Let's talk Headlamps

[Ryan Avery]

Never know, I burned through 2 18650s last year tracking a cow my buddy shot.

All 18650 are not the same I have had the best luck with thrunight, night core, zebralight make sure there 3400mAh

 

[CA Karen]

Another vote for Zebra light!

 

[LostArra]

Can you buy an 18650 at 7eleven?

 

[Ryan Avery]

Can you buy an 18650 at 7eleven?

No, but you can get a damn good coke slurpee!

 

[JG358]

All 18650 are not the same I have had the best luck with thrunight, night core, zebralight make sure there 3400mAh

Very true. All of my current 18650s are 3400/3600mah Orbtronics & Zebra Light. Still only looking at a couple hours run time per battery when your running a H600 in spotlight mode.

 

[IdahoElk]

What about the Zebralight 52fw that runs on AA's?

 

[COlineman78]

I had found a site that tests and posts discharge curves for a lot of different 18650s. One warning about nitecores is they are longer than all the others I have, so depending on your device you may have issues. My version of the USB charger that I mentioned before will not work with them. I have some good current controlled Panasonic's that are good for my high discharge flashlights. Some batteries have integrated discharge controllers that are best for high discharge devices such as my super bright light that can kill 2 of my cheaper batteries in 2-3 minutes on full blast.

 

[Shrek]

What about the Zebralight 52fw that runs on AA's?

I have it and it works great and I'm still on the first lithium AA battery I put in it last fall. I hike in the dark mostly so I'm not out lighting up the night like a 777 coming in to land at night much but when I need it it's there for me. I have one of the el cheapo hat brim clip on red led lights that I use for more challenging night hiking and minor fiddling around in the tent. The dim red light is just enough and doesn't wreck my night vision.

 

[JG358]

What about the Zebralight 52fw that runs on AA's?

I use my H52 mostly around camp on medium power. Theyre rated for 8 hours I think but I'd guess I got more than that out of mine with a good litium battery. I dont recall having to change the battery last year on a 8 day hunt.

 

[COlineman78]

what charger do you carry. I like this idea

I found the one I have:

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1421/10001919/1137904

Just a warning though, it doesn't have a spring on the bottom so battery support is iffy. The Nitecore's I have are too long and I have to jam them in. Buttonless, like my Samsung's are too short; they work but don't get held securely.

The black version does have a spring so may be a better option if you can find it:

https://www.fasttech.com/products/0...er-ml-102-universal-usb-smart-charger-version

 

[IdahoElk]

So do I go with a 52 or 502?
This will be used when at camp or hopefully looking for a Elk!
Thanks for the info

 

[Ryan Avery]

I would get the 52fw for all around work over the 502

 

[Chem-E]

I have the H600w for when I need a serious headlamp, but it also works well for around camp when it is set on a low setting. But I also have the H302w flood, which is tiny and runs on CR123 batteries. I have rechargeable CR123, but I usually just throw in Energizer CR123 lithium. These are not very expensive and I can find them anywhere. The H302w has better specs than the H52 or H502. The batteries last longer, it is a smaller headlamp, and it has brighter settings.
For both headlamps I seem to be getting much longer battery life than what the specs say. I run my projected use times when going on a backpack trip and bring enough batteries for what I anticipate. But I always seem to not need the extra batteries, not needing even close to what I anticipate. Maybe it is my imagination since I have not actually timed it?

H302w:
Light Output (runtimes)
High: H1 446 Lm (PID, approx 1.4 hr) or H2 245 Lm (1.6 hrs) / 100 Lm (4.1 hrs)
Medium: M1 50 Lm (11 hrs) or M2 22 Lm (26 hrs) / 8.5 Lm (70 hrs)
Low: L1 2.5 Lm (8 days) or L2 0.37 Lm (38 days) / 0.05 Lm (2.5 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)

H502w:
Light Output
High: H1 260 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 160 Lm (1.9 hrs) / 100 Lm (3.3 hrs)
Medium: M1 50 Lm (7.5 hrs) or M2 25 Lm (12 hrs) / 12 Lm (27 hrs)
Low: L1 2.7 Lm (4 days) or L2 0.34 Lm (3 weeks) / 0.06 Lm (2 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)

 

[Rucker61]

Has anyone used Skilhunt before? They've got a multi-color LED AA headlamp that's received good reviews on candlepower. Priced competitively, too.

http://www.skilhunt.com/product-detail/h02c-colorful-headlamp/

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have been a Petzel guy for years. Currently own a tactika and another larger version. Both are coming close to 0 years old and although the function well are way behind in output. You guys have me thinking.

I will add that I carry a high output hand held from sure fire. Current fav is a 3 cell fury with dual output. An hour at 1000 lumens is stupid bright. A hand held spot light.

 

[rileybassman]

Anyone use a Nitecore HC50 or HC90?

I'm a pretty big nitecore fan and love my P12.

The 90 looks cool because it can be charged via micro USB... which would work with my solar charger for my phone in a pinch.

My P12 has awesome battery life and can get up to 1000 lumans... which is BRIGHT in the woods at night.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GNJM3AM...TF8&colid=1DPCIFPLZJOJO&coliid=I1B471KO0KB3SJ
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IYP4D8S...UTF8&colid=1DPCIFPLZJOJO&coliid=I1EBNTFYL10C2

 

[SWVA_Tim]

Can you get red or green lens for the zebra lights? If not, (i couldn't find any) what do you use instead?

 

[Lawnboi]

Need a new lamp, as I lost my backup one.

Anyone own a zebra (one that runs on AA) care to compare it to a petzl myo?

Iv been running the myo for years, and it hasn't let me down. Though I wish it was waterproof, iv gotten it pretty wet. Looking for something a little lighter and smaller well and hopefully cheaper for a backup.

 

[dotman]

Haven't used the myo but I have the Zebra that runs on one AA, it is a great light and has good battery life. If you want output power your gonna need a bigger battery.

 

[muleman]

Anyone use a Nitecore HC50 or HC90?

The 90 looks cool because it can be charged via micro USB... which would work with my solar charger for my phone in a pinch.

I have the HC90 and like it better than my Zebras for the multi-color options along with a bright white light. The built in USB charger is very handy too. I absolutely hate the HC90 switch and have to remove the battery to prevent it from being switched on when packed. I still use it more than my Zebras though.