Hi folks,
Some of you might followed my thread searching for a flashlight with most bang fur buck.
After I finally received the WF504B today I am now looking for a headlamp for my girlfriend.
As I got a couple of 18650 batteries and the loader the headlight should use 18650.
What about this one
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/flood-to-throw-3-mode-cree-q3-led-headlamp-1-18650-44277
I found at DX?
Is therre a better 18650 headlamp avaialable with a better bang for buck?
Thanks for your help and assistance in advance!
Best regards
biker
There is a Dino direct group buy coming on the uf-h3 headlamp. Headlamp and a handy 90degree flashlight. Only downside (and it might not be a downside) is that it is flood only.
Thanks for your reply, Ford Perfect.
Do you got any further info on this or a link to this thread?
Summer (dinodirect.com rep) mentions doing a future group buy on the uf-h3 when they have stock. Look at post #122 in this thread:
A New Groupbuy from DD is Ready
Not to bad headlamp. I pulls about 0.7A to the led. The worst thing is two plastics knobs which quickly worns out if you often change head inclination. I had to fix it permanently. Otherwise quite bright for a bit underdriven Q3, but it has realy long runtime with 18650. It has rear red backlight on battery pack where it says "LED HEADLIGHT". No SOS, just strobe mode instead.
You should precisely define what it is to be used for. Then we can give you more suggestions.
Just FYI: That DX headlamp seems to be on offer now for $9.99: http://offers.dealextreme.com/team.php?id=32
Thanks for your replies.
@ Ford Perfect: I think you mean the UF-2100 1000LM 3-Mode, right?
As this isn't a headlamp it is not really practically.
@ ledoman: What runtime has the lamp with 18650 on high mode approximately?
@ _the_: Thanks for the advise.
The headlamp shall be used for working outside in the dark on a grazing land about 500x250 metres - searching and inspecting horses, preparing feed, checking the grazing land and the fence etc.
It shall be quite bright in close range, but also light as much as possible in the distance.
Do you got any other recommendtions for a 18650 headlamp?
Ford Prefect really meant UF-H3, the big brother of UF-H2 (the earlier group buy from DD)
In post 122 in the above mentioned thread, Summer said: "But when we have H3 in stock , i will keep all you informed here and make another groupbuy."
=> There might be a UF-H3 group buy soon(ish). At least I keep my fingers crossed.
UF-H2b is a good headlamp, and I think UF-H3 would suit my needs even better. I'm definitely in if there will be a new group buy.
Ps. The offer mentioned my earlier post is already sold out.
Runtime is heavily depended on battery (real) capacity, but you can calculate run time using data I've already provided - it runs at 0.7A (700mA) current on high. With good 2400mAh battery that would be about 3.5 hours. Bieing direct driven this can be even longer as the current (and brightnes) degrades in time.
Working what on grazing land? Just looking around? This one is quite bright in close range, but beam diameter isn't to wide. Overall not bad for the money. I was using it even for searching mushrooms in the woods :-) On a distance it's comparable with others XR-E Q5 throw to flood flashlights.
Ford was talking about one of the next supposed deals at DD for uf-h3. Good light for close range, but fixed beam and not good for your purpose at longer distance.
Thanks for your replies.
As already mentioned it will be for searching and inspecting horses, preparing feed, checking the grazing land and repairing the fence etc.
Due to the fact that the UF-H3 has a fixed beam only and doesn't has a farther beam as the headlamp from DX it doesn't come into consideration.
By the way the DX headlamp deal is still on.
@ ledoman: How wide is and how far goes the diameter of the beam approximately?
We have to light a grazing land of 500x250 metres approximately so th beam should be adjustable as big as possible.
Is there any other 18650 headlamp with a big(ger) beam?
Right. It was "200 bought - Sold Out", but now it's "203 bought - The deal is ON!"
So they have extended the deal. Good for us.
I'm still not convinced about the need for flood to throw in your case. Zooming a headlamp is a nice feature, mostly because you can adjust the beam to suit the current task, but you really can't walk with it in throw mode.
=> I would still suggest a good headlight for flood and another (pocketable) torch for occasional need of throw.
Just to clarify: Throw is for close range and flood for farther range, right?
Regarding my need for flood to throw:
When arriving at the grazing land I first need a farther beam to locate the horses and to have a look on the condition of the grazing land and the fence.
Once having reached the horses I need a close beam for inspecting the horses, preparing feed etc.
I hope this explanation is clear.
It should be on lamp only, not a headlamp and a flashlight.
Shall I try to work with the DX headlamp or is there a more qualified 18650 headlamp?
Wrong. Throw is for far and flood for close.
You are saying there should be only one lamp not two, right?
There are very few 18650 based headlamp.
Can't tell for the beam as i don't have it at my place, but for $9.99 you can't fail (and expect) a lot. Still it should reach aprox. 100m distance and 45° beam at wide side.
Okay, I already thought this.
But why shouldn't you be able to walk with the headlamp in throw mode?
Is it possible to fix a 18650 flashlight to a bike helmet? This would be another option.
45° sounds quite little to me. UF-H2b has almost 90° beam, and I like it.
But, like you said, for $9.99 you can't fail. I already ordered two of those.
..and I would still ask the OP to reconsider the option of having two lights.. :)
Because there won't be ANY spill, so you can't see any obstacles near you.
Sure. There are Velcro straps for this purpose.
OK it might be 60°, but for shure not as much as UF-H2b
+1
What do you think about using my WF504B on a helmet instead of theis headlight?
Where can I find such velcros for fixing the flshlight on a bike helmet?
Headlight is better for close work (fence repairing) as it has evenly spreaded light and it throws further on other hand, regardless XM-L drop-in has a lot more lumens.
Where do you live? Can't see from your account. Welcro probably can be bought in every western country where there is sewing stuff.