Head lamps?

Lots of Fenix recommendations - add mine as it's what I have settled on for headlamps, truck flashlight and for power failures. It's also what we use at work as we can locally procure (versus using standing offers). The ones I have used have worked in temperatures from -42C to +35C.
 
IronNoggin said:
Fenix HL60R

Fenix-HL60R-Headlamp-Black_dfcf7f18-516e-4834-911f-65b2dc372e23_720x.jpg


Featuring a micro-USB port for go-anywhere charging, the Fenix HL60R Headlamp delivers a maximum output of 950 lumens, beam distance of up to 381ft, and a runtime of up to 100 hours from just one rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery. The Fenix HL60R is one of the best rechargeable headlamps on the market. This feature rich headlamp is equipped with neutral white LED for better color rendering, a side switch to activate the five brightness levels, and the red reading light.

The HL60R is an all-season headlamp designed with an all-metal housing and waterproof up to 2m underwater. Take this USB rechargeable headlamp on your next adventure, or use it around the yard for those after dark tasks. Ready to take your headlamp game up a notch? Join the hoards of headlamp junkies that call this the best rechargeable headlamp out there.

https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-hl60r-rechargeable-headlamp?variant=40047900426294

I pack a spare battery, and a hand held that uses the same battery too.

My favorite for years now.
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That is the one me and my family uses. We each shave now and they are old and still function like the day we bought them!
 
For my go to headlamp I also use a Fenix but I also keep a few Costco Duracell ones around and they have held up pretty well for cheap lights.
 
DGY said:
The best one quality/price/availability so far in my 34 years of using headlamps(used to be a musher and I live in the Yukon 😉) are the Fenix brand headlamps, they are not cheap by any means but they are far from being the most expensive! They are reliable, sturdy and rechargeable!
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Fenix also make great flashlights
 
Yup, fenix for me too, I have the head lamp HL60R I've been using for years now and it has never let me down, I also have a hand held which is crazy bright but I honestly just don't use it because it's not as convenient
 
I suppose because they also make climbing equipment, Petzl headlamps have always been the mountaineer's choice. Most of those are compact and lightweight, have excellent features, and can easily be carried in a pocket until needed. As far as that goes, Princeton Tech has been another company of choice, their weatherproof units in particular.

I confess I also sometimes buy the headlamps that go on sale at Costco and they are the ones I scatter around strategic points in the house if I need one for some simple task, however as has been stated they are probably not good to rely on over the long term, besides being bulkier and heavier, and if I've done that more than once it's because they have crapped out or been given away. The key principle is to remember that the battery manufacturers traditionally sell such units to burn their batteries, not the other way around and although that has improved a fair bit, it's still a factor. On the third hand, units that come with rechargeable lithium batteries are going to be reliable, at least in my experience, if not the best lights.
 
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I have a mix between pelican and O-light headlamps. I also have a few other flashlights with pocket clips that can clip onto a Hat brim in an emergency (Olight baton or i3t), which I generally keep as a backup. Adjustable mode lights will help you save battery life when max light output is not a concern.

You are picking between Long battery life, light output and price. A cheaper reliable light with good output wont have a long battery life, but one that does wont be very bright in comparison. A light that's bright, and has good battery life wont be cheap.
Good option would be to decide what you need it for, how long you may use it, and narrow the selection down from there, always carry a backup light or batteries.
 
Seeing as this is the hunting forum, the Petzl Arctik Core is my pick for the best hunting headlamp. It has a red light for preserving low light vision, lock function to prevent accidentally turning it on and draining the battery, rechargeable battery but it will also run off 3 standard AAAs, glow feature that will help you locate it if you turn it off and set it down somewhere, and a handy little diffuser bag that turns your headlamp into a lantern to hang. Light, waterproof, and plenty bright for tracking and navigating.
I have the cheap ones like the costco ones lying around for home use. But when I'm hunting I want a light I can count on.
 
I lost my "good" headlamp and needed something quick for a trip....and snagged one of these from Canadian Tire. Reluctantly. And maybe 5 years ago! Just no need to replace it, it's been awesome and battery life is great too. All the power need +, rechargeable, and the magnet on the one end is strong and VERY useful. I've done some appliance and automotive repairs with it in the dark and been glad for that feature.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...geable-headlight-headlamp-black-0653145p.html
 
My main light for years was a Petzl TacTikka, but its been relegated to live in a pack duty and my main now is a Petzl Swift RL. Stick to known brands like Petzl, Fenix, Streamlight, Black Diamond, Olight etc and you will get a decent light. I did have issues with a high output Nitecore, but it could have been the OE battery.

If you run a AAA light pick up some lithium batteries, their both lighter and won't leak potentially ruining your light.
 
jbmauser said:
I would not go into the bush with a cheap headlamp. Fenix, Black Diamond, or Petzl are what I use. I also carry an extra set of batteries. If you're miles back and your cheap Costco headlamp fails, have fun.

I suppose you could carry an extra headlamp as well. I do that at times even though I'm carrying a good quality one.
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I use cheap ones but not sure I’ve ever used one for walking in and out of the bush. Never had the need I just let my eyes get used to the dark
But they are fantastic for tracking gutting and quartering an animal. I carry 2 but that’s just for convenience never that I think I can’t walk out without one
 
I always have a little Olite iT3EOS clipped in my shirt pocket. EDC. Two light levels. Its pocket clip allows it to be attached to the brim of a cap. Not a dedicated headlamp, but has certainly been useful on occasion. Also have a headlamp "LED Lenser". Don't know much about it, but it is aimable and has variable brightness. Keep it near the back door if I need to go out at night. Has also been useful.
 
DGY said:
I’m sure they do, but why using a flash light that you have to hold in your hand when you can have hand free lighting using a head lamp? I didn’t use a flash light since I bought my first head lamp 😂
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I wasn’t suggesting using a flashlight in place of a headlamp. I was stating a fact that fenix makes good flashlights as well ..
 
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I don't use headlamps because whenever I need one it's usually raining and then my glasses get wet.

I prefer lights that clip onto a baseball cap.

My current light is a OLIGHT I3T 2 EOS that uses AAA batteries and tucks away nicely into my bino harness along with a couple spare batteries.

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homer76 said:
I don't use headlamps because whenever I need one it's usually raining and then my glasses get wet.

I prefer lights that clip onto a baseball cap.

My current light is a OLIGHT I3T 2 EOS that uses AAA batteries and tucks away nicely into my bino harness along with a couple spare batteries.

View attachment 1043662View attachment 1043663
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I have a bunch of those around, great EDC lights IMO. Can’t beat them for the price.
 
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