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Post by hikerjer on Nov 18, 2019 17:26:10 GMT -8
Looking to get a new headlamp. I've used a Petzl model for years which was OK but always a little finicky. It's to the point that I don't trust it anymore. Any recommendations? I'd like to keep it simple.
Thanks much.
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Post by trinity on Nov 18, 2019 19:03:56 GMT -8
Jer, could you give us a little more info? Is this primarily for backpacking? Will you be using it for night hiking, or just to see around camp? Is weight, brightness, or cost your primary concern? Do you need a red light option?
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Post by johntpenca on Nov 18, 2019 19:55:25 GMT -8
What trinity wrote. Need more info on what you will use it for. Generally speaking, I'm happy with my BD Spot. There are so many options it's like asking which pack/bag/boot/tent? OMG, it's deja vu; I'm channeling almostthere .
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Post by hikerjer on Nov 18, 2019 20:03:39 GMT -8
Good points, guys. Basically I'd like the head lamp for around camp and limited night hiking if necessary although hiking the dark won't be it's main function. While weight is always a factor, I'm not an ultra lighter so anything reasonable will do. A red light option is nice but not a necessity. I would like something fairly robust and reliable. Thanks again. $50.00 range would be nice.
Thanks again.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 18, 2019 20:10:37 GMT -8
I’ve a very simple Fenix. Essentially a right angle light with a stretch headband. Couple of brightness levels selected by pushing the one button. Seems to last forever on its battery.
Still available. www.fenix-store.com/fenix-hl50-led-headlamp/
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 18, 2019 20:18:41 GMT -8
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Nov 18, 2019 23:16:50 GMT -8
BD Storm. I don't use all of the features, either, but it works for me.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Nov 19, 2019 8:35:08 GMT -8
I have a BD Spot, and a very old Petzl Zipka for when I don't care about lighting up the outdoors for miles.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 8:51:41 GMT -8
I got a Petzl with a Petzl core USB rechargeable battery, my wife has a Fenix USB rechargeable headlamp. Neither is under 50.00 bucks.
Both headlamps were new, at the beginning of the 2019 season. Both headlamps were charged 1 time. In charging this is were the Fenix starts to outshine the Petzl. To charge the Petzl, I have to open the battery compartment to access the battery, unlike the Fenix, where I can just plug the USB charger into the side. The Fenix can be plugged into a USB recharge source and can run from that source. The Ptzl does not run from a USB power source.
With a total of 23+ bag nights neither of the headlamps required recharging.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 19, 2019 9:26:19 GMT -8
I’ll chime in here, looking for a light that’s more on the light and cheap end. Red light is nice, but not essential. I don’t hike with it as a general rule, but my night vision isn’t great so for around camp and reading in bed I still want something fairly bright (when car-camping it’s amazing how often we are setting up in the dark. Never backpacking, but it’s so easy to drive into the night).
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Nov 19, 2019 10:39:20 GMT -8
I like my one ounce Nitecore NU25 very much. The non-removable rechargeable battery lasts a long time if you keep it on the low around camp.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Nov 19, 2019 12:09:33 GMT -8
+1 on the BD Spot. I like it.
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Post by trinity on Nov 19, 2019 12:29:01 GMT -8
I like my one ounce Nitecore NU25 very much. The non-removable rechargeable battery lasts a long time if you keep it on the low around camp. This is one I was going to recommend, based on many positive reviews. It sounds like a great light. I recently bought a Black Diamond Spot Lite, which is a pretty nice headlamp. It takes 2 aaa batteries, so is smaller than many available headlamps. Has a fairly bright dimmable beam, is very lightweight, and reasonably priced. I wish the light were a little more focused, and I wish it tilted down just a little further, but otherwise I'm happy with it. Another good option, though slightly out of your stated price range would be the Zebralight H53W. I have an older version, it is extremely bright, bomb-proof, and fairly lightweight, using only a single aa battery. If you're willing to do without the red light, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Zebralight. None of my lights are rechargeable, but I use Panasonic Eneloops with them, they work great.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 20, 2019 9:12:12 GMT -8
I’m a bit dubious about a rechargeable, since if something happens (gets turned on in the pack or something, or you just end up needing a lot more light than expected) there’s no way to recharge in the field (well, yes, there are ways, but I don’t carry them, and adding them would rather increase the weight of the light). As it is now, we can carry one spare set of batteries between us and have it covered.
What I have right now is a P-tec Remix, which is fine, but a little large and heavy for the light output, IMO. The P-Tec Byte was great, except that both of the ones we had developed issues and became unreliable, refusing to turn on, etc.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Nov 20, 2019 10:08:19 GMT -8
Another BD Storm user here. Lots of nice features, but it always takes me awhile to remember how to access them.
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