Headlamp(s)

[DBake]

Anyone have preferences for a specific model or brand and reasons why?

I originally said Handlamp, but ment to type Headlamp.

[HardCorpsHuntr]

I think you're talking about a lantern?

If so; the Coleman Northstar Propane would be my pick.  I have the fuel one (white gas or unleaded fuel) and wish I had got the propane model.

"reason"  Costco sells those propane tanks pretty cheap, it uses one large mantle, don't have to refill the tank, and they put out great light.

Hope this helps.

[bowhuntin]

I use a petzl tikka headlamp they are very bright with 3 led lights, it has a setting for real bright, to a little bit dimmer and has flashing setting though I don't have a use for the flashing. If you want to use the other light intensities you can flip through them real quick at the beginning if not you just turn it on and go and when you want to turn it off just click the little button and it turns right off with out going through the other options that I already mentioned. It runs on two triple 'A' batteries. It has excellent battery life, I have owned this headlamp for three years and it still has its original batteries in it. My brother had used the same headlamp when he was deployed to Iraq and said he used this head lamp everynight and he never had to change his batteries. The thing I like best about it is it has a red lense that can flip up, this way your eyes can adjust to the dark but you can still see just fine when you are working to your hunting spot in the morning. I will see if I can find a link and post it.

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?Produit=475

[stumprat]

Are you looking for something really small, or alot of light. Check out www.huntsmart.com this is Nite Lite's site. For small lights for packing I like the little ones that slide on to the bill of a ball cap.

[ICEMAN]

I prefer black diamond headlamps, Gemini model I think, have used them from the soggy duck blind to sub freezing many many times. As I recall...my model is from 2004, Halogen and LED. I see alot of new ones on the market that look really good. My idea with headlamps is this: Buy a headlamp that can be powered by the same batteries you carry in otherstuff in your pack. IE: I use all AA devices. LED is fantastic for conserving battery life. I also think that some of the headlamps have too many intensity levels. Do you really want to have to click your way thru five or six settings each time you want the light on or off?  Two is all I would want, Hi and Lo. I also personally prefer the batteries mounted at the back of the head strap to balance the light. Never had a problem with mine, and it will fit over a ballcap. Also, just a thought, I have never had the need for a jig-o-watt of lumens with anything I have ever done using my light. Never had problems finding the trail, losing anything, etc  with a modestly bright unit. I have used the lights to set up camp, cook with, hiking in the dark, spelunking, you name it....Absolutely invaluable around the hunting camp.  Love headlamps.

[smdave]

I bought my headlamp at Homedepot, for I think $12.95 it is very bright total of 5 lights two read and three white. Three different levels you can have the single center light on all three or just the outside two or the reds. I think it is a very nice light for the price, the head also can be pointed down instead of just straight forward.

Dave

[coyotemadness]

I bought one at cableas. Just a cheapy 25 dollar one. Its LED and gets bright as hell. Batteries lasted all waterfowl season. Works great for marching out to the duck blind with my hands full.

[BC CHASER]

I own 2 petzl's, they are great for on the trail or setting decoys for duck hunting.  Hands free!  They are light weight and small.  I just bought another SureFire flash light, it is the E1L the little 1 battery LED light.  I clip it on the bill of my cap and holy crap it is so much brighter than the head lamps.  I wish they would come out with a head lamp.

[thinkingman]

I am looking too.
A wise man once told me all the electronics he carries in the woods (GPS, flashlight, headlamp, radios, etc) run on AA's.....one battery type to worry about carrying.....spares are always available and fairly cheap.
Simple is smart.
Not sure if this helps but it does give me a starting point when shopping.
I light LED's more and more.
I got a 135lumen flashlight at Cabelas that smokes the others I own and runs a long time on AA's.
CR123 batteries are very expensive and only last a few hours.

[Slider]

I use a Petzle Tikka XP. It has one bulb and also a red filter. Low,medium and high beam. It also has a strobe to conserve battery power. It has very good battery life. I would highly recommend it. Here is a link

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesGammes?Gamme=48

[Ironhead]

I use a Petzle Tikka XP. It has one bulb and also a red filter. Low,medium and high beam. It also has a strobe to conserve battery power. It has very good battery life. I would highly recommend it. Here is a link

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesGammes?Gamme=48

X 2

[bow4elk]

X3

[coonhound]

I was always a Petzl guy but I've had a couple break where they snap together when I replace the batteries.  I just purchased a Princeton 4 LED light that has a small thumb screw that holds that back on, it's supposed to be water proof to 3 meters, I used it for the entire early elk season, probably a couple hours a day for 11 days and the 3 AAA batteries seem to be as good as the day I put them in it has 4 diffent power settings.

Coon

[grizzlygibbs]

Petzl Myo XP 3 bright settings a flash setting, and a filter that helps spread the light out. 

http://mirror.altrec.com/images/shop/photos/TZL/19238_d.jpg

[rougheye]

I carry 2 petzls 

[dreamingbig]

I also have a couple of Petzls.  I have very good battery life with them.

[deaddog]

I use a petzl tikka headlamp they are very bright with 3 led lights, it has a setting for real bright, to a little bit dimmer and has flashing setting though I don't have a use for the flashing. If you want to use the other light intensities you can flip through them real quick at the beginning if not you just turn it on and go and when you want to turn it off just click the little button and it turns right off with out going through the other options that I already mentioned. It runs on two triple 'A' batteries. It has excellent battery life, I have owned this headlamp for three years and it still has its original batteries in it. My brother had used the same headlamp when he was deployed to Iraq and said he used this head lamp everynight and he never had to change his batteries. The thing I like best about it is it has a red lense that can flip up, this way your eyes can adjust to the dark but you can still see just fine when you are working to your hunting spot in the morning. I will see if I can find a link and post it.

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?Produit=475

[WAcoyotehunter]

I like the energizer ones from wal mart...they are cheap- $15 dollars and they last forever.  I lose them before they wear out! 

[taylorpz]

I carry 2 petzls 

Seriously, not be a smart aleck, but why carry two?  (if I were being a smarty, I would say I only have one head.... ) I have a Petzl which seems to be fine.  I really am curious (always good to pick up good ideas) if there's an advantage to having two headlamps.

[rougheye]

You never know , I carry them in my pack , also carry an extra release.     Also if you get an animal down in the dark you can use two diff light sources , diff angles .

[bow4elk]

Petzl's here...work like a champ and are very durable.  I just found one of mine at the bottom of the washer two days ago.  Works just fine.

[taylorpz]

You never know , I carry them in my pack , also carry an extra release.     Also if you get an animal down in the dark you can use two diff light sources , diff angles .

OK, that makes sense, thanks.  Nothing fancy.  I carry a plain flashlight as my other light so I don't have to be scared of the dark if my headlamp goes tango uniform.

[JoeVon]

Princeton Tech EOS...

I really like mine, and haven't had any problems.  

http://www.princetontec.com/?q=node/65

[SuperDave]

Petzl tikka for me as well, great lite, works well!

[Slider]

I carry 2 petzls 

Seriously, not be a smart aleck, but why carry two?  (if I were being a smarty, I would say I only have one head.... ) I have a Petzl which seems to be fine.  I really am curious (always good to pick up good ideas) if there's an advantage to having two headlamps.

Search and Rescue always have three!!! They say two will fail!!! I was Archery Elk hunting with my Buddy this year. We were hiking up the Mt. in the dark and my buddies light goes out? (a small mini-mag flashlight) I thought to my self he must want to take a breather.(It's a very steep Mt. and when we stop we turn the light's off.) But instead he says my flashlight just quit working? We still had over a mile to hike in the dark!!! I asked if he had any spare batteries? He said he just installed new batteries? He said do you have spare flashlight in your pack? I said don't you? He said I have never needed two? So I gave him my spare flashlight.

[DBake]

Headlamp and a handheld for me...

[Antlershed]

Petzl Tikka