Good headlamp for ME

Just a thought…if you want a light for back-up climbing you'll want to be able to see the end of your rope if you need to rap off a climb. Fenix lights with a Cree LED powered by either a AAA or AA will do the job and have low power modes that allow them to be used as camp lights. Rather than clipping them to the brim of a hat, buy or fabricate a stretchy headband with a tubular sleave into which the light can be carried. It will then be essentially a headlamp attached to the side of your head rather than your forehead.
There are other equally small and powerful lights made by other manufacturers, none of which are "cheap".
hope this helps.

Personally I like the Princeton Tec Eos and Quad headlamps B/C they are waterproof to 3 ft., and have a regulated circuitry which gives level amount of light output for nearly the entire battery life (esp. W/ lithium batteries).

I own both and like them. My Eos is the Tactical version W/ interchangeable color filters.

A few brief comments, just starting places for you to look. I believe this is actually a pretty complete summary of the current choices.

One place to look is in the headlamps area of Candlepower Forums. See one thread in particular, entitled Good Light for UL Backpacking. If you have any questions, pose them there and I’m confident you’ll get a prompt answer.

There are several choices that you might want to consider. One of the first things you need to decide is what battery you want to use — CR123, AA, or AAA. For your needs, I would think either AA or CR123 — the AAA lights are a bit lighter, but at the cost of brightness and/or run-time. Another thing is whether you prefer regulated, unregulated, or don’t care.

Many like the Petzl Tikka line just fine. They are, however, not regulated and are only IPX4 (splash-proof).

Princeton Tec has several possible models:

• Quad — described as having a wide beam, so may not have the throw you want — I’m not sure about that. I have seen some online postings saying it is not bright enough for what you want.
• Remix (CR123) — not regulated
• Remix Pro (CR123) is regulated. Splash-proof (IPX4) — IPX8 waterproof seems to be common for Zebralight, iTP, etc
• EOS — recently upgraded to 70 lumens, IPX7, which is pretty good. Takes 3 AAA batteries, though

You describe yourself as a gear geek, and none of these has the latest LEDs. Also, the ones below (other than the Surefire Saint) take just one battery.

I like the Fenix Lights but never wear a hat with a bill/brim for clipping.

The Fenix HL20 is a genuine headlamp, headband and all. It uses a single AA cell and some believe it is a superior replacement for the PT EOS line.

I also like the looks and specs on the Zebra lights but don’t like their general lack of a decent spot-type beam. Maybe that wouldn’t be much of an issue?

That information is a bit out of date. The Zebralights have always been “floody”, but they have recently introduced models with a reflector that have decent throw. The H31 (CR123) and H31W (CR123, warmer tint) are out now, and the H51 family (same as H31, but using a AA battery) is imminent (probably several weeks).

Of course, if you do decide that floodier is OK, owners just love The H501 (AA) or H501W (AA, warmer tint). The forthcoming H51F (“F” for “floody” should be an H501 successor, if you want to wait to hear how well that actually works when it comes out).

Another one that people feel is top-notch, pricey, but you-get-what-you-pay-for is the Surefire Saint Minimus (CR123) or the Saint (heavier, more battery choices).

If you do want a AAA light, there is the iTP H01 (AAA).

As noted in a previous post you can also make, or buy, any one of several headbands intended to hold a small flashlight (e.g. iTP, Fenix or Quark) at the side of your head or on top of your head. Think about a wool hat or a climbing helmet before going the top mount route. The problem with the side mount is that I have seen complaints about both (a) your head shadowing part of the beam, and (b) a distractingly bright area in your peripheral vision.

That should give you several choices to think about.

–MV

I also like the Princeton Tec EOS. I keep one on my USAR helmet at work, have straped one to my bike helmet and taken it in the outdoors with me. I've seen prices anywhere from $30-$40. I was really pleased with the light throw for a 1W LED.

I bought them about 2 yrs ago, I'm sure there are others out there that might be better, but it has been a good solid light for me.

Another thing about the EOS… there are 2 versions: One is a standard model, the other is made for industrial use in explosive atmospheres. I don't know if there is a weight difference but there is a price difference.

It would be helpful to know whether and when you use the XP diffuser, which is still pretty unique in the headlamp world. I'll note that Andrew Skurka stuck with the original XP for his current Alaska adventure.

The use scenarios you describe would have me limiting myself to lights with adjustable beams, which means either a diffuser lens or a multi-LED array.

Cheers,

Rick

The use scenarios you describe would have me limiting myself to lights with adjustable beams, which means either a diffuser lens or a multi-LED array.

Which specific ones did you have in mind?

Some of the lighter single LED ones seem to do fine with a combination of beam and levels. Bright enough and good enough throw to reach out on medium or high setting. Enough side spill to not be an unpleasant tunnel-beam. Low enough low that, with the side spill, it makes a good camp light.

–MV

I use the diffuser when reading, etc. I just figured there were probably better lamps out there for the weight. The EOS sounds quite nice. They get wonderful reviews. Maybe I will just buy several and see what sticks.

Maybe I will just buy several and see what sticks.

If you do that, then please post a followup and let us know your observations. :))