Hello,
I'm not sure if this belongs in the Headlamp forum or "Recommend me a light' forum. Hopefully it's found.
I'm looking for a LED headlamp for use working under my basement, safely navigate my yard at night, general outdoor household and dark garage navigation, riding my bike at night (currently have a cheap little handlebar light), and occasional camping. It will reside in my backpack which I carry to work every day.
Budget
Although the zebralights look nice, my budget is $20-$35. I realize there will have to be some compromises at this price.
Flood vs. throw
For the tasks I'm using it for, I think I want a light with more flood than throw. But, I don't think I want a pure flood. I think dual led (flood&throw) lights are out of my price range and therefore I'm thinking of getting the flood effect with a diffuser lense or tape with the option to take it off if I want to. I wear glasses every day so I anticipate some glare from a standard flood light or use of diffuser. I understand I can put some black tape along the base of the light or diffuser to make this a non-issue. I don't care if it's pretty, as long as it's functional.
OTF Light and Modes
Realistically I think 50 lumens would be good enough 95% of the time I will use it (I actually don't know. I have no idea how many lumens the cheap flashlights I've used put out). It'd be nice to have a mode with more lumens, but not essential. A low mode with 3-10 lumens would be nice. Neither red light nor SOS is needed.
Tint/color
I would rather have a warmer light as opposed to everything looking blue.
Batteries
I'll be using conventional rechargable AA or AAA bateries (eneloops). Not more than 3AAA or 2AA. I think 1AAA is too little runtime.
Water resistance
The IPX-8 on the Fenix seems nice, but I don't plan on dropping it in water. If it happens to rain on my bike ride home I don't want the thing to get ruined. Maybe this isn't really a concern. I'm usually not out in the rain.
Switch
Preference for a button rather than twisting. If it doesn't turn on in high mode that's a plus.
What I've looked at so far:
Petzl Takkina - Decent light output, low price, good runtimes, but it looks to not be very floody and the tint is blue. I don't think any diffusers fit that light shape and I'm not sure how I could make a flippy diffuser so I'd have to use tape. Does anyone have an idea for making an easy on-off diffuser lens for this? Also, will diffusing the light also warm the tint so things aren't so blue?
Fenix HL21 - At $35 it's still just in my budget. It comes with a diffuser lens which gives me the option of flood or throw which I think is nice. But I read that the diffuser is cheap and will break off. I guess once it breaks I'm back at the tape option. Too bad, I like the idea of easily being able to flip between flood and throw.
Fenix HL10 - Good flood light. I like that I can use it as a hand held. A always wanted a a small AAA handheld. This could fit both needs. I like this light, but the runtimes are too low. 2.5hrs when on medium is just not sufficient.
Black Diamond Gizmo- At $20 it's not too expensive. I read it has a good flood, but max output is 35 lumens.
What are some more options? Any opinions on the lights above?
Thanks
rm
I'm not sure if this belongs in the Headlamp forum or "Recommend me a light' forum. Hopefully it's found.
I'm looking for a LED headlamp for use working under my basement, safely navigate my yard at night, general outdoor household and dark garage navigation, riding my bike at night (currently have a cheap little handlebar light), and occasional camping. It will reside in my backpack which I carry to work every day.
Budget
Although the zebralights look nice, my budget is $20-$35. I realize there will have to be some compromises at this price.
Flood vs. throw
For the tasks I'm using it for, I think I want a light with more flood than throw. But, I don't think I want a pure flood. I think dual led (flood&throw) lights are out of my price range and therefore I'm thinking of getting the flood effect with a diffuser lense or tape with the option to take it off if I want to. I wear glasses every day so I anticipate some glare from a standard flood light or use of diffuser. I understand I can put some black tape along the base of the light or diffuser to make this a non-issue. I don't care if it's pretty, as long as it's functional.
OTF Light and Modes
Realistically I think 50 lumens would be good enough 95% of the time I will use it (I actually don't know. I have no idea how many lumens the cheap flashlights I've used put out). It'd be nice to have a mode with more lumens, but not essential. A low mode with 3-10 lumens would be nice. Neither red light nor SOS is needed.
Tint/color
I would rather have a warmer light as opposed to everything looking blue.
Batteries
I'll be using conventional rechargable AA or AAA bateries (eneloops). Not more than 3AAA or 2AA. I think 1AAA is too little runtime.
Water resistance
The IPX-8 on the Fenix seems nice, but I don't plan on dropping it in water. If it happens to rain on my bike ride home I don't want the thing to get ruined. Maybe this isn't really a concern. I'm usually not out in the rain.
Switch
Preference for a button rather than twisting. If it doesn't turn on in high mode that's a plus.
What I've looked at so far:
Petzl Takkina - Decent light output, low price, good runtimes, but it looks to not be very floody and the tint is blue. I don't think any diffusers fit that light shape and I'm not sure how I could make a flippy diffuser so I'd have to use tape. Does anyone have an idea for making an easy on-off diffuser lens for this? Also, will diffusing the light also warm the tint so things aren't so blue?
Fenix HL21 - At $35 it's still just in my budget. It comes with a diffuser lens which gives me the option of flood or throw which I think is nice. But I read that the diffuser is cheap and will break off. I guess once it breaks I'm back at the tape option. Too bad, I like the idea of easily being able to flip between flood and throw.
Fenix HL10 - Good flood light. I like that I can use it as a hand held. A always wanted a a small AAA handheld. This could fit both needs. I like this light, but the runtimes are too low. 2.5hrs when on medium is just not sufficient.
Black Diamond Gizmo- At $20 it's not too expensive. I read it has a good flood, but max output is 35 lumens.
What are some more options? Any opinions on the lights above?
Thanks
rm