Using a tactical/survival flashlight as a headlamp.

I’m curious to see if you guys prefer a headlamp or a tactical flashlight that can be mounted on to a cap or detachable band instead. I’m in the market to get one for night time fishing. I’ve been using both headlamps and attachable flashlights hundreds of time in the military. The main reason I’m asking if anyone else does it is that the headlamps arent as reliable in wet conditions and aren’t nearly as bright as a flashlight.

Let me know what you think.

Just found that they actually had these in another forum post, most of the ones I found aren’t from the US or seem like sketchy sites. Does any have any recommendations?

Not sure if Thrunite is still doing their giveaway but if they are you can’t beat a great pocket light that also happens to be a great headlamp if you wear a hat for only $6! I have used a SC31b in this manner as well. Bit too large for the pocket but OK. No moonlight but you get all the benefits of an 18650 light and still a cheap versatile light that works well as a headlamp. Provided that you wear a hat. Personally I don’t like to wear a hat.

I like the SC40 for a cheap headlamp. Works great and has a magnetic tail as well. Certainly plenty bright. Seems to be very reliable. Would have no worries about water at all. Similar, and likely better, 18650 headlamps are a great choice if you want to spend a few more $$. I like thrunite but am sure you will get much better advise from others here. Bottom line for me is that I like the Ti3 the best for this type of application — worn on a hat. However, there are times a good 18650 headlamp is just the way to go.

The Ti3 threw me off with the size, but do you know how these would perform underwater? The SC31b flashlight specs looks like it only goes up to 7ft deep.

Well for one, each light has a specific use case scenario and just cause you “can” use a light in a different way doesn’t mean it will perform as well as a light designed for that purpose.

As for the claim of headlamps aren’t as reliable in wet conditions that’s a fallacy as an example I’ve used my wizard pro 3 on hikes through fog and rain without having any sign of reliability issues. Even with two lights of equal lumen output you would perceive the “standard” flashlight to be brighter as its designed for more throw and has a concentrated hotspot vs a headlamp/right angle light which generally have a floody optic.

I’d go with with a dive light, Genwiss make great quality ones. You can buy the adapter to your cap or headband anywhere, most of them fit all handle sizes are adjustable.

Makes sense, what type of lighting do you think would work best underwater, floodlight or ?
?

Somehow I never pictured fishing while being underwater wearing a hat. I was thinking seeing your gear, baiting hooks, and removing fish during a rain or with spray from the water. Not sure why the light would be under water. My ti3 has been through the wash and sat in hot tubs so for anything I was thinking of the water resistance would not be an issue. Sounds like you are looking for something else.

Armytek Wizard Pro and I think most of their other headlights use a double o-ring and are rated at 10 meters underwater. Flood vs. Spot is going to work under water just like it does above water. If you want a wide view up close you get a flood. Water clarity is a big factor.

I was looking at that as well but I want one with at the head of the light instead of the side

if you’re using the headlight in your hand then it is easier with the switch on the end. If it’s on your head in the strap then the side switch works better most of the time. There can be some fumbling ,onhead, with both positions depending on which hand is used and which end the switch is on. More so if you use different lights.