Winter is coming and in order to avoid seasonal boredom I want to try to keep doing my outdoor hobbies with a good headlamp. I also want this to double as a camping/backpacking/hiking headlamp.
TLDR:
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online or in-person, doesn't matter. Located in NorCal.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $100.
3) Format:
I prefer a self-contained headlamp but am willing to consider ones with external power sources.
4) Size:
Not sure how to described headlamp sizes, but it's going to be worn for long periods of time so I need it to not be too heavy.
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.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Short answer: NiMH in AA format
Long answer: I want something rechargeable as I'm going to be using this regularly, but I also want it to be able to take AA/AAA/C batteries so I can carry backups for backpacking and hiking. I know NiMH, being AA format, is the obvious answer here, but I'm also willing to consider other power sources with AA/AAA/C converters/adapters.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
It'd be cool to be able to recharge directly from the headlamp, but I don't care that much.
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 illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
It'd be nice to have something that can also adjust to Narrow Flood or Wide Throw, but this needs to have a Wide Flood/All Flood. I'm an archer and need a beam wide enough to be able to ensure the range is safe before each shot.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
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).
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care.
I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want multiple light levels.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't know.
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
TLDR:
- Will be on head for extended periods of time so I prefer for it to not be too heavy
- Needs a rechargeable power source, flexible on the type, but it also needs to be able to take easy-to-carry and obtain backup power sources (e.g. AA, AAA, C-cell)
- Needs to be able to illuminate up to 50 yards to a level where I can easily identify anything within those 50 yards, and have a wide and bright enough throw that I can easily identify anything at least 15 yards to the left and right
- Strongly prefer a battery life of over an hour while meeting those illumination requirements, but am willing to live with having to change out the battery
- $100 budget, but am willing to flex if it meets more of my preferences (more preferences in the details below)
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online or in-person, doesn't matter. Located in NorCal.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $100.
3) Format:
I prefer a self-contained headlamp but am willing to consider ones with external power sources.
4) Size:
Not sure how to described headlamp sizes, but it's going to be worn for long periods of time so I need it to not be too heavy.
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.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Short answer: NiMH in AA format
Long answer: I want something rechargeable as I'm going to be using this regularly, but I also want it to be able to take AA/AAA/C batteries so I can carry backups for backpacking and hiking. I know NiMH, being AA format, is the obvious answer here, but I'm also willing to consider other power sources with AA/AAA/C converters/adapters.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
It'd be cool to be able to recharge directly from the headlamp, but I don't care that much.
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 illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
It'd be nice to have something that can also adjust to Narrow Flood or Wide Throw, but this needs to have a Wide Flood/All Flood. I'm an archer and need a beam wide enough to be able to ensure the range is safe before each shot.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
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).
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't care.
I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want multiple light levels.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't know.
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
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