Recommend me a......

[Gareth]

new head torch.   Someone gave me the idea that I might need a new headlight but I frankly don't know the market very well.  

Now, here's where I become a PITA;

1) I don't want a Zebralight.  I've had a play with one a couple of times now and I just don't like the UI.

2) I don't want a 3xAAA light.  I just don't like having to carry around three extra cells when I'm out camping so something either single celled or perhaps two sounds better to me.

3) I don't want anything with 'button' cells.  Far too fiddly to change when out and about In my experience.

Now that I have effectively cut off 95% of the market, I turn to you lot to help me out.

 

[pfrsantos]

Will this do?...

[AlephZero]

These have seemed to be awfully popular: http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/headlamps/allheadlamps

At least some of them are with rechargeable internal battery...

I can't say from personal experience though 

Probably not much of help...

[Gareth]

 AW

Will this do?...

Perfect.

[Gareth]

These have seemed to be awfully popular: http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/headlamps/allheadlamps

At least some of them are with rechargeable internal battery...

I can't say from personal experience though 

Probably not much of help...

Perfectly good idea, Petzl make a good light.  In fact I've just been looking at their Pixa 3.  It's not quite what I'm looking for, plus it's pricy, but it is close.

[Cupboard]

I have the Pixa 2 and you couldn't get a simpler UI! It's also bombproof but pretty huge which is why I now carry my Zebralight instead. If you want to try it out I'll happily lend it to you for a bit, PM me.
The Pixa is great if you want to chuck it in a bag because you can rotate it backwards on to itself which covers the lens and locks the power button out.

I have only ever had three headtorches, a cheapie Enegiser with 3*AAA batteries that turned itself on frequently and died after 6 months of abuse, the Pixa which is still in great condition after a year of abuse and the Zebralight that I've only had a few months. My boss had the more expensive Energiser with lots of modes, and that was a complete PITA. Click and you had light, click and you had different LEDs but still had light, click and you had all the LEDs but again no noticeable change in light, click and it was red, click and off. He's now got a cheapie focusable one from CPC which he seems to like but doesn't suit me at all.

Anyway, back to topic. Have you looked at the Fenixes? You've got a choice of 1*AA or 1*AAA.

[Millhouse]

1) I don't want a Zebralight.  I've had a play with one a couple of times now and I just don't like the UI.

I'm not too fond of Zebralight's interface, but I have an H51 headlamp.

My requirement was for something with a plenty of power, but it had to be compact and light. The Zebralight was the only thing I found that fitted my requirements. Having used it, I find the interface is ok for a headlamp.

Fenix make a variety of headlamps. With the exception of the HL10, I found the others including the single AA to be too chunky.

[enki_ck]

There was a Fenix 1x aaa announced about a year ago, should have been around 30usd. Haven't heard much about it lately though.

Also same size as the ZL are the Spark headlamps. I know Heinz has a few and likes them.

http://goinggear.com/flashlights/headlamps/spark-st5-220cw-xm-l-t6-cool-white-aa-210-lumen-headlamp.html

I found myself a ZL H51w yesterday. My requirements were about the same as yours, but I got used to the ZL UI by now and only rarely miss a mode.

[Millhouse]

There was a Fenix 1x aaa announced about a year ago, should have been around 30usd. Haven't heard much about it lately though.

That's the Fenix HL10, a single aaa powered light with a max output of 70 lumens.

[enki_ck]

I linked tho the wrong Spark before. I was thinking this one actually.

http://goinggear.com/spark-sg5-cw-cree-xm-l2-t6-280-lumen-cool-white-headlamp-1-x-aa-or-1-x-14500.html

[Gareth]

See, I should like the H51w, on paper it sounds perfect, but I just couldn't get along with the UI.

The Spark range looks good, but perhaps a little more than I was thinking of paying.

I was thinking of a Fenix HL21 but the reviews seem a little mixed.  The HL10 could well be a good option, but the low run times would be a worry for night hiking.  That said, I rarely do any night hiking so I'm not sure it's a real problem.

[Gareth]

I linked tho the wrong Spark before. I was thinking this one actually.

http://goinggear.com/spark-sg5-cw-cree-xm-l2-t6-280-lumen-cool-white-headlamp-1-x-aa-or-1-x-14500.html

Hummmm...I quite like the look of that one.

[enki_ck]

I thought you might. It even has memory. You like having that, right?

I only linked to GG as they usually have or later add videos of the lights they carry. (not this time though :/ ) You can find them cheaper with free shipping from Hong Kong on eBay, $55.

[Gareth]

  That's an excellent review, love the guy's dry sense of humour.

dang, I'm seriously looking at that light now.

[Styerman]

I use two , a Petzel Tactika ( I solve the spare batt. problem by putting them in a plasi bag and taping it to the head band ) .

My other is a Surefire Saint Minimus , 100 OTF lumens of floody destruction . I generally just wear it around the neck , and dialed back to about 5 Lm . Again , with a plasi bag covered CR123 taped to the head band .

Chris

[jcs0001]

I've recently obtained a Fenix HL30.  It uses 2 aa cells and has a red led (useful in close quarters) and a bright white led which has 4 levels.  I find it very easy to use and it certainly puts out a nice floody beam for walking or otherwise getting around in the dark. 

Low is supposed to be good for 140 hours and 4 lumens and turbo is supposed to be good for 1 hour 40 minutes at 200 lumens (although it will only stay in turbo for 5 min. at a time).  It has sos mode but it isn't intrusive like some lights.

I find it very light and comfortable as it has a strap across the head along with the usual one around the circumference.  One small con is that it isn't easy to get the battery compartment open.

John.

[nate j]

I was thinking of a Fenix HL21 but the reviews seem a little mixed.

I have a HL21 and I really like it.  Water resistant, adjustable beam angle, runs on a single AA battery, instantly switches between spot and flood thanks to the included diffuser lens, three brightness levels...what's not to like?

[Gareth]

Cheers gents, that's given me lots to look at and think about.

[Gareth]

Well, I might have not quite gotten a head torch, but I have gotten very close.   After finding a Trustfire z2 I quickly realised that it would work with a headband that I had previously made up.



The quality of the Trustfire is very good, especially as it only cost me around £10.  To aid in it's transformation to a comfortable head torch I have had to remove the rather good pocket clip.


But wait, it gets even better.  As it comes the z2 is quite a thrower.  See this beam pattern;


But with a simple twist of the reflector you can do this;


and end up with a wall of light like this;


OK, so it's not going to be waterproof like that, but I still think it's quite neat.   The three main light levels are well spaced, but I could do without the flashing modes.  It does have mode memory though, which is a feature that I really like.  Leave the pocket clip on and this does a pretty good job at being clipped to your shirt or rucksack strap, certainly stays in place and points forward anyway.

[enki_ck]

Glad you like it so far. I was wondering how you were going along with it after I saw you bought one while DXing under the influence.

How low is the low on it? These usually say low but the low ends up being in the 100lm range. Which I guess is low compared to the max output, though still blinding in the middle of the night.

Also, Trustfire or Ultrafire?

[Gareth]

Glad you like it so far. I was wondering how you were going along with it after I saw you bought one while DXing under the influence.

How low is the low on it? These usually say low but the low ends up being in the 100lm range. Which I guess is low compared to the max output, though still blinding in the middle of the night.

Also, Trustfire or Ultrafire?

D'oh!   I really shouldn't try and share any useful information before 7am.

The low is low-ish, roughly the same as my Fenix E05 I'd say, so lets call it in the 20-30 lumen range.