I want a new headlamp

You and some others were trying to steer me toward the H51, but I did not seek any hot spot in the center of my light. H501 was ordered.

If you are a wearer of eyeglasses, and if you want a good head strap for active use, what do you buy? Croakies. I had an old one laying around, so I'll have to rig up the light base so that it presents like the ear pieces of eyeglass frames.

–B.G.–

the princeton tec remix pro weight 2.3 ounces with batteries (1cr123)

Pretty light for its function I think. 1 bight white led, and your choice of 3 colored 5mm leds (white, red, green, or blue)

Yes, the colored LEDs ruled it out. Also, it is too heavy.

–B.G.–

I'd be interested in what you think of this light once you've had some time to play with it and set it up the way you want it. Particularly would like to know how the flood beam works out for practical camp use.

I just read this thread…lots of good stuff here.

I'll interject my unsolicited opinion. I got the H51 and its the best flashlight I've ever owned. I'm using Eneloop batteries, and the regulation when paired with the H51's circuitry is pretty amazing.

I'm still amazed at how bright this light is.

Bob,

Perhaps not glamorous, but the spring clip can be snapped off and reversed on the ITP A3 EOS to allow you to clip it to the brim of your baseball cap. Not as versatile as an elastic headband, but it sure is light since you are already carrying the cap. Also if you need something just a bit brighter the newer R5 version maxes out at 96 lumens.

The weight of the EOS+lithiumAAA is about 0.7 oz (11.6+7.6=19.2g) by comparison, a ITP H01 would be 2 oz (58g).

Doug

Edit: corrected weight

Doug, how does that work without the baseball cap?

–B.G.–

I am going back to clipping a small light to my baseball cap.

Advantages
– Single cell means its light to carry a spare battery (should always have one imo)
– aaa cell light with a spare battery is still about half the weight of the lightest headlamps, and probably brighter/dimmer too

I have used this method before and feel it works pretty well, and very simple.

Fenix LD01 – 14 grams (85 lumens on high, 11 hrs. on low)
2x lithium aaa – 7.6 + 7.6 grams
Total – 29.2 grams = 1.03 ounces

for comparision to a lightweight headlamp

princeton tec byte
1.9oz + spare batteries (.5oz)= 2.4 ounces

Scott, prove to me that the Princeton Tec Byte does 100 lumens. That was the stated requirement.

–B.G.–

I think you missed his point- he was making a case for the LD01 and just comparing the weight savings vs a "lightweight" headlamp w/ extra battery(s)

Ya, I was just making a comparison in weight to a lightweight headlamp.

If you want a 100 lumen traditional headlamp, as others have stated I would recommend zebralight also. But they are obviously not as light as clipping a triple-a light to a cap.

Yes, the lightest high output light on the market is probably one of the excellent single cell AAA lights. Of course, the ounce you save is only worth it if the form factor works for your style of use. There's no question that an elastic band headlamp is way less fiddle prone.

Scott, Thanks for bringing up the LD01. It's another good AAA light. You also made me realize that I'd counted my grams wrong on the ITP so I updated my previous post.

I understand, Scott. As I stated up front, I've gone through a bunch of LED headlamps over the years. I've had dinky little ones and beefy ones that would blind you across a football field. However, strictly for backpacking purposes, I had narrowed my search as I had described (I ordered one H501 a few days ago).

Now, lots of people have formed the opinion that Zebralight models are pretty good at what they do, and there are a couple of other brands that have been mentioned here.

My question is NOT why is this model better than the next one, or why you need X lumens of light.

My question is why is Zebralight relatively perfect for what lots of us are doing? Did Zebralight do some market research in advance, and they stumbled upon us? Did Zebralight have some kind of technological edge over other manufacturers (hard to imagine!). I have the vague impression that Zebralight has been in this game for a while.

I'm guessing that it did not happen in reverse, that we saw the specs on Zebralight and fell in love with it.

OBTW, has anybody had any EMI trouble with their LED headlamp that uses PWM in the power feed? Inside a metal case, I would not expect much of a problem, but I do not know what frequency is used in these LED gadgets. Some other products like a GPS receiver can be bothered by too much noise.

–B.G.–

"the LD01. It's another good AAA light."

I looked at Fenix first. But then I saw that REI was selling them, so I knew they must be overpriced. That was proven when I saw them going in the REI clearance sales.

There are several different ways that headlamp specs can be turned around to confuse the customer. Some are advertised without any weight, some are with batteries, and some are without batteries. Then some are with lithium battery weights, and others are with alkaline or NiMH. Some are with headband, and some are without. Some are listed with the lithium battery weight, and then they are shipped with alkalines.

–B.G.–

As far as what I have surmised is that the Zebra was the first that I know of to fit all my requirements with a regulated single AA, light, durable waterproof and flexible light.

I use AA batteries for other electronics as they are common. Even AA Lithium can be purchased on the trail at local drugstores.

I can use AA rechargables during warmer months and use the lithiums when it is too cold for the recharchables.
Other lights, Fenix and others are doing this now.

PS The reason I preferred single AA lights at the time was because a single AA had equivalent current to three AAA batteries. And so AA was more practical overall.

Is this no longer the case?

The better lights use a higher PWM so you dont notice the flicker when pan the light quickly. It is such low power that I doubt you would every have any interference.

Concerning zebralight, I think they are a relatively new company. They are about the only one I have heard of that make headlamps with such high power and low weight. I wish they would make a aaa version too.

Check out spark too. They make a similar headlamp, but slightly heavier

http://www.spark001.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=8

Bob,

Yes I do think the Fenix is a bit too pricy. The ITP really impresses in terms of size, weight, and price, so I think you made a good choice there whether finds it's way into your pack or not.

Steven,

I think AA vs. AAA is an interesting question. I think it would mostly depend on how much light you need each night and what other gadgets are in your pack. I'm actually tempted to move to a cr123 light so I can share spares with my steripen.

My Steripen uses AA batteries:-)
CR batteries seem too inconvenient and expensive to me and are not as common in back woods situations.

I do appreciate the light weight though.

Ugh yeah! The Achilles' heel. CR123's are pretty cheap online and have an impressive capacity but will cost you an arm and a leg when you find them in a store. Oh well…

"Check out spark too."

Did that a few days ago. Its web site indicates that the company is in its infancy and not ready for prime time. Maybe revisit it in a year or two.

–B.G.–

I believe aa does have 3x the capacity of aaa.

As for fenix lights being overpriced, maybe. I actually own one and they are built well and feel like they will last a lifetime. Certainly good quality dependable stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

"I think AA vs. AAA is an interesting question."

Let's start with the assumption that the maximum current from one AA is equivalent to the maximum current from 3xAAA (but that has to be with them in parallel). If those are the same, then the only advantage that 3xAAA offers is that the 3xAAA has the batteries in series, so you have a higher voltage available to drive the LED directly and not have to fool around with the PWM chip to boost the AA voltage. So, the 3xAAA solution (with no chip) might have the advantage of less cost and a teeny tiny bit of weight savings. OTOH, if you have to go through a chip anyway in order to get fancy dancy multilevel intensity, blinking modes, and better regulation, then it washes.

For purchasing batteries over time, it is probably cheaper to get one AA rather than to get 3xAAA. Where 3xAAA gets tricky is that those batteries are not as commonly stocked in remote stores. Where that gets really tricky is if you try to get lithium primaries, because lithium AAA batteries are very hard to find in some areas.

The good news is that lithium batteries run for a very long time, so replacement is not very often. The bad news is that lithiums have a sharp discharge knee, so when they start to fail, they fail completely in a hurry. But, that applies to all lithium primaries, AA or AAA alike.

If I really want something to run a long time, I use my Pac-Lite. That is a 9-volt lithium battery with a miniscule head on top. The head has a tiny switch for High/Low/Off and two LED emitters. No shell around the battery. No reflectors. No head straps. No frills. That sucker runs forever.

–B.G.–

Never been a member of AA, but I do have an AAA card.