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Quality headband head lamp that is bright

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GophersGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
720
Location
Ontario Canada
Hi guys looking for a solution to my weak basic headlamp I currently have. Mine is low power yet uses a lot of batteries

I like something that is rechargeable style

your thoughts ?
 
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Vicks

Well-known member
Joined
May 23, 2019
Messages
178
Location
Dubai
+1 on Fenix - i've been using two of their head lamps regularly (atleast once every two weeks) for the past 13-14 yrs and they have never once malfunctioned/failed. They're definitely one of the best out there (i havent tried others because the Fenix never gave me a reason to haha) but do check out Ledlenser, they make some high quality stuff too.

ledlenser.com

Shop High-Quality LED Headlamps | Ledlenser

Discover our range of high-quality headlamps designed for hands-free illumination ➜ from outdoor activities ✓ to professional use ✓ find the perfect headlamp!
ledlenser.com
 
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brtsvg

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
131
Get a Fenix that uses the 18650 Li-ion battery. Much more power than the li throw-away batteries which are expensiv. Been very happy with my Felix HL-55, it lights up my entire back yard when it’s dark out.
 
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Steve W.

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Joined
Mar 27, 2019
Messages
1,260
Location
Southwest oHIo
Personally, I would like to know a bit more about how you plan on using your new, "brighter" light.

I have tried several (cheap) lights over the years, and have found that for the way I use them, bright is not always good. If I am under a car or just needing some detail light on a bench project, too much light that close to my eyes just does not work. For stuff like that, my Harbor Freight unit works great. Yeah, it uses AAA batteries, but I use the HF rechargables. The light has a dimmer, which helps, too.

I do appreciate the brightness of the rechargable light I have (don't remember which (cheap) light it is, though. However, the brightness remains rather constant until the battery runs down. Then the light remains unuseable for quite some time while the battery charges. There is a bit of an advantage if you can swap out a fully-charged battery and keep going.

If you are looking for a light for night-time hiking or other stuff that is not quite so "in your face", bright is definitely an advantage. Definitely look for something with an 18650 or similar battery.

.
 
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rlitman

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Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,651
Location
Long Island
Steve W. said:
Personally, I would like to know a bit more about how you plan on using your new, "brighter" light...
Click to expand...
Not that I'm recommending it, as it's getting outdated, but my Milwaukee 475 lumen headlight hits the sweet spot for me.

I use the lowest brightness settings when doing up-close work, but I use it at full brightness when doing gardening at night.
 
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mike93lx

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Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,857
Location
Richmond, VA
I've had pretty good luck with basic Duracell headlamps that are near the checkouts at places like target, Walmart and HD. I buy the ones with red as I mostly use headlamps camping, but for the roughly 15 bucks they cost, I can keep them all over the place and always accessible.
 
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71charger

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
6
Here is one of mine and my brothers favorite. Uses a usb charger not proprietary, and works great.
12.99 Shipped have had them a couple years.
 
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Steve_P

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
Black Diamond and Petzl are the standard brands in the outdoors/hiking/mountaineering world. They typically use AAA batteries, but just buy some rechargeable ones.
 
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decableguy2000

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
653
I like Fenix lights. I have both of these. HM65r and the HL60r. The HM65r stays in truck and have a mount on my hard hat. The mount will fit either light. The HL60 s my go to head lamp for my hands free light around the house.
 
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swedish_chef

Active member
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
41
Location
Kansas City
I've been using this guy for the last 6 months or so:


I don't think it is 'the best' in any particular category, but it was the one that checked the most boxes for what I needed:
  • USB Type-C charging (though not PD charging -- I wasn't able to find any that I liked which supported actual PD charging above 5V)
  • Accepts both 21700 and 18650 batteries
  • Water 'resistant'
  • Lightweight (164g)
  • Both Samsung LH351D and Cree XP-L HD emitters
  • 90 CRI for the flood
  • Relatively inexpensive - ~$42 or so.
I'm not out spelunking with it, but I've been happy using it around the house and shop.
 
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Alpine4x4

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Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
455
Location
Central, WA
Black Diamond for me. Use it mostly for hiking in fishing early, but has other uses.

www.sportsmans.com

Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp - Black

Buy Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp - Black at Sportsmans Warehouse online and in-store has everything for your outdoor sports adventure needs. Fishing, rods & reels, camping gear, tents and much more.
www.sportsmans.com www.sportsmans.com
 
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Rinspeed

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Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
1,832
Location
NY
I like the (3) AAA units to keep the weight down. I must have six or seven of them made by Bushnell around the house. Also have a Black Diamond and a Nitecore as well. I use one of the Bushnell almost every day. I have a bunch of rechargeable AA and AAA batteries.
 
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Pexto

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Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
640
Nobody has mentioned Zebralight yet? I've had mine for about 5 years and for the first time in my life I'm not constantly looking for a better headlamp. They are that good. I use headlamps a lot - in the shop, around the cabin, outdoors while skiing, cycling, hiking during long winter nights. However, be aware - they are not cheap, the model numbers can be confusing, and some folks find the user interface confusing.

I've got an H52w that takes AA batteries - I normally use rechargables. And I've got a H602w that takes 18650 Li-ion batteries - also rechargeable. These are older models no longer made; the newer ones are very similar; just have slightly better LEDs.

If I were buying one purely for shop use one of the floodbeam versions would be better than the above spot beams - something like the H53Fc or Fw.
 
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javyLSU

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Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Messages
1,542
Location
New Haven, CT
Best headlamp I’ve ever used. I like it so much, I bought two:

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com shop.snapon.com

Rechargeable, swivel head, lightweight, bright, adjustable brightness, and it’s magnetic so you can just pull it off and stick it on a piece of metal if you need a different angle.
 
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Rinspeed

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Apr 26, 2020
Messages
1,832
Location
NY
Pexto said:
Nobody has mentioned Zebralight yet? I've had mine for about 5 years and for the first time in my life I'm not constantly looking for a better headlamp. They are that good. I use headlamps a lot.
Click to expand...





No idea why I forgot to mention Zebralight but they make one of the highest quality small lights in the world. I carry a SC52 every day and have for 10 years. I just don't always grab the head strap and use it on my head.
 
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AirMech#406

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2021
Messages
142
Black Diamond is my go to. I use it regularly crawling around in fuselages. Not sure what the model is but I use rechargable AAAs in it. I have heard great things about Fenix as well.
 
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germanwrenchguy

Active member
Joined
Jun 12, 2018
Messages
32
Location
Berlin, BE
I have a Scangrip head lamp which in my opinion has the best beam pattern as far as headlamps. Its focused downwards so your work surface is properly illuminated. Only situation where that turned out to be non beneficial would be me working in a footwell dislocating as much joints as I can
 
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Rinspeed

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Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
1,832
Location
NY
engineer2 said:
Look for USB rechargeable, 500 to 1000 lumens, and adjustable angle.
Click to expand...




The USB rechargeable light has to be one of the dumbest ideas I've seen come around in years. Why not just buy a light and spare battery so you're not waiting around in the dark for five hours waiting for the battery to charge.
 
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Rinspeed

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Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
1,832
Location
NY
JSS said:
the ones that are sealed battery usb I agree reminds me of my astro light

no removable battery so when dead its game over

Click to expand...




That Fenix is going to be a little heavy just so you will know. You might not think it's a big deal but I just don't like the extra weight. Also I wouldn't use a made in China 18650 battery if they were free. Buy the light without the battery and get some quality Panasonic cells from Orbtronics and a decent charger such as XTAR.




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08391KWYD/?tag=atomicindus08-20



https://www.orbtronic.com/protected-3400mah-18650-li-ion-battery-panasonic-ncr18650B-orbtronic
 
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minke

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Joined
Dec 1, 2018
Messages
478
Location
fly over country
Rinspeed said:
The USB rechargeable light has to be one of the dumbest ideas I've seen come around in years. Why not just buy a light and spare battery so you're not waiting around in the dark for five hours waiting for the battery to charge.
Click to expand...

I've got several headlamps which use 3 AAA batteries (disposable or rechargeable). If the batteries fail in the dark you always need a second light to change the batteries. Mine also require a mind-meld with your origami teacher to open and close the lamp with the new batteries.
 
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CJM8515

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Joined
Mar 8, 2014
Messages
9,303
Location
NJ
i have a petzl thats years and years old that i love. before they became super bright. also has a red filter. think it was called a tactical tikka

petzl, zebralight, black diamond, princeton tec, fenix are all quality units but costly. the entergizer ones are also good and cheap
 
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decableguy2000

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
653
To the OP I think you'll like the HM65r, used mine for several hours yesterday. I find that medium flood setting is my most used. I have had no issues with the fenix battery that it comes with.
 
Last edited:
OP
G

GophersGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
720
Location
Ontario Canada
Rinspeed said:
That Fenix is going to be a little heavy just so you will know. You might not think it's a big deal but I just don't like the extra weight. Also I wouldn't use a made in China 18650 battery if they were free. Buy the light without the battery and get some quality Panasonic cells from Orbtronics and a decent charger such as XTAR.




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08391KWYD/?tag=atomicindus08-20



https://www.orbtronic.com/protected-3400mah-18650-li-ion-battery-panasonic-ncr18650B-orbtronic
Click to expand...
I think you might be right might have to drop down to the HM50r or something its so hard online to pic this kind of thing. I have 3 Petzl now all are 3AAA and I also have the Petzl battery pack but not bright enough for automotive and battery use is crazy.

decableguy2000 said:
To the OP I think you'll like the HM35r, used mine for several hours yesterday. I find that medium flood setting is my most used. I have had no issues with the fenix battery that it comes with.
Click to expand...
I will search it now thanks bud
 
OP
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GophersGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
720
Location
Ontario Canada
ok based on my Canadian amazon page here is what i have available

HM65rt $137 uses 18650
HM65r $125 uses 18650
HM61r $123 uses 18650

HM50r $97 uses smaller 16340

maybe the hm50r is good for automotive?
 
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BreeStephany

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
May 19, 2012
Messages
851
Location
Oregon
I really like my Milwaukee 2111-21 RED Lithium USB-rechargeable head lamp. I really like that the battery cells are removable so you don't have to grab another headlamp to wait for it to charge and can just swap out cells, let the drained cell charge and continue on with work.

I generally get a day and a half of run time (18~20 hours) off a charge and have been very happy with the light output.

Not quite the output of a 72000 lumen water-cooled flashlight 🤣, but PLENTY of light output for making sure I see what I'm working on in dark spaces.
 
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