I've been using a cheapo Energizer head lamp which has been adequate, but am looking to upgrade. How many lumens is a good choice for a decent headlamp. Seems like 400 to 600 is fairly standard for some of the more premium options.
Head Lamp, how many lumens?
Mallardbreath
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Zoom is handy, I agree. Need that feature.
I'm using this coast xph25r that's 410 lumens (3 modes), aluminum, uses cr123a or rechargeable version (1 battery) and has an adjustable beam for wide or focused light. Got it on sale for $26 at a store nearby. Really like it.
If I were potentially going to be blood trailing all night I'd bring my outdoor pro gear and leave it in the car until needed.
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If I were potentially going to be blood trailing all night I'd bring my outdoor pro gear and leave it in the car until needed.
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10,643 Posts
I left my pack with my Black diamond head lights in it at my parent's house a few weeks back. I went to the local shop and bought a night core Lithium ion rechargeable 550 lumen headlamp for around $40 to get me by until I could get my pack back home. I really like this light. It's plenty bright enough on the medium setting and I've used it for several morning and evening hunts to and from the stand and the battery life is really nice. I just plug it into the charging port in my truck on the way to my hunting area and on the way home. No batteries to purchase and cheap enough to replace if it quits working.
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I like my Nitecore HC68. Multiple modes from 1 LM up to 2000 LM. Adjustable from spot to flood settings. Also has red light.
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21,314 Posts
I have a Zebra I bought for tracking and general use, great light. Bought a 77 outdoor D25lr for a back up and as well as the red light feature, for 28 bux good luck finding something better!
Both use 18650 batteries, the cheapo has the ability to charge it by just plugging straight into it. I may like the cheapo better than the Zebra but time will tell.
Both use 18650 batteries, the cheapo has the ability to charge it by just plugging straight into it. I may like the cheapo better than the Zebra but time will tell.
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7,256 Posts
Mine cant be more than 400. Being so compact with just white or red, both with hi and low beam, is all I need.
Yes more would be nice but if I need more for tracking Im going to the truck for a meat pack and brighter light anyway.
Personally I would be more concerned about the light options opposed to the lumens. I cant stand strobe and cant imagine a good use for that.
Yes more would be nice but if I need more for tracking Im going to the truck for a meat pack and brighter light anyway.
Personally I would be more concerned about the light options opposed to the lumens. I cant stand strobe and cant imagine a good use for that.
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2,091 Posts
Stream light pro tac , 3 settings... have had it for 10 years still going strong!
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16,975 Posts
Headlamp
I’d like to get a headlamp for the sole purpose of gutting a deer in the dark. I’m fine using my small flashlight for going to and from the stand. But need the hands-free ability if I kill one at sundown and must do the dirty work in the dark. Does anyone have a particular headlamp they’d...
www.archerytalk.com
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109 Posts
Black Diamond 200 Spot Lite Headlamp - Als.com | Every Sport. Every Season.
<h3>BLACK DIAMOND 200 SPOT LITE HEADLAMP</h3><p>Compact yet powerful with 200 lumens of dependable light, the Spot Lite 200 is the ideal headlamp to stash in a pack or glove box for that just-in-case situation. With its waterproof housing rated to IPX8, and settings that let you easily switch...
www.als.com
Here is a good deal.
Scorpyd Aculeus, 40lb black hunter recurve, 47lb black hunter longbow, 65lb phantom recurve
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All I use now is black diamond. I use their Storm 400. Super bright small headlamps that last decently long with multiple colour and fine brightness settings. Great customer service too. I had an old Storm 350 that the battery leaked in after losing it for a couple seasons, and they sent me a brand new Storm 400 no questions asked.
I am also using a Coast. I have the 510 lumen version very similar to yours with red LEDs and the zoom feature on the main beam. It is very bight and can be flood or beam with red LEDS when brightness is not needed. It is rechargeable or 3 AAA's.
I got mine at Menards and very happy with it.
I have had Fenix, multiple Black Diamonds, Streamlight, Energizer and Petzl. So far this coast is my favorite.
I also have a 1,000 lumen Coast flashlight in my pack as a back up or when a lot of light is needed. It is very compact and bright as all get out with an adjustable beam.
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31,815 Posts
FWIW,
I have used many; the AAA Petzel and Black diamond. The rechargeable Fenix with integrated battery ( very good) . The AA Zebra and a few other Home depot type versions.
The AA will outlast the AAA especially if you use them on higher lumens. Ive had afew of the AAA plastic headlamps fail after getting wet…and batteries leak and wreck them when i forgot to take them out. A couple of the AAA units have been pretty good especially if you silicone the O ring.
The Zebra and Fenix are head and shoulders above the others- but also more expensive. Those 18650 batteries are fantastic. Rechargeables dont leak acid into you lights. Its nice to pop them on a good charger ( mine is a Miboxer- excellent) that tells you they are 100% charged before a hunt. I was always guessing with the std batteries. I unscrew the cap 1/2 turn when not in use.
FWIW, I have an older version of this;
Headlamp
The only downside to rechargeables is that they all have a circuit in them that can sometimes but not always lose a little bit of power. Some batteries do, some dont. No worries, I charge them before something important.
I have one of the Fenix integrated rechargeable battery units in my truck that still shows full charge after about 3 years…the charger plugs into a USB port, so you can charge this style from your truck or a backup battery.
Many options on the rechargeables….and they are all adjustable levels of light and all have more lumens than you can ever need.
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