Headlamps

[Fink]

My Streamlight Argo gave it up, after about two seasons worth of use.. Looking for a new headlamp, and I want a pretty good one. I keep a bunch of cheap $10-20 headlamps around for waterfowl hunting, local hunting, etc, where I'm not terribly concerned if I lose it.
I'd like one that is really bright, as this will be solely for back country hunting, I'd go the rechargeable route, if that gets a better lamp, but really anything works here.. Would probably prefer one that has a few different settings, from high to low to maybe a green or read light.

The Black Diamond Icon caught my eye, as did the Browning Blackout.

Anyone using anything they love? Hate? Probably needs to be semi-bulletproof, I'm kinda hard on stuff..

 

[WapitiBob]

Love my Icon

 

[Wyoming Hart]

Can't go wrong with Black Diamonds.

 

[Daubs]

Wife and I were in Hawaii on big island last spring. We picked up two Energizer LED's with HD vision Optics at a local store. We were going to ride out on rented bikes to see the lava flow at dark. They worked well. It's all very controlled by the park service...rent bike, ride out on graded road/trail...walk between ropes to designated area to view the "fire-hose" lava flow from several hundred yards away. Lots of people crowded in to small area, lots of headlamps, very controlled.

As we left the crowd and headed back to our rental bikes, some people came walking out of the darkness. On top of the hill a fresh lava flow broke the surface and was slowly coming towards the ocean (where we were). These people had walked for about thirty minutes across old lava flow to where the new lava was working it's way down the hill. Wife immediately wanted to go...I was skeptical. It was pitch black, 30 minutes walking on black lava field. She persisted...and I'm so glad she did.

We walked right up to live lava flowing down the hill. You could feel the heat upon approach.

Long story to tell you the Energizer HD vision worked great! Light weight, runs on 3 AAA's (included), very bright. They are on Amazon for $15 now. For that price you can get three vs. the price of a Black Diamond, and remember, batteries included.

 

[Alaskabound2016]

I have a NiteCore HC90 and really like it. It is rechargeable and you can adjust it from about 10 lumens to 900 lumens. It also has a red, green, and blue setting. I want to say they are about $50 on amazon.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I REALLY like Zebra Lights. We now have three of the H52W, one for my wife and I and one in my emergency kit. They are very bright, and not a whole lot bigger than the battery itself. It is in a machine aluminum case. I normally run them off AA Eneloops, but I will use lithiums on a backpack hunt to save weight. There are Zebra models with higher lumens and different beam cones. I like that model since I try to run any electronics in my pack off of double As. Here is a review on this light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwzNtbxtRUw

Review:

https://bladereviews.com/zebralight-h52w-review/

"I’m going to say this up-front so that everyone knows where I stand. In my opinion, the Zebralight H52w is the best light released in the last few years"

 

[bghunter]

I have couple of Black Diamonds and like them. Costco has pair of led headlamps for $29, sometimes it is on sale for $19, not sure what brand it is.

 

[RICMIC]

I have had a slew of the Energizer lights as I could get them at Menards for around $12. I've had brighter, longer lasting lights that were more expensive, but my biggest problem is losing them, so I was reluctant to spend too much. Anyway, my wife used them while sewing in the evening sometimes, and one of them started to arc, and then dribbled burning battery acid down her forehead. I gave her another one and the next week it happened to that one also. In both cases the batteries weren't corroded or appeared to be leaking. I have since switched to Black Diamonds and have no complaints. I guess that you sometimes get what you pay for and the cheapest isn't always the best. The energizers went in the garbage.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I’ve had the high end lamps and the cheap ones. I’ve settled on the Energizer 450 lumin.

 

[RANGER619]

Another vote for the Zebra light. I have the H53w. Good battery life if you don't run it on high all the time.

 

[Fink]

Thanks for the suggestions. The Zebra light is pretty interesting, the battery life is surprisingly short when its on high though.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

One thing I like about the Energizer lamps is they use AAA batteries and last a good while on high. Some others use the watch type and rechargeable batteries that I don’t care for.

 

[tim]

I was getting firewood at night. I needed more light, than a normal headlamp. (Very busy life, got to do, what I got to do.)
I ended up buying a petzl neo. 750 lumens, 4 settings, this thing lights her up. If you really need to see, this head lamp works good. it is not super light. Good light, but you pay for it.

 

[WY ME]

I don't coon hunt any more so I'm not up on today's light technology but if I were you I'd go to a coon hunting/coonhound website and ask there. The coon hunters would be your best resource for "nite lite" type info. The UKC website would be a place to start.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Thanks for the suggestions. The Zebra light is pretty interesting, the battery life is surprisingly short when its on high though.

However it has numerous intensity settings from high down to a very low light that lasts for days. At least you have the high beam of when you need it. That just gives you options.

 

[tdcour]

I have a black diamond storm. I like it pretty well. Its a little hard remembering all the funcitons and button pushes that unlock those functions, but still a good lamp. Battery life is pretty good with decent lumens. I don't plan on switching anytime soon if that means anything.

 

[tdub24]

For the price, these Coast headlamps from Costco are the bees knees, 405 lumens with low, medium, and high settings. Twist the knob to zoom in if you so choose. The newest ones come with both a red and green light. The 2 pack is typically $20. I used to have the Rayovac or anything else cheap from places like Walmart and now own 4 of these.

 

[25contender]

I like my Zebra lights. I have one red and one white. Light well made and as bright as you will ever need.

 

[Winchester]

I like my Zebra lights. I have one red and one white. Light well made and as bright as you will ever need.

You must be right ... I just searched for one but they seem to be sold out just about everywhere !

 

[mallardsx2]

Never seen a zebra light but I do know my cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Alaskan-Guide-reg-XP-Green-Headlamp-by-Princeton-Tec-reg/2338566.uts?slotId=6 is heavy.