Using Small Lights As Headlights

[jayflash]

I've got a strap from a broken headlight that I'd like to, temporarily, attach a Mini AA, Arc LS, Scorpion, etc. to. This would take up less space when stored in a pocket than a dedicated headlight that I'd have to buy, and $$ is tight, now. This way it could be used either hand held or on the head.

Velcro straps and <font color="red"> </font> DUCT TAPE came to mind but I suspect somebody has already done this successfully. I will appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Roy]

Some elastic band in a loop and a pop rivet gun to attach the loop to the head band might work.

 

[CNTSTPDRMN]

www.NITEIZE.COM HAS A COOL STRAP THAT I USE FOR MY INOVA X5T, (FITS MINI AA)
IT HAS REALLY COME IN HANDY, IT'S $5 AND YOU CAN GET IT AT HOME DEPOT & LOWES!!

 

[jayflash]

Thank you for the info and link. I was lucky enough to find that strap at Fleet Farm. All three Arc configurations (AAA, LS-123, TSP) work with the strap. I'm going to have a band of cordura stitched to the other side to accept the wide clip on my Scorpion; this should work for a TL-2, also.

 

[AlecGold]

It's hard to get Niteize overhere so I made one for myself. I use my A2 a lot (special when camping) and I like to have my hands free. The HA is quite bad for my teeth so I made a head band with a loop from an old backpack and some 1" elastic band. It cost me noting and it works well.
I made a loop out of elastic band to fit my lamp (quite tight) and the headband goes trough the elastic loop. I used a simple fastex thing (from the shoulder adjusting of the backpack) whichs makes it easy to adjust it to a head with or without hat, or even for a hand.

 

[JohnK]

CNTS, thanks, I've been looking for something like this.

Lowes/Home Depot is within 1/2 mile.

 

[ESD]

I just put on a baseball cap and clip my light to the bill. I've used a CMG Infinity, a "mini-TREK", and an Inova X1 in this fashion.

All work just fine.

 

[kitelights]

I bought the NiteEze quite some time ago, but was very frustrated that it couldn't be used for close up work, so I redesigned and made my own. Basically the same as the NiteEze but made a swivel for the elastic light holder. Used two pieces of plastic and joined them together with a rivet/ eyelet. Works great. I can adjust it to any angle.

 

[jayflash]

Great idea kitelights as it's difficult to adjust the headband for all conditions. Too bad the light holder isn't canted downward just a bit.

 

[chumley]

There is a head band similar to the Nite-ize, that has elastic straps that hold the light in a tilted down mode. It is called a Jakstrap, people will give you funny looks in stores if you ask for that name however. Jakstrap

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

There is another one that is elastic and adjustable, with an over the top of the head strap with light loop, along with the on the side loop. I have one of these and they are comfortable. They even fit on hardhats, though you need the petzl clips to keep it in place. It is the Liberty Mountain Adventure Lightheader II, and here is the link to it (where I got it from):

http://www.escapeoutdoors.com/page/353816.htm

 

[r2]

I use one that I picked up at a sporting good store (EMS or somewhere similar) a while back. I think it's the Jakstrap (it matches the picture of the original but I can't find a label).

I had my Arc AAA with me when I bought it, so I tried it with a few and found one that was a good fit for the Arc AAA with both loops (it was designed for the minimag, but there was some variation in loop size).

It's a nice system with two loops. One faces straight forward, one angled down, and you can put the light through both loops to get a shallower angle down. I use it with my Inifinity Ultra (a tight fit) to read at night, but next time I go camping I plan to use it with my Arc AAA as my primary camp and night walk light. I found that an Arc AAA is about the right amount of light for walking at night (on decent trails) as long as other people aren't killing your night vision for you. Having a headstrap means I don't need a dedicated headlamp which simplifies things.

Next time I'm in the states I'll have to check out the Niteize; meanwhile, I can recommend the Jakstrap, but I'd recommend buying it in person and trying it out with your light of choice to get loops that fit well, especially if you plan to use an Arc AAA or similar sized light. They are elastic and will take a larger light, but the elastic is tight and I'd recommend getting one that fits just right. Mine's perfect for the Arc AAA but a tight fit on an Infinity.

- Russ

 

[jayflash]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm having my NiteIze modified to provide angular adjustment and provision for a Scorpion on the other side.

 

[paulr]

The Nite-ize is made of 1" webbing to support the weight of a 2aa minimag. It's overkill for a small light like an Arc AAA. I've been thinking about making something similar out of narrow thin elastic (that stuff that's about 1 cm wide). It would have a small elastic sleeve to hold the light, and when stowed the sleeve could serve as a pouch to stuff the elastic band into.

 

[hideo]

Jakstrap is similar and also works nice, but I really try to use it with small lights like ARC AAA as I find it annoying with larger lights (MiniMag etc)--you really need an over the head strap as well with that much weight for anything other than casual use

hideo