Rechargeable and standard battery headlamp

Price Range: <$70

Purpose: Backpacking, hiking, climbing

Battery Type & Quantity: I’d like something USB rechargeable that also accepts standard AA or AAAs if need be. Obviously, battery life is important given multi-day backpacking outings.

Size: Smaller is better, preferably <3oz

Type: Headlamp

Main Use: Illuminating hiking trails, but prefer about 90m beam throw due to nature of terrain

Switch Type: Doesn’t matter

Anything Else?: At present, I have the COAST HL7, which I appreciate for its solid beam, but I’ve been unsatisfied with the battery life. The HL7R suits my battery preferences, but doesn’t solve the battery life issue. I’ve been looking at the Petzl Aktik Core and Fenix HL18RW, but haven’t found any direct comparisons…

Not gonna happen. Anything that takes an AA will not have an onboard charger. Too many idjits would try to charge an alkaleak, have it crap itself inside the light, then go badmouthing the light and demanding refunds.

Best you might do would be get a light that accepts a house-brand 14500 with built-in charger on the cell. Eg, the Wuben E05 but it’s a regular light, not a headlamp.

Here are four headlamps that can run on 1xAA and also charge 1x14500 internally. They’re all made by LEDLenser and weigh just over 3 ounces. I wouldn’t recommend any of them. 1xAA is a bit less energy than 3xAAA, but the very best of the latest high-capacity 14500s roughly equal 3xAAA NiMH and significantly exceed 1xAA or 3xAAA alkaline.

All that said, depending on your use case, you may be better off with a headlamp that takes 1x18650 Li-ion rechargeable and just bring a couple spares. One 18650 is roughly equal to 6xAA NiMH or 12xAAA NiMH so you can bring a lot more energy with you in a relatively convenient package.

The Skilhunt H04 with high-CRI LH351D is a good 18650 option - perhaps the H04R with a reflector instead of the default TIR optic and a bit more throw, and the -RC version of that for USB-magnetic charging inside the light (though I do suggest having a separate charger so you can charge spare batteries without down time for your light). This has better color rendering than most LEDs, so you’ll see details better than you would with most headlamps of the same brightness.

50-60bux!!! :open_mouth:

https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/nu35

it fits almost all of your requirements

I’m kind of bias, but the D10 type headlamps are some of the best value for money out there in terms of performance vs price. I got one off Amazon 2 years ago and love it. It’s of better quality than the ones sold on Aliexpress. Takes 1 18650, has onboard charging and is really simple. Even of modding isn’t your thing, it’s a good headlamp. As far as AA/AAA, don’t bother unless you go 14500/AA capability.

I don’t think small, under 3 ounces and 90 meter throw are possible.

FWIW I backpack / section hike with a thrunite TH20. It has been very reliable for several years. It will accept all kinds of AA battery types. I normally use IMR14500 or eneloop AA. I have also used Energizer lithium primary AA with great results. If I am doing a strenuous hike, weight is critical and the last is my fave cell type.

I just pack extra cells to get by the battery life issue. Field reloads are super easy with just one AA and a tail cap. I can do it on the fly and dont even need to take it off my head. I also dont use its brightest settings that much once my eyes dilate. I usually keep it around 100~150 Lumens and then turn it up if I want to see farther out.

I use this olight magnetic charger to charge eneloop and IMR14500. The TH20 does not have internal charging and 90 meters is out of its use-able range. I mean little critter eyes will reflect back at that distance… but thats about it, everything else will be dark.

I am not climbing either… just hiking and backpacking, so my hands are pretty much free to swap batteries. I also never use alkaleak AA in it. IIRC it came with a duracell AA but I never tried it.