Best headlamp?

Brad_bb · November 27, 2011, 03:57:39 PM

I can't remember if I asked this before. I have a headlamp(elastic band with lamp on your forehead) that I bought at a big box 5+ years ago. It's LED, but pretty weak. I'm wondering how much they've improved.

Is there an LED headlamp that you would recommend and why?

Stephen1 · November 27, 2011, 04:29:49 PM

they are all a lot brighter now, I have one that clips on the brim of my hat, 3.99 works great.

Ron Scott · November 27, 2011, 06:50:16 PM

Yes, they have improved a lot and are much brighter now. I've gone from the head band type to those that clip on the hat brim or are now built into the hat brim. They are great for hunting, etc. and they aren't as easy to forget, since you have the light with you when you put your had on. ;)

bill m · November 27, 2011, 06:51:33 PM

What are you using it for? If just for lighting your way on a short walk the ones that clip on the brim of a hat could be good enough. If you are doing work with it or an extended hike you wil need something bigger. I have a couple from Petzl. They are some of the best.IMHO

Rocky_Ranger · November 27, 2011, 06:59:03 PM

Petzl's are the best I've ever seen & used..........

isawlogs · November 27, 2011, 07:13:32 PM

Ptzel has many different headlamps, but there top of the line is the top of the line.

shelbycharger400 · November 27, 2011, 07:18:39 PM

i like the hat lights ...they are bright..
i have 2 flashlights that i use that are nice
they have advanced into the now called super bright leds, but when the batterys are weak..they dont shine that much but they are still ok.

Magicman · November 27, 2011, 10:41:11 PM

I have been using the "Petzl Tikka Plus 2" for a couple of years. Three AAA batteries will easily last all year. $39.99 from Cabela's. They make other models, but after researching, that was my choice.

For early AM walking in to my deer stand, I use a "cap brim lamp".

beenthere · November 28, 2011, 12:15:30 AM

Quote from: Ron Scott on November 27, 2011, 06:50:16 PM
Yes, they have improved a lot and are much brighter now. I've gone from the head band type to those that clip on the hat brim or are now built into the hat brim. They are great for hunting, etc. and they aren't as easy to forget, since you have the light with you when you put your had on. ;)

I got a hat with the lights built into the brim (bill) and when looking for the deer at night, and especially when gutting the deer at night, those lights were great.
I'd think they would also be great when loading an outdoor wood burner at night. Certainly lights up whatever one is looking at. Just tossed it on to take the trash out to the road, and it was great.
Has one light under the brim and three above the brim. Either/or both can be lit.

scsmith42 · November 28, 2011, 11:20:10 AM

The Doc has a Petzl Myo RXP 2 that she's used for a couple of years, and likes it a lot. She uses it for everything from morning/evening chores to a backup light for surgery.

I have one that she gave me and also like it.

DanG · November 28, 2011, 11:40:38 AM

I use a cap-clip light too. It's handy because I don't have to get rid of the cap to use it, and it goes in my pocket easily when I ain't using it. Mine is a Ray-O-Vac( I think) from Walmart, $15. It also shines red to keep from messing up the night vision. I even used it as an emergency tail light on the boat one night. :D

Magicman · November 28, 2011, 01:48:09 PM

Now that is using your head......lamp.

Brad_bb · November 28, 2011, 03:11:06 PM

For example a couple nights ago I had to work on my flip up headlight connector on my car, which 3 wires fatigued and broke again. It was raining a little too. I was trying to see what I was doing cutting, stripping and crimping and heat shrinking. I need one when I walk 60 yards to my wood shed to find a piece for the project I'm working on. So walking around my property at night, and working on things in low light like outside at night, or working in the attic of a newly rennovated space for example...
I don't often wear a hat, so the elastic band is a good solution.

snowstorm · November 28, 2011, 05:50:07 PM

LL BEAN

Brucer · November 29, 2011, 01:10:53 AM

Mine sounds a little like DanG's. It's a Rayovac, bought from Lee Valley Tools quite a few years ago. It has 3 different light settings:

1) Single white LED, good for reading at night when the power goes off before it's time to go to bed.
2) Two red LED's, good for moving about at night without destroying your night vision.
3) Single incandescent spotlight, good for seeing stuff clearly at night, longer range than the white LED, draws a lot more current than the LED's.