Headlight advice to replace Fenix hl21 for rainforest hiking?

dale5150

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Messages
14
Location
KY
I am going back to the amazon for a herpetology trip and want a new headlight to replace my aging Fenix hl21, I think. I want 18650 power to match my flashlights and something that is versatile and comfortable. Any suggestions? I am looking at the HL55 but have heard a lot about black diamond and zebralight.
 

iamlucky13

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,139
Fenix is generally a good option, especially since you're familiar with one of their older models. In addition to Zebralight, there's also Nitecore, Armytek, Olight, and Thrunite. I'll cut the list off there rather than overwhelm you with choices among the lesser known brands.

Two features that are important to me personally, and why I tend not to be very interested in most Black Diamond or Petzl models are:
1.) Regulated output - this keeps the brightness stable as battery voltage declines. Unregulated lights can achieve very long run times, but at gradually declining brightness.

2.) Neutral white color temperature - after dark, I tend not to like the blue-hued "cool" tint of a lot of LED's. I think others are moving away from this lately, but they don't always advertise it clearly.

I also really like high CRI (Color rendering index) lights. Because high CRI lights more evenly reproduce the full spectrum, objects illuminated by them appear more naturally colored. I think that's a great feature to have for studying wildlife.

With that in mind, if I were going to make a singular recommendation, it would be a Zebralight H600Fc Mk III, which is a neutral white, high CRI model powered by an 18650. It has a "floody" beam profile that gradually fades into the spill with no distinct hotspot, so it fills the full central portion of your vision and some of your peripheral vision. There is also a normal hotspot + spill version available (H600w Mk III) that is better for seeing further down the trail, but is not available in a high CRI version.

However, I do suggest giving the details about the user interface on their product page a read to be sure at least the basic operation makes sense to you.

And if Zebralights don't appeal to you, there's plenty to like about other brands, too. Just add more details about what you're looking for.
 

rickypanecatyl

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 2, 2009
Messages
913
I live and hike in the jungle a lot and would would second the Hi CRI lights...

It's like looking forward to a movie you've wanted to watch for a while... I'd prefer to see it in an IMAX theatre for the first viewing as opposed to a low quality, pirated dvd on my small lap top with tinny speakers. Let the rainforests
colors leap out at you
 

dale5150

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Messages
14
Location
KY
Thanks for the replies! Light quality and color accuracy is very important. I will be using it a lot here in the states too as I am out at night a lot. I always have a handheld as well. It is just a lot easier to work with reptiles at night using both hands.
 
Top