Headlamp - What is the Best?

[Diveslot6]

We have such great gear choices anymore.
The good news? Most gear gets better year-by-year.
Bad news? Usually it costs more.
Just depends on the performance parameters, which item works best for you.
Lightweight light? Bright illumination? Long-lasting?

Some of the spendiest headlamps I have seen run in the $300-plus range for Sten (http://www.stenlight.com/),
and higher ($900-plus?) for another company, which I don't recall offhand - but mushers in Alaska like em.

My performance parameters changed last year. Used to be, my headlamp (Petzl Tikka XP) was for camp chores and reading.
But after dropping a buck on Kodiak last October, a mile from camp - I won't leave camp without something more - my Petzl Myo RXP worked
much better for negotiating across all coastal creek, especially where all those logs had piled up over the years.
Live and learn. Good friends bailed me out that night, but now, I'm more open-mind about what might be needed.
Great thread - I will be checking out some of these headlamps too - Fenix, Zebra, etc.
Thanks.

 

[Chad44]

Just got the H51 in the mail. I upgraded from the cabelas guide series(the little one). It worked fine but really liked the looks of zebra lights. I like that now all my battery powered stuff except range finder runs on AA. I used to carry AAA and AA. that was a big part in switching. Plus after reading and watching reviews it's bomb proof and waterproof, not resistant. Not sure why some complain of it being too complicated. I find it fairly straight forward. I will never use the strobe anyway. I also love the glow in the dark headband. No more feeling around the tent for my light.

 

[Jdog]

ordered another today...dall sheep in 32 days!

 

[slim9300]

ordered another today...dall sheep in 32 days!

I'm envious. Good luck!

 

[colonel00]

Got my H51 yesterday and I have been playing with it. I like it so far but I am still hesitant to say that I prefer it over my Princen Tec Remix. Granted, I haven't had any field time with it to really put it to the test so I will wait to pass judgement. Above anything else, I would love it if they could figure out a way to have another little colored LED on there somewhere. It doesn't have to be anything special but I just like having a red (or sometimes green) LED to use in camp and such so you aren't blowing out other people with even a dim white light. Other than that, the clicking takes a little learning. I still have trouble with the "long" click as I am either too short (insert a "That's what she said" joke here) or I hold it too long and it goes into the cycle mode. Unless I was trying to go on the lightest of trips, I like the idea of having a backup light so I am thinking I might have the princeton tec as a base camp light and then the Zebra in the possibles bag always at the ready.

 

[DIY]

so I bought the H502w zebra... if I wanted a second light that casts a long beam what would be a second light?

 

[slim9300]

so I bought the H502w zebra... if I wanted a second light that casts a long beam what would be a second light?

If you want to stick with AA batteries go H51w. It will reach out about 30-40 yards from what I have read. If you want maximum brightness, go H600w. It's almost 4 times brighter, weighs about out an ounce more, and will light up a beam about 100 yards. The only downfall is the 18650 battery (which is not a problem for me). I take two headlamps on any hunt. My H502w and my H600w. Both weigh 5.13 ounces with battery. The H600w comes out when I'm not on a trail or logging road and I need to see like it's daylight (mainly packing meat or cutting back to camp).

 

[vcb]

I have used black diamond for the past 5 years. Great headlamp and the customer service was awesome for me.

 

[luke moffat]

ordered another today...dall sheep in 32 days!

Dall sheep...Brooks Range....sheep opener....need a headlamp??? Just kidding gonna be taking one apiece for Becca and I on our sheep hunt for the opener. Still might take the Mammut to Kodiak though if the Zebralights don't throw the distance like our Mammuts do. Less daylight beg of October and being able to see while hiking in the dark in the mountains while not on a trail is a must for me and the further the better.

 

[DIY]

I just got my Zebra Light.. Do I need a phd to program this guy?

 

[colonel00]

I just got my Zebra Light.. Do I need a phd to program this guy?

Heh, it is a little daunting. Search youtube and that should clear some of it up. Really, the tricky one is the 6 double clicks to change the High sublevels.

 

[Sunspot]

Just bought a Princeton Tec Remix tonight. I liked the two modes of brightness for red. Also, red being the first light to engage while powering on. It goes to 100 lumens and looks like a nice unit.

 

[rodney482]

I just got my Zebra Light.. Do I need a phd to program this guy?

Just hold the button down...it cycles low, med high.

 

[trk3263]

Here is a good flow chart I found it is for a different zebra light but most of them seem to be similar

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Wow you guys put a LOT of thought into headlamps. I'm still using a couple I've had for years.
Like others, I carry a back-up headlamp. It's a micro headlamp and uses the CR2032 calc battery and weighs nothing to speak of.
My main lamp is an old Princeton Tec Aurora, a pretty basic model w/ 3 leds & Low/Med/High settings. Pretty water resistance to (has survived 5-6yrs of waterfowl hunting setting deeks). I also use a cheap Coleman for running the duck boat. It's an inexpensive 60 lumen Coleman Model # 2000001683 3AAA that is really bright and waterproof. Bright enough I don't use a spot light anymore.
Lots of choices out there and I have a bunch, none over $40 though.
I'm too cheap to pay a lot.

Just pay attention to features: max lumen's (sometimes you don't want a super bright light), width of beam, high/med/low settings, # of batteries & life (not all headlamps are designed to be power efficient), pivoting lamp, does stray light dilate & shine in your eyes while wearing it, compactness, etc.

Honestly I don't want a strong & powerful headlamp, least not on it's low setting anyway.
(that is, unless I'm waterfowling & driving the boat in the dark, then I want it as bright as I can.)
I personally don't place any value in having a RED setting.
I prefer ones that take 2-3 AAA's.
Needs to be waterproof w/ o-ring seals & gaskets, including switch.

You can never have too many headlamps; truck, camper, home, pack, back-up pack, blind bag (& backup for when your buddy forgets his).

Oh, and remember to take the batteries out during the off season,
nothing bites more than having a battery leak and ruin your favorite headlamp.
Hunt'nFish

PS: Any headlamp that needs a flow chart to use is way too complicated for me.

 

[Rob Register]

I've used the Black Diamond Spot for a couple of seasons with great success. BD just came out with the Revolt which is about the same weight, higher lumens and longer life. Zebralight sounds interesting.