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.