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Author Topic: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?  (Read 13259 times)

Offline Outdoorskindaguy

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Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« on: September 20, 2022, 10:07:06 AM »
Whats a good hunting headlamp thats durable and low profile? In your opinion:)
Thanks!

Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2022, 10:11:29 AM »
If I'm using a headlamp, I generally am not concerned about low profile. 

I've had expensive, highly rated ones and cheap-o units from Lowes.  I now steer toward the cheap units with an extra in my survival pack.  The expensive ones are usually a little heavier and the benefits don't (in my opinion) outweigh both the financial and weight cost.

Offline Stein

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2022, 10:18:31 AM »
I bought this one for my son recently:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YXPCPVC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Decent price, rechargeable with built in battery and good amount of light.  I can't speak to durability yet.

For stuff like that, I often look at the hiking community, particularly the long trails like PCT, AT, CDT as they get a hundred or more days use in a year and have a pretty good idea of what works.

There are brighter, there are cheaper, there are lighter, but that one seemed to me to be a good compromise.

Offline WildBear

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2022, 10:33:26 AM »
Been really happy with my Black Diamond Storm
Worst day hunting is better than best day working!

Online CP

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2022, 11:08:12 AM »
Probably bulkier than what you are look for but this has been a great headlamp.  Powered by two 18650 batteries which can recharged in place or switched out.  I don’t think that I’d buy another headlamp that doesn’t use 18650 cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5MKYHQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Offline BIGINNER

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2022, 11:49:09 AM »
I WENT THROUGH A TON OF HEADLAMPS OVER THE YEARS.  the STUFF YOU FIND ON AMAZON WITH THE 18650 BATERIED ARE BRIGHT BUT THEY ALWAYS FALL APART AFTER A YEAR OR SO.  I CURENTLY USE A RECHARGABLE MILLWUAKEE HEADLAMP. ITS A SPENDY BUT HAS LASTED ME FOR A CPUPE YEARS NOW AND USE IT FOR WARK AS WELL AS HUNTING.
HOME DEPOT SELL COAST HEADLAMPS THAT ARE ALSO RECHARGABLE. THEY AREA BOUT HALF THE PRICE OF THE MIWUAKEE AND ARE VERY GOOD AS WELL. MY SON HAS BEEN USUNG HIS FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW AS WELL.

Offline Billy74

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2022, 11:52:34 AM »
I’ve had a lot over the years in all price point and by far best is the Duracell 3 pack from Costco for $15.  Simple, bright, run on aaa and have red and blue lights. 


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Offline Platensek-po

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2022, 11:55:00 AM »
I have 2 rechargeable nitecore headlamps. $30 and super bright, comfortable, lightweight and long lasting.
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Offline Magnum_Willys

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2022, 11:58:04 AM »
  I don’t think that I’d buy another headlamp that doesn’t use 18650 cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5MKYHQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I don't think I would buy another that DOES use 18650 cells.  Always seem to end up with go out issues.  AAA you know exactly what you get and spares are light.  Backpack a few days and 18650 goes dead .....

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2022, 12:03:19 PM »
AAA batteries for sure, and flip one backwards or pull one out when not in use, that keeps it from turning on in your pack. Always carry spares in your pack, batteries and head lamps.
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Offline MountainWalk

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2022, 12:12:51 PM »
I like the cheap energizer ones from Walmart. A pair and a spare.. when I’m heading back to the rig, I wear two, one fore and one aft.. may not make much sense, but it seems to ease my mind tromping around in brown bear country.
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Online jrebel

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2022, 12:16:34 PM »
Once I figured out how to lock my storm so it wouldn't turn on in my pack......it has been awesome. 

I own 5 and they are all black diamond.  One of them is over 20 years old and still running strong.  It's only a 150-200 lumen though.  I now own two storm 400's and 2 icon 700's. 

I prefer the icon 700 due to the brightness and the fact that it takes AA batteries.  Now every electronic in my pack takes one size battery.  The Storms are very cheap now days, so there is no way I would buy anything else if money was a factor. 

Petzel also makes great lights. 


Offline Stein

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2022, 12:28:12 PM »
I still carry a Petzl, they have been bulletproof.  I don't like their batteries though, AAA is ok as I have rechargeables, but their rechargeable seems to be not that great.

I had an older Petzl that went in the ocean twice.  I opened it, dumped the saltwater, rinsed with fresh and it's still running years later.  The only reason I am changing is brightness and rechargeable.

I think most guys are carrying battery packs for phones/InReach/Headlamps/GPS/watches and whatever other gadgets we carry these days.

Online CP

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2022, 12:54:56 PM »
  I don’t think that I’d buy another headlamp that doesn’t use 18650 cells.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5MKYHQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I don't think I would buy another that DOES use 18650 cells.  Always seem to end up with go out issues.  AAA you know exactly what you get and spares are light.  Backpack a few days and 18650 goes dead .....

To each his own.  I’ve converted all my flashlights that use the 3 AAA battery carousel to run on a single 18650.  Lasts a lot longer and is rechargeable.   

Offline HikerHunter

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Re: Whats a good headlamp for hunting?
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2022, 01:02:06 PM »
the black diamond spot 400 is pretty low profile and has a lock feature when stored so it doesn't turn on. There is a learning curve on the one button operation, but I prefer it now.

 


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