Market update: UL Flashlights

Since you mentioned Fenix I'll chime in that my L2D has taken numerous falls onto concrete but the circuitry is a little glitchy now. Sometimes it wants to step to the next brightness level or function when you turn it on instead of resuming the previous brightness like it used to. This is particularly evident with the strobe/SOS function.

I have a zebra light and a fenix. Both run on one lithium battery, not AAA or AA but obtainable. Both are less than 2 ounces and fit your criteria. The difference is the spread of light. The Zebra floods at 60 degree. It is very good in camp. The fenix has much more throw for night walking. Usually I just carry the Zebra. On bright setting you can see easily far enough for walking, but the battery life is short. If I expect to walk a lot in the dark I put the zebra on my belt in its spare holder,on medium or low for a flood that is a different angle from my eyes so I can interpret shadows, and use the fenix in the zebra headband for throw as needed. I have a Petzl e+lite too but the 2 button batteries seem relatively expensive as they run down from maximum brightness quickly. The zebra and fenix keep the fresh battery brightness for a long time.

I've found the Fenix LD01 perfect for both around camp on low power or trail walking on medium. Runs on one AAA battery, has a long battery life (3.5 hours and medium), weights .52oz, and comes with a clip for hat attachment.

The headlamps made by battery manufacturers are usually lame featureless wonders. I've found one exception, the Ray-O-Vac Sportsman Extreme 1 Watt LED headlamp. It runs on one AA battery that powers a boost regulator so the light stays constant as battery voltage declines. It has low power LED's for in camp lighting. A hinged diffuser can be placed over any of the focused beams to give area lighting. At under $20 it's probably the highest performance/$ headlamp out there.

I don't have mine with me to weigh, but with only one cell, it's pretty light.

They missed the boat a little in that only the high power beam is white. The low power choices are only red and blue. They seem to work fine for all the tasks I've put them too, but it took some getting used to and I'd still rather have a low power white option.

Some might consider the boost regulator a disadvantage. The constant light output comes at a price. Instead of slowly dimming over the life of the battery, end of battery life comes somewhat abruptly with this headlamp. A spare battery is pretty much an necessity for the night hiker. High capacity rechargable NIMH AA's are the best choice for this headlight.

If you want a cheaper, quality alternative to the Fenix LD01, check out the iTP A3 EOS Upgrade. It has 3 levels (low, medium, high), is as bright as the LD01 (maybe brighter, can’t remember) and weighs 9g / .317oz without the AAA battery (use an Energizer Lithium for the lightest weight battery). Good reviews on CandlePowerForums. About $22 shipped.

iTP A3 EOS Upgrade

Also available in black (same weight) and stainless steel (heavier, more expensive).

It may depend on how much night hiking you plan on doing, but I've used a Photon Freedom hiking through the woods for short lengths before and it's plenty bright for lighting up a path, plus it's dimmable to whatever brightness you need for around the camp. Since it comes with an omni-directional clip attachment, it can easily fill the roll of a headlamp as long as you're wearing a baseball cap or something to clip it to. Definitely the lightest option. Even an extra set of 2016 batteries won't bog you down.

Keith,

When you get a chance, weigh that Sportsman Extreme? AA + water resistant + red sounds great if the weight is right.

acronym 9/23/2009 9:47 PM

On the Sportsman extreme, I'll guess around 2 oz, probably a little more, but less than 3 oz.

From my research, Zebralight makes the lightest regulated headlamp on the market. I have the Zebralight H501 and I highly recommend it.

As far as flashlights go, the Nitecore EZ AA is the lightest flashlight available that uses AA batteries and is regulated.

On long distance trips, having a light that uses AA batteries is very convenient, as it is the most common battery in the world. Having to hunt for specific types of batteries other than the common ones is a pain. AA batteries also yield much longer burn times.

Now, having said that, for trips that are under a week long, I will usually only need 1 or 2 photon micro lights. I usually bring one red photon and one white photon. The lights I mentioned before are better sited for longer trips.

-Sid

My dream headlamp: Zipka style headband, uses single AA batt, waterproof, one 1 watt LED (high, lo settings) + red LED (lo setting). Weight: 1 oz (28g) plus batt = 1.5oz total.

That's a lot like the Ray-O-Vac that has been mentioned, but the Zipka style headband should save some weight.

Thanks for all the info guys. I am with you on that dream light dan. that sounds like what i am looking for but nobody seems to make!

My dream light is the photon freedom. Long battery life, adustable light output, and remarkable bright. Cheap too and light enough to carry an entire backup light.

KY Chris

You may want to check out the Fenix LD10. It uses a single AA battery, has a great user interface, has ms modes from 9 to 120 lumens, and a really cool plastic diffuser that essentially turns the light into a lantern. Plus, they finally added a pocket clip! (About time!)

I tend to rely primarily on my headlamp when backpacking, but I like to have a more powerful light available when things go “grrrr!” in the night.

Just a reminder that Wal-Mart carries a 1.3 oz Engergizer headlamp that runs on CR2032 batteries. They are about $5.50. A good headlamp for the budget conscious.

> My dream headlamp: Zipka style headband, uses single AA batt, waterproof, one 1 watt LED (high, lo settings) + red LED (lo setting). Weight: 1 oz (28g) plus batt = 1.5oz total.

That’s a great list. I would add direct red activation (I hate cycling through the whites first), and < $30.

I found one that’s close at Target today: Energizer Trail Finder Headlight. Specs, Merchant, and Review.

no (thin elastic) – Zipka style headband
yes – single AA batt
yes – waterproof
yes – one 1 watt LED (high, lo settings)
yes – red LED
no (58g) – Weight: 1 oz (28g) plus batt
yes – direct red activation
yes – < $30

acronym 10/18/2009 4:36 PM