Thread: Which headlamp to buy???

Looking for recommendations for a new headlamp. Will be used for hunting, tramping , running, kids playing hide and seek etc.

Previously had led lenser but looking for alternatives.

Budget is say up to $150

Prefer to avoid ones with exposed wire cables that get caught on things (childrens fingers....)

Thanks, Tom

Nitecore HC35 from @terryf, awesome light, incredibly bright on the highest settings, and really good on battery life. My requirements were much the same as yours.


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Zebralight, 18650 or AA battery options, good run times, options for flood or pencil beam depending on preference. No wires. reasonably lightweight.
Or a Maxtoch if you can find one.

Got given a maxtoch for my 40th, and it completely blew me away. Took a look to see if I could get one of their headlamps locally but nothing on google.

Thanks for the suggestions

Get a Petzl Tac Tikka Core.

They give out 450 Lumen on Max, have Red light and strobe function too.

Takes the Core battery which is rechargeable but also 3 AAA batteries in a pinch.

Bloody small and light too, only trouble is that they tend to go walkies!

I use one of the ever ready energizer cheapies as a walking and camp torch, the multiple lenses give a much better illumination of the ground when walking. I cant see the point of a big grunty heavy one with hundreds of metres range as I can't shoot with it because is pointing in the wrong direction and any way that's what I got the x2 maxtoch for.

Have a look at the Nitecore HC65, its within your budget and made from solid aluminium.
1000 lumens with red and white auxilliary light. Also has SOS and location flashing beacon.
Comes with a 3400mAh 18650 battery and is USB rechargeable. Weight is 65 odd grams.
5 year warranty

No wires as the battery sits in the main housing.

Originally Posted by terryf

Have a look at the Nitecore HC65, its within your budget and made from solid aluminium.
1000 lumens with red and white auxilliary light. Also has SOS and location flashing beacon.
Comes with a 3400mAh 18650 battery and is USB rechargeable. Weight is 65 odd grams.
5 year warranty

No wires as the battery sits in the main housing.

@terryf I have private messaged you - need something urgently if you can help.

Yep 18650 powered is the way to go, love my Nitecore!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3283...27424c4dSXeaos
I would be surprised if you are not happy with one of these. Every bit as good as my Zebra Light and for a fraction of the price.

I have several Maxtoch headlamps. Fantastic units but no longer available. I think because Nitecore have nailed it
I find the red option very useful at night following tracks out of and back to the campsite.

Originally Posted by MSL

Nitecore HC35 from @terryf, awesome light, incredibly bright on the highest settings, and really good on battery life. My requirements were much the same as yours.


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Waking up at 2am with this light shining on you is a bit disconcerting but I can vouch for the power of it

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Originally Posted by Shearer

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3283...27424c4dSXeaos
I would be surprised if you are not happy with one of these. Every bit as good as my Zebra Light and for a fraction of the price.

Yes, I have several of these, they're very good. I find they chew through batteries though. May need to upgrade batteries.

Buy the best
The cheapies let you down usually right when you need it
i have a Walther from Germany
Exc - but too heavy for anything other than around home/camp plinking the odd possum etc

Support @terryf above
Supporting him supports this forum platform too

I use a led lenser haven't had the problems others have had but I'm pretty careful with my gear. The other one we have which is a good performer is surprisingly just a cheap warehouse one. We use ours for camping and mainly possum shooting