Headlamp Fans - What do you use?

[spudley112]

Several years ago, my (now ex) girlfriend and I started camping almost anytime we had time off to go. One thing is certain, a headlamp is a handy tool. Having both hands free is awesome and being able to have focused light when working on something is a boon to any operation.

She and I bought fairly cheap Energizer headlamps from Walmart that have a high and low power setting. The high setting does a pretty decent job lighting up the area, and the low setting can be used all night.

I have become a huge fan of headlamps and was curious if others use a headlamp and what kind you use. For me, a couple of power settings are sufficient. I have had some in the past that required me to click through the power settings endlessly to find the setting I needed...I would rather not have to do that.

Anyway, any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

[spudley112]

Oops...actually, the headlamp I use is an Ozark Trail...not Enegizer.

[WoodsDuck]

I've had a Nitecore NU20 for about two years and it's been pretty great for my purposes.

For around $30 you get good battery life (USB rechargeable), a few brightness settings, and SOS/flashing beacon in an extremely compact and lightweight package. It also comes in several colors if that's important to you.

[nate j]

Yea, having both hands free and a light automatically pointing at whatever you're looking at is pretty handy.  The only downside in my experience is that it is easy to forget you have it on, and accidentally shine it in the face(s) of your companion(s).


Fenix HL30 2018 Edition is what I'm currently using.  Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it so far.

Likes:  Reasonable size & weight, tilt adjustment, flood beam (way better than spot for a headlamp, IMHO), lockout function, uses easy-to-find AA batteries (I've been running mine on long-lasting, cold-resistant disposable lithiums), IP67 rating, high/turbo modes quite bright, low/eco modes provide long run times

Dislikes:  Some extraneous modes/functions that I don't really use, including all of the red LED modes.  (The good news is that I don't have to cycle through them every time thanks to the two-switch interface.)

[MadPlumbarian]

I use something a little diff, since all I used to wear are baseball hats and I saw those 5led lamps that clip on under the brim I was in love, but then I found these,
A Panther Vision Lighted Baseball Hat 48-Lumen LED Cap

The Lighted Hats combine Patented Ultra Bright LEDtechnology with a premium ball cap to provide you with the perfect hands free flashlight
Great for Home Improvement Projects, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Walking the Dog, Power Outages, Small Engine Repair, Harvest Time
Powerful 42 Lumen lights concealed under the brim
Easy on/off switch under the brim
2 of the LEDs are angled down at 25 degrees to light up where your hands are for close up tasks
2 LEDs are aimed forward to light the distance up to 42 feet away
4 CR2032 Coin Cell batteries hidden in the band provide up to 9 hours of life and are replaceable
Hand Washable
Limited Lifetime Warrenty to give you peace of mind

I want to do a little custom work but other projects have been holding me off,,
JR

[comis]

Several years ago, my (now ex) girlfriend and I started camping almost anytime we had time off to go. One thing is certain, a headlamp is a handy tool. Having both hands free is awesome and being able to have focused light when working on something is a boon to any operation.

She and I bought fairly cheap Energizer headlamps from Walmart that have a high and low power setting. The high setting does a pretty decent job lighting up the area, and the low setting can be used all night.

I have become a huge fan of headlamps and was curious if others use a headlamp and what kind you use. For me, a couple of power settings are sufficient. I have had some in the past that required me to click through the power settings endlessly to find the setting I needed...I would rather not have to do that.

Anyway, any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

I use a few of them on a regular basis, usually on short hikes in late evening, night photography or doing repair.

My absolute favorite is the Petzl Zipka, no hand band to flop around, and very easy to store.  The one I use is of an older version, where there is a very distinct click before it turns on.  But more modern ones have light touch switch which totally suck(it might turn on itself if not careful), a common problem for many models across board, so definitely check them out before purchase.

Another one is Fenix HL15, which uses 2AAA.  I like it due to its lighter weight, and easy to find battery.

Personally, I am more geared towards AAA powered headlamps, but YMMV.  One good way to find reliable and good headlamp is to find thru hikers forum and read up on their gear report.  Those folks use it day in and out, and anything that could survive a thru hike is probably good reliable outdoor gear to use.

[RF52]

I have a Olight H1R and a Led Lenser H7
The Olight is nice that it can double as a flashlight.
But the Led Lenser is my favourite, it has adjustable angle, flood pattern/zoom and you can adjust the lumen output with a small wheel on the battery compartment

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

[Shuya]

Had Petzl headlights for more than 15 years, switched to a Black Diamond Storm last year.

Reasons:
4x AAA, can be bought anywhere, even in alpine huts, plus I no longer have one AAA left like it was with the 3xAAA lights. Plus longer light time. Minus: more weight on the forehead.

Waterproof. Petzl claimes to be waterproof, but without any seal I doubt it.

Still no constant brightness, but Okish level. And it has redlight (used when leaving the shelter early to not wake everyone up), but also blue and green (annoying, never needed those colors)

Will not be my last light, but served me well in this years alpine tours way above 3800m /120000ft where you start early in the morning.

[Syncop8r]

4x AAA, can be bought anywhere, even in alpine huts, plus I no longer have one AAA left like it was with the 3xAAA lights.

I would have 3 batteries in my old Black Diamond Cosmo? and put the other in my Olight.

[Aloha]

Another idea tho having a headlamp is great.  Reversable pocket clip which you can wear on a ball cap.   

[Stefano]

I use Zebralight and Armytek (Armytek Wizard and/or Elf C2)

[spudley112]

I use Zebralight and Armytek (Armytek Wizard and/or Elf C2)

I do like the headlamps in which the light can be used as a removable angle head light. It is much more versatile.

[Aloha]

I bought an inexpensive headlamp Olight H05.  I have used it several times now for camping and it serves that purpose well.  It was inexpensive enough to toss in a pack and forget about it. 

Features:
Adjustable light angles: 10, 25, 35, and 50 degrees
Two red indicator lights
Thermal protection
Four color options available

Specifications:
LED: CREE XM-L2 LED
Output / Runtime:
High: 150 Lumens / 10 Minute Burst
Medium: 30 Lumens / 10 Hours
Low: 10 Lumens / 27 Hours
Beam Distance: 55 Meters
Impact Resistance: 1 Meter
Waterproof: IPX-4
Runs on 2 x AAA batteries

[pomsbz]

I've had a Nitecore NU20 for about two years and it's been pretty great for my purposes.

For around $30 you get good battery life (USB rechargeable), a few brightness settings, and SOS/flashing beacon in an extremely compact and lightweight package. It also comes in several colors if that's important to you.

I'm now looking at the successor to that model, the NU25. Looks like great value.