Where's the perfect Headlamp?

[tygger]

Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

Combining whats out there and what will be offered in the near future (new PT 3W, etc.) no one seems to have gotten the headlamp thing just right. There's always an annoying tradeoff, like with the huge current draw of the 5mm LED's in the PT Yukon HL. Would it be so hard to make a 1 or 3W headlamp that has at least 3 dimmer settings and uses 4AA batteries? Whats with all the AAA models? That way you could easily use lithium or alkaline. With dimmable settings you wouldn't need the 5mm and you wouldn't get any reflector distortions because of them (like in the PT Yukon). And what in the world is Petzl doing? They say they were the first makers of headlamps yet they give us the MAYO? Get with the program. Incan is out. LS is in.
Simple and slightly adjustable is all I ask.

 

[Wits' End]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

I agree on the Lux 3W but not the 4 AA. 4 AA in the lamp would be too 'front heavy' and I don't like the headlamps with separate packs. So the perfect lamp for everyone doesn't exist /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You can only determine what is best for your needs.

 

[tygger]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

True, i suppose everyone has their idea of what perfect would be. I personally like the 4AA battery pack to be in the rear. More than two AA up front gets too heavy. Speaking of that, the Matrix 2 seems to be the all around most useable light out there. If only it had a couple of brightness settings...

 

[Doug S]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

I certainly agree that "perfect" depends upon the needs of the particular user. Along these lines, for your needs if you could only have one of the following two features, which would you choose?

Choice of two beam angles, i.e., beam and flood but only one power level.

Choice of two power levels but only one fixed beam angle.

This question directed at anyone who wishes to comment.

 

[DBrier]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

And where are the regulaters? I want a regulated 1 watt HL.

 

[Free]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

I want a Black Diamond Moonlight with 4 LS Leds /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Of course it sure wouldn't be called a Moonlight any more, and it would probably have to run on fuel cells, but that would be the perfect headlamp for me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tygger]

Re: Where\'s the perfect Headlamp?

Doug,

Thats a hard choice. An adjustable beam angle would certainly come in handy and would almost in itself be similar to a lower brightness setting. But since I really value runtime (for packing as light as possible) I'd have to take the 2 brightness levels. Now that I think of it, Black Diamond was really onto something with the Gemini. If only the bi-pin were a Luxeon. The smooth beam of the incan is hard to beat for a headlamp under 40 dollars.