Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: pd on January 07, 2015, 04:04:54 PM

Title: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: pd on January 07, 2015, 04:04:54 PM: I have owned several brands of headlamps over the years (mostly used with a climbing helmet). Sadly, I left my best Petzl on a hillside in the Tucannon in 2014 (I know exactly where, if you want it :o).

I am looking for a headlamp that has a focused red beam on it (not just the general wide beam with the red light). I don't care if I have a flashing white light or not. Thus, wide and focused beams in both white and red light.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: 270Flat on January 07, 2015, 04:09:07 PM: I just purchased a black diamond storm. So far I love it. I sadly left my petzle in the Blues this year also, but not sure where :/
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: romaknows on January 07, 2015, 04:10:57 PM: Zebralight
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Bean Counter on January 07, 2015, 04:18:54 PM: *tag* 8)
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Tbar on January 07, 2015, 04:34:24 PM: Quote from: romaknows on January 07, 2015, 04:10:57 PM
Zebralight
:yeah:
I just got one for Christmas. 1 aa battery and still very bright.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 07, 2015, 04:36:01 PM: http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/SPECIALIZED-headlamps/TACTIKKA-PLUSRGB?l=INT#.VK3QrcvTmBY (http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/SPECIALIZED-headlamps/TACTIKKA-PLUSRGB?l=INT#.VK3QrcvTmBY)
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: huntnphool on January 07, 2015, 04:40:17 PM: I've been very happy with my Streamlights http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61052-Septor-Headlamp-Strap/dp/B00064YL7S/ref=sr_1_2/187-8876685-8465713?ie=UTF8&qid=1420678069&sr=8-2&keywords=streamlight+headlamp (http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61052-Septor-Headlamp-Strap/dp/B00064YL7S/ref=sr_1_2/187-8876685-8465713?ie=UTF8&qid=1420678069&sr=8-2&keywords=streamlight+headlamp) everyone in my family has one and we use them for everything. Used extensively early and late each day while hiking in and out during hunting season, I've never needed to change batteries when loaded with new early in September. LED's are bright, efficient and have 3 different settings (low, med, high) and it clicks with adjustements up and down. :tup:
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: wadu1 on January 07, 2015, 04:43:28 PM: By far the best in my opinion well my :twocents: is Princeton Tec I use a FRED TACTICAL MPLS red/white they also come in green/white. I get a season of duck hunting out of one set of AAA's.
http://www.princetontec.com/ (http://www.princetontec.com/)
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Skillet on January 07, 2015, 04:48:42 PM: Quote from: Fl0und3rz on January 07, 2015, 04:36:01 PM
http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/SPECIALIZED-headlamps/TACTIKKA-PLUSRGB?l=INT#.VK3QrcvTmBY (http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/SPECIALIZED-headlamps/TACTIKKA-PLUSRGB?l=INT#.VK3QrcvTmBY)
:yeah:

My old Tikka Plus is a must-have piece of equipment. I've had it for 7+ years now, still going strong.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on January 07, 2015, 04:53:03 PM: Quote from: 270Flat on January 07, 2015, 04:09:07 PM
I just purchased a black diamond storm. So far I love it. I sadly left my petzle in the Blues this year also, but not sure where :/

I got one aswell. Best lamp I've owned. Truly 220 lumens. I want to get the next bigger model as well.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: fair-chase on January 07, 2015, 05:02:53 PM: While the Zebralight beats out most in size/lumins and is a fantastic light. You need to keep in mind that Zebralight does not make a red light. Therefore, you would need to add your own filter. And any time you add your own filter (regardless of bule, green, or red) you will loose some of the effectiveness of the light. Just something to keep in mind when comparing lumins or candle power of dedicated red lights versus ones you will need to add a filter to.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: andersonjk4 on January 07, 2015, 05:37:37 PM: I will recommend the Alaskan Guide headlamps by Cabela's (made by Princeton tec). I own one of the original models (white only) but the batteries (4AA) last a really long time and the focused beam really penetrates and the wide light gives great coverage. Its a little bigger and bulkier than most but very easy to wear and has great adjustability. However, I do not see a red/white combo, only a green/white combo. :twocents:
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Jacque on January 07, 2015, 06:12:20 PM: Chech out Inova STS head amp by Nite ize, best new product I've seen in a long time.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: hogslayer on January 07, 2015, 06:28:21 PM: I almost pulled the trigger on a zebra. I didn't because the run time on one battery isn't very long. I went with the black diamond icon. 200 lumens and run time is 75 hrs on high and 175 hrs for medium. Plus it has red lights for dark traveling that animals can't see. Backcountry.com had them for 60$. Water proof also.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: pd on January 07, 2015, 06:45:32 PM: Great suggestions, guys. Thanks so much. I wasn't aware of many of these brands. :tup:

The Princeton EOS Tactical MPLS (not the Fred) is interesting, because it has red, green and blue colored filters. Has anybody used this light? It would be great to have the blue filter (blood tracking). The filters are nice, because they just slide over the white light, eliminating the need for separate LEDs. I am not sure what the green filter does, however (on the website it says "green is for hunting")--anybody want to guess what that means?

I am still not sure how to hunt with a green light.... :dunno:
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Tim in Wa. on January 07, 2015, 07:35:52 PM: I think the green light is supposed to highlight blood
Tim
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on January 07, 2015, 09:18:36 PM: There are multiple colored blood lights.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: wadu1 on January 07, 2015, 09:37:13 PM: Quote from: wadu1 on January 07, 2015, 04:43:28 PM
By far the best in my opinion well my :twocents: is Princeton Tec I use a FRED TACTICAL MPLS red/white they also come in green/white. I get a season of duck hunting out of one set of AAA's.
http://www.princetontec.com/ (http://www.princetontec.com/)
I use the red/white because it is the best application for my use, the green/white worked just as well until I lost it. I'll pickup another at the shot show the week after next.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 07, 2015, 09:52:58 PM: Costco 110 lumen LED headlamp with 3 aaa duracells. Cost $9.99 for a two pack. Yea, laugh but they are pretty good headlamps and for $5 each with batteries how can you go wrong?
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: huntnnw on January 07, 2015, 10:47:28 PM: Quote from: hogslayer on January 07, 2015, 06:28:21 PM
I almost pulled the trigger on a zebra. I didn't because the run time on one battery isn't very long. I went with the black diamond icon. 200 lumens and run time is 75 hrs on high and 175 hrs for medium. Plus it has red lights for dark traveling that animals can't see. Backcountry.com had them for 60$. Water proof also.

Just bought my dad this one...its bright!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: timberghost72 on January 08, 2015, 07:34:27 AM: http://www.amazon.com/FENIX-HP25R4YW-Fenix-Headlamp-Yellow/dp/B00BNUBK46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420775683&sr=8-1&keywords=fenix+hp25 (http://www.amazon.com/FENIX-HP25R4YW-Fenix-Headlamp-Yellow/dp/B00BNUBK46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420775683&sr=8-1&keywords=fenix+hp25)

I've had this one for a few months now. It's the second Fenix I've owned and they are awesome lights. This model doesn't have red or green though. It does have spot or flood with 3 and 4 levels of light respectively or together. A bit bulky but worth the weight.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: grimace on January 10, 2015, 07:54:31 AM: I have been using a Princeton Remix (white/green) cr123 battery for three years now. At first it was just for hunting, for the last two years its my go to headlamp. The green seems to be just bright enough going to and from my stands in total darkness. The white is plenty bright for general use. I have no input on its effectiveness on seeing blood.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 10, 2015, 08:00:08 AM: Xtremebeam. It's brighter than any one I've owned......
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Cylvertip on January 10, 2015, 10:51:30 AM: X3 on the Black Diamond Icon. I have the current generation as well as the previous generation. I have given many away as gifts as well. No one has ever had and issue and everyone loves them. The original one I bought still works after 8 years of very heavy use and in very wet conditions trapping and hunting. I couldn't resist the increase from 150 to 200 lumens on the new one and had to have it. They are great, dependable units.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: aaronoto on January 10, 2015, 09:18:53 PM: No external battery pack - Black Diamond Storm
External battery pack - Black Diamond Icon

For such a small package the Storm is amazing, and it's IPX7 to boot!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on January 17, 2015, 02:39:49 PM: Yeah the storm is bright. But I want to get the icon for my main light. Then the storm for tracking game and an backup for when things fail.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: longwalker on January 17, 2015, 02:43:01 PM: I've yet to see a better one than zebra lights. It's what I'm upgrading to this year
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: Buzz2401 on January 27, 2015, 04:45:14 PM: Princeton Tec's are made in USA I have the Vizz and have been very happy with it.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a new headlamp?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 05, 2015, 01:32:49 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 10, 2015, 08:00:08 AM
Xtremebeam. It's brighter than any one I've owned......

I like these also. Great flood mode for trail movement and a killer, far reaching concentrated beam for seeing what made that noise way out there, lol. I like the Zebra Lights also but do not like a rechargeable battery unit for many reasons (I own one of their normal battery powered flood headlamps that I use around camp and it's a great light). Here's a clip I did a while back on the Xtreme Beam headlamp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wohUxbWdD5I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wohUxbWdD5I)