Headlamp Recommendations: Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels...

redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels I'm missing the boat. Anyone found something they would recommend?

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Take your pick -
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=headlamp&sprefix=headlamp%2Caps%2C302&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Aheadlamp

redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Shellback wrote:

Take your pick -
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=headlamp&sprefix=headlamp%2Caps%2C302&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Aheadlamp

I know there are dozens to choose from, that's why I was looking for reco's form those who have hands-on experience. Thanks Shellback.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

This is the one I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Bright-LED-Headlamp-Flashlight/dp/B00H26CGTI/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1413923577&sr=1-2&keywords=headlamp

My hunting partner uses:
http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Finder-Headlamp-Batteries-Included/dp/B002MFK7H2/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1413923577&sr=1-6&keywords=headlamp

Both work well and provide enough lite to navigate the trails and to field dress game.

Have tried the hats with the lamps built into the visors but found they don't have the range for lighting up a trail.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

redrocktom wrote:

Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels I'm missing the boat. Anyone found something they would recommend?

Red, I've used lots of headlamps. I currently use about a $15 ray-o-vac from Home Depot. It has a single LED.
Anything in the $100 range is gonna be extreme overkill and will have more than 100 lumens(that's Mt Everest issue)😄.
You won't need more than 20-30 lumens for your needs to see camera settings and tripod set-up etc.
I recently saw a two-pack at Costco. I've used costco lights in the past and they work well. Haven't used the current light though.
Spending too much is just a waste of money.
I also use those little 99 cent flashlights(3,AAA's) from the 99 cent store and they are great but you have to hold them and always carry two as they are not that reliable.
Don't spend too much as the bulb technology moves sooo fast that next years $2 light will have more power than today's $100 light.
Remember, the more lumens the less battery life, or heavier the batteries. Good luck.
SS

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I have a princeton tec headlamp that I've had for about 8 years. As long as I have new batteries to put in it every once in a while it keeps right on going. It was waterproof up to 1 meter at one time, but I've cracked the screen on it slightly in recent years, but it's not like I'm trying to go diving with it or anything. I think this one cost me about 30 bucks when I first got it. I have no idea what one would cost now. I know my dad has gotten a few for just a couple of dollars a piece at various sales and things going on at places like Lowe's or Home Depot. It all just kind of depends on what you think you'll need.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I don't remember the brand of my headlamp and it's somewhere in the trunk of my car. The one feature I like about it is that it has a flip-up red filter on it with a good seal ring. Most of the time I've used it, I have the red filter down (on) so that it does not destroy my night vision. I think I got it from REI.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

I once knew a girl...her headlights were incredible! :))

geezer7 Loc: Michigan

redrocktom wrote:

Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels I'm missing the boat. Anyone found something they would recommend?

My wife and I use Black Diamond Storm headlights for early morning runs. Also for reading in our tent after dark. We really like them. The light beam can be tilted as required. There are three modes, single led (can be adjusted from very bright to somewhat dim), dual led (much less bright), and dual red LEDs which may be set as constant or flashing. They use four AAA batteries. Cost <$50. Check out Outdoorgearlab.com for best headlamps. Sorry, I couldn't create a link.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

redrocktom wrote:

Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels I'm missing the boat. Anyone found something they would recommend?

Petzl seems to be the go-to brand. I have one, and whenever I see people using them seriously on TV, they have Petzl. I had to go about six pages into Amazon before I found one, though.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mogul wrote:

I don't remember the brand of my headlamp and it's somewhere in the trunk of my car. The one feature I like about it is that it has a flip-up red filter on it with a good seal ring. Most of the time I've used it, I have the red filter down (on) so that it does not destroy my night vision. I think I got it from REI.

My Petzl has the same feature, in addition to bright, not-so-bright, and blinking.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

redrocktom wrote:

Looking for a good headlamp for those pre-dawn, post sunset outings to illuminate gear and to get me back down the trail. Budget under $100 unless one feels I'm missing the boat. Anyone found something they would recommend?

I would definitely look for an LED light. Very bright and much better battery life.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Red filter essential - keep your night vision. You may also find that the quality of L.E.D. light reflects of anything shiny rendering it unreadable.

If it helps I use PETZL or BLACK DIAMOND, but there are others out there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

banjonut wrote:

I would definitely look for an LED light. Very bright and much better battery life.

So the kerosene flame is not recommended? :D

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Go with a L.E.D. Petzl or Black Diamond that uses standard gas station batteries and another nice feature is to get one that can be switched over to a red lens. The red lens will allow you to set up the camera but your eyes will adjust to ambient sooner when you turn it off.