Streamlight Argo headlamp

rlhess · Mar 5, 2004

I just received my Streamlight Argo headlamp and thought I'd report.

The Argo measures 400-200-100cd which is pretty decent. The competition, the Yukon HL measures 650cd on the high beam. The Argo is bluer than the Yukon HL, but not as purplie as my SF KL1.

This headlamp is requlated and right on it they claim 1/2.5/6.5 hours and there is a 1/1-1/2-1/5 battery indicator, too.

There is a flash mode (bright only).

It uses 3 AAAs and they are self-contained, making it smaller and lighter than the Yukon HL.

All in all, I think this is a winner.

Enjoy!

Richard

pedalinbob · Mar 6, 2004

those are excellent lux readings, thanks!

Bob

JerryM · Mar 6, 2004

Richard,
I have trouble visualizing numbers such as you provided.
I am planning to buy at least one headlamp, and while I do want the LED capability, I think I would like a light with a Xenon mode.

How does the Argo compare with the Trident, for example?

I hate to be limited to a short range capability, such as LEDs provide. Maybe the LS makes it have reasonable range. How does it compare with the SF KL1?

Thanks,
Jerry

rlhess · Mar 6, 2004

Hi, Jerry,

I realize it's hard to relate to these numbers, and I can't compare it to the Trident as I don't have one. However, if you use the throw numbers at www.flashlightreviews.com (what a great job), you can compare them to the cd output by taking the square root of the candela output.

so the Quickbeam throw numbers would be 20-14-10 which is about equivalent (the 20) to the KL1--although I think my KL1 is a bit less than 400.

The beam on the Argo is a bit narrower and ringy due to the polished reflector--it's not as broad or smooth as the KL-1. Overall, it's putting out less light than a KL-1, but it's more focused.

I think that's the best I can give you. It's also relatively inexpensive. I think it's 39.95.

It is a side-emitting Luxeon and is actually quite tiny.

By the way, the output of the SL Septor (if this helps) is 80-40-25cd with fresh batteries (degrading as the batteries age) or rough throws of 9--6.3--5.

The throw numbers are arbitrary, but would be feet if you're looking for a cutoff of 1 fc of illumination or meters if you're looking for 1 lux of illumination. YMMV

Cheers,

Richard

JerryM · Mar 6, 2004

Thanks, Richard. That helps.

Jerry

M · Mar 13, 2004

Has anyone experienced problems with their Argo cutting out? I was reading with the lamp (low setting) for about one hour, when it just went out. After that, it would only stay on for about three minutes after the next few "automatic" shutdowns. About the fourth time it did this, when I tried to restart it, it flashed briefly, and dimmly, and would not come on. I pulled the battery holder out, put it right back in, and it seemed to work fine. This all went on between 0130 & 0230, so I will wait until tonight to better quantify the initial time before the first cut out.
Mike