Need a New Head Lamp... Thoughts?

[JNieporte]

I'm in the market for a new headlamp. The only one I have right now is an Energizer 6 LED as shown here...

It's a pretty good light, but I'm looking for something a bit brighter and hopefully with a longer run time. My budget isn't high at all - around $30 plus shipping - but I'm hoping I can get something good in this price range.

Any recommendations?

 

[Stevie]

What are you using it for?

 

[JNieporte]

What are you using it for?

It will be my primary hands-free light for the outdoors at night, and thus needs to have a good throw. General-use, perhaps a just-in-case-the-zombies-come light, perhaps a bicycle light for night use. I'm not too concerned about super brightness, but throw is a must.

 

[carrot]

Well, my very favorite headlamp (Saint) is not in your price range but my second favorite is. The Princeton Tec EOS. I'll be writing a review on it in the coming week.

 

[vtunderground]

Another vote for the EOS.

 

[Stevie]

Agreed, Eos is very good giving a nice combination of throw and flood.

But the Fenix HL20 throws further and would suit better if throw is more important to you.

Either would stand you in good stead for a general camping and walking light.

 

[Nornlights]

Those energizer headlamps are underrated, i find them very good.

 

[fishx65]

Walmart sells a Coleman Cree headlamp that is a pretty good thrower. It's barrel shaped and goes for around $25.00. Seems a little brighter then my 50 lumen EOS. I've still been using my Dorcy 145 lumen more then any of my other headlamps because of how bright it is and the electronic switch.

 

[tpag2000]

I was in a similar boat as you recently and since I was already placing a big group order on DX so I just "hid" another item in my cart. There actually are quite a few headlamps on DX, some of them even look pretty decent based on the reviews and the forum discussions.

I went for ultra cheap: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8832 because one of the other guys wanted a couple of these too. Really, there was a flood/throw headlamp over there I'd like to try: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29435. Maybe next time.

 

[electrothump]

I still think the LedLenser/ Coast H-7 is hands down the easiest to use, and the best form factor on the market. It boast 174 lumens, I don't know if that is correct, but it is very bright. The draw back is the use of 3 AAA. But, at the same time that makes the light very lightweight. So, there is a trade off. It has good throw, and flood. You can go from low to high, and flood to spot, and back in a second via the two levers. No kidding! No cycling thru a bunch of annoying cycles to get what you want. It has no memory, but it doesn't need a memory. It simply comes on in the mode you left levers in. The controls are completely analog. You can get the desired type lighting really fast. They are selling at lows in my area for fifty bucks. Make sure you get the one that says 174 lumens if you decide to try it. If you try it, I hope you like it. I use mine daily, as in every day, and night.

DN

 

[bedazzLED]

I'll agree with electrothump that the Ledlenser H7 is a great light, but I must admit I have replaced mine under warranty a few times because the hinge that allows the head to tilt forward is simply CR.P!. It let's down this otherwise fantastic headlamp. If you can mod the hinge somehow it would be great.

I finally gave up on it and went for the Zebralight H30, which is great for around the workshop or home, but it still didn't fit the bill as an all-rounder.

I finally pulled the trigger on a Surefire Saint after much deliberation. It was worth going the few extra dollars as this can be run as the full Saint, or the lightweight Minimus.

This is a little gem, and well worth the money. Best headlamp I've got.

 

[:)>]

The Zebralight H31 is a great headlamp... I also have a Saint and love it, but the Zebralight for 1/2 the cost does a swell job in its own right... and it makes a better flashlight

 

[Gaffle]

My Petzl Myo XP died recently (wire came loose inside the casing and I haven't taken it apart yet), so for fathers day I received a Princeton Tec Remix. This is a bad *** little headlamp. It isn't regulated so brightness drops but you get good runtimes. It has a cluster of 3 leds for flood and it also has a Rebel with a smooth reflector for throw. Pretty even beam. I have used it for both reading and for outside stuff. This isn't any throw monster but for a 3 AAA light its pretty nifty. It has 2 modes for both the leds and the Rebel, high and low. The led low is a great for night reading. The only iffy thing about the Remix is that I don't think the case is real water resistant. I almost think I can see a bit of a gap once the lid is snapped closed.

Just another light to throw into the mix, I really like my Remix.

 

[electrothump]

I'll agree with electrothump that the Ledlenser H7 is a great light, but I must admit I have replaced mine under warranty a few times because the hinge that allows the head to tilt forward is simply CR.P!. It let's down this otherwise fantastic headlamp. If you can mod the hinge somehow it would be great.

bedazzLED, you hit the nail on the head with the hinge being crap. The first one I had go bad, had been left on my truck dash in the sunlight. I thought the sun did it. The second one lost its grab while inside my house. I don't know why that one gave up the ghost. There is a real simple fix for the hinges though. You need a 1 1/8" # 2-56 screw, and nut. Remove the hinge rivet, and replace it with the little screw. It actually works better with the screw. The original way had notches that it clicked into. That kinda limited the placement of the light head. With the screw, you can place the light head in at any angle and it will hold fine. I actually used a nylon insert lock nut on my screw, and it has yet to slip. I've already worn out an elastic strap, and had to repair a broken wire. I wear them for hours each day. I'm pretty sure they were not made for the use I put them through. Coast has really have hit on an excellent idea. They just need to beef it up a little. I still don't like the rubber back plate on the battery box either, but it has yet to fail. Oh, that rivet may try to turn as you drill it out. Just apply some kind of pressure to the back side of it as you are drilling it. You only have to drill one side, and then just push it out with anything small enough to go through the hole. The new screw works fine for that. It takes about fifteen minutes for all of it. If anyone needs a screw, and a nut, I'll be glad to send them one of each. I bought a box of a hundred of each from Fastenal, and don't use that many screws that sized, and it's even more rare for me to use that sized lock nut.. Just send me a self addressed, and stamped envelope, and I'll be glad to send you one. Email me for my address. Or, you can pick them up at most hobby shops.

Dave

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

This one is $30 from Target, with variable output.

http://www.energizerlightingproducts.com/productlines/energizer/Pages/HDL1AAODE.aspx


Swap an R5 in there, and it's even brighter.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=229571

 

[Flint&Steel]

I bought a PT EOS for camping/grilling out at night and it works great.