Headlamps anyone?

[DaktariEd]

Has anyone really used some of the new LED and hybrid LED/incandescent headlamps? Not just tried them out at the store, but really put them to work.
I am considering them to free up my hands while at a campsite, looking around the Cruiser in the dark, etc. But do they really offer significant advantages?
Your thoughts? Pros and cons?

Ed

[Jonathan Hanson]

I don't like hybrid LED/incandescent lights. They work fine when the batteries are brand new, but the LEDs produce full illumination on far lower voltage than the incandescent bulb. So for most of the battery life the incandescent bulb is practically worthless.

Petzl and Black Diamond both make high-quality headlamps.

I've been meaning to do a short post on flashlights, based on reviewing probably several hundred over the years. Maybe I'll get to work on it.

[Scott Brady]

Nice post

I am totally converted to LED now. I have four units; a cheap 3-led princeton in the Jeep, a Petzl in the Trooper (Tika), and two new Black Diamonds in the Tacoma.

I really like the Black Diamond units:

This is the unit I use- Black Diamond Night Ray

I have owned it for nearly a year now, and it is a fantastic tool

On the passenger seat, I keep this one.



Bill Burke showed me the coolest place to keep a head lamp. I just loop it over the head rest and they stay there all the time now. Easy to grab.

[offroad_nomad]

I've been using headlamps for years for hunting and backpacking. Freeing up your hands is a big plus.

I recently added the Black Diamond Gemini to my SAR helmet:


I've been using the Petzl Tikkina while getting to my early morning hunting spots. It's a nice small, light headlamp. I even use the little Petzl during my night runs on the golf course. It provides plenty of illumination up close, but dosen't project light too far.

[Life_in_4Lo]

I like that Black Diamond Gemini, does it put out alot of light?
I have used a couple of the LED style ones and the convienence is great but I have never been impressed by the light output.

[BajaTaco]

A great resource for Headlamp and flashlight reviews and education is FlashlightReviews.com

I have been using the Petzl Tikka for an ultra-lightweight lamp that can go on even the lightest of hikes for a long time. It's a nice little light but output is low (which I actually like in a lot of cases). But I wanted a more powerful, waterproof lamp for 4wd camping, wet sports (paddling canyoneering, snorkeling) and caving/mines. I just got a Princeton Tec Matrix 2 because I was able to get one for only 12 bucks through a recent REI Outlet sale. I went to flashlightreviews.com for a quick education prior to my purchase, and found out that it uses a single "Luxeon I" side emitting Luxeon Star LED which is VERY bright and rivals a halogen or xenon bulb for a fraction of the power consumption. It uses 2 AA batteries (I plan to use my rechargeables) and weighs in at a hefty 5.9 ounces with batteries. Since I just got it, I don't have any long term feedback, but I just used it last night helping Scott with his Tacoma mods, and it worked GREAT. I am really impressed with how bright this particular side-emitting LED bulb is.

[The BN Guy]

Okay maybe a corny question but what about the ones advertised on TV that are battery-less? Simply shake and turn on. I've seen them in Discovery store but do not have any long-term experience with it.

Hmmm, maybe someone needs to create one for your head. Simply talk to your wife while wearing it - it'll never run out of juice then!

[flyingwil]

A great resource for Headlamp and flashlight reviews and education is FlashlightReviews.com

Chris you beat me to it! FlashLightReviews.com is a great resource for information rearding anything to do with a flashlight or headlamp.

Wil

[GeoRoss]

I will second a vote for the Black Diamond Night Ray. I used one this summer in Tibet, running it about 1-3 hours a day (mostly on low). I changed the batteries 3 times over 6 weeks.

Ross

[BajaTaco]

...I used one this summer in Tibet

Ooohh, nice!


BN, I haven't tried one of those, but I like the concept and wouldn't mind having one. Either that or the crank-up ones are cool too. I have seen one of those and I was impressed with how bright it was.