New Fenix Headlamp

I thought about that one, but opted for the brighter HP10.

A much more expensive option, but the Surefire Minimus deserves consideration here. It is more compact than the Fenix HL20 and the rheostat gives more useful settings. HL20 seems handicapped with no setting between 4 and 48 lumens.

I have so far purchased three Coleman 105 lumen Cree headlights at Walmart, for $25 dollars each (gave two as Christmas presents). They are at this link:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10196615&sourceid=1500000000000003260410&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10196615

and have these specs:

The Coleman Max line up of flashlights offers superior performance at a tremendous value. The Max Headlamp gives you hands-free operation with traditional white and night vision red LEDs.

Coleman Cree XLamp XR-E LED Headlamp, 3 "AAA":

* 105 lumens
* Two red LEDs for enhanced night vision
* Multiple settings: White High, White Low and Red
* Six-hour run time on High; 20 hours on Low; 25 hours on Red
* Weather-resistant
* Beam distance: 58m
* Requires 3 "AAA" batteries (included)

I like the red LED option in an aimable headlight. Shipping weight is ".25 lb", and I am at work, so cannot weigh one at the house. Price is certainly right for high output headlight, though.

William,
The Coleman headlamp is not regulated (as far as I can see), and that is one feature I cannot go without.

Paul,
I agree, it should have a setting between 4 and 48 lumens. As for the SureFire headlamp, it's quite expensive (and a bit heavier than the two lights mentioned here).

My perfect light would have the following features:
-Regulated
-Waterproof
-Uses no more than two AA batteries (preferrably one)
-Has both Red and White Cree LEDs
-Has both flood and concentrated beams
-Variable light output (up to atleast 100 lumens)
-Weighs 3 oz or less

If I was to ever find a headlamp that meets all those requirements, I'd be willing to pay a lot of money for it.

-Sid

I got the Fenix HL20 for xmas. On my scale it was 2oz (3.2oz with lithium battery) runs on a single AA battery and has good regulation, Cree bulb, with three brightness levels of 4, 40, and 105 lumens. I agree with the wish that the 40 was a 20… but it wasn't up to me.

Other issues: the headlamp's shape in a bit awkward when handheld and the plate to attach it to the headband is too wide for optimal comfort, and the headlamp is a mix of aluminum (head) and plastic (battery holder) and defuser, so there may be a question about long term durability.

The throw is way better than the Zebralight for wayfinding.

–Mark

Does the HL20 have a turbo mode too? I've been wondering how that works. The Fenix site doesn't say which rating is turbo, or if turbo is something above those that isn't listed because it only works for a few minutes.

Anyone with experience with the Fenix MC10 ?
I like the design because you can clip it on your waist belt or sternum strap.

The HL20 doesn't have a turbo mode unless I missed something.

No experience with the MC10… but I think there was a discussion about it on backpacker.com a few days ago.

–mark