Thread: Head lamps

If there's one thinhg that seems to let me down more than any other product. it's been headlamps. I recall that after the third led lenser gave up with stupid faults, I might have even emailed the3 company and told them to stick their torches where the sun don't shine. But sadly the last couple of other brands have not been much better.

However I can't do without a decent headlamp, so looking for ideas on what works for people, how many lumens if Im not trying to spot animals, just get off the hill etc.

Nz made glow worm

I have found Nitecore good so far but probably haven't really put them through any rigorous work yet. Reasonably priced too.

Not sure which other brands you have tried.

Petzl especially the reactive light ones that adjust how much light you need saving battery life, in my opinion having used both, these are way better than Ledlenser

https://www.liteshop.com.au/content/...-led-headlamp/

What's the pros and cons of rechargeable, with it looks like, their own internal battery, and standard AA or AAA battery packs? Too my mind it seems easier on a long trip too have a torch that you can easily replace batteries on the hill? Or is there something about the system im not aware of?

Originally Posted by whanahuia

What's the pros and cons of rechargeable, with it looks like, their own internal battery, and standard AA or AAA battery packs? Too my mind it seems easier on a long trip too have a torch that you can easily replace batteries on the hill? Or is there something about the system im not aware of?

My Nitecore is rechargeable but on a med setting they have about a 20hr use, I take a battery bank as a back up which is not a bad option but they are reasonably heavy.

Definitely have a look at these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006116003272.html

Buy a good 18650 (Nightcore/Samsung) and you have got a pretty solid torch that lasts a few days. I have 3-4 floating round, and take 2 away with me - one as effectively a battery holder, but always handy when your buddy forgets theirs (all too frequent)

Focus is pretty basic but works, good to prob 50-60m. USB-C charging. You can get similar double ones with red lights too. For about $16-17 delivered, you can't go too far wrong. I don't expect them to last for ever, but they've currently outlasted anything branded at 3-5x the price. Two are 3-4 years old without failure.

My Ledlenser head torches have lasted over 10yrs no problemo, they've only been used for setting up camp, cooking and topping up the bourbons during the night. I still carry them in the Safari. I have a few from our vendor on here that I havent tried yet which I'm sure will be pretty damn good.

My first Maxtoch headlamp is still going strong, 6 years and a zillion step step whoops crash fall over get up, repeat. My second lies out in a vast sea of tussock. Seeing as they no longer make them, it would be good to stumble over it one day.

The nitecore ones look decent. The ones where all the battery and guts are in the same container seem to last better. I did in multiple led lensers, they just always shat themselves for me. eventually the dealer stopped replacing them on warranty, despite them being less than a year old

Both my lenser headlands that have failed or partially failed have been the ones with the battery at the back and a cable around to it. In both cases it was the cable, to be far the second one was my fault as it got caught under the seat rails in my Ute and got sliced, still works but sometimes its a bit sensitive.
My last (and current) one was an MH series with the battery built into the lamp. Much less to break but not so well ballanced on your head.

Also try
https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.nz/headlamps
Z

Yeah My first two were definitely the cable. The last one they went to a brittle material for the battery cover and that broke.

Cheers guys, some interesting brands Ive never heard of coming through.

Have a look at Fenix, well made and big range to look at, simple though to more industrial.

Another vote for the Fenix. Had 3 of the large Lensers....all of them stuffed up and managed to make one good one out of all the parts....which stuffed up after 6 months..... The Fenix Te Rei linked to is my 'go to' headlamp and has lasted over 18mths so far without a problem. Bought a spare battery when I got it and havent used it yet. Its used for hunting, pest destruction and as my headlamp for working on the charter boat amongst other activities.......