Hi all,
I'm a new user to this forum and would first like to say I’m really impressed with the level of knowledge exhibited (and number/frequency of posts published :)) in this forum. Never thought flashlights and LED technology had reached this level of sophistication and interest online!
I am looking to buy a headlamp, mainly to go running in pitch dark forests at night in autumn and winter. This means for starters that the lamp should be able to stand cold temperatures, rain and incidentally also snow.
Most tracks I use in the woods are pretty familiar in the meantime; they typically include both straight asphalt (pedestrian) roads and narrow twisty dirt paths between the trees (featuring occasional tree trunks as well as mud pools which form after excessive rainfall, which I typically want to avoid). I read that for trail running a waist belt-mounted lamp allows for better visibility of obstacles and unevenness of the terrain, so especially if the best possible model is going to be on the heavier side, I would appreciate if it can also be worn as waist belt lamp. On the other hand I’m not sure if I really need this, as I’m not doing any die-hard trail running.
In any case, I guess the lamp should most of all give a nice flood (albeit maybe with a spot / center that is a tiny little bit brighter) while still offering decent throw. Possibility to change or fine-tune the beam to a small extent would be more than nice.
I am a sucker for high tech gadgets :devil: and don't mind putting in some extra bucks if this gives me the highest-end (best performing, brightest, most versatile, feature-rich and durable) solution out there. For example I would prefer to have a headlamp that can take the 18650 batteries over NiMH. I hate the idea that for each new run (they typically range between 45 and 90 minutes but can go up to 2 hours) I have to recharge the battery pack to be on the safe side. I would want to rely on one charged battery pack used at medium to high light intensity for several runs (reserving the burst/turbo mode for rare, incidental usage), while obviously always carrying a spare battery (set) with me as precaution. And by the way, on the note of energy consumption, I think I would like a controlled lamp, with the possibility to switch to a non-controlled energy saving mode (cf LED Lenser 14).
That said, I just need this for leisure purposes in autumn and winter, a few times a week, mostly on ‘known terrain’ and in not in the harshest of circumstances, so don't necessarily require the most expensive professional grade (let alone custom) equipment that would set me back several hundreds of USD/EUR.
Lastly, I’d like a headlamp from a manufacturer/retailer which ships to Belgium in Europe and at reasonable (or without :D) shipping fees.
After some initial search (and before discovering this forum) I thought I wanted the LED Lenser H14. But then I discovered (on this forum) the new Nitecore HC50 which has a much more interesting (ie less bulky) form factor and takes 18650 cells. Eventually I have re-looked at the Petzl range (which seems to be the de facto choice for runners) and am wondering if after all the new Tikka RXP wouldn’t be the best option. And then I found out that LED Lenser have just issued a new version of their H14, the 14.2. Not to mention the headlights from Zebralight, Fenix, and what have you. So I’m a bit lost :confused:
Hence my call for help. Please see below the filled out checklist. Would very much appreciate any advice! :thumbsup:
PS - With regard to the Petzl RXP, that innovative “REACTIVE LIGHTING mode” seems very charming but I am not sure if it will make a significant difference for me. I won’t read maps while running at night (except on my - backlit - smartphone screen), and while I may be wrong, I don’t think I am altering my head’s position between ‘regular running’ and ‘looking up to see something in the distance’. Any user feedback from runners on the latter based on real life usage would be great!
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__x_This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter). But I don't wan to add more than 10% to the headlamp price for shipping to Belgium.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
____I don't know yet
____Up to $25.
____Up to $50.
__x_Up to $100 (though it can be a bit more)
____Up to $200.
____Up to $300.
____Essentially unlimited.
3) Format:
____I am not sure, please help me decide.
____I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
_x__I want a self-contained headlamp (though an external pack is OK if not too bulky)
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source. => can be both but obviously the smaller form factor and convenience of a self-contained lamp is preferable.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________
4) Size:
____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__x_SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
____I don’t know/I don't care.
5) Emitter/Light source:
__x_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
__x_I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__x_I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
__x_I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
____I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
__x_I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
____SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
__x__Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
____Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__x_50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__x_90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
__x_Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don’t know.
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.
__x_Other, please specify: It needs to be easy to manipulate during real life usage (not only in demo videos J).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
__x_I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ---...--- emergency pattern)
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s higher end flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
__x_I don’t care as long as it’s properly built and durable. Anodized Aluminium would be nice but plastic is no deal breaker.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.
15) Water resistance
____None needed
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)
__x_IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)
16) Storage conditions
__x_In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
____Other_________________________________________ ____
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
__x_Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments