Where To Start

I am looking for a good headlamp to be used hiking, camping, and to get in and out of the woods while hunting. I currently have the nitecore hc90 but not a huge fan and looking for something better. I would like a happy medium between lumen output and runtime and would like to e in the NW category. I have searched a few but want first hand experience.

You can have the Armytek Elf C2 for $65, the battery is included, magnetic base, built in charger and 10 years warranty, i recommend the warm version (~4000k-4500k) for 10% off i think the code is red or reddit.

Zebralight is nice too and if you don’t mind shitty tint, Skilhunt H03

What do you not like about the HC90? Size/weight, brightness, user interface?

I use a skilhunt H03. I really like its light weight and compact size and the wide even beam pattern from the TIR. Mine is modded with a FET driver and ramping UI.

The hc90 is cool white and not a fan while in the woods, and with the sliding button it seems to get turned on when in a pocket or a pack.

skilhunt H03 nothing beats it, let them talk al they want about zebralight (with the stupid switch location) or armytek (with the bloody indicator light blinking all the time) don’t u believe them. Skilhunt H03 that’s the only 18650 headlamp you’ll need period. You’ll just have to get used to long press for off. Which wasn’t really a problem until I let myself to be talked into a zebra and armytek light because “they are supirior”… my *ss. It’s just a friggin light. And for 24 euro’s you can get a friggin good one with easy replacable led.
Also and no disrespect to EasyB but I wouldn’t go with a fet driver because they suck… the juice right out of your batteries and no way of knowing how much runtime there is left in your cell.

I use a Skilhunt H03 too and can only recommend it. Also used to have Nitecore HC30 and this was a great headlamp too with good throw. Mine was a cool white version, but would buy a warm white next.

What about the skilhunt h03f? Seems like I good option to have a spot and flood option.

Why not a one powered with 1*aa? Available everywhere. Look for a zebralight

Want the higher output and runtime.

You can’t have both. Either you get nice warm sunlight tint and less output, or you get super bright cool tint and better throw. You don’t need massive lumens on a headlamp. You’re doing hands free exploring. For long range searching, you want a kick-ass hand-held thrower. Tint sacrificed for throw.

If you really want to do it right, check out Zebralight. No, they don’t have charge ports… kind of behind the times on that, but they prefer better protection against moisture.

Another thought — the Thrunite HC30. That’s a pretty seriously powerful light and you can get it in a Neutral White tint. Not going to be Hi-CRI, but it’s pretty nice clean white. You can get as cheaply as $66 if you buy it before the 20% off sale is done (Feb 15th).

Xevious there are a few a have on the list but still not sure which way to go. On the list are the thrunite hc30, olight h2r, skilhunt H03, the zebralight H600Fc Mk IV, armytek elf c2, and the acebeam H30.

My elf C2 look like this at max brightness if it’s help

You can’t really find warmer than this unless modded like these ones (minus the 3000k)

The 3000k is still available for sale but the Elf c2 warm is brighter