Looking for a back-up headlamp for work (wildland firefighting)

[Gnufsh]

My primary headlamp is a Primus Primelite Race that runs off of 4 AAs and has a rebel LED. I love it, but I want to carry a backup headlamp in case of failure of that one, or in case one of my crew members breaks theirs. THis happened last friday night and I loaned mine out and ended up running my fire engine and a portable pump all night using a flashlight (I held it in my mouth and swore a lot).

So, basically I am looking for a small, light and cheap led headlamp that will run all night as a backup (I can't afford to spend as much as I spent on my primary light). It has to run on AAs, as I carry those already for my radio and they are readily available at work and on fires. I also already carry about a 45lb pack when I am hiking in to fires, so something light would be good as well.

What do you think? any ideas?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[sORe-EyEz]

i see a SL Argo Hp in your sig.

SL 3AA Haz-Lo & the soon-to-be released Sidewinder HP?

Haz-Lo http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=126
Sidewinder (info from brightguy.com)
http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Sidewinder_with_C4_LED_14006_14007_14008_14009.php

 

[Marduke]

I assume some safety rating could be a bonus?

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/mshd3aa.pdf

I have the regular version of this headlamp and find it to be extremely robust.

 

[StandardBattery]

Since it is a backup you might get by with a Micro Trailblazer, these do seem a bit hard to locate right now. But since it only uses 1 AA, runtime might be compromized, but at the same time it's small and won't use up all your spare batteries, if you need it for a few hours before you can get spares.

 

[Gnufsh]

The Haz-Lo+a seoul upgrade would be in the same price range as my current light, a little pricey for a backup. I can't see a hazardous location rating as a bonus for wildland fire (I already have a light for that anyway).

The trailfinder micro looks great, but I am not sure if I can find one. I kind of live in the middle of nowhere.

 

[hopkins]

My wicked idea is you buy a roll of duck tape, paper towels, and rubbing alcohol.
When a crew member has a head lamp failure you duck tape the flashlight to 'his' helmet after cleaning it with the alcohol wetted paper towels for a good stick.
You keep your headlamp!

Far cheaper and will embarrass the crew to be careful and not headbutt stuff that will break their headlamps.

 

[tnuckels]

The Remington (AKA Ray-O-Vac) RMHL4AA-B can be had for about ½ the cost (≈$40) of your primary light. There is at least one CPF discussion of it HERE, and maybe others if you search, that tells more about the light. It's a 4xAA like your Primus, so that works, but I can't seem to find definitive information on runtimes, though there is some mention of 4hours. Not quite all night, but a set of spare batteries might make up the difference. Guess you gets what you pays for L.

Good Luck!

 

[pec50]

I have been using the Princeton Tec EOS as the low level provides sufficient light but still allows for finding small hotspots and it's easy to use with the usual wildlands type of gloves. I use the bike version of the EOS as it allows for more flexibility in mounting. That said, I just today ordered the PT Remix Hybrid from Brightguy as it has both the wide angle 5mm leds and a focused rebel with a range from 4 to 45 lumens. So, it seems to provide the best of both worlds, but will probably need a rubber headband for hardhat use.

 

[Glock27]

For illuminating pumper controls, or any "close" tasks,it would be hard to beat a H501w Zebralight.
Lightweight and uses AA.
G27

 

[Yucca Patrol]

For illuminating pumper controls, or any "close" tasks,it would be hard to beat a H501w Zebralight.
Lightweight and uses AA.
G27

+1 I agree that an AA zebralight would be perfect (either H50 or H501w)

 

[Flashfirstask?later]

A "Streamlight Rubber Helmet Band" can be had for only a few bucks (got mine at a local Police/Law enforcement supply store). After slipping it on the helmet, it then has two holes on each side where (or two each side) lights can be mounted on a helmet. I have one but it can slip up a little on a hard hat though.

 

[Gnufsh]

A "Streamlight Rubber Helmet Band" can be had for only a few bucks (got mine at a local Police/Law enforcement supply store). After slipping it on the helmet, it then has two holes on each side where (or two each side) lights can be mounted on a helmet. I have one but it can slip up a little on a hard hat though.

I have one of those somewhere. Might be useful on a structure helmet if I needed to toss some door chocks in the band as well. It doesn't let me adjust the light well enough for wandering through the mountains and desert at night. As for the zebralight, I can run my pump in the dark (or blindfolded for that matter), the hard part is wandering around in the dark, or hiking down to the lake or stream (without a trail, mind you) with a 55lb portable pump. I need to be able to watch ahead of me for snags that might fall or other hazards and see the ground in front of me so I don't fall on my face.

 

[Linger]

+1 on the Zebra being extremely small and lightweight. It's single AA as you asked for, and will run all night to a few days depending on user select output. However, it's double your budget and it'd have to be purchased on line.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=127394

Garrity is 3xAA so it's bigger then you want, but it will run most of the night on primary or days on secondary 3x5mm white led's. Has a lux III (upgradable with p4 star by you, it seems with your mod list). Only required mod is to stick two peices of eraser to the buttons with JB weld (or epoxy anything else to give a tactile feel to the buttons. the switch function is %100 an no issues with gloved use feeling for output however the buttons are flush and you'll need to stick a peice of something to them to use with gloves).
There's a clone made by Nuwia (sold battery junction iirc for $10 that doesn't have the red 5mm's on the side).
The Garrity is the right cell, the right price, the right output, and since it fits in a sunglass bag (I just tried) I'll say it's the right size too.

 

[Linger]

You could also try the Hardcase 3aa headlamp. The 5mm leds are red and green (no white) and the main cree 7090 only has high and medium modes. High is ~115lumen, medium is fine for bushwacking. But if the headlamp is only needed for pathfinding as you can perform main duty with-out light you'd be fine with this.
Hardcase probably says its more durable. I've used the garrity outdoors and in all weather with zero concerns. I seem to be lucky that way.

 

[Gnufsh]

If the zebra light was either cheaper or not pure flood, I would be all over it. I am interested in the ray-o-vac/Remington and may be purchasing that after I get paid next.

 

[tnuckels]

Gnufsh (Dan) asked for recommendations for lights that A) are less expensive than his original light, B) used AA batteries like all his other equipment, C) will serve as backup to his primary light, and D) wasn't too big/heavy. The first two criteria seem pretty well established, without much wiggle room, and should have nixed some of the lights suggested as contenders, but many posters simply soldier on regardless.

The third criteria, backup, is open for discussion, but usually involves some compromises in function and/or durability. However, as this light is to be used in a serious job setting the amount of compromise is perhaps less, as one can well imagine that considerable thought went into the purchase of the original light. The Primus Primelite Race has 3 lighting levels (125m/3hrs, 95m/7hrs, 70m/20hrs) and looks very durable. The Rem4xAA has high & low main LED levels in both spot and flood beams, plus red for night vision and "game tracking", just in case you need to follow a blood trail at nightJ. Using the ROV 1xAA as a guide, and to judge from the pictures on CPF, the backup looks well made, with its weak point being the diffuser as it's moved from side to side, but once in position is well protected.

The forth criteria, size/weight, is more of a compromise. While the Rem4xAA is somewhat more bulky than the Race, I find that at night, especially under stressful conditions, small devices tend to go missing, so this might end up being helpful. The Race's 6.9oz vs. 4.6oz (w/out batteries?) for the backup would seem comparable, though perhaps not ideal for trimming weight from the backpack.

I just bought one of these lights as an early Christmas/deer season gift for my brother-in-law, to see if the "blood tracking" mode works, and am pleased so far. One thing's for sure, this will fit any head out there, so long as it's smaller than a basketball (read: the straps are very generous). Additional features I was unaware of include blinky front red mode, rear red blinky LED on the battery pack (all the better to be seen or followed), and the two sets of buttons work independently but not simultaneously, cancelling each other out, and only work in a linear progression. Lack of directions caused a slight delay figuring out how the battery pack cover is removed (it twists off and is tethered). Besides the "Remington" logo straps being kinda' homely, this light seems good to go as it fits well with the stated criteria, plus what I read between the lines from Dan's posts.

I'm happy to answer any questions as this light seems to have made his short list.

 

[Gnufsh]

I picked up one of the Energizer AA headlight/flashlight combo packs at costco (with the energizer trailblazer micro). Seems like it will meet my needs, and the price was right. While I was out shopping I also went by my "local" lowe's (almost 2 hours from where I work, just like costco) and they did not have the remmington headlamp. That still looks like an excellent headlamp that I would like to try at some point (money permitting).

Thank you for the input everyone,

Dan