18650 headlamp with removable top strap

as the title states… im looking for a headlamp… preferably super floody, with a good moonlight mode… but most importantly, it needs to have either no top strap(the one that goes on top of your head), or a removable one.

reason being is i plan to use it while fourwheeling. when i toss my helmet on, i like to pull the headlamp around my neck so it’s easily accessible. sometimes i leave it on on the dimmest setting while im driving around as well.

i was really eying up the skillhunt h02… the price is right. and i was thinking i could just clip off the top strap, but im not sure if it will be too heavy to use without the top strap during non fourwheeling use.

thanks folks!

The skilhunt h03 is a little lighter than the h02 and costs 29.99$ with coupon

44g without battery is definately light enough without top band
92g with protected battery

Short tube mod

If the word “Zebralight” doesn’t make your wallet snap shut, I highly recommend one! :smiley:

I have an H602w and an H600w Mk II and love them both. The top straps are easily removable.

The H602w has no reflector or optics, just a bare LED behind a clear lens. It is ALL flood.

Zebralight now makes the H603w and H600w Mk III series.

BLF member “Stefano” has an excellent YouTube channel filled with Zebralight comparisons.

Start here:

i think zebralight is pretty far out of my pricerange. honestly im even considering the cheapo ebay specials that run 14500 batteries. 40 bucks is definitely the highest end of my budget here. this isnt the light ill be taking with me on camping trips or anything. if it breaks its not the end of the world, and it doesnt have to have a perfect beam, or the most efficient internals.

thanks for the suggestion though.

thats definitely an option. how much heavier is the h02, and do you think that is light enough to go without a top band?

wonder what i could get the h02 for with coupon.

im trying to figure out a way that i could make the top band (semi)quick detach

Get the Nitecore HC30 or HC60

Edit: Max has some great discount codes, I just asked him 1 day ago for both headlamps.

HC30 is more of a spotlight, 1000 lumens, arround 170 meters, 25 degree angle, 18650, 5 modes, 3 hidden modes.
HC60 is more of a flooder with a 35 degree angle, 1000 lumens, 120 meters, 18650, same modes and has a build in charger.

Edit2: Ps I also share your hate for silly looking headbands and the “designers” that came up with them.
On both nitecores you can take the middle strap off and you can even turn the band inside out making it look mostly all black.

You hadn’t mentioned a budget so I had to plug the Zebras. :smiley:

Good luck with your search, I’m staying tuned to see what you end up getting!

I agree. just received my HC60. Awesome light with removable top strap. Bonus: has a charging circuit built in.

+1 on the Skilhunt H03

H02 is at 63g vs the 44g on H03. The lowest setting on the H02 is 5 lumens vs .5 lumens on H03, quite a big difference. I think the H02 with coupon is a maybe $3-4 cheaper but considering all the advantages of the H03 (including higher lumen output), it’d be hard to recommend the H02 for just a few dollars less.

Both of them do have a triangular shaped silicone holder so you may either need to cut part of it off or (I just tried this) turn it upside down if you don’t mind it looking a little funny.

HC60 also looks to be a good option for a flooder, but it’s nearly 100g.

i have an hc50… trying to switch it up a bit and get a different brand.

on a side note, the hc50 has an issue with moonlight mode and they were kind of giving me a bit of a hassle on getting a replacement, so that makes me want to search out a different brand even more.

additionally, i think the hc60 is too much$ for this budget. its not my primary light, and it doesnt have to be perfect.

Note that some headlight weights are quoted with strap included, and some are without strap. The HC60 is 100g with strap. I suspect the H03 weight quoted is without strap, which might be ~25g.

ok, well sounds like the h03 is definitely the better option for me. id probably cut off that triangle, and then try to figure out a way to make the 3rd strap be attached and detached.

I have both the HC30 & HC60… personally, I prefer the HC60.

Like the man said, be sure to check with M4D M4X for ‘discount codes’. You’ll be glad you did…. :+1:
:wink:

You’re right, I just weighed 44g for the H03, 90g for H03 + strap, and 80g for H03 + strap with no middle piece.

Thanks to OP for the idea, I think I’ll keep the middle piece off from now on…

+1 on the Skilhunt H03.
Floody enough for close range use, bright enough for some distance illumination.
Lighter and smaller (and better looking) than the H02.

If you want to got for a Skilhunt, perhaps take the H03F.
It has a Flip up or down TIR that lets you chose between spot and flood.

how did you detach the middle piece?

have you hc60 guys worn it without that top strap? do you have to tighten the horizontal strap a whole lot for it to stay in place?

i sent mad max a message for coupons for the hc30, 60 and h03… and make my decision from there.

i feel like the hc30 isnt going to have enough flood for me. when it is around my neck it needs a real wide beam cause it obviously isnt pointing towards where i look.

So true, it sure does. I have that one. I use it as a flashlight though.
For me, the HC60 just makes a better headlamp.

Teacher I only have the HC30 and am looking for a second headlamp.
That is how I know the prices on the HC30 and HC60 because I keep switching between buying either one or the other.
Got some different angle optics in the mail 15, 30, 45, 60 degrees, gonna swap them out with the current optic in the HC30 and see whats what.

I know the stats and specs of both and only difference I see is the hc30 has a 25 degree angle with a deeper optic and the hc60 uses 35 degrees with a shorter optic.
Besides build in charger, voltage meter and clips or not, can you tell me something about the beams?
It is hard to find any beam shots of both side by side and I rather buy a headlamp I don’t already have.

Edit: not asking you to take pictures