Stuey
Well-known member
Similar to what I asked in my TG headlamps vs work lights post earlier today, I'm curious - what does everyone here prefer?
I'm a mostly headlamp kind of guy. You?
I'm a mostly headlamp kind of guy. You?
Headlamps vs work lights?
- Thread starter Stuey
- Start date
G1K
Well-known member
Zebra headlamp for me.
R
R
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I don't like stuff hanging on my head. It's a big enough pain having to deal with glasses, now that I'm "of that age", all I need is something else falling off for getting knocked off as I move around.
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
I use both, but I've gotten where I don't really like the headlamps (especially after the 2 day old Streamlight "Enduro" that decided to slip off my hardhat the other day and take a 150' plummet) In it's defense, it did still work upon recovery and only had moderate damage but it was enough to assure me that they might not be the hot ticket for my application.
bradleykd
Well-known member
I love the work lights. I've got a couple of Gyros MagnaLite Pros that I cant live without...
j.c.whitney
Well-known member
Headlamps rock, keeping both hands free while working is necessary for fine manipulation. No question Zebralight Headlamps are of much higher quality than this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W5S0RU/?tag=atomicindus08-20 but I've no complaint with it, cost like $20. Don't want to ****** up an expensive light and won't feel bad when this one gets broken.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
Over the past two years, my headlight has seen a lot of use. I wouldn't work without it.
Scott
Scott
KermitFrog
Well-known member
I've got a Petzl and a cheapo Rayovac. Love to have a worklight too though.
I got mine on sale, but as we all know Snap-On is not for everyone.
HarveyM
Well-known member
For me headlamp; first the pretzl and now a zebra light. It's one less thing to misplace.
shampoop
Well-known member
headlamp 95% of the time. I hate working without one.
I only ever use a work light when i'm doing some work at home and i'm taking my sweet time, or any situation where I want to just leave the light on for a really long time.
I only ever use a work light when i'm doing some work at home and i'm taking my sweet time, or any situation where I want to just leave the light on for a really long time.
DARKSCOPE001
Well-known member
My first day on the job I forgot the headlamp at home. Saw all the other A&P mechs walking around with headlamps on. The next day I brought mine. Man that thing gets used all the time. I have some "Remington" model. I like the actual headlamp part alot but it has alot of unnecessary features like "blood tracking" mode and "night vision" mode. But its cool because the lens can be used with or without a diffuser on high and low. I think high is somewhere around 150lumins with fresh batteries.
Thanks
Sean Scott
Thanks
Sean Scott
Headlamp for me. I can't remember the last time I pulled out a work light.
I have this one and it can be used as a flood or beam light. I have three or four different petzl lights and this is my favorite.
http://www.rei.com/product/791313/petzl-tikka-xp-2-led-headlamp
I have this one and it can be used as a flood or beam light. I have three or four different petzl lights and this is my favorite.
http://www.rei.com/product/791313/petzl-tikka-xp-2-led-headlamp
diesel research
Well-known member
zebra H501 is most likely the one you want. It's up to you if you want a "warmer" or "cooler" light tone, but that model is probably your best bet for automotive work.
Why? Chances are, when working on a car, you are not interested in 150ft performance (or any other such distance) but rather a flood of light a few feet in front of you w/o glare from "hot spots". That's just my guess though.
Using a single disposable or rechargeable AA battery makes for nice light weight, can keep a small charger and a few extra in toolbox to rotate out.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e7d_qQVLvSs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
shampoop
Well-known member
mine does both, I never use the beam pattern. Flood all the time.
TireTracks
Well-known member
I use drop lights, Magnetic flashlights, 1000W-2000w work lights.
I wouldent mind trying a headlamp.
I wouldent mind trying a headlamp.
superautobacs
Well-known member
I've been using my Petzl Myo XP for about 3 years or so. It's got a built-in diffuser for flood lighting, which I keep it in 90% of the time. A titling head unit is a must-have feature when working on a car. The lower profile units would be best suited for auto work to avoid any unnecessary bumps against objects.
I've used it outdoors as well, in the wet and cold, and I haven't had an issue at all.
That Zebralight looks pretty good, with just one AA battery, making it a lightweight and compact unit.
I've used it outdoors as well, in the wet and cold, and I haven't had an issue at all.
That Zebralight looks pretty good, with just one AA battery, making it a lightweight and compact unit.
Depends on intended use and budget.
I recently purchased a Petzl Pixa 1 as mentioned, and a Zebralight H501. Also own Petzl Tikka Plus 2, Zipka, and an Underwater Kinetics headlamp. My wife has a Princeton Tec.
Petzl Pixa 3 has flood and beam, but is a little pricey to start off with. Pixa 1 has a great flood light, which I wanted for close-up work. Flood like means less glare. The controls are big and easy to twist, but the headlamp is also about the largest I've ever seen.
Zebra is good, but controls are a bit annoying, especially if you're wearing gloves.
Andy Griffith
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It depends on the application.
If it is a prolonged job in stationary area I usually like the work light. Examples would be installing a sink in the cramped quarters of an RV bathroom where I will wrap a gorilla light around a pipe or something. Or installing a woodstove insert where I am laying on my back working overhead while wearing safety glasses, face shield and dust mask.
Other jobs I find the headlamp to work well, such as cleaning the gutters on the house and shop in the dark, or changing a hydraulic hose on the excavator in the dark.
In some cases both a headlamp and a work light are needed. For example, changing a part on the engine in the dozer where I use the work lamp for general area illumination (like the surface where my tools are laying) and the headlamp to illuminate the specific part/fasteners I am trying to remove/install.
And finally, we use the light tower to provide large area illumination such as doing machine work (excavator/dozer) in the dark, or bucking up logs and splitting firewood in the dark. Mending a section of fence after dark etc.
This is my favorite headlamp. I only use the type of headlamp that have the center strap over the top of the head because I find they stay put much better during hours of use, especially if I'm sweating a lot. The single strap models tend to shift when you adjust the tilt of the beam, and they slide down on the head.
Other important attributes include a well diffused beam. It's great to have 6,000 lumens of brightness but if it is not a quality, well diffused beam then it can be next to useless. Also, a large range of motion in terms of vertical tilt of the beam is important. Nothing like burying your chin in your chest trying to get the light low enough to be on the subject, or cranking your neck all the way back to get the light on the object. And finally, large buttons that are actually useable with gloved hands.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018KS364/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This is my favorite battery powered small worklight. It is some sort of no-name cheap China model that I find very useful. It has a wide base and having the batteries in the base make it very stable. The head has good range of motion and it has a very wide beam. It has a very large on/off button that is easy to use with a gloved hand.
I really wish I could find a quality version of this design, or some thing close to it, because I will eventually drop this thing and it will be done for. A couple years ago I bought a stanley tripod light but ended up returning it as the quality and function were just not acceptable.
Light towers make large area illumination possible.
If it is a prolonged job in stationary area I usually like the work light. Examples would be installing a sink in the cramped quarters of an RV bathroom where I will wrap a gorilla light around a pipe or something. Or installing a woodstove insert where I am laying on my back working overhead while wearing safety glasses, face shield and dust mask.
Other jobs I find the headlamp to work well, such as cleaning the gutters on the house and shop in the dark, or changing a hydraulic hose on the excavator in the dark.
In some cases both a headlamp and a work light are needed. For example, changing a part on the engine in the dozer where I use the work lamp for general area illumination (like the surface where my tools are laying) and the headlamp to illuminate the specific part/fasteners I am trying to remove/install.
And finally, we use the light tower to provide large area illumination such as doing machine work (excavator/dozer) in the dark, or bucking up logs and splitting firewood in the dark. Mending a section of fence after dark etc.
This is my favorite headlamp. I only use the type of headlamp that have the center strap over the top of the head because I find they stay put much better during hours of use, especially if I'm sweating a lot. The single strap models tend to shift when you adjust the tilt of the beam, and they slide down on the head.
Other important attributes include a well diffused beam. It's great to have 6,000 lumens of brightness but if it is not a quality, well diffused beam then it can be next to useless. Also, a large range of motion in terms of vertical tilt of the beam is important. Nothing like burying your chin in your chest trying to get the light low enough to be on the subject, or cranking your neck all the way back to get the light on the object. And finally, large buttons that are actually useable with gloved hands.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018KS364/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This is my favorite battery powered small worklight. It is some sort of no-name cheap China model that I find very useful. It has a wide base and having the batteries in the base make it very stable. The head has good range of motion and it has a very wide beam. It has a very large on/off button that is easy to use with a gloved hand.
I really wish I could find a quality version of this design, or some thing close to it, because I will eventually drop this thing and it will be done for. A couple years ago I bought a stanley tripod light but ended up returning it as the quality and function were just not acceptable.
Light towers make large area illumination possible.
Gets me that one of my "better" lights is a cheap $6 aluminum clamp on a post reflector type thing with about a 23 watt CFL bulb. Not hot, VERY bright flood, not always a handy place to clamp it, takes little space, nasty mess if it drops and breaks the CFL (mercury).
Do a search for the thread Bolster started a couple months ago, runs down most of the headlight options. I like more than a few others use a cheap $7 shipped headlamp, which generally works fine for me, but I do see how a really nice light would be better. Slid off my head a couple times, but I am learning where to put the strap when standing normally vs upside down or sideways. Light goes where I am looking, both hands free, you start to need it pretty fast.
I use a LOT of the free HF LEDs, hold them, prop them up on a shop towel, but positioning them is frequently not easy.
Home Depot has a, I think, 52 watt CFL work light on a tripod for $50 before coupon (lowes etc) that I will eventually buy.
Years ago I picked up this "ear" LED light, and its actually VERY handy when all you need is a small light.
Do a search for the thread Bolster started a couple months ago, runs down most of the headlight options. I like more than a few others use a cheap $7 shipped headlamp, which generally works fine for me, but I do see how a really nice light would be better. Slid off my head a couple times, but I am learning where to put the strap when standing normally vs upside down or sideways. Light goes where I am looking, both hands free, you start to need it pretty fast.
I use a LOT of the free HF LEDs, hold them, prop them up on a shop towel, but positioning them is frequently not easy.
Home Depot has a, I think, 52 watt CFL work light on a tripod for $50 before coupon (lowes etc) that I will eventually buy.
Years ago I picked up this "ear" LED light, and its actually VERY handy when all you need is a small light.
Attachments
Juddy
Active member
Hi there Im new to the forum all the way from Australia. On open cut mines I use Led Lenser H7 on my hard hat. It is by far the best headlamp I have used. 170 lumens with 180m beam using 3 x AAA batteries. Cheers I hope that helps
Greatbear
Well-known member
Depends on the situation. Up close and personal work I tend to use headlights (I have two Energizer single-AA versions I really like, as well as an old Petzl combo halogen/LED light). I have everything from countless flashlights for spot lighting, a couple DeWalt 18V handheld fluorescents, several CFL drop lights and three 65W fluorescent area/work lights. My aging eyes need a lot of light these days.
I find the head lights are great for under dash and under car work. An area light gives initial light to the work area, and I use the head lights to follow where I am looking. If inspecting underneath a car or something similar, the headlight frees up my hands.
Despite all the different, sometimes expensive work lighting I have, I fell in love with these cheapass things:
http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html
These lights run on 3 AA cells (included), have 3 end-facing LEDs for use as a point source flashlight, 24 LEDs for an area light, a fold-out swiveling hook, a strong magnet, and are well constructed. The light thrown off is a nice white, not blue or dim. I got a bunch of these for the garage and the RV, and gave a few to friends. The only problem is the magnet. It WILL fall off, and will need to be re-glued in place (if it's not off when you get the thing). Scrape off the existing glue, clean the metal magnet pole-piece (it appears it is oily when glued in, so the glue does not adhere) then replace with RTV or epoxy. It's not high-tech, the LED driver for each array is a single resistor, but that does not matter. For three bucks a pop, they are more than worth it.
I find the head lights are great for under dash and under car work. An area light gives initial light to the work area, and I use the head lights to follow where I am looking. If inspecting underneath a car or something similar, the headlight frees up my hands.
Despite all the different, sometimes expensive work lighting I have, I fell in love with these cheapass things:
http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html
These lights run on 3 AA cells (included), have 3 end-facing LEDs for use as a point source flashlight, 24 LEDs for an area light, a fold-out swiveling hook, a strong magnet, and are well constructed. The light thrown off is a nice white, not blue or dim. I got a bunch of these for the garage and the RV, and gave a few to friends. The only problem is the magnet. It WILL fall off, and will need to be re-glued in place (if it's not off when you get the thing). Scrape off the existing glue, clean the metal magnet pole-piece (it appears it is oily when glued in, so the glue does not adhere) then replace with RTV or epoxy. It's not high-tech, the LED driver for each array is a single resistor, but that does not matter. For three bucks a pop, they are more than worth it.
Last edited:
Soon2AdjustYou
Well-known member
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned
Mario
Well-known member
I tried a good headlamp a few months ago and I don't think I've used a worklamp since then...
I have a Zebralight H501W at work (telecom tech) and a Ultralight H2B at home (garage).
I have a Zebralight H501W at work (telecom tech) and a Ultralight H2B at home (garage).
hammergodthor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 475
Coast H7 for me. All the time. 