which of these two do you recommend?

[jplutino]

I am looking for a good all around use led headlamp. Bright and good battery life are important.
I was looking at the princeton tech apex extreme or the fenix hp11. Any help would be greatly appreciated as there are so many different lights out there. Any recommendations beyond the two I listed would be awesome.

 

[Ezeriel]

I am looking for a good all around use led headlamp. Bright and good battery life are important.
I was looking at the princeton tech apex extreme or the fenix hp11. Any help would be greatly appreciated as there are so many different lights out there. Any recommendations beyond the two I listed would be awesome.

I'd get a Fenix HL21 and switch batteries when needed.

I'd rather carry 3 AAs in my pocket, than on my head.


..and a TicTac candy box can carry 3 AAs quite easiy

 

[jplutino]

Thanks I will check that one out. I was leaning towards the fenix brand anyways.

 

[Gunner12]

What kind of beam are you looking for? What size? Modes?

The only real headlamp I have is the Spark ST6, and that use a single 18650 battery.

:welcome:

 

[asval]

I was considering buying a Fenix HP11 once, but the fact that it was IPX 7 turned me off it.

I just recently bought a Spark SX5 for $60 that is a much better option than the Fenix HP11, higher output, multiple battery configurations, multiple ways to carry the battery holder or adding a much bigger battery pack, very long CLAIMED run times (specially the .5 moonlight mode) and it's IPX 8.

Link removed as per the banner at the top of the page - Norm

 

[curlyfry562]

Don't forget to checkout zebralight. They are generally highly regarded on cpf.

 

[jplutino]

i was looking for something with a long distance beam that I could add a diffuser for closer views. really only need brightness modes dont really need flashing. Like 4 double aa's as source just for long use times. not really concerned about weight. Maybe rechargable batteries. any recommendations on those would be appreciated.

 

[jplutino]

Thanks I looked at the zebralights. prefer one with 4 double aa's. But thanks for the recommendation

 

[Ragnar66]

i was looking for something with a long distance beam that I could add a diffuser for closer views. really only need brightness modes dont really need flashing. Like 4 double aa's as source just for long use times. not really concerned about weight. Maybe rechargable batteries. any recommendations on those would be appreciated.

Have a look at egear x flare. Used it for police work for 2 year now with no issues. 375 lumens. Will go from flood to spot beam with ease... Rechargeable...... super comfortable.

 

[jplutino]

Thanks looks.like it would be perfect it has the adjustability that i am looking for. except it doesn't have long enough run time. Looking for something in the 3 to 4hour run time on high. But thanks for the recommendation!

 

[peterharvey73]

I have the Fenix HP11 4xAA XP-G R5.
It is powered by 4x Eneloops for 277 total lumens, and is a good thrower.
However, I am not too happy with the HP11 these days, so I don't use the HP11 much as a result.
I regard my HP11 as passe - a thing of the past; the previous generation of headlights.

The 4x Eneloops seems to age quickly compared to say a conventional 18650 lithium cobalt oxide 3100 mAH battery.
Because the 4x Eneloops age quickly, once turned on turbo, the HP11 quickly diminishes and steps down in brightness.
Although the HP11 throws well, a creditable claim of 154 meters, its hotspot is unfashionably small and not as useful in size.
It's not just the intensity/brightness [in lux] that we want, we also want a large surface area of illumination [in square meters] as well!


In mid-2012, I was dying for Fenix to release what I dubbed the "2012 HP12 XM-L", but no such light eventuated.
Thus, I was forced to look for alternatives.
I had initial interest in the Spark ST6 18650 powered XM-L 500 lumen with throw.
Then there is the smaller Spark SD6 18650 powered XM-L 500 lumen with no reflector, for less throw and more flood.
In the end, the Sparks got ruled out for two reasons:
1) they only maxed out at 500 lumens; 18650 powered competitors pumped out a lusty 750 lumens!
2) the Sparks are very heavy resulting in "head-heaviness", eg the ST6 weighs 50 grams dry.

I then ended up purchasing a Zebralight H600 18650 powered XM-L with a lusty 750 lumens, and weighing just 39 grams!
Not only is it superlight in weight, but it has a huge lumen output of light, and a nice massively wide hotspot - not the tiny intense little hotspot like in my HP11.
The 18650 battery is superb - it doesn't seem to age quickly like my brand new 4x Eneloops NiMH's....
The H600 has a wonderful balance between flood and throw.

There is a Zebralight H502 AA-powered XM-L light with no reflector for maximum flood - for close up work.
The single AA is very light head light, but the AA does not output much power, nor much throw, and not much run time either; although very good for close up work!
Depends what you want.

Also, the HP11 has clicks in its rotary adjustment, and often the click is too much angle of rotation.
On the otherhand, the H600 has continuous infinite degree of rotation adjustment.

The H600 right angle design means that it can also be hand held, where the HP11 and the Spark ST6 and SD6 are more awkward to hold in the hand.

For robustness, the H600 is much more robust than the HP11, but the H600 costs 1.5 times more than the HP11 too.

Even if Fenix came up with an all new HP12 4xAA powered XM-L now, I think I'd still stick with the Zebralight H600's 18650 powered XM-L design...

 

[AVService]

Peter
When you say they "age" quickly what exactly do you mean?
Are you saying they wear down quickly or that the batteries somehow become less useful forever from use in the light?
I ask as I have not heard this described this way and am a little concerned and confused by the term?

I have just ordered a Zebra 502 to use mainly while working on electronics up close and in attics and dark crawl spaces.I have been using Energizer headlamps and they are really not too bad and the batteries seem to last forever but they are also no doubt constantly dimming as they are used and I just don't notice it.
I am looking for a better quality of light overall though and have become a big Zebralight fan in a short time.

Ed

 

[peterharvey73]

I have several sets of brand new Eneloops to power the HP11.
They are all fully charged.
I insert the batteries, and run them on max.
As the voltage falls, the brightness/intensity dims.
When the voltage really falls, the HP11 actually steps down to its 3rd highest step, then to its 2nd highest step, then to its lowest step.

Likewise I have several brand new AW and Redilast 3100 mAH batteries.
They are charged by the benchmark Pila charger.
The H600 runs them on turbo, but steps down after 3 minutes, and I often turn it back onto turbo.

Over the months, the HP11 doesn't perform like it was when it was brand new.
In other words, after being fully charged, it does not hold on max turbo for very long, so it quickly steps down, with a dim and tiny hotspot - these days.
On the otherhand, after many months, the H600 still has a huge bright hotspot; much more useful when gardening in the evening etc.

This phenomenon could be due to the AA Eneloop's NiMH chemistry versus the conventional 18650 Lithium cobalt oxide chemistry???
I don't think the HP11 can take 4x 3.7 Volt 14500 lithium cobalt oxide rechargeables; too high a voltage for them, and in any case, the mAH capacity is diminished to only 750 mAH each.
Even with storage, the lithiums hold their charge longer than the NiMH's, and the Eneloops are the best of the NiMH's...

 

[jplutino]

well it looks like the hp11 is no longer an option. So looking for a headlamp now I just have no idea what headlamp. Keep up the suggestions eventually one will be recommended. Thanks to all who have replied!

 

[peterharvey73]

I am looking for a good all around use led headlamp. Bright and good battery life are important...

A Fenix HP11 4xAA XP-G R5 has the best throw, but often many say the best throw light should be hand held? The HP11 actually has the best throw mainly because it is the oldest design; all the older style emitters are throwy.
A Zebralight H600 1x 18650 XM-L has a great balance between flood and throw, so it is good for all round use.
A Zebralight H502 1x AA XM-L with no reflector is for low power pure flood only - good for short distance hand work 30 to 50 cm away; not particularly designed to illuminate 10 to 20 meters away.

The Spark ST6 1x 18650 XM-L flood-throw and SD6 1x 18650 XM-L with no reflector pure flood - are both head heavy, lower lumen alternatives to the Zebralights.
Keep in mind that the Spark ST6 has a deeper reflector, so at the expense of lateral spill, the ST6 may out throw the H600 if stronger throw is what you prefer, though the H600 still has 1.5 times the lumens, at least on turbo anyway...

 

[jplutino]

so after doing a little more research on your site here is what I am looking for:

directional flood 30 - 50 yd distance
back of head or belt for batteries
4 x 18650 power source
cool tint (high cri?)
ipx 6 or better (needs only be rain proof)
regulated with long run time on med to high
in the 150 or under range

Considering the spark sx5

So is this reasonable? Hope I have the terminology correct! Should I post a new thread?

 

[peterharvey73]

The Spark SX5 is okay.
Just remember that it weighs some 200 grams [head heavy]! Versus a super head light 39+ grams of the H600.

Also remember that the SX5 only maxes out at 350 lumens [not very powerful in this day and age], whereas the H600 outputs a whopping 750 lumens!

Run time wise, the SX5 has multiple battery packs [some at extra cost including]: a fat heavy 26650 tube, 3x AAA/AA, and 4x 18650.
Sounds like the SX5 will have excellent run times, at the expense of being too head heavy.
Most users go for something that is "head light" so it won't fall off your head esp if you run, and they carry spare batteries in their knapsack etc, rather than carrying spare batteries on their head band.
Even a single 18650 lasts hours, before it needs to be changed/recharged.

The Zebralight H600 looks "unconventional and awkward" at first, hence I always prayed for a future Fenix HP12 XM-L, but after a while the H600 really grows on you, with the superior concept of an all in one light and battery that is more robust, yet super light weight, with no messy cabling, and that performs at 750 lumens, with a single 18650 3400 mAH that gives heaps of run time.
This design is also capable of being hand held too.

By the way, you only need the circular headband.
You don't need that additional single center band at all, esp if the light is super light weight.
With a heavy 200 gram headlight, you probably do need that additional center band...

 

[jplutino]

its looking really good for the h600 right now. in reality probably run on medium anyways. so right now this is the #1 contender. Is the 18650 nmh or lithium? What charger and battery make do you recommend? Thank you

 

[peterharvey73]

The 18650 is a conventional ICR Lithium Cobalt oxide Round battery, available in various capacities including: 2300, 2600, 2900, 3100 and 3400 mAH.

Can buy directly from:
AW at http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?230876-AW-s-LiIon-Batteries-Sales-Thread-*Part-12*
Redilast at http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sh...ttery-sales!-High-quality-Made-in-Japan-Korea!
[Can register using the same username, but must create a separate password to use CPF Marketplace].
Eagletac and several others also make very good batteries.
Callieskustoms too.
All are based on the Japanese Panasonic cell, with a Japanese IC safety circuit attached inside the tubing to prevent overcharging and overdischarging.
Stay away from cheap "XxxxFire" batteries, which have high internal resistance, for a slow discharge rate and low amperage, and cause the 750 lumen high amperage SC600/H600 to "trip" out.

Other less commonly used rechargeable battery types include:
1) the IMR Lithium Manganese oxide Round rapid discharge but lower mAH capacity battery: these have a very fast discharge rate for a high amperage [not needed in H600], but that fast discharge rate/hi amperage comes at the expense of a much reduced mAH capacity for a much shorter run time.
2) there is also the very rare IFR Lithium Ferrous phosphate Round 3.0 Volt battery: this chemistry gives a reduced voltage of 3.0 volts, to mimmick primary disposable CR123 batteries which are also 3 volts, because some light are only designed to handle the disposable 3 volts only, and no more; these batteries require a special 3 volt recharger.

NiMH/NiCad
Because Power = Voltage multiplied by Amperage, these regular lithium rechargeables at 3.7 volts, or even the disposable 3 volts from the CR123 will generally give the light more power than NiMH/NiCad chemistry which only delivers a puny 1.2 volts, provided the circuitry can take advantage of the voltage.

Also note that when batteries are connected in "series", the voltage adds up, but he mAH capacity stays the same.
When the batteries are connected in parallel, the voltage stays the same, but the mAH capacity adds up.


Chargers
A decent and very cheap charger at $15 is the Ultrafire WF-138/139; it will charge the most popular 16340, 18350 and 18650's.
A Jetbeam/Nitecore i2 2-channel or i4 4-channel Intellicharger at less than $24, and capable of charging up to 4 batteries, including AA/AAA, and both Lithium and Ni-MH/NiCad chemistries - is also very good; a good compromise!
If you want outright quality, get a Pila 2-channel lithium ion charger for around $50.
Xtar is said to make some good chargers too.
The pros like Selfbuilt use MAHA MH-C9000 etc Analyser Tester Chargers, which tests/analyse, and costs a lot more...

 

[jplutino]

The 18650 is a conventional ICR Lithium Cobalt dioxide Round battery, available in various capacities including: 2300, 2600, 2900, 3100 and 3400 mAH.
Can buy directly from:
AW at http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?230876-AW-s-LiIon-Batteries-Sales-Thread-*Part-12*
Redilast at http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sh...ttery-sales!-High-quality-Made-in-Japan-Korea!
[Can register using the same username, but must create a separate password to use CPF Marketplace].
Eagletac and several others also make very good batteries.
Callieskustoms too.
All are based on the Japanese Panasonic cell, with a Japanese IC safety circuit attached inside the tubing to prevent overcharging and overdischarging.

Other commonly used rechargeable battery types include:
1) the IMR Lithium Manganese oxide Round battery: these have a very fast discharge rate for a high amperage [not needed in H600], but that fast discharge rate/hi amperage comes at the expense of a much reduced mAH capacity for a much shorter run time.
2) there is also the rare IFR Lithium Ferrous phosphate Round battery: this chemistry gives a reduced voltage of 3.0 volts, to mimick primary disposable CR123 batteries which are also 3 volts, because some light are only designed to handle the disposable 3 volts, and these batteries require a special 3 volt recharger.

Because Power = Voltage multiplied by Amperage, these regular lithium rechargeables at 3.7 volts, or even the disposable 3 volts from the CR123 will generally give the light more power than NiMH chemistry which only delivers a puny 1.2 volts.

Also note that when batteries are added in "series", the voltage adds up, but he mAH capacity stays the same.
When the batteries are aligned in parallel, the voltage stays the same, but the mAH adds up.

A decent and very cheap charger at $15 is the Ultrafire WF-138/139; it will charge the most popular 16340, 18350 and 18650's.
A Jetbeam/Nitecore i2 2-channel or i4 4-channel Intellicharger at less than $24, and capable of charging up to 4 batteries, including AA/AAA Ni-MH and NiCad is also very good; a good compromise!
If you want outright quality, get a Pila 2-channel charger for around $50; can be hard to find...

Thanks i have generally found the when you buy cheap thats what you get (not always though) so I will look for the pila 2 channel. Thank you