I don't have too much experience with headlamps, but I love my PrincetonTec Aurora. At first, I was a little put off by the fact that it didn't have a top strap. But it is so light, and the normal strap is of good quality, so it isn't necessary.
I got mine locally for $25.
I also like the intelligently designed system of cycling through the options. Push the button one time after another to scroll through the options. When you get to the option you like, stop pressing. When you are done, press the button, and no matter which mode you're in, you go right to the off mode. They were smart enough to put the blinking modes towards the end, so 90% of the time, you don't even need to put up with the annoyance.
As far as bang for the buck, I think this must be one of the best ones out there.
If I were willing to spend more money on a headlamp, I would take DougNel's advice and buy the Fusion. To me though, handheld lamps are just a bit more fun. I don't know why.
The beam of the Aurora is a flood, but it has a hotspot in the center. When I was using it to work on my car radio, I noticed how easy it is to forget that you are wearing a lamp. It is a nice feeling, having that light without tying up one of your hands. (or slobbering a lot)
For longer distance lighting needs, you generally don't need both of your hands free, so a distance tightly focused beam option doesn't seem really necessary.
Overall, I highly recommend it. PrincetonTec lights seem cheap when you're looking at them and when you're first handling them, but they are really good stuff at a good price. They also seem to be a bit more available locally
than Streamlights...
One last thing, the friction of the pivot is just the right tightness. If it should every STOP being just the right tightness, you can dial it back, as it is set up with a machine screw and nut arrangement. All you need is a #1 Philips.
-Jeremy
