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head lamps

Started by Guest_AussiePeter_* , Dec 09 2012 08:02 PM

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_AussiePeter_*

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Posted 09 December 2012 - 08:02 PM

Anyone got any suggestions on specific headlamps that they really like? Bright, last a long time, use aa or aaa batteries, stay on your head etc etc.

Thanks
Peter

#2 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 09 December 2012 - 09:10 PM

Cheap ones! I have had better luck with $20 dollar generics than $75 dollar petzl's

#3 Guest_smilingfrog_*

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Posted 09 December 2012 - 10:43 PM

I agree, I have a petzl that I got for a Christmas present that was $85, I bought one for my wife at Menards a few years later for $12 that is brighter, lighter, and lasts longer on 3 AAA batteries than mine does on 4 AA's. Both of our lamps have a center strap that goes over the top of the head as well as the band around the head. I have noticed that a lot of headlamps for sale lately only have the circular band. Both of our lamps also stay pretty well in place once we put them on, but I have a feeling that, without that center strap, they might slide around or droop down on the forhead. That might be something to keep in mind.
The cheaper one is a rayovac, but I suspect there are a number of inexpensive brands available. One thing in the Petzl's favor is the battery pack is very sturdy. The rayovac's battery pack has little snaps to hold it shut, one of which broke, and we now use a thick rubber band to keep it closed. Even so I prefer the rayovac due to it's other previously mentioned qualities.

Edited by smilingfrog, 09 December 2012 - 11:21 PM.

#4 Guest_Uland_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 10:31 AM

I like the 75 lumen light from Coleman. I believe it's called the "High Power LED headlamp"
Not sure how long it will last (I've used it for about 9 months without failure) but @ $20 it seems like a good lamp.

#5 Guest_Kanus_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 10:52 AM

Has anyone tried a red LED lamp? I'm not sure if they make them just in red, but I have a cheapo one that is switchable from white to red (though there is only one red LED as opposed to several white ones) but red doesn't interfere with night vision. Also, can fish see red light? Red lights are commonly used for reptiles so as to not upset their day/night cycle...does the same work with fish? And if so, would a red headlamp be an advantage if night collecting?

#6 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 12:53 PM

This is the model I currently have. I guess it was $29. I am very happy with it. http://www.gadling.c...ix-ii-headlamp/

#7 Guest_mangoverde_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 01:41 PM

Has anyone tried a red LED lamp? I'm not sure if they make them just in red, but I have a cheapo one that is switchable from white to red (though there is only one red LED as opposed to several white ones) but red doesn't interfere with night vision. Also, can fish see red light? Red lights are commonly used for reptiles so as to not upset their day/night cycle...does the same work with fish? And if so, would a red headlamp be an advantage if night collecting?

I have a handheld spotlight that came with a detachable red cover. I have used it at night a few times with the red cover to see what the fish are up to and they do react to the red light.

#8 Guest_gerald_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 03:46 PM

Definitely. Next time you're feeling bored try shining a red laser pointer on the substrate and moving it around.

Also, can fish see red light?

#9 Guest_IndyEsox_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 06:09 PM

I prefer ones with a center strap, particularly if the batteries are heavy and in the headlamp. I have an expensive Petzl with two bulbs and reflectors: nice to know if one bulb goes out, I can reach up to the easily found switches and change to the other. How easy it is to find the switch, particularly if you have gloves on, can be critical. There are some cheap headlamps out there with embedded switches that are nearly impossible to find without taking them off and using both hands as well as having enough light to see the switches. The strobe light feature on some are pretty useless to me. I have seen some with a small LED light on the back strap which might be useful for someone following you. I like the feature on my Petzl that allows me to easily change the focus of the light from a wide area to a concentrated beam. I have seen cheap ones that are pretty useless and some cheap ones that are darn good, though I don't know how well they stand up to abuse. Cree makes some amazingly good hand held flashlights <Ebay is where I got mine> but I have never tried one of their headlamps.

#10 Guest_AussiePeter_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 10:12 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. My last head lamp was a cheap one from rayovac. It has been a good light too. It has tons of great reviews on amazon. Only $17 too! Slightly surprised that the more expensive ones don't seem to be any better, so I'll stick to the cheap one.

http://www.amazon.co...ayovac headlamp

Cheers
Peter

#11 Guest_Usil_*

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Posted 10 December 2012 - 10:57 PM

Headlamps are cheap. Here are a few:

http://dx.com/p/1-watt-headlamp-479
http://dx.com/p/led-...lamp-8-led-1298
http://dx.com/p/led-...amp-27-led-1296
http://dx.com/p/led-...amp-37-led-1294
http://dx.com/p/led-...lus-14-led-1286
http://dx.com/p/5-le...-3-x-aaa-135447
http://dx.com/p/led-...plus-laser-1299
http://dx.com/p/focu...-3-x-aaa-102509
http://dx.com/p/focu...-3-x-aaa-100351
http://dx.com/p/focu...-x-14500-105978
http://dx.com/p/wate...-3-x-aaa-135749

All under $10.00 and I believe shipped free.

usil

Edited by Usil, 10 December 2012 - 11:12 PM.

#12 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 11 December 2012 - 07:49 PM

Yeah, for fishing I just use whatever El-Cheapo I have on hand. For hiking - well, I'm considerably more discriminating.

#13 Guest_rjmtx_*

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Posted 12 December 2012 - 05:24 PM

Has anyone tried a red LED lamp? I'm not sure if they make them just in red, but I have a cheapo one that is switchable from white to red (though there is only one red LED as opposed to several white ones) but red doesn't interfere with night vision. Also, can fish see red light? Red lights are commonly used for reptiles so as to not upset their day/night cycle...does the same work with fish? And if so, would a red headlamp be an advantage if night collecting?

Yes, I love the red lamp. I believe the old one I use is an Energizer, and it has a red option. The red light keeps mayflies out of your mouth, while the white light attracts them. Really, when pulling a seine or writing on a clipboard at night I always use the red unless it's cold outside or I need a little extra light to see something more clearly for a second. Then again, I'm in Louisiana (and did most of my past work in TX), and the bugs out here can be a formidable opponent.