Headlamp recommendations?

drypowder

drypowder

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Recently had the opportunity to use (for the first time) a cheap Horrible Freight headlamp that has been sitting in a closet for years. Turns out headlamps are quite handy (literally, in that they free up your hands).

Now that I'm convinced of their utility, I'd like to get a decent one. But since this is a very rare use item for me, I'd like to keep the expense fairly low. Would prefer one with an LED bulb and vertical tilt (which I suppose they'll all have since even the freebie HF headlamp has tilt); not sure what other features are must-have, so please clue me in. I regularly use AA, AAA and CR123 batteries, so all those power options work for me; would prefer something that uses one of those and certainly not a proprietary battery.

Suggestions?
 
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I've got an expensive one that uses CR123 batteries but I use the cheap headlamps from Lowe's all the time working around the house.
 
Check out olights. They sell a headlamp adapter for the edc lights.
 
I like Princeton Tec lights. They have great customer service, and they should be at least assembled in USA.
 
I have a Princeton tec I use and had good luck out of it if I need a headlamp on for long periods.

If just a short task I just use the hat clip on my small 1aaa streamlight to clip it to hat bill since I always have it with me and it gets used the most.
 
I can'Head Lamp 2.JPG Head Lamp.JPG t remember where I got these , but a buddy of mine had one and I tried it out and bought two. It has a rubber strap that fits on my hard hat for work and the cloth strap that fits my head for working around the house or on my firearms. Very useful when both hands are needed.
 
Streamlight makes a USB rechargeable that works with an included headband or clipped to a hat that is quite good.

https://www.streamlight.com/en/products/detail/index/bandit

Alternatively, the Streamlight Microstream has a pocket clip that allows it to also clip to a hat brim and do double duty.
 
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I have the Streamlight Trident shown above and it will be hard to beat for the money..except I picked up 6 of the Energizer ones on clearance for $5 a pop. Stuck one in each car and put one with each IFAK.
 
I have this one and cars are constantly flashing their high beams at me when walking the dog. They are like wearing a car.

https://www.amazon.com/McMin-Waterp...qid=1519068734&sr=8-11&keywords=headlamp+cree

71wjCDrg8KL._SL1200_.jpg
 
I picked up a couple of two packs of Coast FL75 headlamps that were at Costco for like $30.
I don't know that I would consider them for "hard use" but to keep in the car or truck and use when I crawl under the house, etc...thry work pretty well.

If I were going to get on for hard or critical use, I'd probably be a Streamlight or something.
 
Big outdoor names. Black diamond, Petzl, and Princeton tec. I've had Petzel and Princeton tec when I used them for work. Ran them hard and finally either broke a strap, part of the case, or the bulb went on one that they quit making.

I have this one in my hunting bag and have used it for at least 3 years and it works great. I want to buy a nicer one, but can't convince myself I need it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Energizer-Vision-HD-LED-Headlamp-Batteries-Included/45300885#read-more
 
drypowder said:
Recently had the opportunity to use (for the first time) a cheap Horrible Freight headlamp that has been sitting in a closet for years. Turns out headlamps are quite handy (literally, in that they free up your hands).

Now that I'm convinced of their utility, I'd like to get a decent one. But since this is a very rare use item for me, I'd like to keep the expense fairly low. Would prefer one with an LED bulb and vertical tilt (which I suppose they'll all have since even the freebie HF headlamp has tilt); not sure what other features are must-have, so please clue me in. I regularly use AA, AAA and CR123 batteries, so all those power options work for me; would prefer something that uses one of those and certainly not a proprietary battery.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...
A coast headlamp is the way to go in my personal opinion. This one specifically, they go for about 90 bucks on the Snap-on tool truck but you can buy them at Costco and on Amazon. All of my mechanics own one in and absolutely swear by it, I didn't drink the Kool-Aid and buy the hype but eventually I got one and I love it.


Coast 19649 HL8 Focusing 615 Lumen LED Headlamp
$59.99
Amazon.com
Free shipping
 
I think some of you guys missed the "very rare use" or "inexpensive" bits. ;)
Not spending more than $25 on this. I used my cheapo Harbor Freight headlamp ONCE in 5 years.

Checking out the Streamlight Septor - it's their model that's designed for up-close work, which is my intended use. I don't need one for seeing at distance.

https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/septor-headlamp
 
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Goofyfoot2001 said:
I have this one and cars are constantly flashing their high beams at me when walking the dog. They are like wearing a car.

https://www.amazon.com/McMin-Waterp...qid=1519068734&sr=8-11&keywords=headlamp+cree

71wjCDrg8KL._SL1200_.jpg
Click to expand...
I have a couple similar to that. Same look and batteries, but a variety of brands available. They're extremely bright. Bought mine off eBay.

For much less intense stuff, you can buy one from Walmart for $1 that's a clip on to a hat bill. I have one on my work hat (for street sweeping) that I use to fill out paperwork, read the truck water meters, etc. Definitely not super bright, but comes with batteries and I've been using mine for over a year at this point.
 
I also grabbed this set at Walmart one day. Not a bad price for six semi-decent lights and batteries.

IMG_1688.PNG
 
rantingredneck said:
Alternatively, the Streamlight Microstream has a pocket clip that allows it to also clip to a hat brim and do double duty.
Click to expand...

Man, I owe you a beer. I've had a Microstream in my pocket for a couple years now and it has never once occured to me to clip it to my hat. Sure enough, it works great. Brilliant!
 
I have 4 all together I think, including what may be the same stream light as pictured above, but I more often than not, use my cheap little headlamp from Lowe's....I went through their entire selection one day and picked the one with the lowest lumens and longest run time....when it's dark you don't need 5,000,000 candle power. like all the rest of them it also has a red light function and I use that when sneaking into my stands during deer season.
 
Here's the Walmart $1 light. If you keep a hat in the garage, or range bag, or somewhere else...might be handy to have.

IMG_1692.JPG
 
Tigard said:
Man, I owe you a beer. I've had a Microstream in my pocket for a couple years now and it has never once occured to me to clip it to my hat. Sure enough, it works great. Brilliant!
Click to expand...

I'm more of a whisky man myself :).

In all seriousness I carried it around for awhile myself before I figured out what that reversed clip was for.
 
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I have 4 Princeton Tec Fuels. 2 for the garage, 1 for camping, 1 for GHB. They take AAA batteries and are excellent for my needs. 3 brightness levels and strobe mode. I paid $13-18ea. When one fails, I'll buy whatever the newer model is.

Almost forgot, I also have a cheap energizer from Lowes. The only thing I like about it is the fact that it has a RED light mode. If night vision is a concern, it's a nice feature.
 
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chiefjason said:
The Energizer I linked above is about $19.
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Joe, my guys beat the piss out of the ones CJ is referring to, and they are danged tough, and bright. Two guys on a tower with one on each side lights up the whole area well. Hard to beat for $20.00.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
drypowder said:
I think some of you guys missed the "very rare use" or "inexpensive" bits. ;)
Not spending more than $25 on this. I used my cheapo Harbor Freight headlamp ONCE in 5 years.

Checking out the Streamlight Septor - it's their model that's designed for up-close work, which is my intended use. I don't need one for seeing at distance.

https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/septor-headlamp
Click to expand...


My lineman would kill for their Head Light. You have a broke pole at night and it will run all night for them. They always tell the new guys as their first tool to buy is the head Light.
 
rantingredneck said:
Excellent lights and the USB rechargeable feature is very nice.
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Depends on the use case. For me, a headlamp would be very infrequently used, and as such, rechargeable devices are more of a hassle than removable battery powered devices because you have to periodically charge the device whether you're using it or not to prevent the battery from dying (in the case of Li-ion batteries). I currently have a reminder in my task mgmt app that lists all my Li-ion powered devices so that I remember to charge the infrequently used devices. It's a hassle, and I'm loathe to buy devices with built-in batteries unless it's something I use very frequently, e.g., cellphone, tablet, toothbrush, etc.
 
I have been using Black Diamond Storms ever since they came out with them. I was previously using Petzel. The head band, battery life, brightness and ease of use with the Black Diamonds is excellent. Pricey, but you get what you pay for. I have had the current BD headlamp for over two years and use if for an hour or two straight every day. It is now the only headlamp I would consider.
 
I favor Princeton Tec. The some of the models I have start low and then bump up to high. Most start high and bump low. But that's just me. Avoid the Byte model. It has parasitic drain and will deplete the battery unless you remember the extra cut off switch. Beam brightness, pattern and duration are your main factors to consider. Most these days take 3 AAA batteries. Like some one else mentioned, I prefer duration over brightness. Also, if it's overly bright, it's hard to work close.

That said... For your purposes, one of the big box store Energizer, Rayovac, etc. models should do just fine. Just go shopping for features you like.
 
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Chuckman said:
REI Garage has some good deals on headlamps right now....

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/c/camp-lighting?r=c&origin=web&queryRule=outlet-only&ir=category:camp-lighting&outlet=true
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Just don't get those Black Diamond Ion headlamps. The touch/swipe controls are a PITA! :p

I know you want cheap, but I have a Petzl that has traveled all around the world with me for 10+ years, through the harshest conditions and is still going strong. I don't know how their new stuff holds up, but I would buy another one before anything else.
 
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Black Diamond all the way. I have 4 of them. Welcome to borrow one to check it out. You can get a gizmo for like $12 at REI. I like the Storm the best. The Spot is also a great lamp. They take common AAA batteries and have incredible run times on lower settings but can light up the world on high. I use them for work regularly and evening tasks around the house and under houses...
 
brooks28 said:
My lineman would kill for their Head Light. You have a broke pole at night and it will run all night for them. They always tell the new guys as their first tool to buy is the head Light.
Click to expand...

I wish the tech had been this good back when I was a lineman on storm calls in the mid-90's. Would have made things SO MUCH easier on storm trouble calls. My old hard hat light still works but it was never even cheap Black Diamond bright...
 
I have a Streamlight. Forget the model maybe blaze? I am a Streamlight whore. I actually have 2 of them. Love them. Bright as all get out and rechargeable. Only downside is they don't last too long on high. Maybe 4 hours. That's why I have 2.
 
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"expense fairly low"....

go on Amazon/ Craig's List/ etc. and buy the absolute cheapest one.
after using it, then you'll know which way to level up.
here's my 3 tips:
1. LED. yes, you mentioned that. i agree.
2. no expensive/uncommon batteries, like the CR123 and button batteries.
3. NO RECHARGEABLES. they have failed me many times in many ways.
 
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