Favorite Headlamp?

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
Hi there,

I realized that a headlamp would probably suit my needs pretty well, but I've never owned one before and don't have the slightest clue where to begin. I have a 200 Lumen Surefire flashlight, and I enjoy a light with large output capability. A high and low output mode would be nice. Also, this would be used for night kayaking in addition to backpacking and camping as well, so waterproof and extra rugged and durable is a must.

Got anything?

JGON
 
I'm a big fan of Zebralight. They are compact, bright, and easy to use. I use the H31w, which provides around 170 lumens on high with a CR123, and has a nice neutral tint that is great for the outdoors. I used to use a Petzl Myo XP, but the weight and size reduction when I switched to the ZL made it hard to go back, although the Petzl's flip up diffuser was a very nice option.
 
Also, check out the Fenix HL20. Levels of power, flashing mode, flip down diffuser, watertight, and best of all it takes a single AA
 
JGON said:
Also, this would be used for night kayaking in addition to backpacking and camping as well, so waterproof and extra rugged and durable is a must.
Click to expand...
I think what's good for backpacking and camping will be completely useless for night kayaking, and what's good for night kayaking will be beyond overkill for backpacking and camping. Shouldn't need "large output capability" in the woods. The default medium mode of my handheld Zebralight SC51Fw will light up my whole campsite when there's no ambient light. It's rated at 6.5 lumens. I use both it, and my H30w, on low most of the time. That's ~3 and 2 lumens, respectively, and often seems too bright inside a tent or bivy, where the .16 lumens of the SC51Fw's low low mode is plenty. Neutral LED floods are awesome outdoors, and those are all I carry.

Don't know much about kayaking at night. The only time I was out after dark on moving water, mist made my SF C2 with Malkoff M60W seem pitiful, and I was wishing for a turbohead with a HOLA.
 
I've got about a dozen head lamps and the one that is by my bed, in my backpacking pack and get-home bag is the Zebra. Very simple operation, effective, water-proof, three-modes of brightness, plenty of light for even trail hiking if needed. I really the simple, single cell designs.

ROCK6
 
I like the Fenix headband, which will accept many Fenix, Quark and other lights. Then you pick the light you want, like a Quark AA or CR123.

[youtube]q95VrEh4tmM[/youtube]
 
Petzl makes a lot of different lights for different purposes. Check them out at www.petzl.com. I own the Petz Tikka Plus, which is a great little thing. I use it mostly around camp at night.

4068749052_2a72ec08d2_z.jpg


I recently bought a Princeton Tex Apex. This one puts out 130 lumens and is great for hiking at night. Its waterproof to boot. Only minus is that it runs on 4 AA battereris, making it relatively heavy. Has different settings and runs on either a single center LED for a spot effect or 4 LED for a flood effect. Check them out at http://www.princetontec.com/index.php?q=product-overview-page-use-outdoor

The latest Apex puts out 200 lumen.

ac8d98e5-fe17-46e2-9509-ca5e7b174f0b.jpg
 
Last edited:
+1 for Zebralight.

I recently got the H51w, which is in neutral-warm tint. This has now become my main camping light and I recently used it on a camping trip. The warm tint really helps in colour rendering for the woods. It brings out colours much better than normal LEDs.

And it's quite lightweight and helluva bright!
 
i am on the market for a new headlamp as well. thought about Z's and supposedly they are of better quality than the earlier designs
 
I like the Fenix headband, which will accept many Fenix, Quark and other lights. Then you pick the light you want, like a Quark AA or CR123.
Click to expand...

Picked one up last night and I like it. I'll have to test it out to be sure but I think its up to most tasks...
 
Petzl Tikka Xp2 does it for me. Two output levels + strobe + red for emergencies or for retaining night vision.
 
I suggest Led Lenser http://www.zweibrueder.com/ENG/produkte/html_highperformance/html_Hserie/h7R.php?id=h7r[/URL]
 
Just call me cheap. I like the Energizer LED CAPLIGHT at 8 lumens on 2 cr2032 batteries for 6 hours plus. Walmart has them for around $6 and they fit right on the brim of my cap. Plenty of light to set up a deer stand or walk a trail.
 
I have a Princeton Tec Apex that I've used for coon hunting. It's pretty bright with lots of options for area lighting or throw. However, I didn't use it this past season, because I got a 4Sevens 123 Turbo that I paracorded to a headband and used instead, but just because it was brighter.
 
For the money, I can't find a better headlight than the iTP H01. It's a T shaped double twisty with 3 output levels. The highest output is 80 lumens on 1 AAA battery. The light is lightweight, rugged, waterproof, and $30.00. The head band has rubber block in which the light rotates.
 
Can the Zebralight light be removed and used as a flashlight?

JGON
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top