Head lights anyone use them?

[got2boostit2]

Head mounted lights any good recommendations? Looking into getting a pair as I'm tired of holding worklights in one hand needing two for the tools.

 

[cryan]

I have a couple of Energizer LED Head flash lights. Quite light and comfortable. One of them even has a red setting just in case there happens to be a tactical situation in the workshop. I really like them but they are for close up work only.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

PETZL! In the sandbox and in the States. In the water and in the caves. While camping and hiking, and walking and biking. In the garage and on land, on the ship and near the dam. Adventures with my dog, hard-seeing because the fog. My Petzl has yet to let me down, rides with me in the car and in the bag, next to my rifle, next to my mag.

 

[blindbug]

PETZL! In the sandbox and in the States. In the water and in the caves. While camping and hiking, and walking and biking. In the garage and on land, on the ship and near the dam. Adventures with my dog, hard-seeing because the fog. My Petzl has yet to let me down, rides with me in the car and in the bag, next to my rifle, next to my mag.

I'll agree with Mohawk on this one... Petzl is the way to go on head lights. I use them camping all the time, and when I have to work behind something in the house, or under the hood or wherever I may need just an extra bit of light, my Petzel's are the first thing I grab.

 

[shadow745]

Absolute best headlamp I've ever used, especially for the price is this...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KYFZJG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

May be discontinued, but surely one can be found somewhere.


Also, really like the LED Lenser H7, which is readily available and offers some really nice features in a lightweight package.


Personally, I find Petzl, PT, Surefire to be overpriced and overrated. To each his own though!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Personally, I find Petzl, PT, Surefire to be overpriced and overrated. To each his own though!

As far as Petzl, I use them because they are super tough and they last. Mine have been exposed to extremes, and when they get impacted, i.e. slamming your head into low hanging objects, they do not fall apart.

I do not know what kind of black magic plastic they use, but it works. The old adage applies here: "Buy once, cry once." Just my two pennies...

 

[got2boostit2]

Bright, lightweight and comfortable with 3-4 hours run time and rechargeable is what I'm after. Don't want to be chasing batteries.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Petzl or princetec

I will probably get princetec fuel.

 

[Intel]

I use a petzl when working on the car. No longer really use anything else as the light is almost always where I need it and my hands are free. I need to find a black headband for it though as the white one gets a bit grody if I don't wash it. I still have 2 incandescent ones from my caving/camping days that are in each of my cars for a pinch. The LED one though is amazing on batteries.

This looks like the update version of mine.
http://www.rei.com/product/793266/petzl-tikkina-2-led-headlamp

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Bright, lightweight and comfortable with 3-4 hours run time and rechargeable is what I'm after. Don't want to be chasing batteries.

Take your pic my friend...https://www.google.com/search?hl=en....66.475.9.9.0...0.0...1ac.1.8.img.lEAMUeBn6TM

 

[koditten]

I have several of the H7 units The Lenzers are pretty awsome. I love being able to adjust the brightness as well as the focus.

KO

 

[cbracer]

I second the Energizer LED one. Get that first. It's cheap, batteries seem to last a long time and it's BRIGHT. Taken mine hiking with some friends and while camping at night mine was much better than their expensive REI bought ones. It has a spot, flood, low, high settings.

 

[diesel research]

http://www.zebralight.com/Headlamp_c_7.html

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P23_gU0zy70" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[aluminum13]

I've used the energizer ones a bunch. I have one I've managed to wear out the switch on crawling around in the crawlspace smashing it into stuff. It lasted more than a year - if you don't physically rub it against things it'll last longer I'm sure.

I like the red feature a lot actually, doesn't mess with your eyes, good for reading in the car, good for conserving battery, and good for tying to my backpack to serve as a signal "don't run me over" light.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I like headlights for working under the car while on a creeper. Useful under a dash as well. Beyond that, not much need, and if you're working with another person, you don't really need to be blinding them when you turn to talk.

 

[kevin47]

Don't use head lights much anymore...Driving at night is just not my "forte"...Maybe I need glasses..?

 

[Zelatore]

I've had a Petzel for a couple years that I use camping and hiking. We have a couple of lower end brands as well, but you really can tell a difference. I've never really used it for work, buti probably should as it would have some obvious benefits.

 

[HTGTS350]

Ive worked underground for nearly twenty years so a cap lamp is like part of me, I don't use the headlamp but I do use a hardhat and caplamp when I need to.

 

[cookefab]

Fenix and Spark...I will back my Fenix products, tactical and otherwise, to Hell and back, Sandbox included...Spark, not so much, but it is still going...no thanks to anyone but myself...

 

[kts]

Another +1 for Petzel. I bought one a few years ago and it's probably become my number one tool when working on my cars, at night, etc. I'm sure I look silly wearing it but it's great freeing up hands so I can see what I'm working on in low light and use both hands to get at whatever I'm working on.

 

[SteveCh]

Just got some last year, and I really use them. An added plus, I put them on when grilling outdoors at night, no more trying to hold a flashlight while I turn the sausages.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Another +1 for Petzel. I bought one a few years ago and it's probably become my number one tool when working on my cars, at night, etc. I'm sure I look silly wearing it but it's great freeing up hands so I can see what I'm working on in low light and use both hands to get at whatever I'm working on.

wow. I remember years ago when we first "learned" about them. Thought they were silly too. Fast forward to present day and everyone in our group plus my whole family has them. We have good ones plus at Christmas/birthdays my mom buys us the cheaper multi-packs and we leave them in vehicles, around the house, shop, garage, Rhino, toolboxes, just everywhere. Really don't know how we ever got anything done without them. lol

 

[Professur]

I've got three of the energizer ones. One in the pocket of each jacket so I've always got one. Only complaint: having to press the damn button 4 times to turn it off.

 

[srmofo]

Zebra Lights, Lots Of Options Including Battery type

 

[N.I.]

LED Lenser H7R.

It is a beast.

 

[got2boostit2]

Good stuff here. I've looked at a bunch over the past few months and ready to pull the trigger on a pair or two.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

makes one look like the shop dummy , but I am sure they will look good on you LOL

 

[Mario]

Looking into getting a pair as I'm tired of holding worklights in one hand needing two for the tools.

For automotive work you need a light with a wide beam, at leat 120 degre.

I use a Zebralight H501W at work (70$) and a cheaper clone at home (UltraFire UF-H2B, 30$). Wide beam, use 1 AA.

I prefer the Zebralight, battery will not discharge itself when not in use for a while. Color is Neutral White. User interface is better also.

 

[Puckett_k]

I work underground as well and would be lost without mine! We have been on surface for the last two months starting two new portals and I still find myself using mine all the time even in the daylight... Very helpful!

"Vegaman_Dan
Senior Member



Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Pacific, WA
Posts: 400
Re: Head lights anyone use them?
I like headlights for working under the car while on a creeper. Useful under a dash as well. Beyond that, not much need, and if you're working with another person, you don't really need to be blinding them when you turn to talk.
__________________
If it isn't broken, then you're not trying hard enough.


As far as not wanting to blind the person your working with... That's the best part! It's called a boss light. I always turn mine on when I go talk to the boss!

 

[Danglerb]

I've got two cheap ones, and prefer the newer $7 shipped one, smaller and lighter, uses 3x AAA. Frees both of your hands for working, points where you point your head. First time you need to carry something in the dark using both hands you will wonder how you ever got by without a headlamp.

Using standard batteries means it will always work. Eneloops seem best.

 

[PCO6]

I have a Sreamlight and love it. Good quality and very bright. I occasionally use it while working on my cars but more so when I'm out in my yard at night and while camping.

 

[PhantomEB]

Campin here too, I even got the kid one for when he visits the bush to do his business. Theres one in my tool box for those times a halogen flood light does not suffice!

 

[PCO6]

^^^ Yep. You only have to take a leak on another man's tent once then you know it's time for a headlight.

 

[losabio]

PETZL! In the sandbox and in the States. In the water and in the caves. While camping and hiking, and walking and biking. In the garage and on land, on the ship and near the dam. Adventures with my dog, hard-seeing because the fog. My Petzl has yet to let me down, rides with me in the car and in the bag, next to my rifle, next to my mag.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you are not real partial to green eggs and ham.

 

[got2boostit2]

makes one look like the shop dummy , but I am sure they will look good on you LOL

Can't look like the shop dummy if I'm the Boss, boss.

 

[nuklbstr83]

i use one and cant see how some guys dont...., guys always make fun once they see you're using it, but it seriously helps in certain spots; under dash, creeper, etc etc.

 

[SteveCh]

By the way, elsewhere on the forum is a topic about how many pilots there are among us. These headlamps are GREAT for nighttime preflight on the plane. Few years back, a student of mine showed up with one and after seeing how well it worked, I bought several and keep them in my truck, my flight bad, around the house. Costco had or maybe still has a three-pack for $10 that include I believe nine Duracell batteries [almost worth the $10] and these are the nicest I have personally used. $3.33 apiece, jeeeez. My wife even snatched one from me to keep in her car. Don't know how long they'll last, but I've had them at least six months and they are still on the original batteries, all of them.

That same student I mentioned has a hobby of mountain climbing and he carries a couple in his pack just in case he gets stuck coming down in the dark [delays due to lightning storm, whatever]. Not his main light, but these little things are so light he carries them as backup. Leaves his hands free for ice axes, etc.

 

[jeffk14]

Personally, I find Petzl, PT, Surefire to be overpriced and overrated. To each his own though!

Petzl, overpriced? I've got a low end one that I gave about 20 bucks for. So small and lightweight, it's almost nonexistent and I like the less bright feature.

IMO, a mechanic needs a softer, less bright light for working with his hands right out in front of him. Too bright a light just puts glare back in the face. The Petzl fits the bill for me.

 

[jeffk14]

Can't look like the shop dummy if I'm the Boss, boss.

Wanna bet? Maybe you do but they just ain't tellin' ya.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you are not real partial to green eggs and ham.

ohhh...the good ole days. lol. And why were there always more "A" cases than "B" cases...