Anybody Use Headlamps?

[ricepudding]

seem that I missed this thread on headlamps, plase post there instead:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99733







Im a big skier, and my job makes me work on the weekends, so I can only ski nights. I wanted a headlamp to make those "illegal" trails skiable so I just bought this LED Headlamp off of ebay for $25 cad hoping its bright enough.

It states that it has a 130Lm spot, and an 30Lm flood running off a single AA battery. The mfg also states that it has a regulated run time of 9 hours at full output.

Ebay Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221402134204
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JET1XTU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
What I'm trying to get to here is that I have never really used a real headlamp before for anything, and I was just wondering if any of you guys use them at all? I could see them being useful for mechanics, and engine repair where a good light source is needed..

What I mean by illegal ski trails is the short cuts between the main runs at skii hills ( like a brush trail). At night these trails are not lit up, therefore they are closed. Skiing them is considered illegal, but everybody does it anyways. Headlamps were popular last year for the kids who ski at night, so why not get one myself?

 

[JonnyMac]

Yep. I am a petzl guy, have been for 20 years!
There is a thread about headlamps thats going around. Im no good with the search function but it's only about 2 weeks gone so a flick through the pages will find it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I run every morning with one...between my wife and we go with Petzl or Princeton Tec. Never tried a cheap one though, the road I am on is a rural highway so I HAVE to be seen as well as see!

Edit....add Black Diamond to that list, this is the one I am currently using....

http://www.ems.com/product/index.js...n=Lumens&cp=3677338.11354908.11359841.3693354

 

[ricepudding]

Yep. I am a petzl guy, have been for 20 years!
There is a thread about headlamps thats going around. Im no good with the search function but it's only about 2 weeks gone so a flick through the pages will find it.

I used the search function, but didnt find one... Ill have a look

 

[Tronyadorable]

These conversations are a reason to belong to candlepower forums.
Don't go there and ask for the best harmonic balancer puller.
Don't come here asking for advice on lights and don't go to a proctologist about an eye problem. Get it ?

 

[GMTECH1]

I use Led Lenser (or is it Coast) H7R.2. It's 300 lumens max. Lithium battery pack. Lasts almost all day at work. It's the best headlight I've used. I have 5 H7's and one H7R. Those run on NiMh batteries and are good for 2-2.5 hours or so of continuous light. So I would use three of them on a busy day. Real happy with the performance of the H7R.2.


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Here's a pic. I guess it is Led Lenser.

 

[Hephaestus29]

These conversations are a reason to belong to candlepower forums.
Don't go there and ask for the best harmonic balancer puller.
Don't come here asking for advice on lights and don't go to a proctologist about an eye problem. Get it ?

The way I see it is, it's a tool. It allows
you to see in the dark. Most anything
that assists you in doing a job is a tool.

I use them when I wire offices for internet
And rarely if I have to go in the attic.

 

[plott hound]

i use a headlamp made by coast.has an adjustable beam and I love it.use it almost every morning to install duct work in new houses.i find it much better then running a cord in dark basements.

 

[Ruger_556]

I have two Zebralight headlamps, one of which is 1020 lumens. I use them for everything. Petzl and Streamlight are not even close...

 

[CoryZ]

petzl ftw

 

[IUEC Medic]

These conversations are a reason to belong to candlepower forums.
Don't go there and ask for the best harmonic balancer puller.
Don't come here asking for advice on lights and don't go to a proctologist about an eye problem. Get it ?

... This is "general tool discussion".

My headlamp is a crucial tool for my job.

I use a fenix hl55 on my hard hat. It's got up to a 900 lumen burst output, it can use 2 disposable CR123 or one rechargeable 18650 battery. I've used several Fenix brand lights and carry one or two almost constantly, a pd35 or uc40 in my pocket and an LD01 on my keychain.

They're not insanely expensive and the quality is great. I've had one that went through a washing machine and I've submerged another one in a 100 gallon hydraulic tank (on) to search for a tool. Both lights still work great.

Zebralight also makes some very nice headlamps.


Don't ask me about hydraulic balancer pullers because I wouldn't have a clue about them. I know lights, though.

 

[Wakefield]

Say you are working with something in both hands,trying to crimp a wire to a terminal so as to be able to replace a capacitor in an air conditioner. You don't have a hand free to hold a flashlight. You don't have anyone to hold the flashlight. A great opportunity to use a head lamp.

 

[JonnyMac]

Guys... come on... first rule of the internet is DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!!!

 

[kctyphoon]

Coast HL8 , 344 lumens on high. Has medium and low settings too. Also, the beam is adjustable from spot to flood. on high setting, full flood, I can light up an entire work area at night. I have literally set new utility poles between live power lines using nothing but this headlamp. It takes 4 aa batteries, and the pack can be worn on the back of the headband, or on your belt using the provided extension cord. Batteries last for HOURS (advertised 19 on high). Can also be used as a stand alone light, with the lamp being able to use the battery pack as a stand and clip together without using the headband at all.. There is also a model that uses a rechargeable battery pack. If this light broke tonite, I would order a new one before I even went to bed. It has an equivalent model on the LED LENSER brand (leatherman) that is made for them by Coast.

I got this over the more expensive rechargeable model for the convience of standard "aa" batteries, and the ability to have the light up and running under full power without having to wait for it to recharge.. HIGHLY RECOMENDED

 

[methomas70]

I've never understood why the headlamp isn't more popular.
It's a great invention, yet hasn't fully caught on.
Cream soda is another one of those great inventions.

Typical conversation:
Me: Do you like cream soda?
You: Yeah, I love the stuff.
Me: Got any in the fridge?
You: No.

 

[bcradio]

I usually just eat my pretzels...

For headlamps I have and like Black Diamond.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[RBailey]

Ledlenser h14 and the new 14.2r at home and they are both fantastic.

At work I use a petzl on my hard hat which is okay but it's EX / ATEX rated so not much choice.

I'm also amazed more people don't use head torches. I'm addicted and almost can't work without one.


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[nicksnothereman]

Im a big skier, and my job makes me work on the weekends, so I can only ski nights. I wanted a headlamp to make those "illegal" trails skiable so I just bought this LED Headlamp off of ebay for $25 cad hoping its bright enough.

I hope Jesus will come back and give everyone free pretzels and a puppy. I think we'll both be disappointed.

Of course skiing at night with a light on will vary in effectiveness vs. trees based on slope, skill, reflex, and eye sight. Personally...it sounds like a really bad idea unless it's near flat.

(um...what's with the pretzel prescience)

 

[Olafur]

I work with petzl pixa3 and love it. Even if it has capable high lighting mode I would never recommend it for jogging or sports activity. There are other versions more suitable for that. Too heavy and bulky.

 

[Olafur]

Ledlenser h14 and the new 14.2r at home and they are both fantastic.

At work I use a petzl on my hard hat which is okay but it's EX / ATEX rated so not much choice.

I'm also amazed more people don't use head torches. I'm addicted and almost can't work without one.


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I work with pixa3 and I am also addicted to headlamps.

I am looking for cheaper (or better if they exist) alternatives, do you recommend these Ledlenser for close up work, like working on cars?

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

I have one I bought at the Shelby hamfest back on Labor Day weekend.
It works OK if I'm in a dark area, but it doesn't work for what I bought
it for which is being able to read when I'm in the recliner that I sleep in
a lot of nights. I sleep in the recliner when my back is bothering me bad
and I can't get comfortable laying in the bed.
The head light makes to small a spot of light and it's really too bright a
spot to read by. I'd really like to find one or modify this one to make a
wider more even spot of light.

.

 

[RBailey]

I work with pixa3 and I am also addicted to headlamps.



I am looking for cheaper (or better if they exist) alternatives, do you recommend these Ledlenser for close up work, like working on cars?

Ledlenser are not cheap (by a long way). But they are very bright but you can dim them. However, the best selling point for me is the wide angle flood. It produces a lovely wide even flood of light with no hot spots. (If you need a spot light a simple push of the light and its refocused.)

The 14 series has a separate battery pack their mounts on the back of your head (or in a pocket via a supplied extension. This is good for a long battery life but can be annoying after a couple of hours lying on your back under a car with your head on the ground.


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[Olafur]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Justanoldguy]

I wanted a headlamp to make those "illegal" trails skiable

So why do you want to be a crim?

 

[Olafur]

Excellent thread about headlamps
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2618733#post2618733

 

[wild cowboy]

I guess I might be the elder headlamp wearer in here, started with a Petzl Zoom headlamp in 1985 when the instructions were only in French (it was imported).

30 years and about 20 headlamps later, not really much of a Petzl fan these days, as there are far better headlamps and much better values as well. I like the Coast headlamps mentioned earlier, the HL7 and HL27 series are well built and slim and cheap online. - The HL7 is even stocked at Lowes if you need something lightweight and bright in a hurry.

If you don't need really slim and trim, this model below from Hong Kong's Fasttech is a favorite of mine, it uses a pair of the fabulous regulated Panasonic protected 3400mAh 3.7V 18650 lithium rechargeables ($18/pair) and an 800 lumen Cree XM-L T6 LED lamp - super bright, well made, comfortable, and batteries last a long time on a charge - and dirt cheap at less than $19 delivered (allow 2 weeks)

I agree with the candlepower forums recommendation if you want to dig deeper, been bantering with the thugs over there for about 15 years.

 

[Davefr]

I always use my Zebralight.

They have a version that offers neutral light and it's a floody. I find the combination of neutral white and flood to be superior.

 

[lakota]

HL4 Coast that I got at HD years ago around the holidays on sale for $10 reg $20. Use it often.

 

[ricepudding]

So why do you want to be a crim?

What I mean by illegal ski trails is the short cuts between the main runs at skii hills ( like a brush trail). At night these trails are not lit up, therefore they are closed. Skiing them is considered illegal, but everybody does it anyways. Headlamps were popular last year for the kids who ski at night, so why not get one myself?

 

[willyswonka]

Zebralights are amazing. The only downside is you have to take the batteries out to charge them, but they are super easy to swap (even in gloves). Shockingly bright for how tiny they are, I use one at work and have dropped it in drain pans, kicked it across the shop, cleaned it in a parts washer, and it's still going strong. Can't recommend enough.

http://www.zebralight.com/

 

[Ruger_556]

No, I light a candle and tape it to my forehead. I find it to be the most reliable lamp for the adverse Northwest conditions.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

No, I light a candle and tape it to my forehead. I find it to be the most reliable lamp for the adverse Northwest conditions.

Oh, aren't you the smart *** tonight....

What you drinking, Whiskey

 

[Shadowdog500]

No, I light a candle and tape it to my forehead. I find it to be the most reliable lamp for the adverse Northwest conditions

Miners have been using headlamps for a long time. They upgraded from candles to oil lamp versions over a centry ago.

Maybe you want to upgrade to one of these.

Chris

 

[redmed]

I got on of the Harbor Freight headlamps for free and it is worth exactly what I paid for it . Nothing