I need a new headlamp..suggestions?

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll be definitely looking at the Zebralights.

[IdahoCurt]

Zebra light and fenix are my go to headlamps

[Duncan]

Princeton Tech here. decent battery life and adjustability. Won't break the bank.

[HartHeart]

Although it also uses the CR123A (2), the Nitecore HC30 is a really solid headlamp.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

I'm probably just gonna have to evolve and get over my dislike of the CR123s. I've always just preferred my batteries traditional too!

[twitchstick]

I bought a Zebra light cool white with AA's this season and I have been impressed so far. Bright and good battery life.

[Kevin Dill]

Many companies are building lights which power off of 18650 batteries. The nice thing is a single 18650 = 2 CR123 cells. Most 18650 cells are rechargeable and they come in different mA which equates mostly to operation time and somewhat to brightness. Fenix, Nitecore and Zebralight all have 18650 rechargeable models in their lineups. It's common for 18650 lights to offer upwards of 700 lumens, while AA and AAA lights are often around 200-400 lumens.

[gvdocholiday]

Im with Kevin.

My Zebra is 18650.  I'll get an entire year of use out of a single charge.  

1126 lumens at 2.2hrs is the max, and .01 is the lowest.  Let me tell you, .01 is still bright, and perfect when looking for something in your pack while on stand.

Here are the specs:

Main Features and Specifications
LED: Cree XHP35 Neutral White (Nominal CCT 4500K)
User Selectable Levels: 3 main levels (High, Medium and Low). Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of the each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels.
Light Output (runtimes)
High:        H1 1126 Lm (PID, approx 2.2 hr)  or  H2 580 Lm (PID, 2.8 hr)/312 Lm (4.3 hr)/139 Lm (12 hr)
Medium:  M1 61 Lm (33 hrs)   or   M2 28 Lm (73 hrs)/10 Lm (8 days)
Low:         L1 3.3 Lm (18 days)  or  L2 0.37 Lm (2.8 months)/0.05 Lm (5.1 months)/0.01 Lm (7.1 months)
Beacon Strobe Mode: 0.2Hz Beacon at Low / 0.2Hz Beacon at H1 / 4Hz Strobe at H1 / 19Hz Strobe at H1
Operating Voltage Range: 2.7V - 6.0V
Battery: One 18650 size (i.e. unprotected, 65.0-65.2 mm long) 3.6-4.35V li-ion rechargeable. Batteries are not included in the package.
Parasitic Drain: Negligible (much less than the self discharging of a battery)
Beam Type
80 degree spill
12 degree hot spot
Dimensions
Head Diameter: 0.96 inch (24.5 mm)
Length: 3.64 inch (92.5 mm)
Weight
1.3 oz (38 gram) without battery
Features
PID thermal regulated outputs (two highest output levels) using 384 internal brightness levels and a calibrated 0.1C resolution temperature sensor.
Builtin battery discharging protections with continuously monitored temperature, current, and voltage, plus a (2.7V) low voltage cutoff
Battery capacity indicator (LED flashes 1-4 times, 4 short clicks to start)
Automatic stepping down from High to Medium, and from Medium to Low when battery capacity is low
Durable electronic soft-touch switch
Smart user interface provides fast and easy access to all brightness levels and beacon-strobes.
Precision machined unibody casing from premium grade  aluminum bar stocks
Proprietary heat sinking design bonds the LED board directly to the unibody aluminum casing
Durable natural hard anodized finish (Type III Class I)
Sealed and potted LED driver circuitry
Tempered optical grade glass
Orange peel textured reflector
Battery reverse polarity protection
Pre-installed pocket clip
Waterproof to IPX7 (2 meters, 30 minutes)
Operations

This light has 3 main levels (High, Medium, and Low) and a beacon-strobe mode. Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels.

Basic Operation
One short-click turns on the light to High or turns off the light.
Two short-click turns on the light to Medium.
Three short-click turns on the light to the beacon-strobe mode.
Press and hold (for over 0.6 seconds) turns on the light to Low and then Medium and High. Release at the desired level.
Advanced Operation and Configuration
Press and hold to cycle from Low, Medium and High, release at the desired level to set. When press and hold, the light always cycle from Low to High regardless which level you are currently in.
Double click to toggle and select between the two sub-levels for that main level. Sub-level selections for the 3 main levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
The second sub-level (H2, M2 and L2) of each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels. At a main level, double-click 6 times to start configuration. On subsequent double-clicks the light will cycle through different brightness levels. Short click to turn off the light when finishing configurations. The selections for the second sub-levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
This light uses the main LED (flashing 1 to 4 times) to indicate the estimated remaining capacity of the battery. To start the battery indicator, (from Off) short-click 4 times without pause.
Beacon-strobe mode can be accessed from 3 short-clicks when the light is Off. Once in the beacon-strobe mode, you can double-click to cycle through different types of beacons and strobes. Beacon-strobe settings are memorized when the light is turned off and through battery changes.

[DarkTimber]

After using a Petzl Tikka and being mostly happy with it for the last 5 years or so I finally lost it a couple months ago.   After doing quite a bit of research I decided to replace it with a Zebralight H52W AA headlamp.  My decision came between it and the Zebralight H600 18650 that Kevin mentions (which by the way are on sale for $69 right now if that's the direction you go).  The things that swayed my decision were the total overall weight, the fact that I use other devices with AA battery that I can pirate if needed, and I really didn't want to mess with charging batteries. The last thing I need in my life is another charger to keep up with.  I'd rather just toss the battery and grab a new one.  

Even with the longer run time of the 18650, I still would not feel comfortable on an extended backcountry hunt without a spare battery.  The total weight of the H600 with headband and a spare battery would be right at 6 oz.  The H52 with band and backup lithium battery comes in at 3 oz...half the weight.  If I need more than one backup battery (doubtful)I can grab one from one of my other devices.   I've only used the light a handful of times but so far am very impressed and happy with my decision. After seeing how bright it is on the high setting, I can't imagine wanting a brighter light for the things I use a headlamp for.

[Homebru]

Originally posted by DarkTimber:
After using a Petzl Tikka and being mostly happy with it for the last 5 years or so I finally lost it a couple months ago.   After doing quite a bit of research I decided to replace it with a Zebralight H52W AA headlamp.  My decision came between it and the Zebralight H600 18650 that Kevin mentions (which by the way are on sale for $69 right now if that's the direction you go).  The things that swayed my decision were the total overall weight, the fact that I use other devices with AA battery that I can pirate if needed, and I really didn't want to mess with charging batteries. The last thing I need in my life is another charger to keep up with.  I'd rather just toss the battery and grab a new one.  

Even with the longer run time of the 18650, I still would not feel comfortable on an extended backcountry hunt without a spare battery.  The total weight of the H600 with headband and a spare battery would be right at 6 oz.  The H52 with band and backup lithium battery comes in at 3 oz...half the weight.  If I need more than one backup battery (doubtful)I can grab one from one of my other devices.   I've only used the light a handful of times but so far am very impressed and happy with my decision. After seeing how bright it is on the high setting, I can't imagine wanting a brighter light for the things I use a headlamp for.

Same story.  I also went the AA route so I could carry batteries in the backcountry.  Further, everything I carry in the backcountry uses AA batteries so I don't have to carry multiple types. YMMV
homebru

[Lost Arra]

Originally posted by gvdocholiday:

Basic Operation
One short-click turns on the light to High or turns off the light.
Two short-click turns on the light to Medium.
Three short-click turns on the light to the beacon-strobe mode.
Press and hold (for over 0.6 seconds) turns on the light to Low and then Medium and High. Release at the desired level.
Advanced Operation and Configuration
Press and hold to cycle from Low, Medium and High, release at the desired level to set. When press and hold, the light always cycle from Low to High regardless which level you are currently in.
Double click to toggle and select between the two sub-levels for that main level. Sub-level selections for the 3 main levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
The second sub-level (H2, M2 and L2) of each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels. At a main level, double-click 6 times to start configuration. On subsequent double-clicks the light will cycle through different brightness levels. Short click to turn off the light when finishing configurations. The selections for the second sub-levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
This light uses the main LED (flashing 1 to 4 times) to indicate the estimated remaining capacity of the battery. To start the battery indicator, (from Off) short-click 4 times without pause.
Beacon-strobe mode can be accessed from 3 short-clicks when the light is Off. Once in the beacon-strobe mode, you can double-click to cycle through different types of beacons and strobes. Beacon-strobe settings are memorized when the light is turned off and through battery changes.

Let me say first that I own two Zebra's (both AA for reasons mentioned above) and they are nice lights. Just be sure to unscrew the battery cap 1/4 turn so they don't come on in your pack.

But what in the world are they thinking with those Advanced Operation instructions? They read like a parody of over-engineering. End the instructions with the Basic Operation and you're good.

[ProAlpine]

Petzl is hard to beat, but if I were to buy a different brand it would be Black Diamond.

[gvdocholiday]

Originally posted by Lost Arra:
 

Originally posted by gvdocholiday:

Basic Operation
One short-click turns on the light to High or turns off the light.
Two short-click turns on the light to Medium.
Three short-click turns on the light to the beacon-strobe mode.
Press and hold (for over 0.6 seconds) turns on the light to Low and then Medium and High. Release at the desired level.
Advanced Operation and Configuration
Press and hold to cycle from Low, Medium and High, release at the desired level to set. When press and hold, the light always cycle from Low to High regardless which level you are currently in.
Double click to toggle and select between the two sub-levels for that main level. Sub-level selections for the 3 main levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
The second sub-level (H2, M2 and L2) of each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels. At a main level, double-click 6 times to start configuration. On subsequent double-clicks the light will cycle through different brightness levels. Short click to turn off the light when finishing configurations. The selections for the second sub-levels are memorized after the light is turned off and through battery changes.
This light uses the main LED (flashing 1 to 4 times) to indicate the estimated remaining capacity of the battery. To start the battery indicator, (from Off) short-click 4 times without pause.
Beacon-strobe mode can be accessed from 3 short-clicks when the light is Off. Once in the beacon-strobe mode, you can double-click to cycle through different types of beacons and strobes. Beacon-strobe settings are memorized when the light is turned off and through battery changes.

Let me say first that I own two Zebra's (both AA for reasons mentioned above) and they are nice lights. Just be sure to unscrew the battery cap 1/4 turn so they don't come on in your pack.

But what in the world are they thinking with those Advanced Operation instructions? They read like a parody of over-engineering. End the instructions with the Basic Operation and you're good. [/b]

A short click turns it on to the H setting right off the bat.  Rather than being blinding, I set my H2 to the 300Lumen setting, which is the lowest offering at 8+ hours.  This way I'm not getting blinded when I turn it on.  All the H, M, L settings hold memory to the last setting you used in that main mode.  So just set the three modes to what you like and then you're good to go.  I'll admit, I use the battery indicator clicks often just to see what my normal use does to battery life.  Long click and you're at .01 lumens which is way brighter than you think it'd be.  Great for in the stand.  

My only change I'd make is that the short click on would go to the last setting...not just the H mode.  I'd never use the H mode if I could turn it right on to the highest M setting of 30 lumens.

[gvdocholiday]

I do know that when paddling the Big Manistee this fall at 5am, that I'm going to enjoy the ability to light up the way with something as small as my headlamp.

[toddster]

Black Diamond here, my new fav.

[Dave Pagel]

My brother got a Browning Maxxus last year for Christmas and I am pretty impressed with it.  It is much brighter than my Petzl for cleaning game at night or other tasks needing brightness and it has the ability to be green or red which we use walking in and out.

D.P.

[stevem]

This migh make some posters cringe, but Home Depot sells an Everready 150 lumin headlamp for about $15.  Uses two AA batteries.  I've had mine for about 5 years and see no reason to replace it.

[Homebru]

Originally posted by stevem:
This migh make some posters cringe, but Home Depot sells an Everready 150 lumin headlamp for about $15.  Uses two AA batteries.  I've had mine for about 5 years and see no reason to replace it.

I have 3 of those. Nice lights for the price.  I use mine around the house all the time.  I like my Zebralight better.
homebru

[WVGrizzly]

It's a little more than what you're looking at but I love the Kelly K light it's a head and battery pack rechargeable design like a mine light, the battery holds charge for days I've seen 24-48 hours of continuous burn from them, I use one coon hunting and love it, assuming you don't mind the detached head with cord to the belt pack battery that's my recommendation

[TIM B]

There is a company called COAST.  They have a light that has a adjustable beam in the front and also a lever on the back to regulate the power/brightness.  Batt are AAA.  I think it's a lifetime guarantee.  The first one I had the switch went out.  I sent it back and got an upgraded model in the mail.  The new one has worked great and I use them daily.  I also have a small hand held coast light that is excellent.  Walmart sells these lights.
Tim