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Posted: 6/3/2025 1:23:11 AM EDT
| Looking for suggestions on a tactical grade headlamp with a red lens feature. I'm doing a Land navigation course at the end of Summer and want one that's not garbage but preferably under 50 bucks? |
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I have many, many nights using this exact one: land nav, live fire, TC, bivouac, you name it. Survived deployment no sweat, takes AA, but runs best on 123s 3-4 brightness setting, can be helmet or gear mounted. Light and compact, easy on and off, you won't even know it's there. Best part, you can easily, just rotate the knob for Red, White, Blue or IR It's around $100 if you look around, but after trying many different kinds, it is the best option and a solid investment (Just don't loose it). The cheap ones did't last and were not nearly as easy to use. Towards the end of my last deployment, I got issues a $$$ surefire, but it was 3 times heavier and bulkier. Even tough it was USB rechargeable and brighter, I did not need that and gave it to a buddy. FWIW, those LITTLE cheap hand held "Squeeze" for momentary on lights are great for sneaky land nav stuff. I've also used the cheap clip on your pc types (From the PX) with success, but have some spare coin batteries for sure. (They are good for TC or RTO stuff where you just need a little light, 2 hands and will keep it on for a hot minute or longer. Final word: 2x D-cell remains the cockroach of flashlights... the one I was issued in 1996 is still kicking streamlight  squeeze mini red light  |
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Way back (Pre GWOT) when the Army was mostly about near-peer situations, we never got cool gear and bushcraft was pretty serious. I knew this dude from a high speed unit. When they did super sneaky landnav/patrol; they got those miniature chem lights (Like 1" long by 1/4" around), kept them in their mouths and when they just wanted a peak at their map or whatever just cracked their mouth open a bit mini chem lights We never got these cool ones ^ too much $ for my unit I guess. Later on, as an NCO whenever one of my guys did not have or lost/broke their red light (Which was WAY too often). I had a box of regular red chem lights:a little bit of 100 mph tape and the wrapper you can make it work, better than you would think and free. Honestly, half the Joes, once they lost/broke what was issued to them, that's all they ever used. For no weapon, just walking thru the woods land nav you can actually palm it, or tuck it in your sleeve a bit |
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Photon Freedom Micro LED. These are dimmable and have a covert cover that directs the red light out the front. When I was buying them you could get a dohicky that attaches it to you ball cap brim. LIghtweight, surprisingly good red light output that wont blind others because of the shield. |
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Originally Posted By raimius: The Petzl Tikka series has some good options. I've had my Taktikka for over a decade. It's really all I want in a headlamp. |
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"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Another Vote for the Petzl (Tac)Tikka. I have almost a dozen red lights and several red head lights. One problem is almost all of them require you to cycle through white light to get to red. A bigger problem is that most of them are WAY too bright if you are trying to preserve your night vision. |
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This is the one I kept:  Petzl-TacTikka-Plus-4-LED-Headlamp It's not so bright that is dazzles you in use, and with the red FILTER you never have to worry about accidental white light activation. I also prefer the fact it uses AAA batteries, because if they go dead in use, I can just pop in a new set and off I go, rather than having to deal with recharging. I can carry ALOT of spare AAA's in a medicine bottle... To your question: The main difference I see is Tikka has a red light option where Tikkina does not. Part of this decision involves how you intend to use it. Personally, I value lower output, the ability to lock in red only mode, and replaceable batteries for the purpose that I have the TacTikka for. If you are using it as your only light to go ripping through the woods on something with a motor and require maximum output, for example your needs are different. That said, I also have headlamps with both white and red LED's and even a couple with ONLY red LED, not just a filter. When I require red output, I personally hate having to cycle through white or other modes to get to red. Another consideration is the smaller options can be hung around your neck like a necklace if you are wearing something else on your head, OR if you wanted to avoid dazzling others my looking at them. |
You got gun law problems, I feel bad for you son. I got 99 problems but a ban ain't one. -Sylvan
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I was given a Surefire Minimus over a decade ago that runs on a CR123 and has a clip on red lens. Sucker has been a tank of a light with great run time. All aluminum construction and typical Surefire quality. No idea what they currently offer but this thing has been great. |
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Originally Posted By Kane419: @JBecker_72 damn those are sweet but out of my budget for this project. |