I MacGyver'd a headlamp.

[Singh]

I was looking at headlamps and trying to decide which one to buy. I was going to order a Zebralight but they are on back-order.

Then an idea struck me.

I have an old Quark mini. It's around 90 lumens and should work as a headlamp. So I cannibalized a headband from an old cheapo headlamp, applied scotch tape over the Quark's lens to make it a flood light, and finished things off with some electrical tape, and......








It works well for indoor use,  but I've found that 90 lumens might be a little low for outdoor work. At the very least, this saved me from wasting money on a headlamp with comparable brightness.

[ducttapetech]

Hell yeah! Nice work.

that's us mobile

[derekmac]

Ha, nice one! I'll have to remember that.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[NutSAK]

Good idea.

90 lumens should be plenty for outdoors, if you remove the scotch tape.

[Gareth]

Looks good mate.   I've done a very similar head band myself and it's basically replaced any of my old headlamps.  In fact I like it so much I got a 1xAA right angled torch to go with it.

[Dr Gonzo]

The Nite Ize headband is good for this and is able to take a variety of different sized lights
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/nite-ize-nite-ize-headband-AC130003?channel_code=110&product_code=73492121&utm_source=google-shopping&_$ja=tsid:45886&_$$ja=cgid:5263163572%7ctsid:45886%7ccid:102736972%7clid:20268135532%7cnw:search%7ccrid:15986543572%7cdvc:c%7cadp:1o1%7cbku:1&gclid=CIqxwvLL7rwCFSUUwwodUzAAGA&gclsrc=aw.ds 

[Cogito]

I might be able to help you save some weight if you wear glasses.  I wear glasses and I tend to buy ones that have wider flatter arms or temples.

Then I put a few tiny rubber bands from braces on them behind the hinges on both sides so it looks symmetric and people don't notice.

Then on the small flashlights I thread a keyring around the back so in a pinch I run the keyring around the temple of the glasses and use the rubber bands to secure it in place properly.

I hope this helps.

[ducttapetech]

That is a good idea! I never thought of that. And I come up with all kinds of weird things and rigs.
 I wear shades but not prescription glasses. But it would work for safty glasses.

that's us mobile

[Singh]

Good idea.

90 lumens should be plenty for outdoors, if you remove the scotch tape.

I'll give that a try and see how it goes.

[NAB]

This is the kind of thing that if a wife or girlfriend sees you can forget buying new stuff. She'll tell you to just go make whatever it is........

On the other hand, points for originality. I like that the light is mounted to the side rather than hanging right over the eyes.

[captain spaulding]

Good work Shamus. 


I forgot to ask you a while ago how you are getting along with you Zebralight?

[Singh]

Me and the Zebralight are getting along very well. 

[captain spaulding]

Me and the Zebralight are getting along very well. 

Good to hear! Mine is definitely my favorite light. 

[Gareth]

A couple of old snaps of my version of this idea.  The elasticated straps can hold on to various lights, though 2xAA is really pushing it as far as comfortable goes.  Much better is 1xAA, 1xAAA or 2xAAA.



Best though is this Trustfire Z2.  Who needs a Zebralight?

[Sparky415]

Good job 

How about replacing the tape with a piece of bike inner tube?   

[Singh]

Best though is this Trustfire Z2.  Who needs a Zebralight?
(Image removed from quote.)

Wooo. nice light. I like the big green button. I looked up this light and you can't beat the price!

[Gareth]

I'm very happy with it.  It came out with me on a two night hike/camp last weekend and performed perfectly.  Even on low it was plenty bright enough to navigate around our pitch and my fear that the spill might be too narrow proved to be unfounded.  There is also the option of removing the reflector totally, but I'd not want to do this in the rain as it leave the LED exposed and I'd doubt it's water resistance.

[Etherealicer]

As far as improvised headlights go, I like(ed) my Olight S10 (sold it to my moms and its replace has not yet been ordered, so no pictures ). The clip faces backwards, so you can clip it to your baseball cap.