Re: Which Light for reading and general tasks
I think I want a longer battery life than a 1 cell.
What do you think of the Fenix HP01 and HP05?
If you want longer life in a headlamp, i'd second the recomendation to go with a 18650 format light. They are rechargable (so are eneloops i suppose) and the power per weight ratio is much better. Make sure you get a protected 18650 cell.
As for Fenix, I have a Fenix HP12 (i think thats the model). It also is a 18650 light, but with a battery in the back (probaably similar to what you are looking at with 2XAA). Once i got a zebralight, i haven't used the Fenix much since. I keep it as a loaner. The tint is not warm enough for me, but i do like the balance of having the battery pack at the rear. The Zebralights are light enough that its not that big of a deal, but even they are still front heavy comparitively and require the strap (if you use it) to be tightned down to where it gives me headaches over long periods of use. I put up with it on the Zebras because
1) i like the fact that they can be used separately (other models are similar in this regard) and it doesn't make the light so specialized that it can't be used for EDC
2) the tints are much nicer and now they have hi CRI to boot
3) my H602 with its wide beam blows the tighter beam my Fenix uses for close lighting everywhere i go (any mule would work in this regards i suppose)
4) The build of the Zebras is a whole lot better that I've noticed.