I’m once again stuck with a dilemma.
I’m looking into buying a new headlight to replace my old LedLenser SEO 7R.
I’ve already done quite some research and have picked the type of headlight that I want. However, it comes in 3 variations. I’m still doubting between 2 of those variations.
The light I’m talking about is the Fenix HM75R.
You can have it just standard (which I don’t prefer), and also in the variation “Superraptor 3” and “Topaz”
The biggest difference for me is the light color of the LEDs.
The Superraptor 3 uses the normal 6500K SST40 for spot and around 4000K SST20 (high CRI) flood
The Topaz uses an SST40 with around 4500K for spot and the SST20 with about 3000K (high CRI) for the flood.
Other differences are, the SuperRaptor doesn’t have a red blinking mode anymore, but has a nicer headband and you can apparently switch between an energy savings mode and performance mode (but that’s a bit unclear to me).
Also the Topaz comes with a 4000mAh 18650 battery while the SR3 “only” has 3500mAh (but I’m planning on buying the extra battery extender with 5000mAh anyways, although I won’t use it always).
The dilemma that I have is mainly with the color temp. I would like to know what your idea on this would be for my use.
I’m mainly planning on using this for repairs (mostly on cars), but I want it to be a good alround headlamp also. During winter I like to do walks in the dark, I also like camping and such.
I don’t work on cars every day, it’s only once in a while, but that is the main use of my current headlight.
Should I go with the higher Kelvin or the low Kelvin (I’m a bit afraid that 3000K is really yellowish)
What drew you to the Fenix HM75R in the first place? It looks quite big and bulky, it’s expensive and the selection of LEDs isn’t my cup of tea, but perhaps you feel differently.
I see one of the options is a weird battery on the back which charges the main cell, conversion losses notwithstanding, I’m not sure why they didn’t just put a pair of cells on the back and call it done…
Reason I’ve chosen this one:
Spot (not the furthest one, but more than decent)
Flood with high CRI
Combination of both
Red light (that is actually useful, it has 120lm)
No “battery stress”/enough battery capacity (and the option to not take the battery extender when it’s not needed)
There’s few/no other headlights that I’ve found that mix these options.
If you would know other headlights that combine all these factors, I’d be happy to learn about it!!
Not sure see the need for a far throwing spotlight for working on a car, or camping, but we have different priorities I guess.
I do not doubt the Fenix will be nice quality however, should go with it. Regarding colour temperature, go with whatever colour temperature you prefer? Some people want max performance and a “crisp” light so go for 6500K/5000k, others, 4000k is the sweet spot. In my opinion, 3000K generally feels “cosy” but is a little too warm for “work”.
Red light is always contentious, if you’re using to avoid bugs then you can go as bright as you want; if preserving night vision then still should be kept fairly dim- a very dim (“moonlight”) white light will allow you to actually see brown contour lines or red danger symbols on map while also mostly preserving night vision.
If you drop the red requirement and willing to compromise on the spotlight, perhaps a Zebralight H600(warm, CRI, etc) would work for you. Keep a spare 18650 in a waterproof tube and just swap the cell when you need more runtime?
For red + HCRI requirement, did you look at the Acebeam H30? I’ve no experience and not seen any reviews, so can’t offer any specific advice.
The throwing spot would be to check out some things a bit further while walking (I like to be aware of my surroundings) or searching for my cats when they didn’t come home and things like that. Not that I would need it a lot, but it’s always handy to have it. I wouldn’t like it if I missed this.
I share your opinion on the crisp. It shouldn’t be too crisp, but 3000 is probably too warm to work with. With that in mind, I believe my thoughts are made up. However, I will keep on searching a bit further since I wasn’t aware of the Parametrek website. I’ll check that out a bit more later on.
The red light is for various purposes. I sometimes go fishing, so to keep the bugs away. Also to preserve night vision during nighttime walks. Although I’m willing to drop this when I find a more suitable option.
Also, stupid me, I didn’t really think about just taking another 18650 with me … Why, I don’t know, I even have some here at home
Thanks for the info!! One more thing though, you’ve said that the SST40 and SST20 high CRI aren’t your favorite picks, what would you pick? I know the Nichia 519a is a favourite amongst many, but what should I look for for flood and spot?
Thank you for the responses!! I now no longer doubt between 2 headlights,… but 3 !
The Acebeam H30 seems like a very nice headlight also.
Just a bit doubtful if the red is bright enough. The high CRI would be nice for reading while camping and such, but its also not very bright.
The emitters do seem better on the Acebeam and I hear that Acebeam has a reputation of using good batches of emitters.
All in all, I’ll sleep a couple of nights over it and then make my decision. Maybe I’ll even buy both and then see which one suits me best and sell the other one.
!