Best regulated output headlamp?

I think some of us were in the same decision earlier this year. You want to check and make sure what the total weight will become, and that may include one AA lithium or one AA alkaline or some other type. Also, does the total weight include the head strap? Then, are you looking for a spot beam or a flood beam? Some users are very concerned about the color of the light. Many ultra-bright LED lights are kind of blue-white and that may upset your color vision.

You can look at the max runtime at the lowest light intensity, but it might be more meaningful to look at it with the highest light intensity.

For me, it boiled down to Fenix or Zebralight, and I chose the latter. I agree that the AA battery is a good choice to maximize energy density and minimize cost.

–B.G.–

I also checked here before getting my headlamp, and picked the Zebralight, which is pretty slick.

I got this one, H51w Headlamp AA Neutral White and can see why people like these so much.

Good battery life on the mid settings, which are plenty bright to walk with. Haven’t had a chance to really test it yet in the wilds though, but I like the light ranges and the AA was for me not negotiable, fits my rechargeables, which work well with it by the way.

"Good battery life on the mid settings, which are plenty bright to walk with."

Yes. I got the H501, and I was experimenting with the light intensity one week ago today when I was crossing the Sierra Nevada by trail. After twenty miles or so that day, it was getting dark when I pulled out the headlamp. Although it was gratifying to see how bright the high intensity was, I knew that it was going to last for only a few hours. The medium intensity setting was plenty bright enough, and that is what I was using. The low intensity setting would have been plenty bright for camp chores or inside a tent.

Lots of gram weinies will choose a light that uses AAA batteries, simply because of the reduced weight. Also, lithium is lighter than alkaline or NiMH.

–B.G.–

I don't see runtime at the highest power level as a factor. It's runtime at comparable power levels that I find to be extremely important. As important as that is, I've found that the beam pattern is even more important. I prefer a spot+flood pattern. A pure flood requires me to use higher power levels while hiking. As much as I like using AA batteries, the light that interests me the most right now is the Zebralight H600. I feel the only downside with this light is that it uses a 18650 lithium ion battery. That problem can be mitigated somewhat by using Cottonpicker's small usb charger or using a CR123 with a dummy cell. I had been highly interested in the Spark SD52 (2XAA or 2X14500), but now I don't care for it because the complete lack of a reflector causes it to have a pure flood beam pattern. Spark is supposed to come out with a reflector for their lights…

"I've been looking at the Fenix HL21 that uses a single AA and is 1.5oz without the battery."

I used this light all summer. It is an excellent light, but the battery life is limited to about 5 hours on medium, so if you intend on hiking much at night, carry an extra battery. Also, it weighs 2.75 oz with battery and headband.

I do a fair amount of night hiking, usually by choice (haha!). For me it's Zebralight all the way.

I purchased the Princeton Tech Fuel this year and I found it's 40 lumen output was more than enough to to see where I was going. In fact I used it on medium most of the time. Run time On high is listed at 146 hours You could do 8hr of night hiking 15days (even more if you use the medium setting) before you have to replace the batteries.It weighs 40G and uses 3AAA batteries. 3AAA will weigh 1/4 oz more than 1AA but 3AAA lithiums will weigh 1/4oz less.

They do sell a 100 lumen version that will go 200hr on 3AAA batteries at about double the weight excluding batteries.

The Petzl Core is hard to beat when paired with the Tikka XP2. It gives users the ability to build several light profiles with the OS software for different outings and intended uses. When backpacking, it's rare (ok, an assumption I know) to need 60+ lumens blinding animals down the trail, 30-40 lumens in a flood pattern is more than adequate for walking and doing piddly camp tasks in the evening and early morning.

Paired with the Petzl CORE, there isn't another headlamp that gives you this much individual control over light output… that I know of.

Sure it's not the lightest, but it's simple, durable, and versatile.

all the way … it aint the lightest or the brightest … but the real advantage IMO is that you can recharge and top it up anywhere theres a USB … no more bats

on a recent descent on an easy climb, i used it to illuminate the descent trail for my partner who forgot his headlamp and 2 other hikers we encountered who didnt have headlamps … all 4 of us made it back fine in the dark

the "all in" weight of my core xp2 is 2.9 oz with the lithium core ….

There was one time in June when I was glad that I had about 100 lumens. That was when I was in Idaho at night and my intruder alerts told me that I had a visitor in camp. I used my camera with the headlamp on high power and got a wolverine photo.

–B.G.–

I like my Princeton Tec Quad and EOS regulated headlamps for winter. I always use lithium batteries. The lithium batteries are light and cold barely affects them. For a while the PT Quad and EOS were among the VERY few regulated headlamps available.

For summer I use the tiny PT Scout with 4 coin batteries. It has light level settings and strobe, which is amazing for a tiny headlamp. But, at that small size, it is not regulated. Thus I carry extra coin batteries which weigh only a few grams.

BTW, PETZL may (may) have solved their problems with headlamps not being compatable with lithium batteries and burning up but I'll stick with Princeton Tec because they have always worked for me and they are waterproof.

Very happy with my Petzl, and yes it is compatable with Lithiums and rechargebles.

I have used a single AA Zebralite for quite some time.
I usually carry an extra battery or two depending on other gear that use AA's.

The Zebralite, and I'm assuming the Fenix, can be quite frugal with their drain on batteries.
I usually use the lowest setting and only the middle brightness occasionally.

I guess the highest setting would come in handy at times, I just never use it.

For those of you who like a very bright spot plus spill, you may want to wait for initial reviews on the Zebralight H600 next week on candlepowerforums.com

http://www.zebralight.com/H600-Cree-XM-L-750Lm-Flashlight-18650_p_72.html

For the fans of AA batteries and a 300 lumen flood, the H502 will be released in time for christmas.

Most of these have 6 settings to preserve battery life and weigh under 2 oz.

+1 for the XP2 + Core rechargable battery. It's simple and effective. I like setting my own brightness profiles and the rechargable battery seems to have a reasonable life span.

No complaints.

Thanks for the great input. I'm going to try one of the Fenix HL21 lights and I'll report back on it.

I would love to try one of the Zebralights, but they are nearly twice the price. I like the design and metal construction. If I were doing more zombie control, it would be a no-brainer :)

I love my PT Quad too but the battery life is pretty miserable…

I've been very happy with my Zebralight H51. Single AA, under 3oz I think, up to 200 lumens and a high quality design (ie. glow in the dark bits for finding the light, machined out of a single piece of aluminum etc).

Wow, Dan. With fancy gear like that, your pockets must be lined with gold.

Occupational hazard.

–B.G.–

I guess they are sometimes….I'd better not post any pics of the gold here at the mine though or I might get in trouble :)

Gold or tar sands, eh?

I ordered a Fenix HL21 for $35 with shipping and it arrived today. It is 3oz with an alkaline battery, headband and the diffuser. I like it!

The switch works well– a rubber button on the right end (the battery cap is on the left end. It is easy to pinch the battery barrel end-to-end between forefinger and thumb and press the button with your thumb. One click turns it on in the last mode used; two fast clicks puts the light in SOS mode, and it is a true SOS, not just flashing. If you hold the switch longer it will change one level. The light color is very acceptable to me and seems to be fairly neutral. It is offered with either black or yellow housings. I went with the yellow for better visibility. A touch of glow-in-the-dark would be good; I may have to add a couple dots of glow-in-the-dark tape. The headband is adjustable 1" elastic. The headband cut-outs in the mounting plate would allow use on a 1" web strap or belt. The mount allows the light to swivel down 45 degrees and has detent/ratchet effect friction to hold it at the desired angle. The diffuser snaps on the head and swivels on a hinge. It is clear plastic with a molded grid to scatter the light. It is a little light on construction and IMHO needs some reasonable caution.

Why did I choose this light?

*Single AA battery. I like a single battery lamp and life is acceptable with this one. I have had a few 3-AAA battery headlamps and carrying spares means having three good batteries for backup. Most of my hiking is day and overnight camping, so I can afford to have a fresh battery every trip. Replacing a single battery in the dark is much easier. The end cap on this unit is a threaded cap and has an o-ring seal.

*Waterproof. This one is rated IPX-8, which is a 2 minute dunking. I'm more concerned with rain, so this is above and beyond— good for sea-kayaking and other small boats too.

*Positive switch. This one doesn't have a guard or lock-out, but it should be resistant to being accidentally turned on while packed. The battery cap can be loosened to prevent accidental activation.

*Lighting modes. Three modes work for me and anding the diffuser effectively gives 6 levels. The low level is just enough for tent light and reading. My initial impression is that I would be using it in medium mode around camp. Ratings are 97 lumens/2hrs3min, 47 lumens/5hrs43min, and 3 lumens/53hrs. It does have a regulation circuit.

*Price. I would call this a poor man's Zebralight. If were doing a lot of night hiking, I could see spending more, but this light gives good features at about half the price of a Zebralight and is durable enough for my uses.

Thanks for the review Dale. At 35 bucks it looks like winner.

Dale, the only thing you need to do is to dump that heavy headband and put a lightweight one on. For my Zebralight, I used an old Croakies band and sewed it on.

–B.G.–