Headlamps: what do you use and is there something better?

[a3dhunter]

I'm currently using a Princeton Tec remix and have not been satisfied with it. It does a lot of things okay, but nothing great. Been looking at the Black Diamond Spot which shows some great reviews.
I've contemplated the Zebra lights as well, but they show a pretty short battery life on high. When I want a light I usually want high mode so not sure that would work out.

What say the rokslide guys?

 

[worx53]

I've had Princeton tec, Browning, Petzl, Surefire, and Cabelas, and now zebralight. The Zebralight is now my favorite. I have the spot beam that takes a single AA and I run a lithium. Its the lightest yet still aluminum which I like....sick of plastic breaking. The battery lasts a long time but I also carry 4 spares in a glow -in-the-dark holder in my pack......my gps also runs on AA. I've changed the battery once in a year now but haven't really run on high often. I purchased 3 now and their flashlight also that runs on one AA. I'm happy and done purchasing lights for a long time.

 

[Wrench77]

Really another headlamp thread? Try using search it's been covered numerous times.

 

[a3dhunter]

Really another headlamp thread? Try using search it's been covered numerous times.

Aren't you a charm, why don't you try passing up a thread instead of whining about it.
With comments like that, you should keep them to yourself.

I will excuse your ignorance, since I have used the search and have read a lot of opinions and would still like some more(although...not yours.)

 

[a3dhunter]

I've had Princeton tec, Browning, Petzl, Surefire, and Cabelas, and now zebralight. The Zebralight is now my favorite. I have the spot beam that takes a single AA and I run a lithium. Its the lightest yet still aluminum which I like....sick of plastic breaking. The battery lasts a long time but I also carry 4 spares in a glow -in-the-dark holder in my pack......my gps also runs on AA. I've changed the battery once in a year now but haven't really run on high often. I purchased 3 now and their flashlight also that runs on one AA. I'm happy and done purchasing lights for a long time.

Thank you for your informative response, and your time.

 

[Wrench77]

Aren't you a charm, why don't you try passing up a thread instead of whining about it.
With comments like that, you should keep them to yourself.

I will excuse your ignorance, since I have used the search and have read a lot of opinions and would still like some more(although...not yours.)

Look I'm not trying to be an asshole but seriously this gets covered numerous times throughout the year. Using the search function is easy and will get you the results your looking for if you just put in the time and read the old threads.

 

[boom]

for me, the number one priortity for a headlamp is long battery life. i dont need blinding light..i need it to last. i love hiking in under a dim light..in the pitch dark. just bright enough for me not to bust my ass.

for blood trailing..i am using a flashlight.

 

[a3dhunter]

Look I'm not trying to be an asshole but seriously this gets covered numerous times throughout the year. Using the search function is easy and will get you the results your looking for if you just put in the time and read the old threads.

The same response could be used for any discussion on here or any other hunting website.

Leaving only descriptions of personal outings and hunting trips.....you're seriously coming across as an asshole.

 

[doverpack12]

I also have the Princeton Tec Remix. I originally bought the headlamp because it had a green light option that could be set to the default setting when you turn the light on. I like using green or red to hike into my spots before light. If given the option I will choose green every time but most manufacturers only have a red option. After a fairly long search I settled on the older model Cabelas RGB before princeton tec started making them this year. I really like the light for several reasons and also have a few cons. First the white beam is very very bright I have no idea what the specs are but its brighter than almost any other headlamp I have seen. It has the option of red, green, or blue light. Battery life is good enough. The cons are the power button is located in a way that its easy to accidentally depress when you put the headlamp in your pack and then its on and dead when you need it again. I fixed this by using a sunglass case and put my backup headlamp in there as well and just decided its a good idea to keep the light sources safe. Its also a little heavy to me compared to the remix or other similar sized headlamps. I have no idea how much a zebra light weighs but I chose not to get one because of the cost and not needing a blinding bright light all the time. There are situations when I need alot of light and the RGB does that well.

 

[Idaho777]

Even if this subject has been discussed before, new members with new info are always joining the forum, and new models of headlamps are coming out every month, so I don' t see why we don't revisit the subject. Personally, I like p-tec, but I' m cheap, or I'd go with something better...

 

[a3dhunter]

I also have the Princeton Tec Remix. I originally bought the headlamp because it had a green light option that could be set to the default setting when you turn the light on. I like using green or red to hike into my spots before light. If given the option I will choose green every time but most manufacturers only have a red option. After a fairly long search I settled on the older model Cabelas RGB before princeton tec started making them this year. I really like the light for several reasons and also have a few cons. First the white beam is very very bright I have no idea what the specs are but its brighter than almost any other headlamp I have seen. It has the option of red, green, or blue light. Battery life is good enough. The cons are the power button is located in a way that its easy to accidentally depress when you put the headlamp in your pack and then its on and dead when you need it again. I fixed this by using a sunglass case and put my backup headlamp in there as well and just decided its a good idea to keep the light sources safe. Its also a little heavy to me compared to the remix or other similar sized headlamps. I have no idea how much a zebra light weighs but I chose not to get one because of the cost and not needing a blinding bright light all the time. There are situations when I need alot of light and the RGB does that well.

Thanks, and for what it's worth if you happen to break the headlamp mount that attaches to the headband then contact Princeton and they will replace it for free. Excellent customer service when I contacted them asking to buy just the mount.

 

[InDeep]

I'm cheap I guess I have had the same energizer Walmart headlamp for 3 years. I run with it all fall, winter and spring . It has never failed me has been through 4 battery changes and has seen some pretty rough weather . Its not blinding bright but , it has been awesome !

 

[BroodBuster]

I bought a new Petzl a few months ago that has the red light and a variable white light. It's worked great and it's cool how headlamps just keep getting better and cheaper every year.

The main reason I choose it though was that it has a blaze orange strap and housing. Tired of losing the damn things.

 

[dotman]

Most lights other then the zebra take multiple batteries, so if you add that into your thinking if a light takes 4 AA then times the zebra light specs by four for an apples to apples comparison. I personally only run the zebras because they are bullet proof and the batteries last forever for me. If you run a light non stop I'm guessing you'll bring extra batts, so if you buy a light that takes 4 batts I'm guessing you will bring atleast 4 extra batts, so 8 batts total, you could run a zebra a long long time on high with 8 batts.

I run the 502 (think that is the model) for camp and early morning, late evening and get 3 to 4 days use out of a battery, in camp I have it set so low that I think it would run for a month. If tracking or in a hell hole and I need to see then the 600 comes out.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I've run the Petzel Tactikka, one of the original models of the Surefire Saint Minimus, Black Diamond spot an now a H600 MKII Zebralight.

The Petzel is a great light that lasts forever on a set of batteries, but really isn't very bright even on high. It's my back-up light.

The Saint is a great light if you don't mind the price of the CR123 batteries and carrying a few spares. Plenty of light when you need it and decent run time if you can keep it turned down. I could never get a very long run time out of the Saint, I guess I ran it on high too much. It wouldn't run off the rechargeable 16340's due to their higher voltage or I would still be running it. If they would make a Saint that took an 18650 battery, I would own it.

The Black Diamond Spot was returned after 1 trip. They got the name right, the big LED is a spot beam and you'll be turning your head allot to see anything that isn't right in front of you. I found the high setting to be unimpressive at best and the 2 little flood LED's were not bright enough for much of anything.

I haven't had the Zebra out in the woods yet, but it's looks promising. The high setting is unreal and exactly as described in the other headlamp threads previously mentioned that you'll find on here. On my scale it weighs 4.5oz w/battery & headstrap, a spare battery is 1.7oz. One spare should be plenty if the specs are right on run times. We'll see

 

[slim9300]

Most lights other then the zebra take multiple batteries, so if you add that into your thinking if a light takes 4 AA then times the zebra light specs by four for an apples to apples comparison. I personally only run the zebras because they are bullet proof and the batteries last forever for me. If you run a light non stop I'm guessing you'll bring extra batts, so if you buy a light that takes 4 batts I'm guessing you will bring atleast 4 extra batts, so 8 batts total, you could run a zebra a long long time on high with 8 batts.

I run the 502 (think that is the model) for camp and early morning, late evening and get 3 to 4 days use out of a battery, in camp I have it set so low that I think it would run for a month. If tracking or in a hell hole and I need to see then the 600 comes out.

This ^^^

 

[JoshTX]

I use the Petzl NAO and it is awesome. Be advised that the system works a lot more efficiently when you are hunting if you have a solar charger as the battery is rechargable.

 

[Rocky]

I went with the black diamond this year

 

[Outhunting]

My favorite headlamp is the Spark ST6-460NW. On low it really last a long time but if you need to light up an area real quick or need great throw this one will do it. The neutral colored LED this one has versus the bright white LEDS in other torches and headlamps is especially good in snowy conditions and the depth of view in trees is much greater with the Neutral.

 

[SHTF]

I use the Zebra. Love it. Dot nailed how I think about it also. 8 AA Lithiums you could probably run for 48 hours straight on max on the 502. A3d another resource where there are some real flashlight horders and they know their stuff down to the science is http://www.candlepowerforums.com

Those guys over there Love their flashlights. Ive done alot of research over there on Lights also. After owning this Zebra though as stated this thing is light and bulletproof and waterproof. Nice rubber rings that come with it. Other then the light it puts out I hardly know its there.

I also carry a Fenix PD35 which has 5 modes and is 850 Lumens on high beam. Its a crazy cool lightweight Flashlight for turning the woods into daytime.