Which headlamp would you recommend?

[heavyfoot]

I need a light that's at least strong enough to leave the tent to pee safely in the middle of night and preferably strong enough to pack up camp and start hiking just before dawn. I don't need multiple intensities, a red light, strobe, etc. Just bright, strong & lightweight with a reliable on/off switch that'll last at least 1000 miles. Adjustable angle and using AAA batteries for power would be nice but are not essential.

[leaftye]

Zebralight makes some good lights. I like them because they get dim enough not to blind you while reading in your bag, but bright enough and with a light pattern that you can light up animals in the distance. That light pattern also makes it better for night hiking than pure flood lights. Their headlights have a 90° head on the end that allows you to remove it and hold it in your hand, which creates better shadows for safer night hiking.

Here is their spreadsheet of current and upcoming products.

I linked to the spreadsheet so you can choose your brightness and battery type.

I wish they made a CR123 version of their H600. I love the brightness of that headlamp, but don't need all that battery life. A CR123 will last weeks for me, maybe months.

[10-K]

Anything that takes 3 aaa batteries and puts out at least 70 lumens,

[Spokes]

I like the Petzl Zipka Plus myself.

[bigcranky]

The Black Diamond Spot is a good compromise between features and weight. It takes 3 AAA batteries. The Spot has a bright main beam (I think the current model is 90 lumens), and a separate set of two low-power LEDs for close up work like reading or setting up a tent. Both can be adjusted from bright to very dim. There is a separate red LED for night use, and once it's in night mode it stays that way until you decide to return to the white beam (no more 90 lumen white light blinding you or your tentmates at night.) Finally, it has a lockout feature that keeps the switch from turning on in your pack - no more taking out a dead headlamp. The whole thing weighs around 3 ounces with batteries.

The Spot is often on sale for around $30-40.

[Llama Legs]

the boys are right. Get one that uses AAA batteries. Mine is really light but uses a fancy battery. It was a gift however

[QiWiz]

My favorite if I'm not night hiking, and just need light in camp is the Petzl eLite. 1 oz. Use this all the time.

If I know I'm going to be night hiking on a trail that might be hard to follow after dark (not the AT, but other trails less well traveled and blazed) I do have a brighter and heavier headlamp that takes one AA battery. I probably only use this one once every 1-2 years.

[mn_scout]

I used a Photon Freedom LED light last month on the AZT. 0.4oz which includes two 2016 wafer batteries. I purchased a couple dozen batteries real cheap off the net and bounced them ahead.

[Pumba]

The Black Diamond Spot is a good compromise between features and weight.

This is the lamp I have and am quite happy with it.

[Sailing_Faith]

Another vote for the Black Diamond 'SPOT'.

I was just talked into buying this light at the Sundog Outfitters store in Damascus... I am glad I gave in... beats all the other headlamps I had hands down.... the new one is just as Bigcranky said, but is 100 lumens.


Edit to correct: I bought the 'Storm' not the 'SPOT' that is why it is 100 lumens... same features otherwise though.

[BFI]

Petzl tikka Plus...I even accidently put in a washing machine with my clothes and it worked fine after I picked it out of the machine. I like the two candle power settings.

[STICK]

ZebraLight H51...

[theinfamousj]

I use this one. I know it is out of stock on Amazon, but I'm sure you can find something similar for under $10. It uses those big flat lithium disc batteries (like big watch batteries; CR123?). It isn't terribly bright, but will do the job that you want done. It provides plenty of light for night hiking, getting up to pee, and see to pack up camp. It doesn't have multiple intensities - but it does have a strobe - nor a red filter. It is amazingly light weight as it is designed for a child.

[theinfamousj]

I use this one. I know it is out of stock on Amazon, but I'm sure you can find something similar for under $10. It uses those big flat lithium disc batteries (like big watch batteries; CR123?). It isn't terribly bright, but will do the job that you want done. It provides plenty of light for night hiking, getting up to pee, and see to pack up camp. It doesn't have multiple intensities - but it does have a strobe - nor a red filter. It is amazingly light weight as it is designed for a child.

So, it appears that Energizer has (almost) taken up the mantle with this headlamp, which has the same battery type, light weight, and single LED, and sub-$10 price. What it lacks is a clip and the ability to swivel it in to position.

[SassyWindsor]

[cabbagehead]

I have a pretzel tikki (with the 1 square led). I use it a lot. On a good day, I might walk from 10 am to 1 am.

[Wags]

light and cheap. i have a smallish petzl and a small black diamond. both take AAA batteries. you'll be surprised how little light you'll need to hike out pre dawn with. your eyes will be pretty sharp in the darkness...

unless it is winter time i wouldn't overthink or overspend this.

[lvnv1212]

Just ordered the remix pro from the Clymb this morning. Only 66 grams with battery, and only one battery the CRL123 - same as I use for my Steri Pen. Batteries are cheap - lithium so good in the cold. http://www.theclymb.com/brand-event/...%202XU%20Blurr

[atmilkman]

The Black Diamond Spot is a good compromise between features and weight. It takes 3 AAA batteries. The Spot has a bright main beam (I think the current model is 90 lumens), and a separate set of two low-power LEDs for close up work like reading or setting up a tent. Both can be adjusted from bright to very dim. There is a separate red LED for night use, and once it's in night mode it stays that way until you decide to return to the white beam (no more 90 lumen white light blinding you or your tentmates at night.) Finally, it has a lockout feature that keeps the switch from turning on in your pack - no more taking out a dead headlamp. The whole thing weighs around 3 ounces with batteries.

The Spot is often on sale for around $30-40.

+2 on the Spot. Also has strobe, red LED"s also dim. The little booger seems to run forever.

[leaftye]

Black Diamond Spot vs. Zebralight H51

Black Diamond $40, Zebralight $64
Black Diamond 3.2 oz w/batteries, Zebralight H51 3.0 oz w/nimh batteries and headband and even lighter with a lithium battery or 2.2 oz with battery without headband
Maximum light output: Black Diamond 90 lumens, Zebralight 200 lumens
Minimum light output: Black Diamond 4 lumens, Zebralight 0.2 lumens
Black Diamond headlamp only, Zebralight is headlamp or flashlight
Max battery life: Black Diamond 50 hours, Zebralight 384 hours
Both appear to have a stronger spot with some flood, although the Zebralight H51 is available with other beam patterns and also different warmths of white