Rechargeable Headlamp for Bench Work

Lightbringer · 2019-01-09T02:28:38.000Z

I’ve got a number of Boruit RJ02s. Cheap enough I figured I’d get a bunch and treat them as “disposable”, but the first/only one I’ve been beating on alllllll this time is still chugging away just fine.

Easy to swap 20mm TIR lenses if you want narrower/wider, too. About 10sec-15sec to do, too.

wstrachan · 2019-01-09T02:47:35.000Z

Scientist:

A lot of people on BLF like the Boruit light :Boruit Headlamp Review D10 (aka. EHL0628) - King of the Budget Headlamps?.

I second that vote. Very nice little boruit light. $11, built in charging. I would usually say Boruit is junk and 99/100 I’d be right. This is a great light.
When shoppig for it, you must search the model as Boruit EHL0628 because the others that are very similar dont compare.

HorizontalHunter · 2019-01-09T03:49:41.000Z

JatoTheRipper:

Yokiamy:

Skilhunt H03, you can’t go wrong on that.
Should be available around 30usd with discount.

Thanks. That looks pretty good?

Does Fenix offer anything that might fit my requirements? I got a 20% off coupon for signing up to their email list.

You might consider the E-16 if you wear a ball cap. I just picked one up and some rechargable 16340’s for mine. I s a great little light that I will use for hunting/fishing.

Fenix E15

If you are looking for something more trditional the Fenix Hl50 is another candidate.
HL50

The HL50 is a nice light weight headlamp that is great for around the house. The downside to the HL50 is that it it only runs on disposables Cr123Aor AA batteries. If you buy the 123’s in bulk you can get them for a $1.50 or so.

Don’t loan out the Fenix HL50. You won’t get it back. lol I loaned mine to my brother for a hunt a few years back and I still haven’t gotten it back even after a few reminders.

Bob

Frumious · 2019-01-09T05:54:09.000Z

WOWTAC A2S Comes with 18650 battery that has a USB plug in the side of it for recharging. Also comes with the USB cable. Five levels from firefly to 1100 lumen. Easy to use. Waterproof. $30 delivered.

chadvone · 2019-01-09T05:39:23.000Z

+1 on the Wowtac, I have the A2 only $20. Some DC fix on the lens smooths out the beam.

JatoTheRipper · 2019-01-09T18:02:51.000Z

I just can’t get over the fact that the Wowtac looks cheap especially with that dollar store push button cover on the end. No issues with the push button?

chadvone · 2019-01-09T18:15:17.000Z

JatoTheRipper:

I just can’t get over the fact that the Wowtac looks cheap especially with that dollar store push button cover on the end. No issues with the push button?

The button is loud, almost like a reverse click. But I have not had any issues with it. Its main job is bench work, modding other lights.
Without the DC/fix it is on the spotty side. Here is a list of my current head lamps.

Armytek Wizard Pro Mag Charger
Skilhunt H03 driver modded.
Nitecore NU 30 DC-fix
Wowtac A2 driver and DC-fix.

The Wizard and the Skilhunt are flood.
The Nitcore and the Wowtac are spottier.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any lights mentioned in this thread.
Just pick your beam, tint and UI.

chadvone · 2019-01-09T18:20:04.000Z

What I don’t like about the Wowtac is the switch location. I prefer Armtek or Skilhunt as I can have the button down on the left, or up on the right.

The Wowtac end button, I have to hold the light while pushing in to keep it from moving on my head. Not that big of an issue as bench work it stays at a level most of the time.

I have gotten use to it. But it might be an issue for you.

JatoTheRipper · 2019-01-09T19:40:08.000Z

chadvone:

What I don’t like about the Wowtac is the switch location. I prefer Armtek or Skilhunt as I can have the button down on the left, or up on the right.

The Wowtac end button, I have to hold the light while pushing in to keep it from moving on my head. Not that big of an issue as bench work it stays at a level most of the time.

I have gotten use to it. But it might be an issue for you.

That makes complete sense. I would guess pushing the end button to toggle the light would push it out of the band.

Whiter light appears brighter, correct? I guess I’m looking for a whiter or “cool” beam.

Frumious · 2019-01-10T01:06:50.000Z

JatoTheRipper:

I just can’t get over the fact that the Wowtac looks cheap especially with that dollar store push button cover on the end. No issues with the push button?

I’ve had no issues with the Wowtac push button - seems regular, responsive.

cdjaney · 2019-01-10T01:49:53.000Z

I would second the Skilhunt H03 in neutral tint. I have it and it’s very flexible…has magnet in tailcap for hanging it as well. Modes are very customizable….very similar to Zebralight UI…can barely light up your immediate area or a fairly large area at distance….your choice. IMHO, very smooth, floody beam. Plus, with the included clip, you can wear it on your shirt/jacket as a forward looking light if needed. (same for H15 below).

I also have the Skilhunt H15, which is the AA/14500 version. I like it a lot too…nice that you can switch over to regular AA’s in a pinch. But, I usually go for the H03 because it is BARELY bigger than the H15 and of course has longer runtimes with 18650’s.

Happy hunting!

JatoTheRipper · 2019-01-24T23:33:43.000Z

I’m pretty sure I’ve chosen the Skilhunt H03 RC. What batteries and external charger would you guys recommend?

chadvone · 2019-01-25T00:03:55.000Z

I like the Xtar MC Ant+, or a Olight UC charger for a cheap charger.

illumn.com

Xtar Ant MC1 Plus Li-ion USB Charger

Price: USD 3.5

From there you can spend as much as you want.

Since the H03 RC has a charger, maybe a cheap backup and an extra cell.

I just got some Samsung NCR18650GA cells

illumn.com

18650 Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh High Discharge Flat Top

Price: USD 6.99

Agro · 2019-01-26T20:11:13.000Z

G0OSE:

The BORUiT RJ-020 is my go to, ir on/off is really useful when working with mucky hands etc, pretty wide beam and well bright enough for any of my needs. I believe it is moddable if required, may be tricky though.

I use my RJ-02 as a work lamp just like the OP wants to.
It’s great at that and since it’s the cheapest of great options - that’s what I recommend.
I changed the lens to a wider one though.

JatoTheRipper · 2019-02-20T00:54:23.000Z

I ordered the Skiohunt H03 RC direct. Still waiting for a tracking number. Emailed them today.

I also ordered an Xtar Dragon VP4 Plus charger and some KeepPower 3500mAh Sanyo NCR18650GA batteries from Illumn. I have to say I’ll never order from Illumn again. I spent over $100 and they shipped my stuff in a thin FedEx envelope that offers zero protection. The charger box is beat up. It even looks like it has been opened. That may be from the less than soft ride to my house. I suggest you avoid this place!

Lightbringer · 2019-02-20T01:24:27.000Z

That’s odd. I’ve only had 2-3 orders, and they always came in those small-sized Amazon-type boxes. Like half a shoebox.

Corey_Webb · 2020-11-01T00:42:56.000Z

Ever since I got Milwaukee light I’ve been using with a baseball cap and its very handy as it allows to use both my hands while working. The brightness setting allows you to adjust the brightness to youre linking or to the demands of the job. Been a Milwaukee tool i know that this will perform for years to come and if anything happens to this Milwaukee will stand by its tools.

rdhood · 2020-10-21T23:51:16.000Z

I have a Fenix HM61R. It puts out a nice neutral flood that is great for up close work

idahofarmer · 2020-10-23T20:10:53.000Z

Actually I was just doing bench work the other night and had to choose between the 9 headlamps I have. The best for the job was the armytek WR. The beam is floody and just bright enough to make the work easy. The TIR lens is the best for all kinds of flood from the whole front yard to whats in my hands up close. Has a red mode as well. Magnetic charger too.

blf35 code gets you big discount on armytek site (not armytekstore)

daflip · 2020-10-23T22:08:43.000Z

I think you’ll be happy with the Skilhunt. I have a H04 RC CRI and I use it for all of my close up jobs including soldering jobs for race quads. The warmer tint doesn’t glare so much compared to a cool tint. Beam profile is wide enough for all my tasks. It can charge while in use, however the magnetic connection isn’t really strong so charge head comes off easily with just slight movement, so I guessing that’s not its intended use. For up close, the medium modes are plenty bright with loooong runtimes.