Head Lamp ??.

[buckykm1]

I am interested in getting a good Head Lamp for Elk hunting.
I have looked at a bunch of different ones from $15.00 to $75.00.
and to be honest with all the choices, I am a little confused.
the only thing that I know for sure is I do not want a rechargeable one. and I want a white light, I don't really care for red or green. but if it has colors too, that is OK.
something that runs on AAA or AA or a Lithium battery would be nice.

Some suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[TheJason]

Petzl Tikkas are good lights, but they have a cheesy battery lid design that breaks easily. If you are changing the batteries in the dark when it's cold, darned good chance you'll break it and be SOL.

I had a Black Diamond Cosmo that I didn't like. It got turned on too easily in my pack and was always dead when I needed it. I used it duck hunting in the rain and it fried it. I took it back to REI and got the Spot. Much better headlamp, water resistant and very bright.

The red is OK, I don't need it. Higher lumens are nice depending on what you are doing with it. For walking a trail, you don't need much. If you are scouting your way out of a shithole in the dark, lots of lumens come in really handy.

 

[fishing4sanity]

I've only used very cheap ones or the one I use now from Princeton Tech, I think it's the Remix model. Again I don't have any personal comparisons to other name brands, but I've been very happy with mine, uses 3 AAA batteries. I bought a few on CamoFire and gave them to my sons as well, if you watch CamoFire they seem to have them fairly often.

 

[Khunter]

Just buy a few on the cheap from one of the online clearance websites. Princeton and petzl brands are solid choices. Sierra trading always has some good options.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/fl...ps~d~92/specdataor~flashlight style;headlamp/

 

[SFC B]

I have both a Petzl and Wally World (back up) and both do a good job. I believe both were under $20.

 

[pabearhunter]

Black Diamond Icon and you will not be sorry. Best light ever made.

 

[EasternMTHunter]

I have had a Browning that took the lithium 3V battery and a couple others. My favorite is the Cabela's one that takes 4 AAs and has the most Lumens. Can't remember the name just now and work is busy enough I can't look it up. They both worked well but the Cabela's is way brigher. Those 3V lithium batteries are also very pricey. Also since many other things in camp work off the AAs, I never have to remeber the special batteries and in a pinch can borrow some from someone else in camp if needed.

 

[jryoung]

Black Diamond Spot. $40, three lighting option including red and all are full adjustable.

 

[theRedneck]

I've had an Energizer Hardcase for the past 4 years. The thing is practically indestructible, takes AA batteries that last a long, long time, has a diffuser lens which I use a lot for around camp and it doesn't cost a fortune.

Hard Case

 

[Colberjs]

Petzl Tikka here. No problems in the last 5 yrs. Batteries last a good while too.

 

[katqanna]

I also have the Black Diamond Spot 130 lumens, love it. The short video of how to use it was easier than their directions. I liked the angling of the lamp, battery choice because I use rechargables, the different brightness or color options and I loved that you could set it so that it would not accidentally go off in your pack or pockets without having to unload the batteries.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I have been using black diamonds for years. Various models. The one I have now is 160 lumens, and is blaze orange, in hopes I have a harder time losing it. I donated one to the mountain gods this spring bear hunting. I always have one in my truck and my backpack. They have gone all over the world with me, and have not let me down. The only thing that would be nice is if they took AAs like my gps, night vision, etc.

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

Petzl tikka. Love mine!

 

[have gun will travel]

I also went with the cabelas highest lumens I love so much I bought another one.

 

[noharleyyet]

Comes in blaze...cheap
http://www.gofastandlight.com/Stock...-in-LED-Lights-in-Black/productinfo/CL-P-CAP/

 

[Southwind]

I found a really great value at Walmart on a 220 lumens unit from Bushnell for just over $20

 

[Ben Long]

I like the little Petzl zip-lights with the retractable cords instead of straps. Super light but durable. So light you can pack two and have a ready backup. Use lithium batteries and they hold up all season.

 

[sagebrush]

I've been using Cabela's Alaskan headlamps for years. I have three each of white/white and white/green and they all work great. A little heavy with 3 AA batteries but worth the weight. Batteries last a week when used every morning and evening. Everything in camp uses AA batteries, GPS, camera, game cameras and headlamps. Makes life easy.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunt...43080&WTz_l=Unknown;cat104743080;cat104379480

 

[idnative1948]

Why mine is wrapped with electrical tape as a back-up.

Petzl Tikkas are good lights, but they have a cheesy battery lid design that breaks easily. If you are changing the batteries in the dark when it's cold, darned good chance you'll break it and be SOL.

I had a Black Diamond Cosmo that I didn't like. It got turned on too easily in my pack and was always dead when I needed it. I used it duck hunting in the rain and it fried it. I took it back to REI and got the Spot. Much better headlamp, water resistant and very bright.

The red is OK, I don't need it. Higher lumens are nice depending on what you are doing with it. For walking a trail, you don't need much. If you are scouting your way out of a shithole in the dark, lots of lumens come in really handy.

 

[schmalts]

My advice, research one that has a button that cannot be easily pressed on while stuffed in a pack. More than once I had a Princeton tech model that had this problem and was horrified to see on a remote camp trip that when I pulled the lamp out it was on all day.