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70-100 lumen durable Headlamp questions

This topic has 7 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 7 months ago by JCH.

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Sep 14, 2023 at 9:31 pm #3788977

Russell Lawson
BPL Member

@lawson
Locale: Olympic Mts.

Hello,
I am currently using a Black Diamond Spot lite 160, but it was simply a replacement for my preferred Princeton Tec Byte 70 lumen, which has an issue with draining batteries.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a headlamp that holds up to the black diamond’s durability, but is lower than 100 lumens?

Weight isn’t my biggest concern when it comes to headlamp, because I almost exclusively start every hike at night after work. and would even prefer a headlamp that hold 3 AAA batteries to cut the need for carrying 4 total when I have to swap out a 2 battery headlamp.

Also Bonus question, does anyone have a suggestion for a light weight AAA charger? I found this one for a little over 2 ounces https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRW23KVM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AZN2W2QXISTXS&th=1
Not that I would hike with it, but I slim down the 4 slot one I keep in my work backpack, for when I forget to bring fresh charged batteries before I go hike.

Thank you in advance,
Russell

Sep 15, 2023 at 2:12 am #3788980

Mark Verber
BPL Member

@verber
Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

I have really like my Olight Universal Magnetic Battery Charger. Never weighted it, online specs say 20g which seems right. No longer made, but NiCore and TrustFire seem to make something similar.

Headlamp… I typically want higher brightness / throw for nighttime navigation. I used to use a olight i3s eos: rock solid, 2, 40, 70 lumens AAA powered flashlight which easily clipped onto my hat and has good regulation on low and medium settings.

Sep 15, 2023 at 12:37 pm #3788993

David Thomas
BPL Member

@davidinkenai
Locale: North Woods. Far North.

I gave up on 3-AAA headlamps a long time ago – as soon as I got decently capable rechargeable ones. A Nitecore NU20 has 1 (100 hours), 40 (7+ hours), 220 and 360 lumens levels and you start every hike with it fully charged. I much prefer that to juggling AAA batteries in the dark.

For $10, I also bring a Nitecore Tube (1 lumen for 58 hours or 55 lumens for 75 minutes). On established trails, I often use just the 1 lumen setting, until I need to look further ahead or scout a campsite.

Sep 15, 2023 at 3:42 pm #3788998

Glen L
Spectator

@wyatt-carson
Locale: Southern Arizona

I’m really liking the Zebralignt H53Fw AA 4500k and using the Panasonic Eneloop batteries and charger. The headlamp goes from a high of 320 lumens down to 1.2 lumens and you can program three settings so you have exactly what you want. That means a wall of light, a moderate setting and super low for close work and battery savings. It has a very smooth floody beam with a nice moderately warm tint. It is a one battery headlamp. We have tried a few like Surefire, Princeton Tec, Petzl and a couple others but like the Zebra much more. It has proven durable. Zebralight makes a bunch of models and have a good following. The body is HA aluminum and weighs 88 g with battery so not ultralight but has a far better beam than any of the others I’ve tried. They do makes models with more throw if that’s what you want. I prefer flood.

Sep 15, 2023 at 3:55 pm #3789002

David Sugeno
BPL Member

@davesugeno
Locale: Central Texas

I’m really liking the Zebralignt H53Fw AA 4500k and using the Panasonic Eneloop batteries and charger.

I use an older version of this headlamp, also with Eneloops, and can recommend it highly. I typically carry a Nitecore NU25 these days, but when I saw the word “durable” in your title, I immediately thought of Zebralights. They are hard to beat, in this regard.

Sep 15, 2023 at 8:14 pm #3789009

Eric Blanche
BPL Member

@eblanche
Locale: Northeast US

I also recommend Zebralights for durability and VERY HIGH quality. I used to carry a H32Fw using a cr123 battery which will last a through hike+ depending on usage on single battery.

Like others, nowadays, I carry a rechargeable Nitecore (micro usb version) nu25. It is easy, lighter and jives with the electronics systems for longer hikes.

Sep 15, 2023 at 9:37 pm #3789011

Bill Budney
BPL Member

@billb
Locale: Central NYS

I like the flexibility of a rechargeable and removable battery. Recharge most days, but I can swap in a spare in a pinch. I also like a zoomable lens for spotting trail markers in the distance.

Coast XPH27R does all of the above. It uses a single CR-123a battery; either rechargeable or long-life disposable.

4 hours on Medium: 155 lumens

9 hours on Low: 42 lumens

1 hour, 45 minutes on High: 420 lumens

I made a red filter for it cut from a lunch meat tupperware-style container lid. It just friction fits if you get the size right.

It does weigh an ounce more than an NU25. But I can carry a spare battery, so it sorta-kinda evens out.

Mark: Love that charger.

Sep 16, 2023 at 2:06 pm #3789036

JCH
BPL Member

@pastyj-2-2

what David Thomas said…NU25 and the small battery bank I carry for topping up the phone works for me. BTW, I have rarely needed to recharge either one on trips up to 5 days.
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