Headlamp recommendations

[Troy Childs]

Just glancing at their website this one but their tactical lights are the ones designed to address the issue specifically.
http://www.fenixlight.com/ProductMore.aspx?id=86&tid=13&cid=2#.UxcQ0FAo7qA

[Delmar O’Donnell]

The Fenix headlamp referenced above isn't blending spectra from different color LEDs to create full-spectrum output. It's just using two white Cree XP-Es of unspecified tint bin. Nothing against Fenix (I've owned plenty of them), it's just they're not using an LED color blend technology as implied. The reason the HP25 has two LEDs: one optimized for flood, the other for spot. The only headlamp mfg I was aware of that mixed colored LEDs for spectrum balance was FoxFury; but there may be others.

If Fenix is using an LED blend technology in one of their flashlights, I'd like to know which one. That would be an interesting light. You'd have to do some careful balancing of output to make it work. Most of the marketplace is headed in the opposite direction of individual LEDs with a fuller spectrum of "white." Thus my interest in a blending approach.

[Mark]

"Try emailing Fenix about it I've never looked into an actual head lamp sorry."

Struggling to understand why you posted in a "Headlamp recommendations" thread Troy.

Fenix do indeed make some great lights, my TK70 still has the best beam out of any light i've tried and believe me i've tried many.
Their headlamps are still a fair ways behind the likes of Zebralight though.

"I don't use headlamps because they're heavy in the wrong places.id rather carry battery weight than light batteries and extra straps. It's easy enough to strap a light to your shoulder or clip onto your ear"

Your inexperience with headlamps is showing here.

A headlamp with a well designed strap will distributed it's weight, i've been running with a 18650 powered headlamp and had absolutely no discomfort.

I don't see how strapping a light to your shoulder or having one "clip onto your ear" would be comfortable, never mind more comfortable than a well designed headlamp on a well designed head strap

" I don't believe headlamps are useful since the light weight batteries are expensive, inefficient, and the straps are heavy and bulky."

Again your lack of experience with headlamps is showing here.

gram per amp hour it's not possible for the public to buy a more efficient battery than say a 3400mAh 18650 battery.
Again gram per Ah or Ah per mm a lithium battery is absolutely the best you can get.

Even if you stick with AA's a lithium AA will be lighter per Ah than a NiMh equivalent.

I can understand your evangelical posts on Fenix products, as i say they do make some outstanding torches.
In this case though in my pretty extensive experience with many different types of headlamps (Fenix included) i personally believe Zebralights offering are lighter, brighter and more useful for more circumstances.

I have used and would ise again Fenix headlamps, it's just if it's my money i wouldn't buy one over say a H600.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Modern output ratings for flashlights are usually in lumen, sometimes lux, rarely candela. "Par Ratings" is a vintage standard, shorthand for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, generally used for plug-in lights.

I'll second what Mark says: you'd be hard pressed to find a more efficient, reasonably small cell than an 18650 Li-Ion. The only reason I don't use them, is a bad experience once with a funky charger and an overheating cell. Out of an excess of caution I dropped back to AAs. But if you are on top of your charging process and have good gear, 18650s rock.

Now, for a long pack trip, you don't toss a dead 18650 in the next trash can you find; it stays with you for the duration of the trip whether dead or alive. But you may only need one 18650 for a very long trip! Alternately, occasional resupplies with lithium AAs may be a convenient alternative, if you don't require the wallop that the 18650 gives.

[Mark]

It's always tough recommending torches as peoples expectations, experience and how they plan on using it makes a massive difference.

I let a friend borrow one of my SC52's a few weeks back, he'd only ever used cheap torches or maglites before, he was visibly stunned by the output from a torch so small.

Another mate who does a fair bit of trail running at night felt the tint on the same torch was terrible.

Funny thing is, this guy runs on extremely rocky paths at night with a H502, a torch that i personally find pretty much useless for walking with, never mind running.

For me personally i tend to prefer a torch that has more throw for night hiking, as i find i tend to like planning my footsteps a fair way in advance, i've also found that if you have a beam strong enough to enable you to see say 20 meters in front, it helps me judge obstacle heights as the shadow from said obstacle will get smaller as i approach it.

On the battery front.
One of my other hobbies is radio controlled cars, planes, copters, boats, as a result i've been using Lithium batteries in these craft a few times a week for what must be over 10 years now.
I've seen many many fires from lithium batteries, from crashes, bad charging, bad care and just plain bad cells.

One of the most violent battery incidents i've seen though was from a NiMH battery.
The guy was charging his cells inside his car on the passenger footwell, one of the cells literally exploded, the car was burnt to a crisp by the time the fire brigade arrived.
It was 100% user error, the guy had blocked off the cells vent, plus was charging incorrectly, it still goes to show though that ANY battery can be dangerous if mishandled.

Lithium batteries do get a bad rep as they're a little more sensitive to misuse, personally though i NEVER leave ANY battery unattended while charging and i always charge outside with a mindset that the cell will pop/fizz at any time.

It sounds extremely paranoid but in practice it really makes no difference if the batteries are charged in my office, kitchen, bedroom or outside, the setup is exactly the same and it takes no more time.
So setting up outside takes no longer but offers a lot more security "just in case"

With regard to batttery choices, although many people prefer AA or AAA powered torches because batteries are easier to find, i have to say that in my experience this is not the case.
Sure more stores sell AA or AAA batteries than 18650's but will you be near a store when you need one and more importantly will the store be open?

For me i tended to find that i'd just simply take along more batteries as finding a store 1/2 way up a mountain at midnight proved difficult.
If i take more batteries then i figured that's the convenience of AA's ruined so how about weight?

One of my Eagletec 3400mAh 18650 cells weighs 48 grams
One of my Sanyo Eneloop 1900mAh AA cells weighs 26 grams

Sounds a close race until you realise that the Eneloops are 1.2v and the 18650 is 3.6v (both nominal voltages).
3.4 amp x 3.6v = 12 watts
1.9 amp x 1.2v = 2 watts

So i would need to carry 6 Eneloops to provide the same power as 1 x 18650
6 x Eneloops = 156g or over 3 x 18650's

[Glenn S]

I'm not sure I follow.

Edit: Nevermind, answered my own question, kind of… Carry on :)

Still not sure comparing hi cap li-ions to mediocre cap nimhs is an apples to apples kind of thing though.

[Troy Childs]

Guess you'll just have to become an expert and build your own at which point you too will realize it's all a compromise.

Backpacks should come with power supplies built into the frame and a USB power supply ;)

Internal batteries are lighter and more efficient than cells since they're just wrapped in a thin film and have a couple wires.

Head lamps are so far behind I really can't find ANY I like. You lose too much value and tech going from a torch to a head lamp. It seems to me most headlamps are selling people overpriced straps and nothing more than a gimmick.

Shoulder light, ear clip light, or bust. I use head lamps to work not hike.

I've been searching for a head lamp to recommend for days now and can't find a single one that offers everything this thread cumulatively requires of a light.

Ever wonder why police don't use head lamps? They screw up your peripheral and balance, make your eyes tired because they never get a break etc etc.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

> Ever wonder why police don't use head lamps? They screw up your peripheral and balance, make your eyes tired because they never get a break etc etc.

That's odd…the military is positively wedded to headlamps & helmet-mounted lamps.

[Steve K]

Actually, police don't use headlamps because perps tend to shoot directly towards light sources. If a flashlight is carried and used near center mass, a bullet is more likely to hit armor.

[Rex Sanders]

There is a government conspiracy to keep the best headlamps out of the hands of civilians, so that when the One World Order takes over at night, they have the upper hand. Read on for one weird trick that will keep you safe.

There is no perfect headlamp, just like there is no perfect pack, stove, or sleeping bag. And plenty of people will be happy without the item at all.

Sometimes I take a headlamp, sometimes I'm happy enough with a photon light on a clip, and on some trips I don't even use that.

People have discussed, compared, praised, and trashed headlamps for hundreds of thousands of words, on BPL, CPF, and elsewhere. The good news is that so much information is available, both good and bad, that you can totally geek out on headlamps in pursuit of "the one". Or you can walk into a store and buy the first one you see. Both will work OK most of the time. Both will fail to meet your needs some of the time.

In the whitewater rafting community, most people have cheap headlamps, because we can't afford expensive ones after spending $3,000+ on boating gear, or we're making less than minimum wage guiding guests down the river.

If you get 10, or 20, or 30 rafters around a camp at night, one problem comes up over and over again: Mutual Assured Blindness. You walk over to talk to someone, you look at each other to speak, and both are blinded by the other's headlamp.

So I'll share the one weird trick secretly passed to me by another raft guide.

1. Turn off your headlamp.
2. Take off your headlamp.
3. Stretch out the headband.
4. Slide the headlamp down until it is around your neck, not your head.
5. Turn on the headlamp.

Voila, no more MAB. You won't get quite as dizzy from the beam zipping around when your head moves, and it points more-or-less where you need to see most of the time.

One more weird trick.

For those of you who believe flashlights are superior, because when the One World Order descends from their black helicopters at night, they will aim their shots at your hand or body armor instead of your head, I have one more weird trick.

1. Turn off your headlamp.
2. Take off your headlamp.
3. Hold the headlamp in your hand, with the beam pointing forward.
4. Turn on the headlamp.

Voila – you have a flashlight with a strap.

Thanks for your attention. Please keep up this entertaining thread.

— Rex

PS – to learn more about the marketing psychology of "one weird trick" ads:
Prepare to Be Shocked!

[Mark]

"I'm not sure I follow.

Edit: Nevermind, answered my own question, kind of… Carry on :)

Still not sure comparing hi cap li-ions to mediocre cap nimhs is an apples to apples kind of thing though."

Hi Glenn,

Yea sorry i did ramble on for a bit.
The thing is although they're different formats and often different chemistries it's really the choices that we are given.
A AA or AAA torch or a 18650.
Obviously there are other formats, but IMO they're even more of a compromise (e.g. CR123)

A lithium powered AA torch or 14500 is an option, but are you going to be able to find charged 14500 cells ore lithium AA's out where we tend to prefer to hike?

"Guess you'll just have to become an expert and build your own at which point you too will realize it's all a compromise."

Admittedly cynical i know, but i'm always wary of anyone that calls themselves a "expert" there are no qualifications or experience level required to be a self appointed expert, so it's not really worth anything in real terms.

I have modified and assembled several torches over the years i don't see how that's relevant on this thread though as it has absolutely nothing to do with recommending head torches.

It's equivalent to a taxi driver giving Jenson Button tips on driving a F1.
Both are professional drivers but there is a vast difference in experience and skill sets between the 2.

"Internal batteries are lighter and more efficient than cells since they're just wrapped in a thin film and have a couple wires."

In theory you are correct.
In practice though torches with "soft cells" will have to have tougher cases, regulators and charge points built into them, in real world terms this will often make a torch with internal batteries a fair amount heavier than a torch with a hard case battery.

Had a quick rummage through my photobucket and found a few pics of weights of a few of my torches to compare

LD01 with battery (Sanyo Eneloop) 26.4g

H502 with battery (Sanyo Eneloop) without strap 43.4g

H502 with battery and strap 66.6g

MKI H600 with battery (Eagletec 3400mAh)and strap 105.5g

MKII with battery (Eagletec 3400mAh) and strap 127g

"Head lamps are so far behind I really can't find ANY I like. You lose too much value and tech going from a torch to a head lamp. It seems to me most headlamps are selling people overpriced straps and nothing more than a gimmick."

If you meant this phrase to be humorous then i'm sorry my friend i just didn't pick up on your humour.

If you meant it as a serious statement then please take a look at any half decent headlight.
Here is one example i recommend, the Zebralight H600
http://www.zebralight.com/H600-Mk-II-18650-XM-L2-Headlamp-Cool-White_p_130.html
Cree XM-L2
1090 lumen boost, 660 lumen high with decent lows and medium levels from 0.01 lumens.
PID thermal regulated outputs
Good UI
Battery capacity indicator
Built in over-discharging protection
soft-touch switch
Waterproof to IPX7

I'm struggling to see how think that is going to "lose too much value and tech" compared to the LD01 you recommended?

As i say i own a few LD01's they're great keychain lights and fantastic VFM, there is absolutely no comparison to any of my LD01's and even a H502 though.
Beam pattern, lumen output, UI they're all in a different league on the H502 never mind the H600.

"Shoulder light, ear clip light, or bust. I use head lamps to work not hike."

I work on pretty complex systems and use my LD01 most days at work, there is absolutely no way i'd use it clipped onto my ear though.
For one it would be unsafe (if i drop something into the system then it is powered down and unusable till it's found) for another it would be extremely uncomfortable.

If that works for you and the job you do then fantastic, it's still not a headlamp though and it's still not what the op requested.

"Ever wonder why police don't use head lamps? They screw up your peripheral and balance, make your eyes tired because they never get a break etc etc.""

Nonsense
LEO's have their lights in parallel with their guns so they can shoot where they shine

[Delmar O’Donnell]

…loved the article on "One Weird Trick" and enjoyed your riff on same.

[Bob Gross]

"That's odd…the military is positively wedded to headlamps & helmet-mounted lamps."

That is, unless you are equipped with night vision goggles or something similar. Then, you do not want any headlamps or flashlights around.

–B.G.–

[Troy Childs]

I'll never find the one now!

I'm still standing by my recommendation of an ld01 that accepts commonly found batteries and easily sits on your ear like a pencil.

I certainly have learned a lot though and appreciate the ideas behind the recommendation which definitely give consumers reading this thread something to think about!

My gutted ld01 "ultralight" model can be pinned anywhere on my pack or clothing and only weighs 5 grams.

I've smashed plenty of lipoly batteries and they still work fine trust me. RC air helicopters smash the he'll out of them and they are fine usually.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

No, they keep the helmet light, but turn it off, or if they think its safe, or necessary, will use NVG (night vision green). But those Surefire helmet lights stay clamped onto their heads at night regardless.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8800/dsc04730df.jpg

[Troy Childs]

Here are examples of lippy batteries without all the heavy bs attached to give you a warranty and protect companies from frivolous lawsuits.

Build your own it's much lighter. Gut a Chinese flashlight and enjoy.

Add straps if you want to call it a head lamp I guess.

It makes more sense to carry a battery system that charges all devices than it does multiple batteries to me since this makes every piece of gear multiple purpose/redundant and much cheaper/more valuable. All my devices charge off one USB cable that has 3 form factors to charge other people's various USB devices if necessary too.

Run on sentences from hell I d c.

Add a hydrogen reactor, hand pump generator, solar, or Peltier device and you can now cycle these cells hundreds of times over 18 months without plugging in too.

I am now running wires to all my devices from one unprotected extremely light battery and carrying a second battery as backup that has a volt stepper circuit and pass thru as well with a charging switch just in case my primary shits a brick.

[Bob Gross]

Incidentally, you can see a lot more without using battery-powered devices if you just give it time.

While on a military training exercise, we were stationary just after sunset, but before the sky got very dark and before our human night vision was working much. About 60-70 yards out, one training person lit a cigarette, but we couldn't see it at all. Then we did some other activity in the dark. After 30 minutes or so, we went back to our original positions and the training person lit a cigarette again. Geez, everybody could see it in an instant, clear as a bell. Our night vision worked.

So, next time you are camped, keep things as dark as you can without tripping and breaking your fool neck. Let your human night vision develop, and then see what you can see. Due to the way our eyes are built, you might get best night results by looking slightly off-center at a target.

–B.G.–

[Troy Childs]

My secondary battery is also a flashlight, vaporizer (ecig), emergency fire starter, bullet proof water proof case, and passthru/backup battery with 5 volt stepper circuit and regulator circuits built from old junked electronics like vcr and tape decks.

2600mah

Oh and it's an ohm meter. Lol!!!

Anyway, build your own stuff and system for all powered devices and get away from marketing and BS solutions like headlamps and torches built to make profit not light.

Enjoy, learn, do. Keep it simple and get a simple light if you're not up to it like an ld01.

As for myself I'm more of a mac guy ver.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Troy's posts are having the same effect on me as drinking a half dozen cups of strong coffee one after another, so I'm going to go enjoy a minor detox in another thread.

Bob makes a good point; lots of people with lights get impatient and use electricity when they could simply use a wider iris in their own eyes by waiting another 30 minutes. Let it expand to a full 7mm (if you're young; 5mm if you're a geezer) and enjoy the natural night vision.

[Troy Childs]

Lol sorry I don't talk to folks much but just trying to help people be lighter and think outside the box.

I agree to use your night vision but unfortunately that isn't always easy to do without going completely solo and or imposing on others.

[Troy Childs]

I guess I'll just have to make a diy thread to hold people's hands on lipoly tech since few want to learn on their own.

I seem to have lost people on my radical oversimplification of my system because the personal messages won't stop with such basic questions.

[Mark]

Good post Bob,

I much prefer hiking without a light if i can, i think there are few times when you feel closer to nature and the universe than hiking on a clear bright night without a torch.

Problem i tend to have though is tripping.
Partly because i'm usually near the end of a hike when it's dark so am absolutely knackered, and partly because the terrain here (Greece) is extremely rocky.

Was talking about retaining night vision with a friend of mine a few weeks back, he also comes from a military background so was really feeling exposed walking around with a torch on.

Problem was it was a very cloudy night with very little natural light, plus we were hiking through a intermittently heavily wooded area, so for me it just wasn't worth the risk of not using a torch.

At the start he insisted on having his headlamp on the lowest setting he could get away with, even then he was adamant that his was keeping 1 eye closed.
Problem was he ended up stumbling more than when he didn't have his light on.

So we sat for a brew and i asked him "what are you saving your night vision for?"
It's not like we could have safely hiked without the lights on (IMO), after a bit of a "debate" we set off again only this time he had his torch on max.
Once hed got over that initial nervousness about making a target of himself he really enjoyed seeing this well worn hike in a different light (literally).

Guess what i'm saying is, as adults we use our knowledge and experience to make a judgement call on if there is enough natural light to safely walk by, but IMO once you've made the decision to use a torch as long as you have enough batteries there is no reason not to use it on it's highest setting.

[Glenn S]

"keeping 1 eye closed"

Isn't this why the Pirate's wore an eye patch? So they had one eye dilated to see in the dark hold?

Maybe someone could market a hiker patch, call it an "eye gaiter".

[Bob Gross]

"Maybe someone could market a hiker patch, call it an "eye gaiter"."

Name it the General Moshe Dayan eye gaiter.

He was a very security-minded guy and became famous for his comment, "I'll be keeping an eye out for you."

–B.G.–

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