Best Headlamp For Under $20 ?

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:

skinny_tie · 2018-11-01T09:11:19.000Z

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.

Go Sofirn!

I’d love a right-angle light with interchangeable 18650 and 18350 tubes, easily replaceable TIR optic so users can choose the beam that suits them, and a UI based on Andúril or Narsil. An option for a reflector and Manker E03 style diffuser would be a bonus.

I’d be happy to pay $20 for that without a cell, but if you can do a package with a USB-rechargeable cell that would be great.

Agro · 2018-11-01T10:40:48.000Z

skinny_tie:

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.

Go Sofirn!

I’d love a right-angle light with interchangeable 18650 and 18350 tubes, easily replaceable TIR optic so users can choose the beam that suits them, and a UI based on Andúril or Narsil.

If that was built lightweight like Skilhunt H03(or lighter), I would absolutely love a light like that. Actually I would pay $40 for it even if it had a simple linear driver, not-great-but-ok led and no lightened switch. I would pay a little extra for either buck+LH351D or boost+xhp35 because efficacy is very important for my headlamp uses.
That’s because low weight, great ui, 18700+18350 combo simply doesn’t exist on the market. Modding allows that, but for ~$40 and with extra effort.
I would typically use Folomov 18700 battery-powerbank or Aspire 18350 with it.

joechina · 2018-11-01T14:33:25.000Z

Two different Tir optics.

- Flood with pebbles

one with tight beam

and 4500K or warmer

lohtse · 2018-11-01T15:00:13.000Z

why don’t you takes the requests over to my thread about a BLF headlamp so this thread can stay about recommendations

ActiveAl · 2018-11-01T15:23:40.000Z

skinny_tie:

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.

Go Sofirn! I’d love a right-angle light with interchangeable 18650 and 18350 tubes, easily replaceable TIR optic so users can choose the beam that suits them, and a UI based on Andúril or Narsil. An option for a reflector and Manker E03 style diffuser would be a bonus. I’d be happy to pay $20 for that without a cell, but if you can do a package with a USB-rechargeable cell that would be great.

What is the big deal about L-shaped headlamps? What can an L-shaped headlamp do that a T-shaped can't do plus avoid parallax.

I'm here to learn. Thanks.

jigsaw · 2018-11-01T16:53:39.000Z

ActiveAl:

What is the big deal about L-shaped headlamps? What can an L-shaped headlamp do that a T-shaped can’t do plus avoid parallax.

My thoughts too.

fireblade893 · 2018-11-01T17:09:18.000Z

If you want the budget end of things I recently got one of these

XANES T6 1500Lumens 3Modes LED Headlamp Flashlight Rechargeable Zoomable Magnetic Work Light

It has a zoomie lens on it 3 modes Hi- Lo- Blinky, maybe 5-600 Lumens on full, very cool LED built-in battery with USB A charger under the end cap

Flood size is 70% of a Cometa, zoomed out size maybe 2.5 times the size of Cometa with around half the brightness in flood

I paid £6.34 for mine but it has gone up a bit in last few weeks

ActiveAl · 2018-11-01T21:12:35.000Z

fireblade893:

If you want the budget end of things I recently got one of these “XANES T6 1500Lumens 3Modes LED Headlamp Flashlight Rechargeable Zoomable Magnetic Work Light”:https://www.banggood.com/XANES-T6-1500Lumens-3Modes-LED-Headlamp-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Zoomable-Magnetic-Work-Light-p-1339776.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN It has a zoomie lens on it 3 modes Hi- Lo- Blinky, maybe 5-600 Lumens on full, very cool LED built-in battery with USB A charger under the end cap Flood size is 70% of a Cometa, zoomed out size maybe 2.5 times the size of Cometa with around half the brightness in flood I paid £6.34 for mine but it has gone up a bit in last few weeks

So, don't you think this would be a better flashlight if it was a symmetrical T-shape instead of L-shape? Every tried using it to read?

Update: This design makes more sense to me. What do you think?

puglife2 · 2018-11-01T20:16:27.000Z

jigsaw:

ActiveAl:

What is the big deal about L-shaped headlamps? What can an L-shaped headlamp do that a T-shaped can’t do plus avoid parallax.

My thoughts too.

Having a magnetic base like the Armytek wizard / Elf c2 and can be used as a handheld

NeutralFan · 2018-11-02T02:42:18.000Z

This headlamp works for me (around $20): Workhorse Pro™ 3AAA LED Virtually Indestructible HD Headlight

Mine is the previous version, but essentially the same. I also frosted the lens in order to give it a wider beam for working on stuff around the house, rather than distance.

aswang · 2018-11-03T12:18:03.000Z

jigsaw:

ActiveAl:

What is the big deal about L-shaped headlamps? What can an L-shaped headlamp do that a T-shaped can’t do plus avoid parallax.

My thoughts too.

My experience is that they’re more versatile. Useful as edc, handheld, pocket or stick em lights, easier to manufacture, easier to mod.

Also easier to lego. H03 shorty is my favorite.

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