Any decent deals on headlamps around?

Other Types of Lights LED Headlamps
1

Im looking for couple of headlamps, powered by single battery, no battery packs, on a budget, shipped to EU.

Lights should have either no PWM or very high PWM that is invisible to the naked eye, they should definitely come with mode memory and have very low low mode or be priced really low in case they dont have such low mode or mode memory. If light comes with integrated red LED it will be considered as considerable plus so I wont have to fiddle with removable red filters risking losing it and having convenience to just press the button to change the lights is very big bonus when being otherwise busy.

I might get two different lights, depending on price-performance ratio.

Here are few of the lights that have so far caught my attention, I know there are others out there, Ive also read about them here at BLF, yet I might have missed something, but these are the ones that sit on top of the list :D!

AA
Xtar H1(AA) - love the fact that it comes with both standart and red LED, plus the red LED is supposedly Cree and not average dome shaped cheapie diode. Also it comes with rather dim low modes which is a big bonus for my intended use(close up work in mostly total darkness without need to worry about battery life).

Fenix HL23(AA) - good for the money, lacks real low mode, I think it had no mode memory, yes?

Nitefighter L1A(AA) - very budget oriented price, supposedly good build quality, two standart and two disco modes, someone said that it comes with mode memory? Plastic lens is not an issue for me, since I believe my UF-H2 comes with one also. Its low mode is pretty bright and runtime is only about 20 hours or less, but for the price with BLF coupon at BG its worth a try. Throwy beam is not a turn-off for me because I will be fixing it if required with DIY diffuser on any of the lights.

ArmyTek Tiara A1/A1 PRO - good selection of modes, as good or even better low modes than on ZL AA headlamps, competetively priced, looks more like its going to be one of my future purchases, so Im mentioning it just to let you know that I know about its existence :).

18650
Well, this spot is rather crowded, Ive done my research so Im kind of open to all suggestions as long as its on sale, the same rules as stated above apply!

ANY recommendation is welcome, be it 5$ light or 60$ light, as long as it fits my needs! Feel free to post your thoughts on what light has what benefits over competition ;)!

2

Sunwayman c22c…

3

Dude, the title and mentioned lights would like you to think that Im looking for anything else but headlamps :D?

4

The c22c can be used as headlamp but only for close range as it can output 180 lumends on the secondary led. You just need to get a strap (which is sold separately I think)

5

It does look good, but only as EDC light, because it looks too big with too bulky of a head, so, not for me as a headlamp, but the dual LED setup look interesting on it!

Ive found complaints that red side LED optics are plastic and melt if turned on accidentally inside pocket/bag?

6

I often recommend head straps as a headlamp compromise, for instance using it for fixing a flat when your car breaks down, or for simple walking, but they are nowhere near being as good as an actual headlamp, if you specifically need a headlamp.

7

My thoughts on headlamps:

Armytek Wizard Pro warm is the best headlamp I’ve ever owned (I’ve had the Zebralight H600w, Nitecore HC50 and the Wizard pro warm).

Love the runtimes that the 18650 configuration brings to the table. Good battery capacity.

Love the warm tint for best color rendition and easier on the eyes.

Love the button being on top as opposed to being on the side. Being on top, its easy for one hand operation and mode changing. Downside of button on the end/side is that you more likely need two hands to operate otherwise you are just pushing the light around on your head.

Wizard pro seems to handle heat well, had great mode spacing with low lows and great turbo mode. Armytek builds tough long-lasting lights.

The zebralight I didn’t like the side button and it just didn’t seem as beefy of a build as the armytek.
The nitecore HC50 had a cold tint I didn’t like, and a side button as well.

8

I have 2 armytek’s, and though they are great, I prefer my jetbeam hc20 because it’s easier to operate. I’m not a fan of the mode selection on the armytek’s, too complicated for something you expect to operate without looking at it. My only complaint with the jetbeam is having to clean the battery contacts when I got it, or the output flickers. It’s also heavier than the armytek’s but the headband with the over the top strap supports the weight and makes it hurt my head less than the armytek headband.

9

How did you clean the battery contacts?

10

A little sandpaper and isopropyl alcohol. After that just a touch of Noalox.

11

I hear you there, I always switch my UF-H2 with one hand, usually holding the light with my middle finger on tailcap and thumb pressing on head’s switch, which, while being one handed, doesnt feel stable/fast/comfortable enough and requires to close my eyes to avoid getting blidned by the light that gets reflected from my hand!
The switch on UF-H2 is stiff though, so one with bigger and softer, perhaps more recessed switch could be better in this regard, even though it still will require some sort of skills to avoid self-blinding :D!

Little off topic, not about getting blinded by switching the modes, but rather wearing light as such:
One way Ive found to avoid general relfection of headlamps is to wear them around my neck when wearing thicker-warmer clothing that allows me to put the light on top of my clothes when I dont require head movement and lights illumination coordination.

12

There’s the amazing (but soon to be closed!) deal on the Skilhunt H02 and H02R headlamps, and neutral tint available too.

13

Yeah, saw that too, yet my priority at the moment would be AA light, though H02c looks to be great spec wise, but isnt included in GB+it comes with somewhat visible PWM.

Anyone knows if theres better deal out there for Xtar H1 Commander light? Cheapest so far is on Ebay, 45$.

14

Here’s a little cutie from Maxtoch - their new HO1.

It is a headlamp but main unit detaches to become a little stand alone light with both red and white light functions. Its an XML2-U2 with Hi, med and low in white mode, and fixed and strobe in red. Very well made, 18650 batt, and low mode would likely give 16 hours light. Range about 80m. It is now my walker headlamp and EDC:

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MAXTOCH-H01-Cree-XM-L2-U2-LED-With-Red-Beam-Light-High-Power-Headlamp/314381_32342262461.html

15

Thanks for pointing that out!

However, the information about it is rather scarce and mfg’s webpage isnt working atm?

16

Bringing this thread back for a little update :)!

Purchased two Xtar H2 Commander headlamps, less than 24$ each, runs on 16340 but might work with NiMh's as well, will try to find battery tube that fits its head and experiment.

Still looking for good 18650 headlamp, Banggood appears to have Jetbeam HC20 for 29.99$ which seems to be rather good price for this one! However it doesnt have real low mode, 70 lumens being the lowest, moonlight that runs for weeks is preferable.

Crelant CH10 is being hailed as good for the money, comes in neutral and warm white tints, however one Fonarevka review stated that it drops its output considerably and then sags quite a lot thus reducing max output way too low, it runs unregulated.

Skilhunt H02C seems like interesting light, but it appears to have visible PWM in all modes on all colors and it costs more than H02/H02R and so far has not been available on sale unlike H02/H02R.

Any other contenders around 30$?

What about good but cheap 18650 headlamp with battery carrier at the back of the head, you know, those that come with reflectors or aspherical lenses, any good ones among those 10$ lights or are they all crap with hair-thin wires and hollow pills and no heatsinking?

Nights are getting longer here again this time of the year so its time to stock up with some lights and batteries, yearly flashlights obsession can begin :D!

17

Ok, 3 posts in a row from me :D!

Bought HC20, stilk theres some itching for 18650 or even 26650 headlamp with battery compartment at the back, checking out Rayfall.

18

Just got my HL23, yes it’s without memory.
Mode is H-L-M, floody light but still enough hotspot for throw.

I’m just wishing it has red light :smiley:

19

You might want to check out Xtar H2, runs on 16340, comes with white and red LED and theres thread about it being on sale with coupon ;)!

20

I have an H51 for sale