Is it just me or has their utility been largely understated? I can still remember my first right angle flashlight.
It was so cool to point and click and have it turn a knob on the TV for me! What a different world. I remember wanting the BSA logo version of the military one when I was a scout. Don’t remember getting one.
When I joined here about 8 years ago I just remember thinking that the ones I saw looked odd and I couldn’t see any need for one when there were so many other cool lights. Went through the AA, 14500 pocket rockets of the day. Got some 18650 tube lights of various flavors and a AAA twisty for my pocket. Lastly I found some C8s and figured I was pretty well set. A couple of years ago I dropped back in for some recommendations to replace a lost C8 and discovered Biscotti and the Convoy sliver C8 – life was good.
Recently I just wanted a decent headlamp for walking the dogs and ended up ordering a TH20 and a Tierra. The TH20 arrived and I put a clip on it and could not believe how much I like this concept that I had mostly ignored. WOW! How incredibly useful this format is! While I have lights that can clip in a pocket or clip onto a hat brim now I have something that I can clip to my shirt or jacket and have fantastic hands free light! Still easily pocketable clipped or deep carry, lite and unobtrusive. If I want to light a room, it takes tail standing to the next level as it can easily be aimed to provide great bounce without blinding you if you look that way. For most everything that I use a flashlight for this format is actually way better than the normal flashlight. Why does it appear to be a second class citizen in flashlight world? (Granted I still am likely to have a C8 in my coat pocket for when I want something other than flood.)
I’m new to fancy flashlights, but I had exactly the same question. Right angle lights seem so much more practical and I wondered why they’re not more recommended and popular.
I’ve actually kinda changed my mind on them because they’re so much harder to hold in my mouth and I never have the headband around when I need hands-free.
Just the opposite for me. I used to use a flashlight in my mouth. With this, I just clip it to my jacket or shirt. No need for headband or mouth holding.
I think it’s mostly legacy. Right angle flashlights were never small, taking “C” sized cells. In the miniature world of LED, suddenly the right angle light has an obvious place as a headlamp. And then 18650 sized ones were made where emitter is offset to one end, and now it’s easily handheld. I like it, because tail standing is more useful as a task light, as traditional cylindrical lights point upward. That’s fine for room illumination, but not tasks.
I have the Thrunite TH20 and really like it, especially after changing the emitter (now nicely warm). I’ve used it with the headband and also stand-alone. What clip did you find that fits it well?
For really small task work, I prefer the traditional cylinder. My Jetbeam Jet-U can be held clamped by my lips and easily directed where I need it, when requiring hands free for a short while. Of course, this can also work well when clipped to the brim of a cap.
The clip I found was one that I got from the Fenix store 8 years ago. Works perfectly as the top of the clip lines up with the top of the light. Will post some pics with measurements when I get a chance.
It’s all about the reflector, coupled with the emitter. In this case, you have a choice of clear or pebbled optics. I went with pebbled and it’s great. “Throw” is a nebulous term, out of context. I look at it more like short, medium, and long range. For headlamps, you want short and medium. But, you can still find long throwers too.
Keep in mind that with headlamps, the most common task is near field illumination. And you’ll want area flooding for best usage. Then use a handheld for more focused work. Also check out Nitecore’s offerings.
I have several Fenix lights, the widest being a PD30. But the diameter is still a little more narrow than the TH20, so the clip is too tight to fit (don’t want to force it and risk stripping of anodizing).
Did you all see Skilhunt uglied up the H03 ?
It’s called H04 now and it really looks disappointing…
I like angle lights too, by the way.
I have several Skilhunts, the Nitecore H30 (or what’s it called) and some others.
But i never use them as headlamps.
I have this guy:
and it’s one of my favorite lights. Olight’s build quality is impeccable, and it’s a tiny right-angle light so it’s super useful.
The only right-angle light I use more is a AA Zebralight and this light:
I only use the Harbor Freight light more as it’s a lot better for automotive work, and I don’t care if it gets scratched.
