tandem
Enlightened
Can you folks help me out here in choosing a headlamp for my wife? Any brand considered. I realize the Zebralight H51 meets many of these requirements but am looking for any other possible contenders to measure against.
Reliability is a key requirement. Would like to keep this purchase $100 and if at all possible must be shippable/deliverable before Christmas. No DX lights.
If any active cyclists can chime in on how they are using the proposed light(s) that'd be terrific too.
Light will be a true multi-purpose user light - supporting more passive pursuits on up to cycling (helmet mounted most likely but if can be used in a binch on a vertically alighed twofish block, great) or hiking. Will see camp-use such as reading at a picnic table or in a tent to preparing meals at camp (although I do most of that!). Will also be used for catch-all / emergency use (stuffed in a purse or bike pannier).
Requirements - Must haves
Wants
Reliability is a key requirement. Would like to keep this purchase $100 and if at all possible must be shippable/deliverable before Christmas. No DX lights.
If any active cyclists can chime in on how they are using the proposed light(s) that'd be terrific too.
Light will be a true multi-purpose user light - supporting more passive pursuits on up to cycling (helmet mounted most likely but if can be used in a binch on a vertically alighed twofish block, great) or hiking. Will see camp-use such as reading at a picnic table or in a tent to preparing meals at camp (although I do most of that!). Will also be used for catch-all / emergency use (stuffed in a purse or bike pannier).
Requirements - Must haves
- 1xAA powered. Only would consider 2xAA in the case of an exceptional match to all requirements and wants.
- Waterproof/Weatherproof to a high degree. Shouldn't see water ingress left in a sink overnight nor when used in driving rain for hours.
- No reputation as a DOA or send-it-back for repairs model
- Able to mount at front of head and swivel up and down (i.e. no side-mounted regular flashlights)
- Comfortable headband with potential to use directly on bike helmet or light itself must be able to mount on helmet via third party devices such as TwoFish blocks.
- General purpose beam, not all flood or throw, due to cycling use requirement
- Multiple output stages -- a low of 8 lumens or less and a high 120 lumens or more.
- Ideally no PWM, or no visible PWM on any mode. (this is a want, not a must have, but clearly visible PWM is a definite turn off)
- Easy to switch levels with one hand while active
Wants
- Provides other means of use (such as angle light format) i.e. must be practical to use as a general purpose flashlight as well (i.e. not like Fenix HP20). Accessory clips therefore a plus.
- Multiple levels including reading in bed or in the tent level (likely 8 lumen or 4 lumen even) and blast a motorist while commuting on a bike
- UI that isn't overly complex by default
- Cell Lock out of some sort, particularly if unit experiences parasitic drain
- Good runtime on high output level (100 lumen+) - say 2 hours on AA cell; shorter runtime on a turbo (140 lumen+) output is fine.
- Compact and lightweight a plus
- Warranty service available in Canada or U.S.
