I should have mentioned that I can’t promise anything.
All I will say at this moment is that I think, looking at all the comments, it will suit BLF nicely. 
Lightweight, plenty of low output settings, great runtimes, floody, waterproof, reliable/durable, high CRI, silicon strips on the headband but not overly so, just enough to keep it from sliding. I never use the higher output settings on my headlamps, at most I use the 400 lumen mode and usually lower than that.
For me personally, I don’t want a headlamp that’s super heavy and bulky and I suspect that most people that are calling for some big behemoth don’t actually hike, run, backpack, and use a headlamp on a regular basis. There are plenty of 18650 powered headlamps (for good reason), maybe make something that uses smaller cells? Just a thought.
What about something different… a larger diameter triple or quad that can be worn in the center of the chest (think Iron Man?) or on a lanyard… or worn on a waistband or armband?
I would like to see a single 18650 with a secondary red and or green led for walking to the deer stand
This could actually be really cool. I’d love something that attaches to my sternum strap or belt properly.
Tried a couple of those as client headlamps three trips undergroud (slightly damp cave) and they simply died……
Well when your UK side drop me a message and lets go play!!!
I also think, that ‘hotrod’ (which is the most trending kind of lights here on BLF) is impractical for headlamp use. I think BLF should not specialize only in that kind of lights, any new designs (with its own application goals) could be highly welcome addition (e.g. DBSAR’s lantern). They don’t need to be maxed out regarding raw output and/or throw numbers. (Also, I would even happy to see some custom stuff, which would go to E27 lamp sockets, because in middle Europe, E27 light sources tops around 80 CRI - but that is a bit different story.)
For me, a multi-emitter headlamp could be one, which I would welcome, if I’d see that as a BLF project.
I think, some of us can agree, that a Nitecore HC65 headlamp could have been a very good one (some of us thinks it even IS), because it has multi emitters, thus, it can serve us good in a bigger variety of situations. I like good output levels, but I am mostly a tint/beam snob. So in this regard, unfortunately, the main light source of the HC65 falls under greatly. Also, as I remember, beams are a bit misaligned for the auxiliary light sources.
Since a bit more than 2 months, i started to fiddle with some Yajiamei PMMA TIR optics in Convoy S2+ lights, and I think, there is a great opportunity there to deal with. For most people, a very creamy flood is the best option in a headlamp. In most cases, I also highly prefer this kind of flashlight beam. However, most of the headlamps are still with SMO reflector, which are suboptimal in this regard.
While I fiddled with those Yajiamei optics (the ones for XP-L and XM-L, with the physical size of d=20mm and h=12.8mm, no stents), I recognized, that the greatest addition to headlamps could be these optics, as if the headlamp is designed to make optics swapping easy, we could have our headlamps just fine-tuned to the way we would exactly like it, regarding the beam.
And if there could be e.g. 3 emitters in the headlamp with this exact kind of optics with a d=16mm MCPCB base, the possibilities of customizations could not end easily.
For example, a specific combination (this could be one which would be on my head near all the time):
1. slot (emitter + optics combination): clear optics, 5 degree beam width: would be suitable for Nichia 319A R8000 5000K, which are rather R8320 in practice, and would give a decent output. 5 degree clear optics make a very dim spill (much dimmer, than with a same size of SMO reflector), so it would be a very efficient thrower, when it is needed to make out some reference objects far away.
Alternatively, 10 degree beaded optics would also suffice.
2. slot: beaded or frosted optics, 30, 38 or 45 degrees beam width: would be suitable for quad Nichia E21A R9080, 4000K or 4500K. Would be the ultimate reading/assembling/studying light, when accurate color rendition is very nice to have or even ‘critical’. Frosted optics provide the most creamiest flood, but they put considerable amount of light into the spill. If we would like to keep most of the light in that medium sized hotspot, beaded optics are better for this.
3. slot: beaded optics, 60 or 85 degree beam width: Cree XP-E HE Photo red (~650-660 nm), as this deep red could preserve one’s dark light sight pretty well.
Alternatively, a quad Nichia E21A of 2000K CCT could make a great service here (a big gain for detail recognising, but some sacrifice of the dark adapted sight).
Another one could be (this one could be good for CJW):
1. slot: beaded optics, 25 degree beam width: same Nichia 319A, as mentioned above, but now a wider, more generally usable beam with moderate throw.
Alternatively, if someone prefers to have a relatively strong, but wide spill, while still having a good throw, I could recommend 15 degree frosted optics.
2. slot: beaded optics, 38 degree beam width: XP-E2 green emitter.
3. slot: beaded optics, 38 degree beam width: XP-E or XP-E2 red emitter.
Again, I think, it is not needed to produce these exact variations, but the most important could be to make these possible, just the way I described them (top priority on modularity). I believe, many of us could make one or two distinctive set of requirements for their exact liking.
Regarding batteries, having 3 of these slots, I think, the best option could be single 21700. A sophisticated driver PCB design could even let chose max. current per each selected emitter to e.g. 0.3A, 0.8A, 1.5A or 3A depending on the power class of the emitter, which would be intended to be used. UI could be dual switch: one for the output levels/modes, one for the emitter selections (e.g. 1. first, 2. second, 3. both first and second, 4. third).
[quote=adam7027]
Hmmm not sure what you mean by the “misaligned) comment…. I use mine for climbing caving walking etc and I also use it in my MRT/SAR role too(as does the team) and as yet can’t fault it…. Would love a few additional output levels but Honestly it just works and works well… Throw on a hill/mountain side is pretty damn spot on and the low levels and CRI are great when working close up to something or a casualty…. I have used a great many Fenix,Nitecore and Petzl lamps(and a few china cr*p) and too date the HC65 is pretty damn near to perfect…
This is of course my opinion.
Having said this I would still love to see what BLF can do!!!
Personally I’m severely disappointed with the headlamps on the market. Compared to regular flashlights, they tend to be mediocre and expensive.
I see literally 0 headlamps with BLF UI. And since nobody comes close to BLFers when it comes to UI, this is a major drawback.
The cheapest headlight of good quality is nearly $25 on a superb deal. And is not way better than $7 Convoy S2+ (superb deal as well, $10 more regular price). Or $1x Convoy S9.
Cheap XHP70.2 headlamp? $70? Cheap XHP70.2 flashlight? I own a $45 quad cell, a smaller light would cost less.
I’d love to see a BLF flashlight that would be:
- 18650 + 18350 with a tube swap (compatible with 18700 so we can use cells with built-in chargers)
- lightweight
- efficient
I agree that hot-rodding a headlamp is just not necessary. But good UI and low weight is key.
Im sure you have ikea in your country. They have many hi-cri light bulbs.
My best headlamp so far is Nitecore HC65. If we want to design a headlamp then be a headlamp not a multi purpose thing. The strap holder plastic has perfect curve and the light itself is great. It need to be very very good to say the BLF headlamp is better then that.
Or if it is a multi purpose headlamp and it has magnetic tail and else. It need a head strap at least like the Skilhunt H03 not like the Imalent HR20 and Nitecore HC30/33. They are fiddly and not comfortable.
I don’t see the need for a BLF headlamp. I almost certainly wouldn’t buy one. Sure, the UI would be nicer, but it’s less valuable than on a flashlight since I don’t adjust output of headlamps nearly as often, and on a headlamp I really like modes with distinct levels so I can better manage battery life on long backpacking trips. For it to be a guaranteed buy, it’d have to be nearly perfect. It would need all of the following: a monster turbo mode, a super low moonlight mode well under 0.25 lumens, be very efficient from 0-500 lumens, have distinct modes with tested battery life at each level, a 4500-5000K tint, a spot+flood beam pattern with zero ringiness in terms of output and color, a smooth transition across the beam pattern, and either no switch light or can be disabled, and priced competitively with Zebralight and Armytek. A bonus would be a safe magnetic charging system. That’s too much to ask for unless a company already makes something that comes close.
The one feature that could make me compromise on my list is a fantastic control ring UI that compares to the Jetbeam RRT01 rather than the rubbish that Imalent and Nitecore have.
The RRT01, my most used light. Love that little guy.
As for need… It would be cool!
High CRI, flood and spot like the lupina concept but in a BLF format and price range. Maybe a battery pack on the back of the headband or a cable to the belt as an option.
Yes! I also thought this is one type of light where having 18350 tube available is a BIG benefit, big weight saving if you want to run with it on. Agree light and efficient very important.
Other things I like
- regulated
- 4000-4500K tint
- true firefly mode
I would really like a BLF headlamp. The regulation, the tint (NW), the UI would be what I am looking for also not a “hot rod”.
I have a bunch of different headlamps already from Armytek, Olight, Acebeam, Skilhunt, etc.
I really like rotary brightness control on a headlamp, which is by far the most intuitive for one hand operation. Also I would love to see a quad E21A 4000k or maybe even double quad E21A if you go with two lens.
My dream headlamp:
–18650 with 18350/16340 tube option, runtime or light weight based on current need
-Anduril or another “BLF-endorsed” UI (Someone should honestly make a competitor to Zebralight’s UI, the shortcuts are great but there could definitely be more options still)
-High CRI emitter version available. Triple Nichia (< too much heat maybe?) or whatever that new Samsung that could be in the FW3A would be cool but even high-CRI XHP50 with frosted optic like ZL’s offerings would be cool.
-ATTACHABLE/REMOVEABLE diffuser/optic Imagine taking it off for use as a throwier EDC light, and putting a frosted lens attachment on for use as a wide-beamed headlamp?! Skilhunt tried this but it was a weak attempt IMO. Clip-on or screw-on seems like they could be much better.
Maybe a hcri xhp70.2 would be nice as well :+1:
No, it would not. Not necessarily, anyway. Sure, it’s less metal for the body, but a four-cell light can use a buck driver with large components. A single-cell XHP70.2 light must use a boost driver with small, high-performance components. We see an example of this in the new mtnelectronics 17mm boost driver: it costs $25.