We're looking to give our 25 members a choice of a hand light or a headlamp, for Christmas. Need some options around the $100-125 mark. Cold weather rated is a must. Too many choices. Wanting quality but gotta limit the $$$ too. Quite a few have the Guardian Angel. I just cant fall in love with it though. No one has a complaint, except I dont like the form factor of it.
Ambulance work in rural area
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tech25
Flashlight Enthusiast
I worked EMS in the city so no real ideas for you. Just wanted to say that’s really awesome of you guys!
from experience most EMS providers don’t know HCRI vs low. When I started, ppl who used LEDs used ugly green or blue tinted lights and didn’t complain. I figure as long as it’s easy to use (simpler UI) small enough to carry but not too small to lose, your ok with that choice.
Many of my coworkers didn’t carry lights at all even on the late night/ overnight shifts.
from experience most EMS providers don’t know HCRI vs low. When I started, ppl who used LEDs used ugly green or blue tinted lights and didn’t complain. I figure as long as it’s easy to use (simpler UI) small enough to carry but not too small to lose, your ok with that choice.
Many of my coworkers didn’t carry lights at all even on the late night/ overnight shifts.
Although I've had great luck with my Zebralights and Petzls, I would suggest a Milwaukee 2104 Spot/ Flood Head Lamp more for EMS duty use. Buy some Energizer Lithium Primaries to power them and you have a bright, durable, handsfree lamp that lasts, has an easy UI, features both spot and flood beams, does well in colder temps, can run on readily available cells during MCIs, requires less routine upkeep and fussing than rechargeables, gives better color rendition for checking skin color, and is well inside your budget. You can buy them at Home Depot, and they are readily available. I have one in every jump bag and still reach for it first, even with literally dozens of other light choices. It just works!
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Checking on this HeadLamp, I see Home Depot has them on sale for 25% off now
So, if anyone is interested in these, seems like the right time to get them!
What I use is the Fenix HM23 V2.0 AA HeadLamp
I like them because they are a single AA batt (I use only Energizer Lithiums) and is very light weight
I purchase my Fenix lights thru Fenix Lighting, as they accept ID.me, which is (IIRC) a 25% discount for First Responders, etc., and free delivery
They also have a nice carry case, that works great also, and allows a couple of extra batts to be carried with the HeadLamp
Good luck with whatever you go with!
I like them because they are a single AA batt (I use only Energizer Lithiums) and is very light weight
I purchase my Fenix lights thru Fenix Lighting, as they accept ID.me, which is (IIRC) a 25% discount for First Responders, etc., and free delivery
They also have a nice carry case, that works great also, and allows a couple of extra batts to be carried with the HeadLamp
Good luck with whatever you go with!
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I have been thinking about this for awhile. Since you mentioned either a hand lamp or a headlamp I would suggest a 90 degree light. This way it could be used as both with a good headband. One thing I noticed while using headlamps for medical situations is when you look at the patients face you usually end up shining the light right in their eyes unintentionally. This usually happens a lot during an encounter and can be dangerous when dealing with any patient who has consumed illicit drugs.. What I would do is clip the light to my epaulette or vest so the hot spot of the beam was just off center of where I was looking. This would still provide enough side spill to be usable without aggravating the patient. it shouldn't be a problem to clip to a breast pocket if you don't wear a vest.
Obviously you want the light to be waterproof. At least an IP68 rating. I would suggest a duel fuel capable light that can use rechargeable 18650's as well as Cr123's. Given your budget you could likely get a light and an extra 18650 cell. An 18650 with built in USB C would be a good idea as your staff could charge the cell in the rig if required. I believe most emergency service departments still issue cr123's. An AA sized light might be lacking the longer run times and brightness required at some scenes. The trade off is primary cells are cheap and more available. My experience has shown me that the lower modes aren't all that useful when working a busy scene. Usually there is plenty of light pollution you must overcome in your immediate area.. Thinking about it I don't think I ever could work with less than 40 lumens once a firetruck was on scene as the overhead lights washed out the hotspot of my light.
As for what brand there are many to choose from. Too many to give you a specific make or model. I would suggest looking to see what brand your local emergency services carry. Most likely they will have an account set up already making it easier to purchase. Brands like Streamlight, Pelican, Underwater Kinterics and Brightstar seem to be popular with fire departments. I can attest to Streamlight and Pelican's warranty. They have covered every light I have warrantied no questions asked.
Acebeam, while it does have some lights that would fit your requirements offers little to poor customer service. There are post online that state Sofirn will only warranty lights purchased through their website. They do however come recommended as decent lights from other members here although I have never handled one personally.
Obviously you want the light to be waterproof. At least an IP68 rating. I would suggest a duel fuel capable light that can use rechargeable 18650's as well as Cr123's. Given your budget you could likely get a light and an extra 18650 cell. An 18650 with built in USB C would be a good idea as your staff could charge the cell in the rig if required. I believe most emergency service departments still issue cr123's. An AA sized light might be lacking the longer run times and brightness required at some scenes. The trade off is primary cells are cheap and more available. My experience has shown me that the lower modes aren't all that useful when working a busy scene. Usually there is plenty of light pollution you must overcome in your immediate area.. Thinking about it I don't think I ever could work with less than 40 lumens once a firetruck was on scene as the overhead lights washed out the hotspot of my light.
As for what brand there are many to choose from. Too many to give you a specific make or model. I would suggest looking to see what brand your local emergency services carry. Most likely they will have an account set up already making it easier to purchase. Brands like Streamlight, Pelican, Underwater Kinterics and Brightstar seem to be popular with fire departments. I can attest to Streamlight and Pelican's warranty. They have covered every light I have warrantied no questions asked.
Acebeam, while it does have some lights that would fit your requirements offers little to poor customer service. There are post online that state Sofirn will only warranty lights purchased through their website. They do however come recommended as decent lights from other members here although I have never handled one personally.
For a handheld light out in a rural area, I'm again throwing my vote out for the Streamlight Protac HL 5-X.
I used mine on a hayride out here in rural PA and it made short work of a couple hundred yard swath of pitch black cornfield. For finding a house or address or person in distress in a rural area, that's one of the most cost effective and toughest, brightest lights in its form factor and price range.
I used mine on a hayride out here in rural PA and it made short work of a couple hundred yard swath of pitch black cornfield. For finding a house or address or person in distress in a rural area, that's one of the most cost effective and toughest, brightest lights in its form factor and price range.
alpg88
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
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- 6,254
I was just on a hayride with my kids last weekend, on a farm, in PA. with all the lights along the ride. and a corn maze, lol.
A 90 degree light that can clip to a radio strap, shirt, or jacket would be a good compromise between handheld and a headlamp.
A headlamp would be better for an unconscious patient, maybe best for an unconsicous trauma pt since you're using your hands for everything from blood sweeps during assessment, to applying a tq, or packing a wound. It's nice to have the light right where you're looking. The negative would be with a conscious pt as the light is right in their face when you're checking the head, and especially when checking the eyes for perl. Obviously you can just turn it off during this, but if your gloves are contaminated from the beginning you won't be reaching up to your head and touching your head and your light.
A headlamp would be better for an unconscious patient, maybe best for an unconsicous trauma pt since you're using your hands for everything from blood sweeps during assessment, to applying a tq, or packing a wound. It's nice to have the light right where you're looking. The negative would be with a conscious pt as the light is right in their face when you're checking the head, and especially when checking the eyes for perl. Obviously you can just turn it off during this, but if your gloves are contaminated from the beginning you won't be reaching up to your head and touching your head and your light.
I found the best compromise is to hang it around the neck. It's still hands free but doesn't blind anyone.
I would imagine that choice of lighting might be personal in this occupation. No matter the light(s) that crews are keeping on their person, do they carry a real barn burner that can really reach out? I'm thinking along the lines of a Malkoff Hound Dog Super or equivalent that is kept in the vehicle for anyone's use.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
Late to the thread, but with a budget of $120 ea, how about both a flashlight and a headlamp, at $50-60 each ?
There are still some outstanding choices at that price point, and both formats are very useful in parallel. (In fact, I just returned from a camping trip where I had used both my 18650 headlamp and my 18650 flashlight quite a bit - it is late November of course.)
There are still some outstanding choices at that price point, and both formats are very useful in parallel. (In fact, I just returned from a camping trip where I had used both my 18650 headlamp and my 18650 flashlight quite a bit - it is late November of course.)
lumen aeternum
Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2012
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Check out QuiqLite. They are very small, with a clip for clothing or your belt, a magnet, and the clip comes off so you can slip it into your breast pocket to see a clipboard etc.. The only flaw is that with daily use, the swivel hinge on the lamp becomes floppy & no way to tighten it. Also its a failure point (plastic breaks). Models with various brightness levels & steps, white, blue, red.
