I am a Petzl guy, my headlamps are abused like a rented mule and they simply last. The last one ended up in the ocean submerged three times during various Goruck events and completely flooded, I rinsed dried and it still works two years later. I've broken or been let down by most other major brands. I'm sure they are fine for the average use, it depends on what you are using them for. In my case, if it goes down my life sucks and I place a very high priority on durability and reliability.
I am also a big fan of AAA batts, they are cheap and easy to have spares. I don't like to recharge, forget to recharge, spend a ton of money or have trouble buying them on the road because they are some strange size.
My newer model has three brightness settings and the brightest is more than I need, but it depends on your definition of "bright." There are certainly brighter lamps out there.
For more horsepower, I have a rechargeable for my road bike that I use as a handheld to find duck blinds that I don't know where are or wounded animals.
