I regret making this purchase. It turns out that this headlamp is poorly built and performs poorly. After a couple of presses, the buttons started receding into the housing and I expect will soon become a point of failure. One must cycle through all modes (including strobe) in order to turn if off. The output is not even close to 200 lumens. But it does work, fits my large head, and did come with batteries.
Got the following message after trying to submit a review for this product on Amazon:
"This product currently has limitations on submitting reviews. There can be a number of reasons for this, including unusual reviewing activity."
Tried several times and was not successful. My query on Fakespot.com showed 0 reviews for this listing, which indicates no one has ever been allowed to submit a review.
This crap product showed up under a new Amazon listing on DealNews.com this morning. I was able to review this listing and gave the headlamp there two stars. Please be wary if you see it. I expect this headlamp will keep popping up on Amazon under fresh new listings - staying ahead of reviewers.
FYI, I ended up buying this one instead: Amazon.com
It only has two modes for the main LED (low/high), and single mode for the side LEDs. No strobe or any other blinkies. It runs on a single AA cell and is pretty lightweight. Head strap looks to be of pretty good quality and is comfortable. The main LED is somewhat throwy. The side LEDs give a very diffused/dispersed light output. My kid loves running around with it on his head.
Pete, thanks for the info and link. This new headlamp is appealing, but I'd rather get it cheaper.
According to Keepa.com, it was in an Amazon lightening deal on June 26th for $6.79. So, I think I will wait awhile before purchasing it to see if it goes on sale again. I set up tracking on Keepa to trigger at $7.00, but (if it like camelcamelcamel.com) the notification may lag too much to be useful. What peaks my interest is the fact that it uses a single AA battery which is unusual in a headlamp.
I like my thrunite TH-20 headlamp, it runs on a single AA battery. It looks like the latest ones run on AA or 14500, for some reason I am thinking mine runs on AA only, but could be wrong about that. Regardless, ramping UI with moonlight and double click to turbo. its a winner IMO.
I believe that the Thrunite Th-20 is probably the best available AA/14500 headlamp with a T-shaped (i.e., 90-degree-off-axis-head centered on the body) form factor currently available. I love the tail switch, build quality, long-press firefly mode, double click turbo mode and the fact that is can use AA & 14500 batteries, but I have the following issues:
I don't particular care for mode ramping. I'd rather have discrete modes.
I don't care for mode memory - I want to know for sure where I start out at every time I turn the flashlight on.
I'm kind of alarmed at the weight of 76 grams empty. For comparison, the Enogear AA/14500 stainless steel is only 68 grams empty. I hope the 76 gram TH20 weight includes the headband and mounding pad.
I am not willing to pay $29.99 for a headlamp unless it is perfect (for me). If it was cheaper, then I might pull the trigger.
Most of these issues, of course, are about me and not the headlamp. IMHO, the Thrunite TH20 is the best available in its class.
Three pack of Mr. Beam 300 lumen spot lights at Amazon.com for $40. They use four D-cell batteries which means they run for a long time between battery changes. Don't drop them or they die instantly. Otherwise, I have experienced impressive longevity, but protect mine from direct rain.
Edit: Price for this three-pack is now $47.39. Sorry.
There’s one big downside to the TH20: It’s quite heavy. This is good news if you want durability, but for people like me who want to use it for backpacking and focus on ultralight gear, it’s silly heavy.
Example:
The 18650 skilhunt H03 body weighs only 44g / 1.55oz.
With headband and battery it’s around 120g or 4.2oz.
The smaller AA/14500 TH20:
Lamp without battery 1.53oz (43.3g) - despite being smaller, it’s the same weight as the H03 18650 body.
Headband with rubber lamp holder. 1.14oz (32.4g)
Spare holder, called slot in literature. .43oz (12.2g)
Add an eneloop pro AA 1oz (~30g) and you are at 4.1oz
The Zebralight H53Fc AA headlamp, for example, weighs only 32g (1.1oz) for the body and about 2.8oz total, or 32% less weight.
Would love to see a new AA/14500 model of the H03 that’s around 30g, or for Thrunite to use lighter materials. Hell, I’d be happy with an ultralight plastic model.
Although not mention in the description, there is almost certainly a step-down timer from Turbo mode to High when using a 14500 battery. For comparison, following are the parameters for the original Lumintop Tool AA:
Battery
Lumens/Runtime in
Low
Medium
High
14500
8/ 28+30
95/ 4+00
550/ 0+45
Alkaline
7/ 36+25
25/ 11+00
110/ 1+45
Ni-MH
7/ 30+30
25/ 11+40
120/ 2+55
The orignal Lumintop AA Tool has no mode memory, and no Turbo or Strobe modes
No mode memory
Always starts in Low
No noticeable PWM
Some owners report that the SF14 goes spastic when NI-MH batteries are used. See this thread for more info. I haven't seen this problem and I have been running an Eneloop in my SF14 for weeks. Sofirn reports, however, that the anomaly is fixed in SF14 V2.
Only had two SF14’s one of them did have a fit on NiMh. low and med would work fine but it would have a flashlight seizure as soon as it was put on high mode. Figured it was just mine. Didn’t know it happened to others. The other one worked fine though. Gave the fit thrower away and sold the other one.
Might grab another one though. Thanks a bunch ActiveAl
I am happy to own a SF14 because it performs well using a 14500 - with a nice mode spread, and impressive High mode output. It also has a decent tint with no noticeable PWM. I really have no need to run a Ni-MH in my SF14. There are other AA/14500 flashlight in my collection that are better suited to use with Ni-MH batteries anyway such as the UltraTac A1 and the Jaxman E3 (currently en route).