Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

I thought a headlamp would come in handy for those times when I am on the trail before Sunrise or after Sunset.
Any suggestions on an affordable headlamp?
How many lumens do I need?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

You can get a little clip-on, three lcd lamp that fastens to the bill of your cap. They provide good light and cost almost nothing. My son-in-law uses one all the time.

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Check out Fenix brand online. Also check out Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops online as well.

Dennis

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

Are you a regular hiker? Backpacker? How far do you plan to hike with a headlamp?

The reason I ask is that, as a regular hiker, I have a few high-powered lamps made by Black Diamond. These are not the cheapest, but the 110 lumens, at the max setting, will cast a light for about 70 meters. That's suitable for hiking on rough terrain. The lowest setting casts about 4 lumens, which is suitable for close-in work, such as changing camera settings.

If you're planning on substantial hiking after dark, don't skimp on the light power. You have a very nice camera in the X-t2 (which I also own). Don't risk dropping it, falling on it, personal injury, or just stumbling around in the dark with a cheap, unreliable light.

If all you're doing is taking shots from outside of your car and very short walks (few hundred feet), then cheaper is ok.

One thing to be sure that it has an infrared option (red light). That's what I use to fine-tune camera settings because it doesn't impair your night vision so much. I'll use the regular light to get where I'm going and set up the tripod/camera, turn it off to get my night vision back, then go to red to adjust camera settings.

The Black Diamond and Petzl lights can be bought at an outdoor store. You can get a cheap one at Walmart.

My feeling is to treat this purchase like any other camera accessory purchase: Prepare to pay a little more to get the quality that you need. DON'T SKIMP!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I purchased mine from LL Bean. It has white and red (for night work) in two levels of intensity. Really nice.
(I also use it around the house to keep both hands free.)

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Thanks for the advice. I will hit the pre-sunrise trail from anywhere to a 15 minute hike to 45 minutes. I don't do it often now, but once it warms up I plan to do more pre-sunrise and post-sunset hikes.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

E-Bay

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I have a Black Diamond headlamp that has traveled with me on wintry trips. It takes "AAA" batteries and has both white and red leds. Battery life is fantastic and it is nice to have a red light option so as not to disturb other photographers you may be shooting near.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Look at the Black Diamond range. I use an older model L.E.D., but I'd look for a model that runs 'AA' batteries. Red L.E.D.'s are good as they don't ruin night vision. Eye works on contrast, so the brighter the light the more appears in shadow so get one with varying power outputs. If lumens really are your thing though, look to the pedal cycle market. I've a nightrider 600 lumens job that'll fit neatly in my hands (but if there are no cars coming against me I can get by with the 40-lumen pedestrian setting or the 200 lumen if its a filthy night.

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can't go wrong with Petzl.

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=petzl+headlamp&sprefix=petzl%2Caps%2C145&crid=3TRAPR3DUOURL

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island