Warmwhite on stepless dimming. Long runtime. Fast shipping.
Looks interesting, do you own one?
I honestly don't think that is what you are looking for: it has a narrow reflector which throws a well defined beam with center hotspot. Good for outdoor (maybe) but definitely not what I'll want for close operations.
I've had for an year now a UF-H3B, in stock form it has very cold emitter XR-E with visible PWM, which is annoying sometimes.
But it's a good example of a work headlamp with 100% flood. No reflector at all. A soft wall of light evenly spread in front of you. For short distance work/repair/inspection is perfect.
As for the light being offset on one side, it does not impair your vision under normal use.
In critical conditions like trying to see where that damn clip has fallen in an overly busy engine bay, it has some parallax limits, but even a perfectly centered light would have similar limits, as it has some distance from your eyes anyway.
Now that my H3b has died (broken) I was hardly pressed to find something similar but better. Took into consideration all the aforementioned headlamps, from Armytek Zebralight Spark etc, and at the end, looking for a 100% flood warm light with long runtime, I accepted to pay quite more than originally expected and bought a Spark SD6-460NW which has a XM-L2 T5 neutral white. Not really a High CRI but still a good compromise, for me at least.
http://goinggear.com/spark-sd6-460nw-xm-l-t6-neutral-white-460-lumen-flood-headlamp-7458.html
Check this thread for a million pics/videos of the beam spread for the 600FW. It’s very floody. They also make a complete flood model but that has no throw at all.
Thanks mate, I’ll check it out.
I have the Spark SD52-NW. Runs on 2-AA’s, and is a nice neutral white tint. I also bought the extra screw in bezel that acts like a mule type bezel for all flood. It comes with the bezel that has a reflector that provides focused beam. It is a great headlamp that is very well built and has a simple UI.
I’ve got a Princeton Tec Yukon HL that I like. It’s got a good working flood, and the throw mode/LED is pretty good too. I know it’s not in the same category that you’re talking, but I like mine and it has worked well. You can get it for $20-25 as STP if you watch for their many deals. Right now it’s $30 on there which I still think is a good price. Just a possibility/suggestion.
Hey Rockspider, keep that uf-h3 body and stick a nichia-219 in it. I did that a couple of years ago and it still is my goto headlight. Check out the build I posted in my signature. It took some time and effort but was worth it.
curious if the crelant headlamp has horrible pwm like the ultrafire or lots of other ramping drivers
I wondered this also. Did a search but couldn’t find any mention of crelant and PWM, so I assume its current controlled. I’ll find out in a couple of weeks :bigsmile:
I have 2 Crelant CH10 Headlights and can confirm that there is no PWM at all.
I verify this by shining the light thru the side window at my computer fans.
If PWM exists then the fan blades appear in stop-action.
The Crelant CH10 has high and low modes. Both modes have infinite ramping and
there is no discernable stop-action PWM at any level.
Because you can set your own levels without PWN and the battery is in front, this is a great light.
Only Drawback for a big head (7-5/8 hat size), the head band is tight, but wearable. The head band
does not fit over a construction helmet.
I have been following this thread hoping to find a decent, budget, value head lamp (will be my first) for some time.
Stepless Dimming? Yes, that is the claim.
I’m buying!
Any news, djozz? Can you tell me a bit more about the light (F10) please, I find it quite interesting. Strobe is not hidden, right?
I also have a Crelant CH10 in what they refer to as ‘warm white’, which is actually neutral. It’s very good value for the $25 or so they sell for - overall construction is excellent, there’s no PWM, and the power levels go way down into the sub-lumen region.
The negatives, if I’m being picky, are that the scrolling is quite fast and it takes a bit of practice to actually select a sub-lumen low. It is also a fairly ‘spotty’ beam, and not the full-flood that I prefer. I solved that by creating a diffuser for myself out of a shard of fluorescent lens cover, and that works well.
Apparently they also offer a warmer tint, which they refer to as ‘yellow’. I read that in one of the Ali Express ads somewhere in passing. I’d say mine is in the 3C / 4C range, which works well for me. As mentioned earlier, the headband is too small for a hard hat but plenty adequate for a big bare head. That could be easily cured with a piece of elastic and a minute on the sewing machine. (I’m much more of a user than a collector interested in aesthetics). I’m very pleased with mine and I’m tempted to order a spare. You do get a very useful headlamp for your money.
Any budget neutral white 1AA headlamp that is floody? I thnik that would make for an awesome gift…
Throw not needed. Warm or neutral is good. Suggestions?
Edit. Oops- sorry I was trying to start a new thread- I’ll use search instead….
The Crelant CH10 comes in 3 tints. I ordered one, no regrets. The warm white is good for all purpose use around the farm. The low setting is very usable for general close up work, haven’t felt the need to use the dimmer function much. But, the dimmer is nice to have while camping when you want to just have a moon light glow and maintain night vision. When I’m walking around the high mode works best for me and so far it runs and runs. No issues using it for an hour plus on high. The throw is decent for a small headlamp, I used it riding my bicycle last night and it did well for riding around cars and seeing to the sides. I run a cool white 3 mode Tangsfire C8 on medium as my main bike light and its about as bright as that with less throw of course. I know it will do at least 90 minutes on high with a 3400 Pano with another 20 minutes on low while I loaded up my bike. Haven’t found the actual run time yet. I mostly use it on low and it lasts longer than I need before I recharge the 18650. I would expect it to last a full 2 hours on high, I’ll find out some day.
Highly recommended for $26 shipped. I’m getting another one, going to try White this time, Warm White is a bit too yellow for bike use but just right for indoor use and working under the house. The head band works well, I didn’t even adjust it and I have an XL head. This headlamp is good enough for my needs and it makes a great gift. Its finished well, packaged well, even had lube on the threads.
Here is an interesting discussion and test of head lamps. May not help, but I enjoyed it even though I am past the age where I am going to use one.
Jerry
Tumbleweed48 and Tanner thanks for the input
I see that Bangood has the ch10 for about $23 shipped after the blf discount.
This seller has been reliable after 3 orders and they ship fast: Headlamps
I’m getting the CH10 headlamps in 10 to 14 days well packaged and as described. They are $23 to $27, the prices changes from week to week. I’ve seen them down to $23 for the warm tint. I think the neutral white is the best one for general use, I have all three tints. The warm tint is great for working under the house. The blue one matches my bicycle light perfectly so I leave that one on my bike full time in my rear bag.
The dimmer feature works great, it responds fast, but you get accustomed to it. Its nice having a budget headlamp that is durable, water proof and one that has zero whine. I have hours of use on my 3 and no issues so far. I would buy a larger version with more throw and the same build quality. I hope the seller brings out more versions like the CH10…
I like to support vendors who ship promptly and actually ship the item as described!