What Headlamp To Buy?
- Thread starter Beamshot
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vtunderground
Enlightened
Your best option would probably be the Streamlight Argo HP C4.
shakeylegs
Enlightened
Not sure what your needs are but here is a fine headlamp using a 123: http://www.zebralight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=184
vtunderground
Enlightened
D'oh! How did I forget about the Zebralight? That's a great option too!
glockboy
Flashlight Enthusiast
half-watt
Flashlight Enthusiast
+1 on the Argo HP C4.
i like the ZL, but if you're on the trail at night and need to light up more than just the area relatively close at hand in front of you, then the ZL is *NOT* what you want to use.
now, IMO, the ZL makes a fine task/proximity light and is also fine for walking a simple, clearly delineated footpath, but for real nighttime navigation, the lack of throw on the first two ZL models (they both lack a reflector) is a bit of a limitation if you need to be able to see clearly at least 30-60 feet, or more in front of you. for me, since i have age degraded low light vision, 30 feet w/one of these two ZL's is pushing it. i simply can't use them for this purpose.
the Argo HP C4, on the other hand, is a wonderful HL for hiking a trail at night.
my two shekels. YMMV.
i like the ZL, but if you're on the trail at night and need to light up more than just the area relatively close at hand in front of you, then the ZL is *NOT* what you want to use.
now, IMO, the ZL makes a fine task/proximity light and is also fine for walking a simple, clearly delineated footpath, but for real nighttime navigation, the lack of throw on the first two ZL models (they both lack a reflector) is a bit of a limitation if you need to be able to see clearly at least 30-60 feet, or more in front of you. for me, since i have age degraded low light vision, 30 feet w/one of these two ZL's is pushing it. i simply can't use them for this purpose.
the Argo HP C4, on the other hand, is a wonderful HL for hiking a trail at night.
my two shekels. YMMV.
shakeylegs
Enlightened
My take on night hiking with a headlamp is different than half-watt's. I've found that a hand held light, held by my side at arm's length, provides the best contrast for navigating uneven trail/ground. Headlamps, I find, throw decent light but they do not provide enough contrast to reveal dips, roots, rocks, and other potential stumbles. A flashlight held low will more readily reveal these obstacles due to the shadows it creates. For climbing, the argo suits my needs, but for general headlamp usage - proximity, task and simple navigation, the zebra is functional, light weight, and very efficient on batteries. A zebra H30 and something like a fenix P1D have a lighter combined weight than most "serious" headlamps. They share common batteries, and they provide great versatility. And if for any reason I need a powerful "spot" light plus both hands, the fenix rides nicely on the zebra headband via the extra zebra fitting or a niteize fitting. Extremely versatile combo for general camping and backpacking.
Totally agree. I hold my light as low and parallel to the ground as possible.
Back on topic. This is a bit more than $50 but I highly recommend the PT Apex Pro. The Apex is easy to modify (LED upgrade) and I've had my regular Apex for several years now since they first came out and it has the latest generation of LED in it. It's gone through two LED upgrades already so it is just as bright if not brighter than what you can get currently.
I can't use the low held light unless the trail is mostly smooth with only a few obstacles. I find that the dark shadows that good sized rocks cast hide all sorts of nasty stuff. I like a headlamp for rough hiking. I'm also hiking pretty slowly in this situation. I once fell into a four-foot deep hole in slickrock that I thought was just another shadow. Fortunately, there was a dead cow in the hole. Both of my feet punched through the ribcage and gave me a soft landing or I might well have broken my leg. I think if you're serious about hiking off trail at night that you need both a headlamp and a handheld. And spares, of course.
Gordon
Gordon
half-watt
Flashlight Enthusiast
agreed on the contrast issue. i've taken a "double-take", so to speak, when i see the terrain, but can't always make out all of the contour. so, sometimes i must slow down a bit and make sure of what i'm about to be stepping on (or into).
on the other hand, a light at or near eye-level has an advantage over a low held light. it is this: since no shadows are thrown down field by a light at or near eye-level (the shadows are directly BEHIND the object being illuminated - one can't see what's behind a solid object anyways, so neither the shadows, nor something hidden behind the object can be seen), there are no shadows to hide/obscure objects further down field. whereas, a low held light causes shadows that can obscure objects and details further down field, thus effectively reducing the distance one can clearly see.
this is a rarely mentioned side-effect of a low held light.
once again, there is no one right "tool" for every job. each has its benefits. choose the right tool for the job.
