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Thread: Best headlamp

  1. #1

    Default Best headlamp

    I currently own a Princeton Tech Fuel and I like it a lot. Before I bought a second to keep in my day pack I was going to get some opinions and see if anyone had a better option.

    Any favorites?

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

  2. #2

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    I guess I should add that I like the up and down adjustability on my P.T. and the light output is good. Also never too hard to find triple A batteries

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

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    Zebralight H52. As light as the dinky plastic headlamps at REI, but 300 lumens with a single AA, or 500+ lumens with a lithium ion battery. Since it's a right angle light, it works just as well as a headlamp as it does a flashlight. Even though it's a very bright light, the low settings can be configured to be fantastically low...no worries about blinding anyone with the lowest settings! It is by far my favorite long distance backpacking light.

  4. #4
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    I really like the Black Diamond Spot. The newest version puts out a peak of 130 Lumenss, has One-touch dimming and seems to have a reasonable battery life. Retail MSRP is $39 but is frequently sale priced at $29. My only complaint is that the red light is pretty useless.

  5. #5
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    I should have included the headlamps I have in my post.

    Zebralight H600mkII
    Zebralight H52
    Armytek Wizard Pro
    Fenix HP10
    And a couple bike lights that can be worn (uncomfortably) on the head

    I may also have a Nitecore HC50 on the way, but I don't think that will be better than the first three lights I just listed unless you really want red LEDs. The Zebralights can be dimmed so low that I don't find the night vision benefits of red emitters to be worth it.

  6. #6
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    I like the Spot, too. It has two different LED beams - a very bright spotlight beam, and a dimmer two-LED light for close work around camp. Both of these can be dimmed easily. Hold the button for 3 seconds and it turns on a red LED for nighttime use - this setting is locked until you hold the button again for 3 seconds to turn on the white light. Hold the button for 6 seconds and it locks so it won't come on in my pack.

    The only annoying feature is that it cycles back and forth between the bright spot and the dim work light each time I turn it on -- so I always get the "wrong" light and have to turn it off and back on to get the other one. It would be nice if the light remembered which LED I was using the last time, and used a different method to switch to the other one.
    Ken B
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    Our Long Trail journal

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    I've got the Petzl Tikka 2 which is pretty nice, but the only advantage it has over my cheapie Wally World special is the red light.

  9. #9
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    Over the years I've stopped using the word "best" to describe any piece of gear because everyone has different preferences and priorities, also different gear can be better or worse depending on the activity you are doing.

    All that said, the black diamond spot is my current favorite for general use when hiking/backpacking.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  10. #10
    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
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    I concur with Sarcasm, no piece of gear is best for every situation. That said, I keep coming back to Black Diamond products, primarily for the weight/intensity/battery life/feature packages.
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

  11. #11
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    I am currently very fond of my PT Vizz. 3-way illumination including red LEDs and regulated for lithium AAA batteries.

    Wayne
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  12. #12
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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  13. #13
    Registered User lzeplin's Avatar
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    Here is a review of 37 different headlamps http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Headlamp-Reviews
    I own a black diamond storm, so far it been great

  14. #14
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    I use a zebra light and love it.

  15. #15
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    I think the last couple of times I was in the woods with the Elf were also the last couple of times that I wound up night-hiking. (Pure coincidence.) But seeing the performance of his Spot as opposed to my what-have-you from the hardware store (rated for the same number of lumens according to the packaging - lies, damned lies, and statistics!) has made me decide that I want one for myself. REI Outlet has last year's model on closeout at the moment: If you use this week's 25% off one item at the outlet, it looks as if it'll be $22.30 before tax and shipping.
    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

  16. #16
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    Another Kevin,

    Just a heads-up. The previous version of the spot was 90 lumens vs 130 and lacked a few feature the newest version includes. I believe the upgrade was between 2012 and 2013 but I am not entirely sure.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by lzeplin View Post
    Here is a review of 37 different headlamps http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Headlamp-Reviews
    I own a black diamond storm, so far it been great

    Your link is not working, I'm wondering if this is what you wanted to post.

    http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Headla.../buying-advice

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by lzeplin View Post
    Here is a review of 37 different headlamps http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Headlamp-Reviews
    I own a black diamond storm, so far it been great
    Quote Originally Posted by rocketsocks View Post
    Your link is not working, I'm wondering if this is what you wanted to post.

    http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Headla.../buying-advice
    I see now yours was about reviews, where as mine is general info. I'd be interested to read your link if you wouldn't mind re-posting.

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Another Kevin View Post
    I think the last couple of times I was in the woods with the Elf were also the last couple of times that I wound up night-hiking. (Pure coincidence.) But seeing the performance of his Spot as opposed to my what-have-you from the hardware store (rated for the same number of lumens according to the packaging - lies, damned lies, and statistics!) has made me decide that I want one for myself. REI Outlet has last year's model on closeout at the moment: If you use this week's 25% off one item at the outlet, it looks as if it'll be $22.30 before tax and shipping.
    They are going fast. I tried to order the Covert Green and they were sold out. They appear to have some of the Lime Green left.
    --

    Hike Safe.

  20. #20
    Registered User RYE_TYLER's Avatar
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    BD Spot for me as well. I Loved my Fuel, but the plastic latch on the battery cover has broken on three of them.

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