I was designing one the other day i was thinking about starting a thread. It was going to be based a triple setup with optics. Triple setup will get the best mix between longer run times on lower levels and high output when needed.
We could also run the headlamp from an external power source like a USB battery bank or two 18650 cells that sit on the back of your head?
I normally use a headlight when hiking so it would be awesome if it had multiple uses and light weight. I would love
High Cri. (great for up close work)
Low levels (stops you losing your night vision for quick checks ect)
Single 18650 or 2170 for light weight and run times.
Close to 1000lm burst mode for a min or two.
Flood rather then spot.
Power bank function! There is some good quality 18650’s flashlights out there with this, but I am yet to find a good quality lightweight single cell headlamp with this. This would reduce one carry item and you could just carry as many cells as you needed for the hike.
I would buy one. Also a bike light.
I'd like to see a small clip on your shirt light ,like a throat light .about the size of a nitecore tip with the beam coming out of the flat part of the light ,
I like this idea
Good point
Honestly, existing headlamps do everything I need them to do, so I’m really not sure what demand a BLF headlamp would fill.
The only thing that would get me to buy another headlamp at this point is if the headlamp was an IPX8 rated aluminum tube light that had both a main reflector/TIR emitter and an additional full power mule emitter on it.
Possible to put a GT on a headband?
Excellent news.
For me a good tint,decent high lumens(1000 at least) great low to mid range settings eg 1,5,30,80,12,180,210 etc and good run times… We use our head lamps a lot for caving etc so runtimes and low to mid range brightness is important oh an ipx8 waterproofing.
Suggestions from my partner are… MAKE IT PRETTY and have a silicon strip on the headband(like the Fenix Hl15/30HM50r ).
She has got excited about the Nichia suggestion(so have I a little)
Yep completely agree
I don’t think this would be a headband, more of a strap-on
oh, wait……
Protected cells lead to long springs with hi resistance, and unprotected cells may work not stable. Also protection bord increase dimensions of headlamp at least for 5мм.
On the other hand, good driver has all needed protections.
Nice to see a colleague here! I am a caver too.
I’d like to see separate optics for spot and flood, so not just a triple or quad optic but two or more distinct pieces with different characteristics. Again, the Russian Special headlamp I linked earlier has this. Then, a driver that can switch between them and also have both on at the same time and at least three brightness modes with mode memory and/or starting on low (or moon) would make it just right. Would be kinda cool if it had two “triple” optics, one spot and one wide flood, with just one of the emitters under each optic being a red, so you have a third (and fourth) option, with all modes the same. Dual switches will probably be a necessity for all this. LOL! :laughing:
I have one of These Xanes D25 Headlamps got it with coupon for about $13.
It is a very good performer, my running light. If it had 2 different optics and a selector it would be close what you are describing, and it has a built-in USB charging circuit, behind an O-ring end cap, well sealed and secure. Wouldn’t it be nice to get something like that in a kit with a selection of different drop-in TIR optics, for whatever blend of beam profile you prefer.
It has very low build quality , large weight, bad anodizing, bad thermal interface, low IPxx rating.
I should have mentioned that I can’t promise anything.
All I will say at this moment is that I think, looking at all the comments, it will suit BLF nicely. 
Lightweight, plenty of low output settings, great runtimes, floody, waterproof, reliable/durable, high CRI, silicon strips on the headband but not overly so, just enough to keep it from sliding. I never use the higher output settings on my headlamps, at most I use the 400 lumen mode and usually lower than that.
For me personally, I don’t want a headlamp that’s super heavy and bulky and I suspect that most people that are calling for some big behemoth don’t actually hike, run, backpack, and use a headlamp on a regular basis. There are plenty of 18650 powered headlamps (for good reason), maybe make something that uses smaller cells? Just a thought.
What about something different… a larger diameter triple or quad that can be worn in the center of the chest (think Iron Man?) or on a lanyard… or worn on a waistband or armband?
I would like to see a single 18650 with a secondary red and or green led for walking to the deer stand