Hi all,
Both my wife and I are mountain leaders and the main function for the headlamps is night-time navigation in the hills. Our headlamps see a lot of use (almost every day).
A couple of years back I bought a pair of PT apex headlamps and modified the both of them with a Soul SSC emitter and a khatod reflector. These were almost perfect. I especially liked the ability to switch from a spot to a flood. However... the lowest setting was too bright and the plastic that PT used was of very poor quality. Both cases have failed, been repaired and then failed again been repaired again and failed again!!! The hinges are especially bad but basically there is nothing good about the case.
So I am looking for a pair of headlamps Ideally with a similar beam patten to our modded Apex and extended run time. They must also use AA (the ability to also use 14500 would be nice). Waterproof. Aluminium case. Cost is dependent on quality ideally I am looking to spend about £80 but I could go up to £150 per a lamp if the quality is there. I can't find exactly what I want and hence the post - I realise I might have to change my spec a bit.
My thoughts are
Zebralight H51 - and take spare batteries (not Ideal)
Spark SX5 - unfortunately it is not on sale yet and I can not get any expected date out of them (looks good though)
PT Apex!!! I have read that the plastic has been improved - but I don't trust PT any more.
BD Icon
Thanks for reading.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
____Less than $300.
3) Format:
____I want a headlamp.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____N/A
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
NiMH AA but if it can also take 14500 then that would be great plus
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
but having a flood option also would be great
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
Need to be able to nav for several hours in the dark say at 80+lumens with the ability to step up the lumens for brief periods to 150+ lumens
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't care but must be usable with gloves
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want multiple light levels. Ideally programmable but not to complicated
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
I would consider a red filter a plus but this must be in addition to white light and is not essential at all
Thanks Again
StuTho
Both my wife and I are mountain leaders and the main function for the headlamps is night-time navigation in the hills. Our headlamps see a lot of use (almost every day).
A couple of years back I bought a pair of PT apex headlamps and modified the both of them with a Soul SSC emitter and a khatod reflector. These were almost perfect. I especially liked the ability to switch from a spot to a flood. However... the lowest setting was too bright and the plastic that PT used was of very poor quality. Both cases have failed, been repaired and then failed again been repaired again and failed again!!! The hinges are especially bad but basically there is nothing good about the case.
So I am looking for a pair of headlamps Ideally with a similar beam patten to our modded Apex and extended run time. They must also use AA (the ability to also use 14500 would be nice). Waterproof. Aluminium case. Cost is dependent on quality ideally I am looking to spend about £80 but I could go up to £150 per a lamp if the quality is there. I can't find exactly what I want and hence the post - I realise I might have to change my spec a bit.
My thoughts are
Zebralight H51 - and take spare batteries (not Ideal)
Spark SX5 - unfortunately it is not on sale yet and I can not get any expected date out of them (looks good though)
PT Apex!!! I have read that the plastic has been improved - but I don't trust PT any more.
BD Icon
Thanks for reading.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
____Less than $300.
3) Format:
____I want a headlamp.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____N/A
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
NiMH AA but if it can also take 14500 then that would be great plus
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
but having a flood option also would be great
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
Need to be able to nav for several hours in the dark say at 80+lumens with the ability to step up the lumens for brief periods to 150+ lumens
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't care but must be usable with gloves
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want multiple light levels. Ideally programmable but not to complicated
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
I would consider a red filter a plus but this must be in addition to white light and is not essential at all
Thanks Again
StuTho
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