy. Sanyo Eneloops are popular around here. I use them as well and they are definitely a no-brainer in everyday use.

I wouldn't recommend using it daily with primary batteries from the supermarket for environmental and of course financial reasons.

You just have to be aware of the fact that the light keeps its constant brightness until the end and then suddenly switches off without warning. So that's another reason for rechargeables: I always make sure to put in a freshly loaded batt before using it.

That's not a big deal for home use or in the garage, because you won't be completely in the dark. However I experienced this once when setting up a tent at night where I did not have a fresh cell ready in my pocket.

To me the neutral white version H501w is very comfortable for the eyes. Possibly in the workshop it won't make such a big difference but particularly for reading I think the tint is perfect. :thumbsup: I can read with it for hours without my eyes getting tired.

Around here all shops sell the Petzl tikka series which is also a small and floody light, but it's not regulated. So it will make good use of batteries by producing as much light as the battery can deliver energy. I already had a Petzl tikka a long time before buying my Zebralight.

It is still not a bad light and I keep it now in my car for putting on snow-chains in winter. If the batts are half depleted you do not get full brightness any more, but the light will not leave you completely in the dark even with nearly dead batteries. However for a workshop light this is not a relevant issue IMO.

The best about the Zebralight is the fact that it is among the smallest and lightest Headlamps and I hardly feel it when wearing it.

Good luck with your choice

Lucciola

 

[Mr. Tone]

+1 for Zebralight H501w
The best about the Zebralight is the fact that it is among the smallest and lightest Headlamps and I hardly feel it when wearing it.

Yeah, you got that right. They made it very comfortable to wear, it is so well thought out for headlamp use.

 

[degarb]

I found in 2005 that old folks can paint just as good with eyes as sharp as a teen, provided they use a good headlamp with throw. The throw allows for sight of detail; the flood for less demanding tasks--like folding clothes.

More throw also allows the light to be useful as the batteries drain down. I can't use a 105 lumen Cree floody light 40 minutes into a AAA pack on detail work like painting. While a 30 lumen lux 1 AAA thrower will work fine 2.5 hours for painting.

Small AAA lights are good for stuffing into a toolbelt or pocket and forgetting about until needed. While AA lights work great for a toolbag, and offer better long working time and brightness. I use toolbelt batteries on large jobs too.

I prefer 160 plus lumens with a little throw for painting, over 10 hours on one battery charge. This allows great detail viewing at 9 to 12 foot. I do dial it down to 50-80 lumens for arm length work, until touching up.

As far as color rendering. All my Rebels are fine. The Cree leds are all over the place, I have found--some excellent some poor. The cheap 50 lumen per watt headlamp,generic china, ones that big lots are selling for 6 bucks are bright enough over 4.5 hours but horrible color. The old lux 1's were pretty bad on colors.

Currently, in akron at the brick and mortar stores. We have the $6 big lots lights; Walmart's xrc has good runtime (the xr-e significantly shorter runtime) and no throw. ****'s, lowes, sears (does have an over priced 145 lumen AAA rebel with likely 3 watt draw), and depot here have nothing worth buying, if you want a modern efficient led premade headlamp. Target has a worth while 100 lument Energizer head lamp.

I was looking at deal extreme. They have some xpe q5 headlamps. One with garrity style case that looks great. Except, no one reviews them here, and are known for poor build quality and lack of good reflectors in the lights.