Using a flashlight as a headlamp/lantern

[rmteo]

While working on a headlamp project, it occurred to me that it would be nice if you could use your favorite flashlight as a headlamp. By using a gimballed mount such as this, the light can be moved left/right, up/down through about an 80 degree cone and locked in position with a single knob.

Obviously, due to the nature of conventional flashlights, they are not suited to mounting on the traditional front position. However, they are are ideal for mounting on the sides or top of a headband - or hard mounted to a helmet. This mount takes 25mm. diameter body tubes but will easily accommodate smaller sizes with a simple sleeve. The base has a 1/4-20 threaded hole so it can be mounted on a camera tripod (or some sort of a base) and used as a lantern.

What do you guys think?

 

[StandardBattery]

Well you didn't get much feedback. Since I've seen similar mounts for other things, I think the overall size of the mount might be a limitation. I think when the light is on the side there are easier options that are sufficent since your head limits movement on one axis. I've not tried a Fenix Head Band that allows side mounting, you might want to look at that.

If it was mounted on the top of a helmet, that would seem to allow maximum utility of the mount, but limits its applications.

Overall a real front mounted headlamp is probably best, but a flood lamp like the Zebra upfront and one with throw on the side (could be side mounted flashlight), would be a good combination in some senarios.

As for mounting on a tripod, I'd rather just get a simple mount to fix it to a standard tripod head and be able to choose the head I like, and make use of existing equipment with a tremedous amount of addtional flexibility. This simple straight basic clamp would be a 10th the price.

Maybe have the Admins, move this to the Headlamp section for more feedback.

 

[greenLED]

I really like the gimball idea. Like SB, not entirely sold on the size/weight of it on just one side of my head.

However, I think your setup has LOTS of potential for a bike light mount! :twothumbs

 

[mr_maurice]

I had a similar idea recently, but mine can be made at home with no particular tools.
The lack of hard steel parts makes it more secure, especially if you intent to mount it on your head.
It can only be used as a headband though, pictures and description here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=227255

 

[DM51]

I'll move this to the Headlamp forum.

 

[ltiu]

I zip strap my hand helds to the side of my helmets. Works really well except I cannot change the direction of the light, the zip strap is a hard mount.

If you can build an andustable side mount, I am sure you will get a lot of demand for it.

 

[rmteo]

The ability to fine tune the direction of the light (and have it locked securely in position) is the main reason for the gimbal mount - particularly when it is hard mounted to a helmet.

For use as a headlamp, a light would need to be compact and lightweight yet have good run-time. This would rule out most 1x CR123's lights - those that take a single 18650 would be ideal. However, most lights of that size are too large/long IMO. I am designing a light that will take a 18650 (or 2x CR123) that would be good option. Here is a size comparison with a 6P:

It is 107mm. (4.21in.) long and will have one other feature which I believe will be very useful in a headlamp - the ability to continuously focus the beam from spot (about 6 degrees) to flood (about 100 degrees). It is also multi-mode with Hi-Mid-Lo output using a CREE XR-E R2. Here it is in the gimbal mount - compare this for size to the rendition in the first post:

 

[gunga]

I think it's a nice idea. Headlamps are getting pretty good, but I think this is a great option to have.

You can always put a diffuser on your light if you want Zebralight -like flood...

 

[rmteo]

I still like the concept of a light that can vary the beam size/angle. It can serve a multitude of purposes - flashlight, headlamp or lantern, with the appropriate mounts. The ZL H60 takes 18650 cells (but not 2x CR123) and has good run-times but is flood only. The light that I am designing is not a whole lot bigger than the H60. I intend to offer the gimbal as a headlamp conversion option for my light. Here is a size comparison with the H60: