Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: JDHasty on October 04, 2016, 09:07:03 AM
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Cabela's has a bunch of Princeton Tech headlamps on sale in the online Bargain Cave. I need to get a good head lamp, but don't know which one to get. It will be used for going to/from stands in the dark and for blood trailing game. I have a few cheap ones that were free, but since they are on sale I suppose it is a good time to get a good one for myself and one for my daughter.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/lights-accessories/_/N-1102813/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_105773580
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Princeton puts out a good light. I always buy one that runs on triple A's. For a working light I like the QUL model. It is light and basic. For your use I would probably go with something a bit larger, but I don't have any personal experience with the stronger lights they are selling.
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I would go with a zebralight. :twocents:
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I've had great luck with Princeton Tech headlamps, I prefer the FRED. They are one of my MUST stop vendors at the Shot show. They have some neat lamps for M&P that are not sold to the public.
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Had good luck with Princeton. I'd go with a model that takes AAA batteries.
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I would go with a zebralight. :twocents:
Zebralights are amazing.
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I would go with a zebralight. :twocents:
Zebralights are amazing.
Did anyone mention Zebralights?
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I've used my Princeton Tec Remix (similar to the Fuel lights shown on your link) on a daily basis to capture deer at night for the past two years, running my light for probably 2-4 hours per night. I am extremely pleased with it, except for the fact that the plastic tab holding down the battery lid broke after the first year and I've been holding it together with electrical tape since then. One thing to consider if you are using this for hunting - I do get tired of having to carry spares of multiple different battery types in my back at all times. I would probably rather have a headlamp that runs off of AAs (some of the smaller Princeton Tecs run off of AAAs) so that I can use the same batteries in all my gear and not have to pack so many extras. Plus the AAs probably last longer. Little bit more weight and bulkiness is the only tradeoff when running a light with AAs.
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:twocents: Of the lights in the add I would go with the large alaskan guide model with the battery pack in back. I think it was 350 lumens. Im assuming that your not looking for a super lite light. That one offers several modes of operation including green for in and out of stand and should not be a battery drain. It also has a high lumen output for blood trailing and locating down game this is huge.
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Personally, I never liked the external battery packs. They weight just didn't sit right.
One trick that I do is reverse my batteries in my headlamp, that way they are always fresh and don't get turned on accidentally. Don't ask me why I started doing this! :chuckle:
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I got one of these while I was in Iraq, and I love it. White light, red light, blue light, and an IR light which I don't use. 4 levels of brightness for each of the lights and runs on CR123 battery.
https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-14512-Sidewinder-Flashlight-Headstrap/dp/B0077RHVVK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475683664&sr=8-1&keywords=sidewinder+14512
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I run the Princeton tec Vizz with no issues. Nice thing about Princeton tec is that they are made in USA
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I have the Alaskan Guide model xw white. I like it, a lot.
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Ive used Princeton Tec in the past and had no issues. I bought the Black Diamond Storm 3 months ago and I like it so much I bought a new headlamp already :o. The first one I bought also flickered constantly on max. Exchanged it and the next one was fine for a while. Getting a bit of flickering every few seconds now .... Also, it constantly dims so its advertised lumen/run times are pretty much complete bs. "Max" is equivalent to a flashlight from the dollar store after a few hours.
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My buddy and I have the Cabelas RGB. It is my favorite headlamp that I have ever owned, mind you that it is my first LED headlamp. Super lightweight. I like hiking with the blue light, doing stuff at camp with the green. Batteries last a long time.
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I am surprised no one has mentioned the Black Diamond Icon. That all we have been using in our camps.
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I would personally not settle for less than 160-200 lumens as bare minimum. I also despise the third strap and and/or the battery pack on the back of your head. Buy once cry once. Go black diamond IME.
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I will add that I spend an extraordinary amount of time hiking off trail in the dark every year. More than most.
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I would personally not settle for less than 160-200 lumens as bare minimum. I also despise the third strap and and/or the battery pack on the back of your head. Buy once cry once. Go black diamond IME.
:yeah:
My advice was aimed toward the OP's original question about the headlights in the add. The majority I glanced through were under 100 lumens.
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I am surprised no one has mentioned the Black Diamond Icon. That all we have been using in our camps.
Tried it - the big battery pack weight in the back of my head was really annoying - got almost same lumens from much lighter $5 aaa units from Costco. If wearing something as bulky as Black Diamond I would expect 900 lumens and then only for night predator hunting. Lots of people like those heavy ones idk ?
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I have Black Diamond Storm and Princeton Tech 105 and 120 lm lights.
All run on AAA batts.
I think I like the Princetons best and got one with red leds from Camofire for $19.99.
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I am surprised no one has mentioned the Black Diamond Icon. That all we have been using in our camps.
Tried it - the big battery pack weight in the back of my head was really annoying - got almost same lumens from much lighter $5 aaa units from Costco. If wearing something as bulky as Black Diamond I would expect 900 lumens and then only for night predator hunting. Lots of people like those heavy ones idk ?
I guess you have to get used to it. I don't notice the weight at all anymore. I'm sure you can go lighter, but these give me the best of lumens, battery life, waterproof and reliability. At a good price point.
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I have a black diamond icon and it's great very bright and adjustable and you really don't feel the weight at all.
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Ive bought all kinds of headlamps and not liked one. Now im using a fenix light and its awesome.
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I bought Bridget one of the smaller ones for her Brownie camping and hunting and hiking out if we stay too late and myself the one that was ~ $69. It will keep hands free if we are using our trekking poles.
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I had a couple of Princeton tec's. Battery caps broke on both of them when I tried to change batteries. I'm now using a Tikka XP. So far very pleased with it.
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It is amazing how whiny and particular people have got about their headlamps in the last 15 years. I remember my first headlamp (and still have it👍🏻) a Petzl Duo, I went with the best, biggest, n baddest in 1997! That thing is huge, 4-AA pack on the back of the head and a monstrous double bulb light on the front. I think max lumens was ~50 (actually candlepower but last I knew there is not a direct conversion from lumen to CP) and max run time was ~15hrs at ~5 lumens? Now people are pi$$ed if they can't get 15+hrs with 100 lumens and 2-3 AAAs in a micro front light. I'm not that old but still remember when a 2-D Rayovac was about the best thing going and a 2-AA Mini-Mag was a kick a$$ pocket light! I am a light geek myself though and typically have at least 3 lights while hunting, and have needed them all!
I would personally not settle for less than 160-200 lumens as bare minimum. I also despise the third strap and and/or the battery pack on the back of your head. Buy once cry once. Go black diamond IME.
Every one of at least 4 BDs I have owned had the straps lose all elasticity after a couple years, not my first choice just for that reason. Love the Icon though for big power and long life.
Ive bought all kinds of headlamps and not liked one. Now im using a fenix light and its awesome.
Fenix has been my EDC pocket light for 10 years; bright, long battery life, bombproof and great quality! Never had one not work, even worn smooth with broken switch rubbers they have never failed me. I have one of their CR-123 headlamps an have been pretty happy.
I have the Alaskan Guide model xw white. I like it, a lot.
I love mine for the simplicity and toughness, I hate trying to get (or remember the right sequence) the right color, beam brightness, and focus type on micro push buttons while wearing gloves with numb hands. The Cabela's Guide lights are great, one decent sized button that turns it on and off, period.
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Bought 4 PT Fuels at a cheap price for around the house and truck camping, down to the last one. Also burned through a Remix. All same problem with battery cover breaking at the clasp replacing batteries, and that was trying to be careful as I was cognizant of the reviews. Great lumens/weight/comfort for what I need, but only until the first battery change. Currently have a Sync which has a slightly different clasp design and it seems to be holding up better? Really like the red light option when hiking in the AM or in the backpack tent around others as it doesn't blind you and maintains your night vision. I have had good luck with the Alaskan Guide QUL and the earlier Petzl Tikka but hate cycling from high to low on the lumens.
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Black Diamond Storm is what I use, I really like them and see no reason to try anything else
