Camping head lamp

Mannlicher

Mannlicher

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
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For some years, I have been using an Energizer brand LED head lamp when camping. It is about shot, and I was looking around for something to replace it.
Found this nylon, adjustable (Velcro) head band at Bass Pro for less than $5. It has an elastic loop that I can just slip a little light into, and then put it on. Right now, I am using my Surefire Titan Ti light.
This is about as close to perfect a head lamp set up as I have seen. No longer just restricted to a little low power light, but can use any of my better lights for hands free work. Forgot to say that NiteIze is the maker.
 
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I have used one for years
Mine was too wide to use without a hat, it would slip on a bare head

how does your fit on a bare head?
 
I like the coast Hl7

These have infinite variability as well as the ability to use flood and focus to a spot. I really like the ability to reduce the power for close tasks and then boost the power and focus to a spot to see at distances.

Not only this, but when I ordered it, there is a survey link that when you finish the survey you get a free single aaa flashlight (3.50 s&H) that isn't too bad.
 
I've gone through a bunch and better than nothing. Good if you're committed to a handheld light and need only occasionally to wear it on the head.

I find that modern AAA/LED headlamps do a better job for me. I appreciate the ability to vary the light intensity (feature varies across models), the more central location of the light and the ability to adjust the lamp up or down (critical for night hiking).
 
The light I am using now, the Surefire, is infinitely variable, from zero to 100 Lumens. That is pretty variable, eh? You can tilt the head band in any number of different up or down directions.
The main thing I like about the Niteize head band is that it is an accessory. I am not limited to just using a head lamp, but when I need it, a less than $5 buck band does just what I need it to do. I had the flashlight anyway.
I much prefer the CR123 batteries to AAA.
But because we all don't like the same things, the market place is full of neat gear. We can all pick and choose what twists our pickle, so to speak. ;)
 
Before LED took off I used to regard something like this essential kit. I knocked up quite a few of them. The choice boiled down to these or a plastic bite thing you could stuff the end of a AA Maglite into. I didn't like the bite thing, and the webbing thing is so small, and I've always got loads of it knocking about to make stuff with.

I don't use them now but I retain the principle. I've slid a short length of racing bike tredder tube onto the cradle of a number of headlamps. If the headlamp fails I can slide in a pocket light. I also use that quite a bit for night fishing. I side a little UV torch in there and switch to that when waiting. I've got the ends of a couple of rods painted up UV reactive. I find it far better than rod tip lights or tape. I can sit in the dark watching the rod glowing like a light sabre against the blackness. I've yet to see a decent UV headlamp that also does a decent white light output. They are all forensic / industrial lumps.

I'm with you on CR123 vs AA too. I like 18650 cells as well. I've ripped up a bunch of old laptop battery packs to get at those.
 
Absolutely. No one way to do any of this and very glad the headband works for you. The original name was the Jackstrap I think?

Back in the early 80s (among those I hiked with) the only durable and reasonably light light was the Mini Mag and the Jackstrap was the only hands free solution. The Petzl lights appeared later and were dim and battery hungry due the incandescent bulbs but that was the start of the change. The real winner was the big petzls with the seperate battery packs for longer life and winter capabilities. Awfully heavier though.

My sense is that headlamps are a half step behind tactical hand helds in terms of lumens and such, so like I said, if you're happy with the performance of your hand helds and the ability to mix and match lights to suit the need, the strap is a good bet.

I could live with them for camp chores, sort of. But not for hiking/skiing. The adjustability for me meant moving the band on my head and when active, I couldn't keep them stable.

We've gone through several of those Energizer headlamps as disposables with the kids on their younger camping trips. Like you, we weren't impressed.

We're much more impressed by the light lights from Petzl and Black Diamond for hiking and camping (and reading and home chores). They're a huge step up from the hardware store Energizers in terms of usability, durability weight and comfort. They lack the lumen power of modern tactical lights but find they are sufficient for trail hiking.

The one negative to the head lamps is that make poor hand held lights and sometimes a hand held is best.

Glad to hear that the Jackstrap is still made. With the advent of smaller and brighter hand helds, I can see it as more reasonable than the old days when all we had were comparatively big and heavy mini mags.
 
I carry both a hand held light and head lamp. Todate, I have been unwilling to spend the $ for the really big names and have used various models available from places like Walmart or Lowes. It is a matter of weight and how much you might use the lights.

I know this is not very high tech, but I really like the Lowes brand C cell LED flash lights. I just wish they were adjustable in light intensity. I tend to loose the really small ones or misplace them for indefinite periods of time. But it is a matter of what tool fits the job requirements of the day.
 
I use a nice headband made by Klarus with a 1AA FourSevens light.
Over the years I have come to like a lot the single battery flashlights, they are very good a depleting one battery at the time, and light enough that instead of carrying just a spare battery I carry another flashlight (same manufacturer, same model).
Just my 2 cents.
 
In the days before dedicated headlamps were available here

I used these with my small maglite
I used then when I was an elecrtician and had to work in blackout conditions
It worked very well indeed
Wearing a base ball cap would keep the glare out my eyes and make the strap sit tight on my head
 
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I've always preferred a dedicated head lamp. I find the ability to tilt/adjust the beam pretty essential for my uses. I used to use one for 3-4 hours a day when I did security wiring as we were always up in suspended ceilings. Now I mostly use them while camping and hiking. Currently using a Princeton Tech, but my next one might be a black diamond. Like others have said, its nice that there are so many options available for different user preferences and needs.

-mike
 
Modern head lamp please. More secure, more adjustment..... Just all around better. The one place may be power, but I'd rather have a strong light in my hand because I'm using it for distance and want to place the beam better than what's on my head.
 
Scoured the web pretty hard this week for a new head lamp. The reviews on outdoor gear lab were very helpful. I ended up with the new Black Diamond Spot 130. It was their second pick that tied with the Coast HL7 (BD Icon was #1) Good balance between price, weight, function, battery life, and had a red light. My primary use is for hiking. It arrived yesterday and my first impressions are very positive. The features are easy to cycle through My favorite feature is that it will remember the last setting so I can save my night vision. With a tap to the side I can bring it up to full power or toggle back to my previous setting. Settings are adjustable between 4-130 lumens and between spot,flood, or strobe. The 70 meter beam is plenty for me as I usually stick to well marked trails. The only negative was the battery case was difficult to open. Used a knife vs breaking a nail to pry it open. I appreciate having my hands free on the trail but do have a trusty 4sevens with me to fill in if needed.
 
I've had a Petzl E-lite for years. It is tiny, and I got it as a back up light. However, it works so great that I often use it as a primary light.
 
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