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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Another headlamp question |
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11/24/2021 04:49PM
Ok... I have searched a few threads, but didn't see the answer to this question. I have seen a few Lightbar (that's one brand) headlamps. I think it gives you an idea of what I am asking. The idea being, low profile with several LED lights. Would seem to give out a lot of light and not be clumsy.
Does anyone have experience with these? Quality with affordability?
Thanks, Pete
Does anyone have experience with these? Quality with affordability?
Thanks, Pete
Without the bad times, the good times wouldn't seem so good.
11/25/2021 06:14PM
Headlamps are the tool of choice especially if you need to be active or have your hands free. I’ve used tons of them over the last 25 years and they just keep getting better and more affordable.
Features I like:
1-Rechargeable battery pack (some also allow you to remove the pack and replace with AA or AAA’s in an emergency case where you don’t have a power source available for recharging)
2-Ability to disconnect battery pack from lamp (it prevents the headlamp from accidentally turning on while jostling inside your pack during the day
3-separate sliding dimmer switch, saves battery when you just need a little light
4-Adjustable beam. Spot and flood
5-simple is better, hate having to hit small buttons repeatedly to cycle through brightness and flash modes
Avoid large bulky and heavy multiple lamp models. Quality units typically have a single large diode.
I like the Coast HL7R model
Rechargeable Coast HL7R headlamp
Features I like:
1-Rechargeable battery pack (some also allow you to remove the pack and replace with AA or AAA’s in an emergency case where you don’t have a power source available for recharging)
2-Ability to disconnect battery pack from lamp (it prevents the headlamp from accidentally turning on while jostling inside your pack during the day
3-separate sliding dimmer switch, saves battery when you just need a little light
4-Adjustable beam. Spot and flood
5-simple is better, hate having to hit small buttons repeatedly to cycle through brightness and flash modes
Avoid large bulky and heavy multiple lamp models. Quality units typically have a single large diode.
I like the Coast HL7R model
Rechargeable Coast HL7R headlamp
11/27/2021 08:06AM
Those replying with tradition headlamp choices I think missed Pete's point.
Lightbar Headlamps
Is a different design with a 140 degree beam from a strip of LED's. With it you do not need to turn your head to see to the side. It still offers a spot mode. The Pro version weighs 5 ounces including the battery and 500 lumen max light output. I do not own one Pete only have seen them in reviews and sales adds. Seems as much an improvement over narrower beam headlamps, as headlamps changed from standard light bulbs and C or D batteries, to current LED Lithium battery lamps.
It is a LED strip lamp that can wrap around the forehead. The LED strip and battery can be separated from the strap allowing washing or replacement, and a strip light area lamp. For camp chores and inside a shelter I think it would be significantly more useful than a single source directed lamp.
butthead
Lightbar Headlamps
Is a different design with a 140 degree beam from a strip of LED's. With it you do not need to turn your head to see to the side. It still offers a spot mode. The Pro version weighs 5 ounces including the battery and 500 lumen max light output. I do not own one Pete only have seen them in reviews and sales adds. Seems as much an improvement over narrower beam headlamps, as headlamps changed from standard light bulbs and C or D batteries, to current LED Lithium battery lamps.
It is a LED strip lamp that can wrap around the forehead. The LED strip and battery can be separated from the strap allowing washing or replacement, and a strip light area lamp. For camp chores and inside a shelter I think it would be significantly more useful than a single source directed lamp.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
11/27/2021 10:02AM
Hey Pete, look at Home Depot or Menards for the Coast brand. They have a few models and I really like them and very affordable. One has an adjustable beam, most have a red beam so you don’t hurt your night vision.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
11/27/2021 04:42PM
butthead: "Those replying with tradition headlamp choices I think missed Pete's point.Ken is correct. Looking for something low profile in a strip. Maybe I won't keep knocking it off my head. ??
Lightbar Headlamps
Is a different design with a 140 degree beam from a strip of LED's. With it you do not need to turn your head to see to the side. It still offers a spot mode. The Pro version weighs 5 ounces including the battery and 500 lumen max light output. I do not own one Pete only have seen them in reviews and sales adds. Seems as much an improvement over narrower beam headlamps, as headlamps changed from standard light bulbs and C or D batteries, to current LED Lithium battery lamps.
It is a LED strip lamp that can wrap around the forehead. The LED strip and battery can be separated from the strap allowing washing or replacement, and a strip light area lamp. For camp chores and inside a shelter I think it would be significantly more useful than a single source directed lamp.
butthead"
Without the bad times, the good times wouldn't seem so good.
11/27/2021 05:41PM
Lightbars in use.
For campsite use, I like the idea of more than spot illumination. Hadn't heard of them before, but suspect I'll be wearing one soon. Thanks for the heads up.
TZ
For campsite use, I like the idea of more than spot illumination. Hadn't heard of them before, but suspect I'll be wearing one soon. Thanks for the heads up.
TZ
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb
11/27/2021 09:46PM
straighthairedcurly: "Seems like a lightbar would be hard to keep from shining in the eyes of other people camping with me. Anyone been with someone who was using one and could speak to that issue. "
It is not a spot light, more a very wide flood light. LED strip lights are used in Christmas decorations, deck and patio soft lighting, even several brands of tents. This is a purpose built headlight version. Google search "strip led head light" for a variety.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
11/28/2021 08:13AM
straighthairedcurly: "Seems like a lightbar would be hard to keep from shining in the eyes of other people camping with me. Anyone been with someone who was using one and could speak to that issue. "
This would be an issue with base models, but the Pro and Sport models have a spotlight mode to avoid that. (Shown at 1:22 in the video.)
TZ
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb
11/28/2021 08:56AM
I do not understand the concern of "spotlighting a fellow camper", what do you do with a conventional spot headlamp? Aim it up or down, use the lowest setting, turn it off? All these actions can be achieved in a similar manner with a strip of LED's. I do have a strip light for use handheld,
Edosiro Rechargeable LED Work Light , and it is not hard on eyeballs because it is an area lamp not a spot.
butthead
Edosiro Rechargeable LED Work Light , and it is not hard on eyeballs because it is an area lamp not a spot.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
11/28/2021 02:52PM
straighthairedcurly: "Seems like a lightbar would be hard to keep from shining in the eyes of other people camping with me. Anyone been with someone who was using one and could speak to that issue. "
That’s been my experience. My friend had one at moose camp and the rest of us really grew to dislike it. In light bar mode you couldn’t look in his general direction without it shining in your eyes. In spot mode in camp it was better but the front leds still spill light in all directions and it was pretty useless for seeing any real distance.
By contrast a single light with adjustable brightness, a pivot head and adjustable focus allows you to dim your light, and aim it a little low while in camp so as not to shine it in your friends eyes but should you need to navigate or spot anything in the distance you can adjust your light accordingly.
If you just stick a diode on something without directing the light it causes a lot of glare, primarily for others around you but I would imagine for the user as well.
11/29/2021 07:46AM
butthead" Ken is correct. Looking for something low profile in a strip. Maybe I won't keep knocking it off my head. ??"
Cannot get smaller or lighter than this...
Streamlight Bandit https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/index/bandit
12/04/2021 03:54PM
I have a good Princeton Tec headligt that is fully useable but this thread got me interested and I did buy a Lightbar Pro. It was delivered today so no field use but have tried it out.
Lots of usable light in a wide part circle past my side vision. It is bright on high and medium a very useful setting. The low setting does not interfere with vision yet does not set off light switched wall lights and is comfortable to look at directly.
The spot function only lights 4 center LEDs. The red is dim-able. Will be back with a fuller use review. It does seem to be a very capable camp light, very good for in tent and general use due to the flood of light output. It is not a spot for distance use.
butthead
Lots of usable light in a wide part circle past my side vision. It is bright on high and medium a very useful setting. The low setting does not interfere with vision yet does not set off light switched wall lights and is comfortable to look at directly.
The spot function only lights 4 center LEDs. The red is dim-able. Will be back with a fuller use review. It does seem to be a very capable camp light, very good for in tent and general use due to the flood of light output. It is not a spot for distance use.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
12/04/2021 09:38PM
I am considering one of the Nite Core headlamps. But most of the headlamps I have used generate quite a bit of heat just behind the light and in turn transfers it to the part that lays against my forehead. Is that a problem with the Nite Core models?
12/05/2021 08:18AM
MossBack: " I am considering one of the Nite Core headlamps. But most of the headlamps I have used generate quite a bit of heat just behind the light and in turn transfers it to the part that lays against my forehead. Is that a problem with the Nite Core models?"
I have a Nitecore NU25...no noticeable heat. With my DIY headband, it is under one ounce: so light/comfortable I have often forgotten it is on my head.
For the last several paddling trips has been the only light I bring. Excellent product.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
12/06/2021 12:43PM
I am going to point out again that Pete in the OP is considering a different type of headlamp. A LED strip flood light not a spot beam.
Quite a bit different even to multi LED adjustable lens spots.
My garage stand in for my head at a workbench, about feet from front edge
Bench lamp and 2 garage LED overhead lights on, shot over my stand in head,
Princeton Tec Eos 170 lumen fresh AAA batteries on high, garage lights off.
Lightbar 500 lumen strip light on high, garage lights off.
I do not have a wide enough angle camera lens to show the width of the light inside my garage.
Lightbar Pro 5.3 ounces, old Princeton Tec Eos 3.3 ounces.
It is difficult to photo bot at lowest setting but I can say I'd rather look at the Lightbar on lowest or spot either setting that the Eos at lowest setting. It is also much easier to see/find/work with that a spot beam.
There are other options for strip LED headlights, I chose the Lightbar for it's build quality and 2 LiPo battery sizes/AAA battery pack all of which can power the Lightbar. Reviewers complain about the charging cord, well a battery pack comes with a cord when bought separately. Another benefit is the cord connection complained about has a standard waterproof O-ring plug far better water resistance than a USB plug, the charge cord could be built with common available parts at home. I did order and get a spare 3000 ma battery (with charge cable), and AAA holder with the Lightbar Pro.
Not a full review yet but some additional thoughts.
butthead
Quite a bit different even to multi LED adjustable lens spots.
My garage stand in for my head at a workbench, about feet from front edge
Bench lamp and 2 garage LED overhead lights on, shot over my stand in head,
Princeton Tec Eos 170 lumen fresh AAA batteries on high, garage lights off.
Lightbar 500 lumen strip light on high, garage lights off.
I do not have a wide enough angle camera lens to show the width of the light inside my garage.
Lightbar Pro 5.3 ounces, old Princeton Tec Eos 3.3 ounces.
It is difficult to photo bot at lowest setting but I can say I'd rather look at the Lightbar on lowest or spot either setting that the Eos at lowest setting. It is also much easier to see/find/work with that a spot beam.
There are other options for strip LED headlights, I chose the Lightbar for it's build quality and 2 LiPo battery sizes/AAA battery pack all of which can power the Lightbar. Reviewers complain about the charging cord, well a battery pack comes with a cord when bought separately. Another benefit is the cord connection complained about has a standard waterproof O-ring plug far better water resistance than a USB plug, the charge cord could be built with common available parts at home. I did order and get a spare 3000 ma battery (with charge cable), and AAA holder with the Lightbar Pro.
Not a full review yet but some additional thoughts.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
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