When will BLF bring out their own Headlamp????

We do have a lot of Lumen Freaks and CRI Babies around here, but we also have a lot of members that just want the best possible mix of usability, carry-ability, nice UI, and run-time. It would be a worthy challenge to make a BLF headlamp that can pull in the best of every headlamp feature (not necessarily flashlight features).

A few days ago, AEDe posted this thread about the YLP Panda 3 which is a great looking headlamp. I even said in that thread that it’s the first headlamp I’ve ever liked. I wanted to buy one. But it’s only been sold in Russia (so far). Maybe we can take some inspiration from that one and make it even more BLF-ey! I really like kiriba-ru’s idea to make it out of common, moddable components. :smiling_imp:

For me the #1 reason to own and use a headlamp would be general work around the house (fixing, DIY, cleaning) but most importantly in the garage (almost any car related work would require a hands-free light, somehow). There is the workaround to own/use a light with a magnet but that is something I don’t have.
Finally, the easiest solution would probably be to get a headband/mounting solution that works for any light.

Yes. Emisar should make a right-angle Nichia triple, with an option for the elliptical Carclos so the beam is wider than it is tall when used as a headlamp. Until then, Acebeam, Imalent and Thrunite have options for those of us who don’t fear exploding death, with the upcoming TH30 having a claimed output of 3300 lumens.

But on a serious note, I’ve never heard of an 18650 exploding in a single-cell flashlight, nor any 18650 that wasn’t one of the Chinese YourhouseisonFire brands exploding in any flashlight. Obviously, these should be handled with due care, but FET triples aren’t pipe bombs as long as appropriate batteries are used.

My thoughts exactly, I think if BLF made a headlamp a lot more people would suddenly need one.

There aren’t too many 1x AA/14500 headlamps out there with a decent buck/boost driver and high cri LED that are light weight and mod-able. Plenty 18650 though.

It is matter of time.
The load in usual flashlight is not very hi, but people wants more and more. If we take a look at e cigarettes we will see what happens with 18650 at heavy loads

Here ya’ go…. . :slight_smile:

The article you linked said it was a mechanical mod that exploded. But what cell was used? They don’t say. Nobody here is claiming that there aren’t any dangerous cells. Any cells made by the top four brands should be safe, even in mech mods and FET driven flashlights.

EDIT: In case it isn’t obvious enough, let me clarify my position: the cell was most likely to blame for all Li-Ion explosions. Most experts agree with me. Where we differ is that I believe there are some cells that won’t explode without extreme abuse.

Eh… we’ve had not-very-clever people who want the brightest flashlight that could possibly fit in their pocket buying Emisar D4s for the past year. They regularly burn holes in their pockets, but nobody’s managed to make one go boom.

But I’m also talking about what I would do myself, not what might happen if a novice does something dumb. I wouldn’t be concerned about putting a FET driver light made my Emisar, running a firmware by Toykeeper, and powered by a Sony VTC6 I bought from Illumn on my head.I would caution people about the potential risks just as I do when discussing the D4.

I’m currently working on a headlamp.
There are already some ‘balls rolling around’, but nothing serious yet.

But what does everyone wants to see in a headlamp?

This design I have right now might not be what everyone likes but will definitely be an awesome BLF style headlamp.

I love my Zebralight H600Fd III headlamp. It’s got just a bit under 1000 lumens but I’ve never felt that it was underpowered on any of my backpacking trips. The head strap holds it in place and I don’t feel that it’s too heavy even with an 18650.

I use it in conjunction with a throwier 18650 light that I can use to see something a bit farther off, but it most often stays in the pocket of my pack.

I chose High CRI and neutral white and it looks so nice. It’s expensive in comparison to most of my other lights, but it keeps a steady amount of light for a good long time.

Now if it would only come with some sort of insect repellent, it’d be even better!

I don’t talk/type about this light because it seems that most threads aren’t about headlamps and nearly all of the new lights I’m interested in don’t come in this form. I’m not going to put a D4 in a head band either. Too hot to tell the truth. I’ll have to reserve judgement for my FW3A when it arrives. The small size will be wonderful (one of the things I like about my Zebralights) but I don’t know how it’ll shed heat being so small.

For a budget light, I’d like to see something in a different form factor. A box instead of a tube? Easy ramping button? Dual LED (HI and HD side by side)? I like the idea of lighting the front of my pack or sternum strap but when you hear something to the side, it wouldn’t be as effective. I like that my Zebralight can be used outside of the headband. I tied a section of paracord around the neck of it to hang from my neck that’s come in handy at times.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’d be interested in a BLF headlamp and I’d probably outfit my hiking partners with one if it’s in the $20-$30 price range. Bring forth the ideas!

“Should be safe”
Are you ready to entrust this statement your life and health? Me not. Cells could be old, could be damaged…

And so it begins…… :smiley: . :smiley:
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I’d be interested to know what you have now thijsco19. If it is on par with your other designs you may already have a winner…… :beer:

https://alexnld.com/product/convoy-flashlight-headband-headlight-band-for-18650-flashlight-black/

More Nichia. Nobody’s mass-producing an 18650-powered Nichia headlamp right now, and that should be a thing. Armytek keeps saying they will, but I’ll believe it when there’s a product page showing it in stock. The Samsung LH351 series could also be good. High-CRI Cree stuff has been mostly disappointing.

Nitecore has a similar headband, the Nitecore HB02.

This is something I have been looking for since the driver in my H03 went poof.

Hoping to find something in the H03 size and format but with a nichia triple and a nice ramping driver. I guess it would be the illegitimate offspring of an H03 and an Emissar D4.

Lexel has/had some drivers for the H03 with ramping….

Do you have a link to those drivers?

Lexels drivers

I actually think that original buck driver is more interesting than fet/linear.
I am waiting for Lexel boost drivers, it allow to have better stabilization and efficiency.