Headlamp question

I used the zipka for awhile backpacking.. if now lives in my car glovebox. I think you can do better.

I would recommend the Zebralight H51 if you can afford it. Nice range out output levels, good regulation, compact and reasonably low weight. Reasonable spill for around camp but enough throw that it’s useful for night time navigation.

For really small button battery powered headlamo, I would second the eQ mentioned by Ken. It was the backup light for several years.

–Mark

del

link is dead

Never thought about no adjustment on this one.
Zippa is 44.95 and 71 Grams. You can on the tikka plus correct? 82 grams 39.95 I like the built in battery meter.

Here is another one I just found.
Princeton tec byte.
one max led and one red. 64 grams 19.95

doing some searching it appears this has been an issue for some people. I did contact jason and what he did after the returns or what is he using now we will see.

I have to say I am blown away by all the replies you guys are the best. I have a passion for lights and love researching them. I will check out the candlepower fourms and there discussion on headlamps. As far as the class of light I was looking for was brighter then the micro and keep the weight down. I would consider the e-petzel but looking at the issues a few had along with the having to get more coin batteries I just might stay with AAA or AA batteries model this time around.
The zebra looks good but not sure on the funky design? How long is battery life?

can't get your link to load.

I too was initially jazzed on the eLite when it first came out but it quickly moved to the backup's backup in the car.

I apologize in advance as it will sound like a sales pitch since we sell the PT EOS on the mld site.

I've got about 20 different lights- from $4 to $74 and the search never ended but have now settled on the PT EOS for all adventures.

I've long thought that the single most important piece of gear is a good dependable shoes/sock combo. With that dialed into my particular foot needs I can cover many miles in a single day even if I have Zero other gear.

The next piece of gear that extends that range for me – especially in the fall/winter with short daylight is a good strong headlight and the fairly long burning waterproof dirt proof/shock resistant 70lumens 3oz EOS is the one I use.

I can always find an ounce or two pack weight to cut somewhere if I want too- but not on the light. I really think a good light is near the top of safety too- like the TWO times I almost stepped on a copper head while taking a wee at night on the AT.

+1 on the Eos. Fantastic for night hiking,

del

The EOS will have some competition in 2011, however. The Black Diamond Spot, a direct competitor, will have 75 lumens.

The range of suggestions likely has to do with the range of uses and desires for a light. Micro lights and E-lites are cute, and probably mandatory gear for SUL'ers, but they don't cut it for me.

Based on your comments, you can't go wrong with a Zipka+ for compact size, moderate cost, easy to find AAA batteries, multiple brightnesses, and enough light for most anything. The retractable cord headband works better than you'd guess (can even be used to attach the light to your hipbelt – think prussik knot).

I have a couple Black Diamond Spot headlamps that I like a lot too. They have a little narrower/longer beam for route finding, and great battery life. The extra few grams is all in the headband. Same AAA batteries, moderate cost, multiple brightnesses, etc.

Most recently, I have stepped up to a ZebraLight H31 headlamp. It costs about twice as much as the more common headlamps, but for good reason. It actually weighs less than my BD Spot headlamps, and has a really nice design (comes with two useful carriers – a headband and a hat/belt clip). It looks like it would be a little clumsy, but it's actually the opposite – really easy to use. It goes both crazy bright (220 Lm), and crazy low (0.5 Lm), which means the battery life varies from 1 hour to 21 days. But like all things, it has its tradeoffs. I now need to carry 123A lithium camera batteries (fortunately it only takes one).

> The H51 looks good, but I read something like it only gets full brightness on lithium batteries.
> That may not be entirely bad since I'm considering switching to lithium AA's for long hikes anyway.

From what I have read in CPF, the H51 is designed to run on one AA Eneloop, and will get full brightness that way. (Note that their duration results for the H51 were derived from Eneloop usage.) It will take the lithium battery, and you may wish to use them for cold weather, but normally an Eneloop will be fine.

— MV

On battery commonality — it looks to me as if battery usage for the more common electric things defies a common solution:

*) Camera — mostly proprietary, though AA does exist
*) GPS — tends to AA
*) SteriPEN — 123, though the Classic is AA
*) Light — Zebralight is either way — H31 (123) or H51 (AA)

The only way to a common battery solution would be AA, though that would place a considerable limit on your choice of models for camera and SteriPEN.

— MV

^ good point, but some GPS (Foretrex) runs on AAA batteries, as do many headlamps

cameras- not so sure

definitely would be nice to have batteries that could be swapped back and forth

+1 on the EOS. I have used cheapo headlamps and little 7 gram lights as well. I have to agree with Ron Bell that the EOS really is a nice balance for many uses. being stuck on the trail at night with a little cliplight would be pretty rough.

all that said – it really depends on what you are looking for. if you only want enough light to take care of a few camp chores then something like the e-lite may work, but if you need to hike by headlamp you need to look into the next level of brightness.

who is this made by the link is dead.

I went to the local gear store who commented that they have sold hundreds of e-lites without sand issues or return issues. the store manager and assoiciate along with another guide all use the e-lite as there full time lite.

I am intrested in the zebra light. what is the weight of the zebra 51 you guys are all talking about?

what does this mean about the zebra light? Its waterproof for hiking in the rain?

what is a Eneloop?

>I am intrested in the zebra light.

Zebralight H51 web page

> what is the weight of the zebra 51 you guys are all talking about?

* 1.2 oz (35.8 gram)
* 2.2 oz (61.9 gram) with an Eneloop AA
* 3.0 oz (84.9 gram) with an Eneloop AA and headband

>what does this mean about the zebra light? Its waterproof for hiking in the rain?

Yes — IPX8 (1 meter, 30 min)

> what is a Eneloop?

Sanyo Eneloop AA batteries are a high-quality Low Self Discharge (LSD) type of rechargeable NiMH battery

See Eneloops at Amazon

— MV

thanks for the info. The zebra light looks like its really popular with the UL hikers here. I see there is a post about it. Can you take the zebra out of the band and use it as a handlight?

> The zebra light looks like its really popular with the UL hikers here.

Depends on your projected use.

It is quite light for a true headlamp. It is not as light as some of the coin cell or disposable lights, but it is brighter and lasts a lot longer.

> Can you take the zebra out of the band and use it as a hand light?

Yes, the L-shaped Zebralights can all be used as headlamps or hand flashlights. They can also be clipped to a pocket or a belt.

–MV

Wow the zebra sounds like a light I would like. I got a PT byte in the mail tonight. Going to give it a try and post what I found.