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Lights, headlamps, flashlights

F

Farmingmechanic

Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2014
Messages
5
Ok guys I lost my snap on ECFHKY... Fml. Anyways I'm in the market for a new rechargeable light. I like the pivot style with the magnetic base. What are some of your opinions? Also I'm looking at getting a headlamp too. Stream light double clutch?
 
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K

kctyphoon

Banned
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
9,102
Location
Jersey/Staten Island
This is the headlight I have, it's coast HL8, the same as a model that LED Lensar (that's owned by leatherman) sells. Coast makes it for them.

Coast HL8 Focusing 390 Lumen LED Headlamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7RM1JE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you don't mind battery pack - it's amazing. 4 other people at work have bought this light after seeing mine work at night. They make a rechargable model, called the HL8R

They both have 3 levels of output, and a focusing lens. At full flood - the light is totally bright and even.. The pack is detachable and you can wear it on a belt.. It's not a small light, but it's a VERY good one, and has long run times.. You might want something smaller, but I can promise you this one is great if you are ok with the size.

I get some model of steam light headlamps at work.. They retail for like $25, and the model work provides *****.. It's just a spot light - with a small annoying bright spot in the center like a flashlight from 1980. I'm sure the better models aren't like that, but I'd never give up my coast.
 
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F

Farmall 1066

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 21, 2012
Messages
1,805
Location
Suburban Rockford, NE
I've got several Streamlights, and love them all. Microstream probably gets the most use, since it's always in my pocket.
For a headlamp, I really like my Black Diamond Gizmo. Flood or spot options, with adjustable brightness. $16.99 at Cabelas Bargain Cave.
 
P

pescados666

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
142
Location
South Houston, Texas
If you're up for a bit of work to make it decent, the $10 china Cree XM-L headlamps are great. Their only downside is the battery packs are horrible. Not hard to connect up a better battery pack though. They're available in AA and 18650 rechargeable batteries. If you opt for the 18650 version, don't bother with the ultrafire and crappy charger. I grabbed the 18650s out of an old laptop battery I had laying around and even the used cells give me about 5 hours of super bright light.
I use it for everything from camping, working on my truck or other devices, power outages, and mountain biking. I've only had one where the LED itself broke off, and that was after it had been running for a few hours (they do get fairly hot, but that's unavoidable with any brand really) and I accidentally slammed my head against a brick wall lol.
I have a streamlight reach and the china headlamps are much brighter. You can adjust the focus on the china headlamps too. It's one of the few products that I'm surprised stores like harbor freight haven't stocked up with. I haven't had one person I showed it to that wasn't impressed with the brightness lol

The problem with the battery pack on the 18650 version is that the plastic latches to hold it shut don't work well, and the batteries themselves tend to move around if jarred too much and that makes the brightness flicker a bit. It hasn't bothered me too much to do anything about it but I'm sure double sided tape would cure it easily.
 
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J

Jacobson

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Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
1,482
C

Caseman2

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
19
Ruger_556 said:
Zebralight for a headlamp
Click to expand...


I just got a fenix hl50 headlamp.
Same design as zebra and runs on cr123 or AA.

I work at a quarry and so far it is doing very well no complaints. And I will be getting another to keepin my truck.
 
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A

anthonysps

Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2016
Messages
12
I will second a Fenix. I daily carry the uc35 and I love it. Been wanting to get their headlamp but haven't just yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
T

thegroundpounder99

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
693
Location
Balm Fl
I have the HL8 by Coast, it's nice. The part I like is if I'm on a creeper the battery pack can be moved from the back (comes with extension cable) and clipped to your belt or shirt. I have a couple different ones but that's the one I use the most.


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G

GirchyGirchy

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Messages
9,830
Location
Central Indiana
The maintenance guys at work all have rechargeable Streamlight Knuckleheads...things are awesome, but they have a flood beam pattern, in case you're looking for a more standard spotlight. They're pretty heavy duty and they all love them.
 
G

Gautama

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
131
As odd as it sounds, Milwaukee actually makes excellent lights. Durable, bright, great color accuracy (which is very helpful when working with wiring), and long running. If you've already got any Milwaukee tools it's a no-brainer.
 
G

Git

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
6,894
Location
S Cal
kctyphoon said:
This is the headlight I have, it's coast HL8, the same as a model that LED Lensar (that's owned by leatherman) sells. Coast makes it for them.

Coast HL8 Focusing 390 Lumen LED Headlamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7RM1JE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you don't mind battery pack - it's amazing. 4 other people at work have bought this light after seeing mine work at night. They make a rechargable model, called the HL8R

They both have 3 levels of output, and a focusing lens. At full flood - the light is totally bright and even.. The pack is detachable and you can wear it on a belt.. It's not a small light, but it's a VERY good one, and has long run times.. You might want something smaller, but I can promise you this one is great if you are ok with the size.

I get some model of steam light headlamps at work.. They retail for like $25, and the model work provides *****.. It's just a spot light - with a small annoying bright spot in the center like a flashlight from 1980. I'm sure the better models aren't like that, but I'd never give up my coast.
Click to expand...


I also have the Coast HL8 and a LED Lenser - but I always go for the Lenser (I use the Coast when I can't find it)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053GV2T4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
K

kctyphoon

Banned
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
9,102
Location
Jersey/Staten Island
Just to add about the headlight, your work location may dictate if a rechargeable headlamp might be a better option.. if your in the same place all the time, like a garage - you can probably keep an extra battery charged up so you don't have much downtime. Or you can get rechargeable batteries and one of those AA / AAA battery chargers and keep a few on hand ready to swap out into a battery pack..

For me, I work all over the place, and can need the light to work through the entire night. I can't take a chance of them not being charged and ready since I don't use my headlamp all the time. It can sit for weeks or months, and then a phone call comes and it needs to be ready when I need it.. for that reason i opted for standard batteries that I can swap out and toss. I make sure my work trucks have a case and they will last me a long time using disposables that have a 10 year shelf life....
Just something to consider
The spot /flood flexibility is a great feature for what I do too.. it can do a long distance spot AND light up my entire work area with the flood - without my NEEDING to move my head to look at something off to the side
 
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