Best Headlamp For Under $20 ?

202bigmike · 2018-10-30T00:23:12.000Z

Is there some simple , easy way to transform the head mounted battery holder on
a headlamp into a belt mounted battery holder ?—Such as how to extend the length
of the battery holders’ power cord , so battery could be mounted on belt instead of
the head. There’s a bunch of mechanically minded people here on the BLF , does
someone have any ideas of how to accomplish the battery move :question: —Not just
for a single cell battery holder , but maybe a 2-4 cell holder.

Nachtfeuerzeug · 2018-10-30T01:12:46.000Z

202bigmike:

Is there some simple , easy way to transform the head mounted battery holder on a headlamp into a belt mounted battery holder ?–Such as how to extend the length of the battery holders’ power cord , so battery could be mounted on belt instead of the head. There’s a bunch of mechanically minded people here on the BLF , does someone have any ideas of how to accomplish the battery move :question: --Not just for a single cell battery holder , but maybe a 2-4 cell holder.

You could buy a bike light that has the option of mounting to a helmet... Perhaps even a headband like those branded as Nitecore. Some bike lights come with a headband.

I converted a River Rock 2* CR123, one piece head lamp to a 4* AA using battery holder and the connecting wire was taken from a car charger. You could probably find the wire in bulk somewhere.

Like Boaz said, it's extremely unlikely a battery will go bad on your head, much less explode.

I get under cars and I can't stand resting my head on a batt. pack so most of mine have the battery inside, up front.

Something we don't like around here is resistance to current flow so using a long wire ie. >12" is shunned! Ok, just kidding... maybe.

There's a few cavers/spelunkers here and your set up sounds similar to that kind of equipment. Just not the price.

aswang · 2018-10-30T01:16:47.000Z

Its doable but probably easier and more cost effective to buy a light built this way. There’s the fenix hp30r, nitecore hc70, spark sx5 but those are way over $20. Try also checking out bike lights that double as headlamps. e.g OTR Headlamp

202bigmike · 2018-10-30T02:07:54.000Z

As for the fact a lithium battery is unlikely exploding , there’s no guarantee it won’t—It only takes once. :confounded:

I didn’t make it clear , I was really referring to battery holders for 18650 size cells for longer run capacity.

Nachtfeuerzeug · 2018-10-30T02:30:08.000Z

202bigmike:

As for the fact a lithium battery is unlikely exploding , there’s no guarantee it won’t–It only takes once. :confounded:

These must be Russian cats! 9 lives plus... Enjoy...https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/52928

ActiveAl · 2018-10-30T03:16:54.000Z

202bigmike:

Besides myself looking for a pretty good under $20 headlamp , I’m basically also looking for someone who’s afraid of the head mounted battery holders , because of hearing about battery explosions.

Why don't you just go with a headlamp that uses Ni-MH or primary AA/AAA cells instead of Li-ion? Wouldn't that alleviate the fear of explosion? Of course, there would probably be a trade-off with brightness.

My concern with L-Shaped headlamps is that it seems that the light would be skewed at close range. That is to say, half of what you are looking would be darker than the other half when working up close and personal. Has anyone experienced this? Just my thoughts.

Update:

202BigMike, how many lumens do you need? What will the headlamp be used for? What about waterproof rating? Thanks!

Here is a highly rated basic headlamp on Amazon with an A Fakespot rating. Would something like this work?

aswang · 2018-10-30T02:44:24.000Z

ActiveAl:

My concern with L-Shaped headlamps is that it seems that the light would be skewed at close range. That is to say, half of what you are looking would be darker than the other half when working up close and personal. Has anyone experienced this? Just my thoughts.

With with reflector based throwy headlamps, maybe. But I never had this problem with H03 or armyteks which use floody TIR. I don’t even notice that its not centered.

Unless “up close and personal” means right in your face like making out with someone. Then you have a problem. :heart_eyes:

ActiveAl · 2018-10-30T03:03:38.000Z

aswang:

ActiveAl:

My concern with L-Shaped headlamps is that it seems that the light would be skewed at close range. That is to say, half of what you are looking would be darker than the other half when working up close and personal. Has anyone experienced this? Just my thoughts.

With with reflector based throwy headlamps, maybe. But I never had this problem with H03 or armyteks which use floody TIR. I don’t even notice that its not centered. Unless “up close and personal” means right in your face like making out with someone. Then you have a problem. :heart_eyes:

I was thinking about reading distance. I probably wouldn't be happy with an L-shaped headlamp without a TIR lense then.Thanks!.

aswang · 2018-10-30T03:33:06.000Z

ActiveAl:

I was thinking about reading distance. I probably wouldn’t be happy with an L-shaped headlamp without a TIR lense then.Thanks!

Reading distance is no problem with floody l-shaped headlamps. I use my H03 (albeit heavily modded) as my camp and bedtime reading light all the time. Warmer CCTs, nice tints and nice low modes (around 1 to 5 lumens for me) are also important for these types of activities for less glare and less strain on the eyes.

Lightbringer · 2018-10-30T04:37:23.000Z

freeme:

I remembered Boruit RJ-02 (HC50 clone) was quite popular at one time.

Still one-a my faves. I shouldda gotten a commission for as many times as I hawked ’em…

202bigmike · 2018-10-31T06:27:03.000Z

[quote=ActiveAl]

202bigmike:

Besides myself looking for a pretty good under $20 headlamp , I’m basically also looking for someone who’s afraid of the head mounted battery holders , because of hearing about battery explosions.

Why don’t you just go with a headlamp that uses Ni-MH or primary AA/AAA cells instead of Li-ion? Wouldn’t that alleviate the fear of explosion? Of course, there would probably be a trade-off with brightness.

202BigMike, how many lumens do you need? What will the headlamp be used for? What about waterproof rating? Thanks!

The person that I’m looking for the headlamp , will use it to do electronic work mostly inside and some outside.
He needs a pretty fair amount of lumens because he works in some dark places at times and the cells should have
more power , thus the Li-ions. In his thoughts that’s the reason for a belt mounted battery pack/holder versus a
head mounted holder.

lohtse · 2018-10-31T06:40:28.000Z

freeme:

I remembered Boruit RJ-02 (HC50 clone) was quite popular at one time.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/40951

https://www.gearbest.com/headlights/pp_009215193625.html

I can second that about those RJ-02 used as client headlamps for some time when caving(still do) all survived water mud etc… About 300lm brightness and with a good battery cell would run 12 hours plus at around the Mid brightness setting which is a round 120lm(uses ramping so is an approx) Best of all they cast less the £10(aliexpress) with battery and has USB charging (I sealed the charging port and use a nitecore charger for the batteries)

If you wnat cheap they are worth the money

sedstar · 2018-11-01T03:17:21.000Z

I had several “below budget” chinatastic excuses? then settled on the BORUIT RJ-02

I’ve had it what? couple years now? its my goto light when I am working and need light… and I wouldn’t want to be without the thing.

I guess i’m with LIGHTBRINGER… I just think they are womnderful.

Sofirn · 2018-11-01T03:48:48.000Z

It’s not easy to make a high quality headlamp with battery under $20, but we can try. A good budget headlamp is our plan. We would love to listen.

wstrachan · 2018-11-01T04:07:25.000Z

1st choice is Wowtac A2. 1000+ lumens. Comes with a nice cell with built in charging circuit.
2nd choice is Boruit EHL0628. Built in charging. 1000lm, probably about 750 true OTFL.

ActiveAl · 2018-11-01T15:12:13.000Z

Sofirn:

It’s not easy to make a high quality headlamp with battery under $20, but we can try. A good budget headlamp is our plan. We would love to listen.

You may have just started a feeding frenzy.

I agree with Lightbringer that a headlamp like the BORUIT RJ-02 would be a good starting point. Perhaps make it lighter and more comfortable to wear. I prefer the T-shape as opposed to an L-shape in a headlamp for close-in work. Unless you use a TIR lense, an L-shaped headlamp has parallax (shading on one side) at reading distance. Thanks for asking.

Lightbringer · 2018-11-01T04:19:32.000Z

sedstar:

I had several “below budget” chinatastic excuses? then settled on the BORUIT RJ-02

I’ve had it what? couple years now? its my goto light when I am working and need light… and I wouldn’t want to be without the thing.

I guess i’m with LIGHTBRINGER… I just think they are womnderful.

Yep. I keep mine hanging on my doorknob so I always know where it is when I need it. Even if I don’t stick it on my head, I palm it and use it as a regular light, as long as the headband doesn’t dangle in front of the LED. :laughing:

lohtse · 2018-11-01T07:07:19.000Z

Sofirn:

It’s not easy to make a high quality headlamp with battery under $20, but we can try. A good budget headlamp is our plan. We would love to listen.

happy to help with testing if you want it put through caving,climbing and bad weather…drop me a pm

lohtse · 2018-11-01T07:09:35.000Z

Lightbringer:

sedstar:

I had several “below budget” chinatastic excuses? then settled on the BORUIT RJ-02

I’ve had it what? couple years now? its my goto light when I am working and need light… and I wouldn’t want to be without the thing.

I guess i’m with LIGHTBRINGER… I just think they are womnderful.

Yep. I keep mine hanging on my doorknob so I always know where it is when I need it. Even if I don’t stick it on my head, I palm it and use it as a regular light, as long as the headband doesn’t dangle in front of the LED. :laughing:

They pretty damn good and muggle proof too…the amount of times the ones I have have been under a water fall(on a clients helmet) is far too many to count and yet they still keep going on….They are far better that brands such as Black Diamond, petzl etc.

puglife2 · 2018-11-01T08:34:35.000Z

Sofirn:

It’s not easy to make a high quality headlamp with battery under $20, but we can try. A good budget headlamp is our plan. We would love to listen.

Can you do this but cheaper :sunglasses: