Looking for a headlamp for my Father...

[tkoden]

Well guys I just pulled the trigger on my first LED flashlight for my Christmas present (from my sister) and was thinking that a headlamp would be a great present for him. We do a lot of four-wheeling and camping, he also operates heavy equipment and often repairs it at night. Looking for something around $50 since I am in college and can't afford too much. What would you guys recommend? If there is something that would work better thats more then $50 post it up too.

Thanks, this forum is great.
Kirk

 

[nein166]

Rayovac Sportsman Extreme 1 AA ~ $18 Walmart
and an 8 pack of E lithium cells ~ $16 Walmart(photo section)

$35 for the whole package, only drawback no low white but the blue is low and runs long time. Red is almost useless in the woods at night no color rendition. The flip filter is great. I used it for 4 nights while backpacking on 1 battery, granted I was too tired to stay up late.

 

[Gunner12]

If he is doing repairs, would a floody headlamp be better then one with a strong hotspot?

If yes, the Zebralight might be a good choice.

 

[tkoden]

Thats the problem is he needs something that will throw about 10 - 20 yards but can also be enough of a flood to work up close.

 

[nein166]

Thats the problem is he needs something that will throw about 10 - 20 yards but can also be enough of a flood to work up close.

With the prismatic flip down diffuser on the Rayovac the optic will either light up everything in 10' or shoot out to 50' on spot. Its a tight beam. When you have the diffuser on the red and blue 5mm leds the white 3watt power led is free to light things up at a distance. Flip it over to diffuse the white and open up the (2)red and (1)blue.
It has a simple ON(reds)-ON(blue)-ON(white)-OFF button sequence.

If your Dad hates it tell him you'll get him a new one but keep it for yourself and then buy him a carbide head lamp, that'll show him what he's missing.

Heres a thread on it

 

[tkoden]

I got the RoV light and it seems pretty good but what about a light with more run time. I really don't think the 1.8 - 2 hrs run time is enough. I was looking at some of the PT lights with far greater run times but they are only 20 - 30 lumens.

 

[fishx65]

An EOS would probably cover his needs. Not known as a flooder but has enough to do almost any job. Simple to use, very durable, waterproof, very bright Lux, no battery pack, AAA batteries and 35 bucks. Got one for my retired dad a few years ago and it's been growing out of his head ever since.

 

[Edro]

Ditto what fishx65 said. It's a good headlamp.
I use one and it's a nice, easy to use lamp. One big button on top helps as sometimes I use it when it's cold outside and have gloves on. Also the battery indicator really helps. I have one for each car too...loaded with E2 lithiums so I don't have to worry about them dying on me when I really need them.
Good luck.

 

[half-watt]

Well guys I just pulled the trigger on my first LED flashlight for my Christmas present (from my sister) and was thinking that a headlamp would be a great present for him. We do a lot of four-wheeling and camping, he also operates heavy equipment and often repairs it at night. Looking for something around $50 since I am in college and can't afford too much. What would you guys recommend? If there is something that would work better thats more then $50 post it up too.

Thanks, this forum is great.
Kirk

[NOTE: taken from two Posts i made in another Thread]

headlamp advice: (i have over 50 of 'em) have mostly switched over to my Fenix-"headlamp". huh??? Fenix+JakStrap for hands-free use, or Fenix+clip-off-of-a-MiniMag-or-the-clip-from-the-$4.95-MiniMag-Accessory-Kit

smaller, lighter (important for an ultralight backpacking like i used to do) than most headlamp choices; decent burntime on low output; better throw with ample enough spill at greater distances.


stand by my suggestion = a Fenix headlamp, i.e Fenix+Jakstrap. Why?

1. it meets your price requirement (or close enough, depending upon model).

2. has the throw necessary for some of his applications.

3. while NOT a flood light, it does have sufficient field of view to perform repairs on low o.p. modes. i've used them for under-car "shade-tree" mechanic repairs, kitchen and laundry room appliance repairs, plus electronics fabrication.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

You might try one of these. I just bought one at Lowe's for $20 and it seems to work well:

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/HD5L33AE.PDF

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=288207-346-HD5L33AE&lpage=none

 

[pipspeak]

Another vote for the PT Eos... although it's more of a spot than flood, I find the lower settings are fine for up-close work. It's pretty indestructible and has a lifetime warranty. I did have a switch go out on my girlfriend's unit but that might have been due to a leaky battery and it was replaced under warranty.

I just got another from brightguys... on sale for $27.

Saw the Energizer one at Lowes the other day and it looks nice but I remain to be convinced it'll last through much abuse.