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Best headlamp under $50?

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

Kudos to those of you rocking the Walmat Blue Plate Special headlamps. Those are so tempting because they are cheap - but also disposable, yeah?

Interesting to hear about BD lamp reliability. I've been a Petzl fan in the past few years, good build quality, not illogically designed usually. YMMV depending on which model you select and what features it has, it takes a long time to understand their lineup.

If we're listing models, I've been using a Zipka (2?) for a while now. Fully reliable, small, zip line works fine on helmet tabs, very bright, has red. Biggest problem is that you might drop it because it has no headband. Also heard testimonies from folks with fine hair (ladies), that the retractable line snags them and is annoying.

I've also acquired some of their (Petzl) reactive lighting headlamps - pretty impressed with those, but they are less compact. If I know I'm going to be out in the dark, I probably take one of these. Rechargable, energy efficient, bright (170+ lumens).

To reduce your cost, maybe buy a used headlamp? Used gear shops and Gear Trade seem to always have a constant supply. I'm sure all of US here have extra headlamps, maybe post a WANTED in the For Sale forum and see what people want to get rid of?

And usual disclaimer that goes with sunglasses, headlamps - if you tend to lose things, maybe buying the cheaper ones in bulk is a better idea. ;)

(now I don't even want to send this message, but I typed it all, so will...)

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

I just saw that you said under $50. Well, I got a like-new Petzl R+ used for $50 ($80 MSRP). So I'm sure you can find less fancy ones even cheaper.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

I use a 240 lumin Energizer headlamp I bought from Lowe's

Billcoe · · Pacific Northwet · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 930

Yeah, Black Diamond headlamp quality is generally crap (I exclude the Icon on that). Fenix, Princeton and Petzl are real good quality. That said, I have a Spot and like it. I have not even seen a Coast headlamp, and hadn't heard of them until Outdoorgearlabs.com did that test.

simplyput . · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 60

I've found the battery contacts on the non waterproof BD headlamps corrode very quickly. I had a Spot that lasted a bit more than a year and another that lasted even less time.
Now I own a Storm which I've had for over two years. I think the waterproof gasket on the Storm has helped with the corrosion problem.
I preferred the dimmer control on the Spot even though the Storm is brighter at max output and also appreciated the lighter weight of the Spot, but none of that matters if the thing don't turn on.
I've also had an old, bottom shelf Petzl for a long time. It doesn't have any of the frills of a higher end lamp but it has durability far exceeding any of the BDs.
I don't recommend cheap headlamps that get trashed and need constant replacing as there is already enough plastic floating in the ocean.

Leify Guy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 367

you can't find a brighter headlamp for $20 that this one >>>> Headlamp on Amazon

The bulb itself is made by cree so it's wicked bright, but the rest is cheap construction....

Leify Guy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 367
Nick Sweeney · · Spokane, WA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 969

I have a BD ReVolt and like it a lot. Not quite as bright as the storm, though. In a perfect world I would have a Storm for alpine stuff (brighter, waterproof, etc) and a revolt for cragging/rock multpitch (rechargeable batteries mean you don't have to blow through AAAs).

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Make sure you get one that does red.

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

Thanks so much simplyput for agreeing with me that even a 3 or 4 TO 1 ratio of cost (Energizer vs Petzl for instance) is also a similar ratio of junk heading to the landfill (and production+distribution overhead). I don't blame anybody for selecting that thing which is significantly cheaper, the reality of it is just horrifying sometimes. :/

T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

Another vote for the Petzl Tikka, inexpensive, lightweight, and tough.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

The only time I thought about throwing away my Lowe's brand headlamp I was smart enough to check the batteries first. My Energizer headlamp works great at work and for climbing. Sometimes I work underground and sometimes I get caught outside after dark. I have some friends who wanna go ice climbing after work. My lamp has worked well and it will be in my pack for the third ice season.

Klimbien · · St.George Orem Denver Vegas · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 455

I think I'm going to ask for the BD icon for Christmas .
Thanks for everyone's input

atomup · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 285

I use Princeton tec remix. Batteries last forever on the led which is plenty bright. Plus very bright spot for looking for that belay ledge. Upside-lightweight, long bat life, strait forward usage. Dislike the BD dimming, & button clicking memorizing. Borrowed one n tried to brighten half way up the climb n had to finish with the red light 8(. Downside- plastic clip holds batteries in. My old one was 3 years old with tons of night climb, & endless backpacking trips before it broke. Taped it with gear tape 1.5 years ago n it still works great. Use it as a backup now, & has saved many butts.

Klimbien · · St.George Orem Denver Vegas · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 455

Just got the Icon in the mail and love it. Some have complained about the button sequence for lighting, I think it genius, and find it easy to use. Love the lock feature and this light has a good solid straight light, so far so good!

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

The energizer ones you can pick up at home depot or lowes. Those things are money and way more durable than the BD Spot etc

Michael Beasley · · Boise, ID · Joined May 2015 · Points: 90

Black Diamond recently released new editions of the gizmo,cosmo, and spot. Right now the spot is probably the best headlamp under 50 bucks. 200 lumuns, ipx8 waterproofing (which means in can be submerged up to 10 feet and still retain it's integrity, just need to shake the water out of the battery terminal) and also the battery compartment is much easier to get into now. The power tap feature works well for climbing, quick tap turns the headlamp to full brightness. REI is the only place you can get the new headlamps.
%@$#thenewstormwillbeheresoon

Klimbien · · St.George Orem Denver Vegas · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 455

I also have to agree with Weston. As the owner of two said energizer headlamps for the past 10+ yrs... same two the whole ten yrs and still going strong. They have a red light option. Both headlamps have stickiness on the top of them though as i am continually replacing the climbing tape over the on off slider to avoid the accidental turing on of the light in the pack issue. Still though, awesome lights. Is it me or have these energizer headlamps gone up in price over the past few years, I swear mine were dirt cheap and just saw some in Home Depot and they were like over 20 bucks.

Ryan Marsters · · Golden, CO · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 1,431

Another vote against any BD headlamp. They lack durability and reliability.

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

RE: the Energizer ones...bought mine a couple of years ago for like $14? I know they did offer some more expensive models around the $22 range.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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