Ok, I give up, after years of lurking on this forum I needed to create an account and post a question.
Here’s the deal - I’ve read the old threads about trail running headlamps and they are either quite obsolete or the trail runner forgot that some people don’t run trails at all so maybe a few words of what is needed are required.
I run pitch black trails with tough terrain by night, it’s just something I seem to do for some reason. All of my mountaineering headlamps are garbage for that use, I’ll explain why soon.
I currently run with BLF A6 and the light output and spill/throw ratio are perfect but bloody hell, it is a handheld flashlight - a suboptimal solution to say the least, especially when trying to get over a fallen tree or balance on rocks while crossing a stream. I also feel like it is damaging my teeth on those occasions so I’d rather spend money on new flashlights than on new teeth.
I tried to run with my mountaineering Black Diamond Storm (2017) and uhm, nope. It is so bloody heavy that it bounces like crazy on my head, makeshift top strap does not fix the issue entirely and the light output is mildly bizarre (separate throw led and separate flood led). My ancient Petzl Tikka XP would kind of work but the lumen output is from the late Victorian era, adequate for walking pace, dangerous when running. (the difference between them is one extra AAA battery and overall size).
So here is what I am looking for and most other trail runners do as well:
- purpose - to illuminate a pitch black forest and navigate rough terrain filled with obstacles and traps like ice patches, branches, holes and rocks. A whole different world than evening pavement runs.
- budget - Yes, you people made so many good flashlights that I even bought two of A6 because they were on sale and I am stockpiling for the apocalypse. Preferably 50usd tops, unless you have a 65$ legendary beast of some sort. Damned if I know, you seem to have spectacular discoveries every two months while prospecting China for flashlights.
- weight - It needs to be light, really light at the front. I can live with a rear battery pack no problem, but here’s the deal - I presume that something like a short version of A6 would do well on the front because of it’s center of gravity. My Black Diamond Storm needs to be at a 45 degrees angle from my forehead to illuminate the path (runners don’t bow the head down unless they meet Courtney Dewalter) and because of that the leverage is strong enough (center of gravity further away out the front) that it bounces like crazy. Those L shaped lights might do the trick but I know nothing about them.
- firepower - well, I’d reckon that about 500 lumens could do the trick but more is always better. I once ran with BLF Q8 - it was glorious but also ridiculous and I was mildly drunk.
- a bit on the floodier side for sure but a nice hotter center is key for navigation. See BLF A6 - it is near damn perfect.
- current source - ah whatever, I have a bucket of rechargeables of all types but preferably no internal custom made batteries.
- run time - AT LEAST an hour and a half over those 500 lumens I mentioned earlier. Yes, it is hilarious to navigate on the way back with a backup Lumintop Tool AAA but most jokes are funny only once.
So far the only lights I’ve learned about that seem to fit the bill were Thrunite TN20 and uh, wait, Skilhunt 03 or something?
I guess that what I am asking is what in your opinion would fit in those parameters? This issue is not a joke, two weeks ago I almost ran into a snare trap hidden in the snow, fortunately it was a scout run so speed was not a priority. Pro grade running lights usually have pro grade prices (check out Silva and Petzl these days, jolly good laugh) and you people have shown me years ago that there is a different (correct) path to go on about these things.
Much obliged