What are the top three headlamp type LED lights?

Don Rearic

Don Rearic

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
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What are the top three when you consider welfare (price :D ), battery run time, brightness and ease of use / stability on your grape...
 
Don Rearic said:
What are the top three when you consider welfare (price :D ), battery run time, brightness and ease of use / stability on your grape...
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Okay, Don, these are excellent questions, and I would like to know the answers, too. Just one thing: what the heck is "stability on your grape?"

Grape?
 
In Backpacker Magazine recently the Princeton Tec Remix got their best review followed closely by the Black Diamond Spot. They run $30-35.
 
Don Rearic said:
On yur noggin'. You're an old Jarhead, so that would be your hatrack. :D
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Oh, that thing. Haven't used it in years for anything other than shoveling chow into the hole in the front of it.:D

Now I feel even stupider than usual, because I should have picked up on that. It seems that, when old jarheads get even older, the jar fills up with thick material. If it doesn't have anything to do with babes or food, it doesn't get processed.
 
Petzl Tikka is good. I dunno if it is the top three, though. Look for something that boasts it lasts for 50 or 100 hours. Expect the illum to be good enough to see 30 feet and navigate perfectly well on a dirt trail in pitch blackness. Think a very strong full moon type of illumination. I like and prefer the Taktikka's red flip down lense cover.
 
Erasmus said:
Petzl Tikka is good. I dunno if it is the top three, though. Look for something that boasts it lasts for 50 or 100 hours. Expect the illum to be good enough to see 30 feet and navigate perfectly well on a dirt trail in pitch blackness. Think a very strong full moon type of illumination. I like and prefer the Taktikka's red flip down lense cover.
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The Tikka Plus 2 just scored highest in Field and Streams latest issue (Feb. 2010). Reported to have 140 hour burn time on low.
 
dawsonbob said:
Oh, that thing. Haven't used it in years for anything other than shoveling chow into the hole in the front of it.:D

Now I feel even stupider than usual, because I should have picked up on that. It seems that, when old jarheads get even older, the jar fills up with thick material. If it doesn't have anything to do with babes or food, it doesn't get processed.
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Since you have been a witness to several episodes of my own hardheadedness, you will probably not have to wonder how many times my Dad yelled at me, "Why don't you use your head for something besides a hatrack, Son?" :D

*** *** *** *** ***

Thanks for the info guys, if anyone else has more to add, that would be great as well.

I'm looking for one of these headlamps along with a Petzl climber's helmet and a set of military grade goggles and multiple pairs of good work gloves for urban kit/gear.
 
The Tikka XP is a pretty nice light for the money.

e99-pi_0.jpg
 
Don Rearic said:
Since you have been a witness to several episodes of my own hardheadedness, you will probably not have to wonder how many times my Dad yelled at me, "Why don't you use your head for something besides a hatrack, Son?" :D

*** *** *** *** ***

Thanks for the info guys, if anyone else has more to add, that would be great as well.

I'm looking for one of these headlamps along with a Petzl climber's helmet and a set of military grade goggles and multiple pairs of good work gloves for urban kit/gear.
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I believe that's a phrase used by all Dad's throughout history, in all languages. Seems I heard it a time or two myself.:D
 
one could simply take a 4 sevens QUARK aa or Fenix aa light and attach it to a head band.

much more superior quality and runtime compared to the stamped plastic lights mentioned above, not to mention waterproof.
 
What about this guy:

20091214161214903.jpg


I've never used one, but I'm in the market for a headlamp myself...
 
I carry a Brunton that I picked up for much less than the $80 MSRP. It has red LED, low-white, high-white and flash settings. A little heavy, but a very solid light.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=brunton+headlight+camo&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15619342002810523151&ei=3UxjS-WQGYTcNefzrPkG&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CBUQ8gIwAw#

I also have a small Streamlight that I paid $15 for. Runs on 3 AAA. Twists on and off and the light can be removed from the strap and attached to a cap or the like.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=143
 
If you appreciate having red light as an option like I do, then you will really like the Princeton Tec Quad Tactical and EOS Tactical. The Quad is better for close up work that requires more of an area light. The EOS has a more focused beam that throws further. The tactical versions of these lights have flip up filters to make the light red (or blue, or green). I think both can be had for less than $40 shipped if you shop around.

I also like that Princeton Tec listened to their users and lowered the low settings on these lights. It is now low enough to really preserve your night adapted vision, especially with the red filter in place. They also listened and redesigned the switch so the light comes in in low mode for those who wish to be discreet.
 
Don Rearic said:
I'm looking for one of these headlamps along with a Petzl climber's helmet and a set of military grade goggles and multiple pairs of good work gloves for urban kit/gear.
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Don,

If you are gonna be getting a set of goggles, I would suggest looking at these as well. They clip on to the side of most straps. I bought one at REI to keep on my pack and will be adding one to my caving helmet and other random fixtures.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=princeton+tec+just+in+case&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18186884745096239741&ei=bk5jS7TsOdOWtgfyto2qBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBAQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers
 
dougo83 said:
Don,

If you are gonna be getting a set of goggles, I would suggest looking at these as well. They clip on to the side of most straps. I bought one at REI to keep on my pack and will be adding one to my caving helmet and other random fixtures.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=princeton+tec+just+in+case&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18186884745096239741&ei=bk5jS7TsOdOWtgfyto2qBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBAQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers
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Here is a cheaper option along the same lines.

http://www.countycomm.com/acusoled.htm
 
I just wanted to chime in and put in a bad word for Pelican.

I bought one of their headsup models on Sierra Trading Post.

The light would just spontaneiously go off and you had to click it back on.

So I called the company and got a return auth # and sent it back.

They sent me a difft headsup model.

This one did not have the band over the top of your head like the other one.

I find the band over the top keeps it from sliding up and down on you.

Also this one had the light and batteries in the front where I like the batteries to be in the REAR.

Also the new one had a twist on and off and the switch doesn't work well on THIS ONE either!:mad:

Finally to replace the batteries on this one you must remove two phillips head screws!!! How easy is that in the dark!!!!:grumpy:


Anyway I'm afraid to buy another Pelican.

Also have a
Petzl E86 PR Tikka XP

Nice light but no top band so if I'm wearing a hat or tobogan I'm forever re adjusting it. Also sometimes if I bend over it spontaneiously goes into the strobe mode:D It usually stops when I stand back up though:thumbup:

ALSO have a Princeton Tec Corona LED and it was hugely bright but the intensity of the light would go up and down and then it stopped doing that but even with new batteries it's not super bright like it used to be.

Probably not as bright as any of the above but the best performers I have 4 of the old black diamond moonlights. They have never failed, stay on your head and the switches all work after 5 years.

Disclaimer: I night hike and do chores at night also so I probably put way more wear on a headlight than most.
 
I use a Black Diamond Icon and Spot and have only one complaint. The angle adjuster tends to move when highly active. Otherwise they both have long battery life and throw light incredibly far especially the Icon.
 
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