Thread: Looking for a new head torch

I took a punt and went with the first one. For $20.00 can hardly argue.
Might still look at the lenser because I kinda need something now but can probably wait.


What's the benefit to de-doming- I see a lot of people are doing it?

Cheers

Originally Posted by Willie

I took a punt and went with the first one. For $20.00 can hardly argue.
Might still look at the lenser because I kinda need something now but can probably wait.


What's the benefit to de-doming- I see a lot of people are doing it?

Cheers

Gives the hot spot a slightly tighter beam but twice the intensity. Also gives a yellower hue which cuts the air better.

@gadgetman what sort of runtime do you get from the T6 headlamp on low power?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by MSL

@gadgetman what sort of runtime do you get from the T6 headlamp on low power?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No idea, I might have to do a test. I mainly use full power when out after rabbits and hares.

Any idea on full beam @gadgetman? Certainly priced right, I could be in the market for a new head lamp myself?!

I get a good evenings shooting, so 4-5 hours at a guess.

I got myself a Cree XML head light recently cheap as. It used 4 AA batteries and put out heaps of light. Down side an hour later and things started going dim. Not one to take things lying down I fitted a regulated 2 cell lipo to it which smoked the LED driver board ASAP (they are seriously bad).

So I ordered some 3.7v lipos and a new driver and XML U3 bulb. I put it back together and very impressed. Absolutely kills my mates Led Lenser 14.2 in every way. I now have 4.4 hours constant on high (1.45 amps) which will light up brightly an entire acer in flood mode and about 10m square very brightly at 100y on zoom. It doesn’t throw as well as I had hoped but have some reflectors coming to build a new light with a MT-G2 bulb which is about 2000 lumen and that may work out real well. I tried this bulb and driver in the headlight but it was way too much power and run far too hot. It had less throw than the XML bulb but lit up the entire pine tree at 100y plenty bright enough to shoot a possum from any branch. Pretty insane amount of light really. Easily 5-6 times as much as our outdoor light in the drive way.

These Cree XML lights are not 2000 lumen as they state so don't get sucked in by that, the most reasonable information I have found would suggest they are about 900 lumen. The efficiency of the lens or reflector is how to capitalize on their performance. These new LED chip (bulbs) are very impressive and very cheap to play with. For less than $100.00 you can build a light that will kill anything in every way currently being sold today. $300-$400 for a Led Lenser is an absolute rip if you are even slightly handy with a soldering iron.

The down side to LED lights is they do generate a lot of heat and they do consume a lot of power. I got 4 6.4 a/h LiPo batteries for $28.00 each these are fantastic very light and small and can be charged in just 30min. I have enough gear to build a couple on lights with 2 x batteries each for my son and I.

I am using zebralight and are very happy with them. There is also the new maxtoch headlight that you could try.

Headlamp
MAXTOCH H01 Cree XM L2 U2 LED With White and Red Beam Light High Power Headlamp-in Headlamps from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Headlamp with charger and batteries
MAXTOCH H01 Cree XM L2 U2 LED With White and Red Beam Light Include Battery and Charger LED Headlamp-in Headlamps from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Originally Posted by MassiveAttack

I am using zebralight and are very happy with them. There is also the new maxtoch headlight that you could try.

Headlamp
MAXTOCH H01 Cree XM L2 U2 LED With White and Red Beam Light High Power Headlamp-in Headlamps from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Headlamp with charger and batteries
MAXTOCH H01 Cree XM L2 U2 LED With White and Red Beam Light Include Battery and Charger LED Headlamp-in Headlamps from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

@MassiveAttack Which Zebralight do you have? Cool white or neutral? Flood or spot? If you have more than 1, which 1 do you like best overall? I currently have a H14, but the single 18650 cell HL's appeal to me, and I have a few 18650 cells too... Initially I wanted something as a backup to the H14, but maybe it can just stay at home with all it's AA batteries!

The Maxtoch HO1 - although it might reach 100 meters - is not really a long range hunter headlamp. its more of a broad beam walker/camper light. Single 18650 panasonic 3100 gave 3 hours on hi, about 8 hours on med.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

The Maxtoch HO1 - although it might reach 100 meters - is not really a long range hunter headlamp. its more of a broad beam walker/camper light. Single 18650 panasonic 3100 gave 3 hours on hi, about 8 hours on med.

Wouldn't light up the power pylon at 60m in the city tonight.

Mine must be better than yours - could see light on fence at around 100m - but I don't have so many street lights. Shorter range camper/walker.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

Mine must be better than yours - could see light on fence at around 100m - but I don't have so many street lights. Shorter range camper/walker.

Pretty much.

Originally Posted by The Claw

@MassiveAttack Which Zebralight do you have? Cool white or neutral? Flood or spot? If you have more than 1, which 1 do you like best overall? I currently have a H14, but the single 18650 cell HL's appeal to me, and I have a few 18650 cells too... Initially I wanted something as a backup to the H14, but maybe it can just stay at home with all it's AA batteries!

Given that I have a AA based gps I am committed to running two types of batteries (18650 and AA) so have two zebralights. A AA powered flood one for inside the hut and a 18650 spot one for walking down tracks. Both are using the warm leds which sacrifice a few lumens for more daylight like light.

The compare all models spreadsheet on the zebralight web site is well worth a look.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...CNqP6KIC#gid=0

I brought the H600W for walking down tracks
H600w Mk II 18650 XM-L2 Headlamp Neutral White

And the H502c for inside the hut
H502c L2 High CRI Neutral White AA Flood Headlamp

Interesting that zebralight have gone completely to high output XMLs - bar one XRE for their red light. Even dropped XPGs.

When out walking/spotlighting at night with high drain XML headlamps I find it useful to have a unit which has 2 x 18650s to maintain good runtime. No great issue however as outside of spotlighting most of your outdoor walking etc will be on a low mode.