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Best Headlamp

Original Post
coop Best · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 485

So what do you think is the best all around headlamp?

Or your favorite lightweight and mid-weight?

John Farrell · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 85
coop wrote:So what do you think is the best all around headlamp? Or your favorite lightweight and mid-weight?
Best one I have found is from Target or Wal-Mart, it's an Energizer:

target.com/Energizer-6-LED-…

It has a red light which is really nice because it doesn't attract bugs and is good enough to hike in. The white lights on it are really bright too, and it's only $16.00.
mcarizona · · Flag · Joined Feb 2007 · Points: 180
John Farrell wrote: Best one I have found is from Target or Wal-Mart, it's an Energizer: target.com/Energizer-6-LED-… It has a red light which is really nice because it doesn't attract bugs and is good enough to hike in. The white lights on it are really bright too, and it's only $16.00.
PLUS one
Caleb Cerling · · Boulder, CO · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 55

Best headlamp i've had has been the Petzl Tikka. It held up to the 7 months of abuse I put it through in Afghanistan and it's still holding on strong

Noah Haber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 78

I have two that I use for different things, and I'm pretty happy with my system.

Petzl e+Lite : This is normally what I bring to the wall for day trips or anything I'm not expecting to be caught out in the dark, but might. It's ridiculously light, small, bright, and versatile. Works as an emergency flasher, has red light, clips/straps to things easily. Petzl did a REALLY good job with this one. You're obviously sacrificing battery life a bit (more than enough for a couple nights per set of batteries, but replacement batteries are EXPENSIVE!!), so this definitely doesn't fall under the all-arounder category.

Black Diamond NightRay : I don't think they make this anymore. This is my camping / backpacking / I know I'm gonna be in the dark for a while beater headlamp. I got it ridiculously cheaply, and it's held up just fine over the years. Doesn't like helmets very much due to the top strap and battery packs. It's bright, it's beefy, and it works.

However, if I had to pick one headlamp for everything, the new Petzl Tikka2 line looks really nice.

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
shoo wrote:I have two that I use for different things, and I'm pretty happy with my system. Petzl e+Lite : This is normally what I bring to the wall for day trips or anything I'm not expecting to be caught out in the dark, but might. It's ridiculously light, small, bright, and versatile. Works as an emergency flasher, has red light, clips/straps to things easily. Petzl did a REALLY good job with this one. You're obviously sacrificing battery life a bit (more than enough for a couple nights per set of batteries, but replacement batteries are EXPENSIVE!!), so this definitely doesn't fall under the all-arounder category. nice.
you can get the coins batteries at the dollar store for the e-lite

its a great light
Tim Hudgel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 150

The BEST headlamp

is the ONE

that still WORKS

Dollar Store...... sounds like a good deal.

Sorry I don't have any "fresh" advise.

My headlamp's kind'a old, might need new batteries, but I bet it still works.

Stephen Davis · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 50

As posted earlier the e-lite is awesome for a spare/think you won't need it headlamp. For nighttime illumination my go-to lamp right now is the BD Icon, which I found very similar to the slightly nicer Petzl Myo XP, but I'd personally go for whichever you could get cheaper. I have regretted all the iterations of cheap headlamps I bought over the years, a good lamp is money well spent. And that's coming from someone who loses/breaks 1+ lamps per year. My awesome expedition lamp is the Mammut Lucido TX1-belt, and all of the mammut headlamps are first-rate. If you're using a headlamp for anything other then obvious trail travel then the increased speed/peace of mind you will get from a bright headlamp are well worth the couple extra ounces of weight.

Tom Pierce · · Englewood, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Besides tech climbing I also dabble in winter mountaineering here in Colorado so a good headlamp is a key piece of gear...trying to navigate in the winter at night is pretty tough without one. The best I've found is the Mammut Lucido TX-1. Not ridiculously expensive, 6 oz. with batteries, something like 100 hour burn time, multiple settings, and a 105 meter beam throw. Really impressive specs. Oh, and it has this cool design feature where the lense housing will rotate backwards so that when you're storing it the lense is protected from scratches/breakage. I've been very impressed.
-Tom

PS Just saw Stephen's post. I have no experience with the belt version of the Lucido, mine is a head unit which is light and compact. I'm sure the belt version is great too.

Curtis Allred · · Salt Lake City · Joined May 2010 · Points: 0
John Farrell wrote: Best one I have found is from Target or Wal-Mart, it's an Energizer: target.com/Energizer-6-LED-… It has a red light which is really nice because it doesn't attract bugs and is good enough to hike in. The white lights on it are really bright too, and it's only $16.00.
I would agree seeing as I've purchased two (dropped the first in a hot spring), but if you are ever doing any trail running at night or any activity where you jumbling around it tends to fall on its hinge, ends up pointing at your feet, and does a great job of lighting your face. Cheap but definitely not the best.
Greg Howland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 140

I have the tikka plus. Have had it for about 3 years now and works well. I stays in place while hiking, climbing, running. The unit doesn't allow itself to get lazy and eventually point at your toes. I can fit the headlamp fine around a helmet. It has stood up to quite a bit of abuse over the years seeing as how I just keep it in the top of my climbing pack. I often tend to toss it on the ground and then take up a chimney right after. It also has an interchangeable lens system. This is not very practical for hiking, but if you wanted to read in the tent and your partner is trying to sleep, pop in another lens color for softer lighting. So all of this being said I would recommend the BD Spot over this. Pretty similar in price, settings, and functions. However, the difference lies in the actual performance of the bulb. A partner and I were hiking back to camp one night and I was blown away at how bright her headlamp was. The spot would light up cliffs in details that the Tikka wouldn't pick up for another 10-15 meters (both sets of batteries were fresh). Extremely bright and has great range. I wish I would have known this when I was buying a headlamp. Definitely my recommendation.

Ralph Kolva · · Pine, CO · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 210

+1 on the Mammut Lucido (TR1) headlamps. Picked up 3 from SteepandCheap for about $15 a piece. They seem a good bit brighter than similar headlamps I've used from Petzl and Black Diamond

cstorms · · North Bend, OR · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,170
ccerling wrote:Best headlamp i've had has been the Petzl Tikka. It held up to the 7 months of abuse I put it through in Afghanistan and it's still holding on strong
+1 for the Tikka. Traveled for over 2 years with mine from New Zealand to Costa Rica to Greece and it still works just fine. It really took a beating.
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

Mammut Lucido TX1

Great battery life
Durable

Terrific spot beam

Not too heavy

Will Schira · · Madison, WI · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 20

I'm a fan of the Black Diamond Spot. I have both the 2009 and 2010 versions, and the new one is amazing. Variable output with the main LED from 6 to 75 lumens, and red LEDs as well. It locks too, so it won't turn on and drain battery in your pack. Not too expensive either, around $40.

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

Auto-X Fil · · NEPA and Upper Jay, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 50

I have an Apex Pro and while it's fairly light and quite bright, the tilt mechanism is weak and broke. I patched it back up but I'd hate to have it snap on a mountain so I save it for working on cars now.

I use a BD Gizmo for almost everything now. It's a cheap ($12 on sale) that takes two AAAs. I use Lithium AAAs and it's super-light and plenty of light for most things. The other use is alpine climbing and mountaineering where you plan to climb for a good chunk of the night (or may be forced to). I just got a MYO XP for that (to replace the Apex) but haven't used it yet.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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