Help Choosing a Headlamp for Night Hiking

[CyPF]

Hello !

I'm looking for the best headlamp for night hiking. I have somes requirements:

- Good quality
- Lightweight
- With Red light if possible
- Resistant to low temperatures
- Waterproof
- Removable battery


I'm hesitating between 3 models:

Skilhunt H200
Skilhunt H04RC
ARMYTEK WIZARD C2

Which one has the most comfortable headband? And practical if I have to unclip the torch.
Which one has the best build quality and durability?

Do you have any other models to suggest?

Thanks

 

[MainSqueeze]

I can only be of help for the h200 by figured I'd chime in since few have that headlamp since it's so new.

The h200 has a great build quality. My other lights are zebralights and I'd say they are similar build quality. The red led is quite powerful and works well. Headband is great too. The only downside is tests show it goes to 250 lumen fairly quickly from all modes. However, that should be enough lumens for hiking. I'd say if you're good with 250 lm for the majority of your hike you should go with the h200 over the others listed.

 

[Espresso_Junky]

I will throw the Fenix HM65R into the mix... by far my favorite over the years. Incredibly lightweight for the 18650 size, most comfortable headband I've used, USB-C charging as well as easy cell removal and just a great all around device.

 

[DaveTheDude]

I believe the Jetbeam HR10 meets your criteria. Small, lightweight, wide range of light levels. Removable 18350 battery, also capable of using a 16340 cell, just in case. HP-L HD emitter. Low is 6 lumens, high is 700 lumens. Beautiful hotspot with a generous spillbeam. Check out the ZeroAir review for a full exploration of this really sweet little headlamp. (I'm a fan of this light by the way, just in case that wasn't clear.) 😁

 

[DaveTheDude]

So, CyPF, which headlamp did you choose?

 

[letschat7]

I use a Spectra.

 

[seery]

For hiking, you'd be hard pressed to find a better option than the Fenix HM62-T.

Fenix HM62-T Lightweight Trail Running Headlamp

The HM62-T headlamp is the perfect running headlamp with its lightweight magnesium body, 30% lighter than aluminum, making it comfortable to wear. It features versatile white and red LEDs and boasts an innovative, two-way adjustable SPORT headband with an integrated emergency whistle for safety...

fenix-store.com

 

[Monocrom]

PrincetonTec EOS II.

Sure it's an older model but it's fantastic, and reliable.

 

[3L3M3NT]

I'm not sure if you purchased a headlamp yet, but another few options are:
https://fenix-store.com/collections/headlamp-series/products/fenix-hm61r-v2-rechargeable-headlamp

https://fenix-store.com/collections.../fenix-hm71r-rechargeable-industrial-headlamp

https://fenix-store.com/collections...hm70r-21700-rechargeable-headlamp-1600-lumens

https://fenix-store.com/collections...ucts/fenix-hm60r-outdoor-headlamp-1200-lumens

https://fenix-store.com/collections...products/fenix-hm50r-v2-0-headlamp-700-lumens

https://www.nitecorestore.com/Nitecore-HC65M-v2-NVG-Rechargeable-Headlamp-p/fl-nite-hc65mv2.htm

https://www.acebeam.com/h15-20

https://www.acebeam.com/h30https://www.acebeam.com/h30

You can get a custom version of the headlamp above if you want specific LEDs in this headlamp.
https://skylumen.com/products/acebeam-h30vn-best-single-21700-headlamp-r?_pos=4&_sid=752135b51&_ss=r

Good luck with your decision 👍

 

[Bob A]

I picked up a Zebralight nH503r for trail walking at night.

I decided that wearing it on my head was useless, as most of the light was spilling onto my glasses before it could reach the trail; what I need to see is terrain underfoot. I've wrapped it on my wrist, but while that worked it was less than totally satisfactory.

I've just rigged it to wear above my knee. I'll let y'all know if that works any better.

Two points I should mention:
I prefer minimal illuminating; seeing rather than being seen, and
I walk two leashed athletic pitbulls on narrow paths on hillsides in the middle of the night.

 

[f22shift]

I picked up a Zebralight nH503r for trail walking at night.

I decided that wearing it on my head was useless, as most of the light was spilling onto my glasses before it could reach the trail; what I need to see is terrain underfoot. I've wrapped it on my wrist, but while that worked it was less than totally satisfactory.

I've just rigged it to wear above my knee. I'll let y'all know if that works any better.

Two points I should mention:
I prefer minimal illuminating; seeing rather than being seen, and
I walk two leashed athletic pitbulls on narrow paths on hillsides in the middle of the night.

have you tried necklace style? often if I didn't want to get a face full of bugs, I would wear it around my neck and rotate the light to where I want it