Headlamp

mymindisamob

mymindisamob

Platinum Member
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Feb 1, 2005
Messages
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I finally have to admit that I need a headlamp. I am looking at Zebra lights and Petzl, but wanted some input from you folks who actually use them. I have a Nitecore that I use a lot and it is great for getting around, but I work at night in dark school buildings and I wanted to try my night outdoor skills soon too.

So what do you use and why?

Thanks, Mike
 
i use a Princeton Tec Quad. it's brighter than the Petzl models that were slightly more expensive, and the batteries last forever...
 
I really like the Zebralight H-30. Three levels of very useful floody light (up to 80 lumens) and very light/compact.

Jeff
 
here is the one I like, I prefer to be able to switch from LED to Xenon for greater distance at times....

Petzl MYOLite 3 is one of the lightest and most compact hybrid headlamps on the market, making it as perfect for mountaineering as it is for running. The Petzl Myo Lite 3 allows you to switch between a powerful Xenon halogen bulb and a 3 LED array, which offers up to 120 of burn time on one set of batteries.
Xenon halogen bulb for long range lighting (76 m)
3 LEDs for even, white proximity lighting with long light duration (120 h)
Beam can be focused
On/off and zoom can operated in same movement
The locking bezel is easy to use, even when wearing gloves
Tiltable lamp body
Adjustable elastic head band, top strap is an option
Simple, around-the-head fit: easily identifiable and put on in the dark
Water resistant for all-weather use
Spare Xenon halogen bulb included
3 year manufacturer's guarantee

3 L.E.D. output: 13 meters; up to 120 hours
Xenon halogen output: 76 meters; up to 3.5 hrs
Batteries: 3 AA / LR6 (included)
Weight: headlamp (110 g) + 3 AA batteries (75 g) = 185 g
 
mymindisamob said:
Thanks!:thumbup:

Search on BF sucked for so long that I forget to use it now that it works again.:o
Click to expand...

NP...btw, I like the Garrity I found. I posted a link to it. The thing is awesome. 3-stage large LED and then another 3LED bank that you can engage 1,2, or 3 and 2 stages of red LED flashing and steady. I have no idea what the cost is because I found it at work one night.
 
Guys ...have some mercy ...... ordered a Zebralight H30 ...... and last count I had 26 lights/flashlights/headlamps ...... you guys make me sorry I can read ;-)

My 2 cents. I use the Petzl Tacticka XP ...... runs AAA's and last nearly forever.
 
This may not compete with the big names listed here but, I thought I'd add a low cost option to the thread.

I recently got this one...http://www.majorsurplus.com/7-LED-Headlamp-P14232C2111.aspx

...and it came with a free ferro rod. Now I'm not saying they are the best out there but the price is definately right. The light has two lighting levels and the head swivels down 90 degrees so it can light the area anywhere from your feet to straight out in front of you. The ferro rod is also not too bad. The striker sucks but with my gerber multitool I got sparks that landed on the floor of my kitchen and stayed lit for a couple of seconds.

David
 
i have been happy with my princeton tec Scout model headlamp, even though the button is a little small and stiff.

i chose the smallest model to reduce weight and bulk, which came at the cost of running on watch batteries (less convenient than AAA or AA)

if you search "all topics" by me then you will find a post reviewing the light pretty recently.
 
I use a petzl Myo XP everyday at work and love it. The best headlamp I have ever owned. They are a bit on the expensive side, but I think it is worth every penny. It has three power settings, takes 3 AA's, has a fresnel like lens that you can flip down over the LED to go from a spot to a flood focus, it is super bright, and has really good battery life.
http://www.rei.com/product/768981
 
I use a Princeton Tec EOS regularly. I use it riding mountain bikes at night, grilling, camping, house construction, and just about every other activity. It’s got good throw, is water resistant, highly moddable, and uses three AAA’s. It’s got a narrow beam that can be tough on up-close jobs, but a piece of semi-gloss tape fixes that in a flash. It’s a highly regarded light over at cadlepowerforums.

I’ve used the zebra light and liked it, though it lacked throw for biking at night.
 
I just bought the Energizer headlamp and I love it, four settings, one is red. Very nice. $15 at Lowe's.
 
I have used a few headlamps over the years and now depend on two:

The little Petzl Tikka for light weight/compact size and the Black Diamond Icon for high power and versatility.

The tikka is tiny, light and simple, using a pair of AAAs to power three standard LEDs.

The Icon has two pairs of standard LEDs (flood) and a 3-watt (I think) (spot) LED, that are adjustable to three output levels. It runs on three AA batteries and the spot beam is stronger than a 4 D-cell Maglight! The run times are very good.

I've also started to sometimes use my Nitecore P10 flashlight in a headband holder for when I need light weight, compact size AND high power. It's powered by a single AA, so it trades battery life for compact size.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I have carried a TacTikka headlamp from Petzl for about 2 years now. I really like it. Three levels of light, super light-weight, very long battery life and pretty rugged.
 
I have a tiny Petzl called an E-light (or something like that). It has settings for high, low, red, strobe, and lock. It is mounted in such a way that you can swivel it around or attach it to things with a little clip if you don't want to use the headstrap. It comes in a little plastic storage case.

I got it mainly as a compact emergency light to stash in a motorcycle, but more and more I have been using it regularly .
 
Spec'n out a headlamp should be based upon your specific mission profile. Let the mission dictate the gear. Since you reside in the Pac NorthWet as well do I we might have similar needs.

For my profile I have choosen gear used by the military which is the Petzel TacTikkia Plus or the Princeton Tek Quad Tactical. I know one unit of Rangers uses the Petzel and have good luck...they love 'em!

I have my reasons why I've gone this route but here are some reasons...the batteries are universal amongst my buddies, the headlamps are H20 proof, rugged, proven in the field, lightweight, good color for the wild, good run times, have both white and red for preserving night vision and lowering my physical presense, and most importantly everyone in my wild group uses the same lamp so we have interchangablity of gear and/or parts.

I don't need anything fancy, complicated or "golly gee whiz bang"...just simple hard core gear that works when the chips are down. These two seem to fit the bill. I use my headlamps literally every night and have been very pleased.

There are tons of choices...you'll have to sort out what features will help you accomplish whatever it is you're attempting to do.
 
I use a Dinotte 200 lumen headlamp. Runs off 4 lithium AA's or NMHI AA's, or alkalines. 3 levels of bright, strobe, pulse and a spot beam with tons of floody sidespill.
 
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