johndoe1027
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2014
- Messages
- 21
Hello all. Thanks a lot for this forum. Long time reader, finally posting because there are so many headlights to choose from and I can't find one that's "perfect". I've used several different headlights over the years with the latest being a Streamlight Septor 61052. I do low-voltage wiring work, usually at arms length.
The streamlight septor has served me well but I want something
A - A little brighter (Streamlight says the 61052 is 120lm)
B - Runs on one AA (could be persuaded to go with 2 AA's or AAA's if I have to) - EDC light is AA.
C - 2-mode would be great if it's an option. Don't want to click through a bunch of modes all the time. Looking at the Fenix HL30 but 5 modes is probably going to annoy me sooner than later (if I'm understanding the button usage correctly, the manual link doesn't work for me). I turn the light on and off A LOT. The septor is 3-mode and I can't ever remembering using the dimmer 2 modes. Considering a 2 mode only because a bright single AA light is going to have a pretty short run time. May make use of a dimmer setting from time to time.
D - Zoom or focus?
Questionnaire included for further info. Thank you all SO MUCH for any suggestions. :twothumbs
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $60, could go a little more for the right light.
3) Format:
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
Single AA or possibly dual AA
AAA options are a possibility as well but definitely a 2nd choice
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens). Or be able to see across an attic.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Any good options with a focus or zoom feature? I have used a headlight with that feature and it was nice. This is for indoor use only, I know water resistance is an issue with cheaper zoom-able lights.
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____Any size switch will do.
____I don't care.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I don't care.
15) Water resistance
____None needed
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____A top strap is preferred. I have a few single strap headlights and greatly prefer my streamlight that has the second strap that goes over the top of my head.
The streamlight septor has served me well but I want something
A - A little brighter (Streamlight says the 61052 is 120lm)
B - Runs on one AA (could be persuaded to go with 2 AA's or AAA's if I have to) - EDC light is AA.
C - 2-mode would be great if it's an option. Don't want to click through a bunch of modes all the time. Looking at the Fenix HL30 but 5 modes is probably going to annoy me sooner than later (if I'm understanding the button usage correctly, the manual link doesn't work for me). I turn the light on and off A LOT. The septor is 3-mode and I can't ever remembering using the dimmer 2 modes. Considering a 2 mode only because a bright single AA light is going to have a pretty short run time. May make use of a dimmer setting from time to time.
D - Zoom or focus?
Questionnaire included for further info. Thank you all SO MUCH for any suggestions. :twothumbs
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
____Up to $60, could go a little more for the right light.
3) Format:
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
____SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
Single AA or possibly dual AA
AAA options are a possibility as well but definitely a 2nd choice
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens). Or be able to see across an attic.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Any good options with a focus or zoom feature? I have used a headlight with that feature and it was nice. This is for indoor use only, I know water resistance is an issue with cheaper zoom-able lights.
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____Any size switch will do.
____I don't care.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____I don't care.
15) Water resistance
____None needed
16) Storage conditions
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____A top strap is preferred. I have a few single strap headlights and greatly prefer my streamlight that has the second strap that goes over the top of my head.