The headlamp… probably the most useful & practical light one could ever own for general purpose use, yet the choice is limited for a good, moddable, budget candidate.
Does it exist? I could not find something acceptable for under $25, so I’m looking at something in the next category of “Budget”, let say around $40 If any of you can lend me some wisdom in choosing such a candidate, please let me know!
The light should be be overall good quality, easily moddable, 18650 based, good combination of throw & flood, comfortable to wear, headlamp. My benchmark is quite high, the Fenix HL60. Such a good headlamp, perfect beam pattern, well balanced on the head, comfortable, smooth reflector for the little bit of added throw (which I always like) and enough flood to get all close up jobs done. The Fenix unfortunately is not that good of a budget option.
My number 1 option at the moment is the Xtar Warboy H3, still not “Budget” if you ask me, but, it seems to really be a good quality and practical (pocket clip & pistol grip) headlamp. Not smooth reflector though, but I’ll look over that. Has any of you modded the H3, is it easy to disassemble? Whats the size of the driver & how difficult is it to replace (seems it has a driver retaining ring, is it easy to remove)?
If any of you have further or better recommendations, please let me know!
It’s my modded ‘yupard’.
But it’s quite heavily modded.
The body is okay as it is, and it comes with a good headband.
But the head is where you can make improvements.
I have shortened the head (even the pill).
It was a zoomie, but now it’s a flood light.
The lens is hollowed out and sanded matte.
I put in a 3x 7135 3 mode driver and a Nichia 219C 4000K.
It’s still a bit on the heavy side perhaps, but it’s great for doing jobs and hobbying.
The stock version can be bought for around $8
But i guess you want more throw and better quality.
I think the Skilhunt H03 would be good.
Not much to improve though, it’s a great light, but not floody enough for me / my purposes.
Thanks for your recommendation… The light you show there is exactly my current option, zoomable, not static as yours, heavily modded, which I’d like to substitute. I have the following issues with the light…
Quality, mmm, not that good, but I could live with it if it was the only problem.
When in flood mode, the area it covers is too narrow. This is a big problem. Very limiting when doing closeup work.
The light is top heavy which causes jitteriness when walking, and, if needed makes it difficult should you do more than just walk, maybe doing the odd stride for whatever reason.
Its not water tight, causes problems in humid areas e.g. at the coast or humid nights, early mornings, outside.
The plastic lens scratches easily.
I’ve looked at the Skilhunt H03, but I’m worried its too floody because of the frosted lens? Does anybody have the Fenix HL60 & the Skilhunt to give comments how the throw compares in real life?
The best that i use currently is Skilhunt H03 219C 3000k 9050 modded, realy great for everything and especialy for skiing- its crusial to see the exact colous when you do that, you can damage the fur othewise……or even for outdoor/indoor 24/7 use
The best indoor headlamp that i own is Zebralight H51/w Phillips Lumileds emitter, 3000k high CRI and over a month of 24/7 moonlight runtime, i use it as a duty light in my bedroom
If I look at the head straps of the Warboy H3 & Skillhunt H03… the Skillhunt’s look if it can be more comfortable, basically the same as the ‘Yupard’ mentioned by Jerommel, which is good. The Warboy’s seems like it has a much smaller surface that makes contact with the forehead. Now that I think about it, I believe what also causes the ‘Yupard’ headlamp to become a bit bouncy is the fact that the mounting part on the head strap is rubber. The Fenix HL60’s is plastic, which secure the light better. One would think that the plastic will be uncomfortable, which is not the case, its very comfortable.
I would go with Nitcore HC60, there was a code from Gearbest for 37$, you might ask them, it’s one of my best buys in 2016, USB rechargeble + 3400Mah for free !
It’s a ‘pebbled’ TIR.
I estimate it’s a 25° beam.
Smooth transition from beam to spill, but there’s not a lot of spill because the TIR bundles all of the light (unlike a reflector).
Thanks Nicolas, appreciated. That sounds like a bargain, including the battery. I’ll probably have issuers shipping it to South Africa, with the lithium battery included. The throw of the HC60 is not much more than that of the Skillhunt. I’m not too fond of the button at the front of the light. Looks like a very compact headlamp, and, it seems to have a plastic holder, which should make it more secure and less prone to wobbliness. I must be honest, I’m not that much of a Nitecore fan, but thats just me, its a perception thing.
I must say the Skillhunt is starting to grow on me, specifcally that H2R. Might just be what I’m looking for!
Whats the dimensions of the Skillhunt H2’s driver? I see Tom did a nice mod on a H15 here. I presume the H15 is the AA/14500 version of the H02/03?
I hope the H02R has the same driver orientation? Can anybody comment on the moddibility of the Skillhunt H02/3?
As far as I know the H03 is the updated version with better led and dtp mcpcb.
I also own one and like it very much. Very light and you can change the led easily. You can get it for around $30 with code.
The H03 is better for close up stuff, I used it while cycling and would have preferred a little bit more throw.
I don’t know your application but if you need an alrounder I would go with the H03 and if you need a real hot spot and a little more throw I would choose the reflector version H03R.
The H03 has a good bit of red threadlock to keep from opening the head. I’ve been able to break it loose with a diy strap wrench, a vice and some heat but it’s not easy. Once it’s loose, there’s no troubles modding.
Thanks finges I’m almost getting excited, because I think the headlamp I’m looking for is the H03R! Has bit more throw (smaller & brighter hot spot) and I’d predict more spill (less intense) than the H03. I’m very happy with my reflector based Fenix HL60 and the H03R should be similar, I predict.
The only thing I now need to find out is if I’d be able to fit a FET driver in there without too much trouble. Has anybody changed the driver on the H03/H03R? Any comments on where difficulties might lie?
If any of you can lend me some wisdom in choosing such a candidate, please let me know!
I’m almost getting excited, because I think the headlamp I’m looking for is the H03R! Has bit more throw (smaller & brighter hot spot) and I’d predict more spill (less intense) than the H03. I’m very happy with my reflector based Fenix HL60 and the H03R should be similar, I predict.