Posted: 9/23/2012 7:56:30 PM EDT
| I'm looking to buy a headlight and wanted to get some recommendations. Right now, I'm considering the Energizer Trail Finder 7 LED Headlight. Any favorites or brands I should consider/avoid? |
| I'm attempting to standardize my hurricane batteries to AA Sanyo Eneloops....most of the low end headlamps I found use AAAs....I splurged and went with a Black Diamond Icon for around $40 off Amazon...it's a little heavier as it has a rear battery pack (3AAs), but seems pretty bulletproof... a couple of my friends that were former SF/Rangers recommend Petzl |
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Many of the 3-cell headlamps don't use any regulation for the LEDs - which means that the brightness gradually drops off as the batteries are used.
The top-notch headlamps typically use just 1 or 2 cells, and have a LED driver circuit that automatically compensates for decreasing battery voltage - They'll run the LED at full brightness right up to the point where the battery dies completely. Zebralight makes some very nice headlamps. Most of 'em only use one cell (AA, CR123 or 18650, depending the model), and offer several brightness settings. The Ultrafire UF-H2 is also worth considering - It has continuously-adjustable brightness. There's a product review of it here. 
You can pick up a spare elastic headband for cheap here - Should fit either the Ultrafire or Zebralight models. |
| I highly recommend Zebralight. I have the HC31 and it offers multiple setting from low to high and a few in the middle. |
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When I see the Energizer headlamps and lights, I generally think of Wal-Mart stuff and disposable quality.
For a tad bit more I bought a Petzl Tikka 2 at REI (about $30). It has low, med, high, and flashing. Batteries seem to last a long time (for my camp chore use). It's not a super mega awesome headlamp with crazy output, lot o' modes, red filters, IR filters, rear batteries, or anything else. It's just a good solid headlamp to meet your basic needs. |
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I have a Zebralight H51fw and it's a fantastic headlamp. Floody beam, neutral tint, plenty of settings and runs on one AA battery.
The moonlight mode is what I use most for reading and hanging out on the laptop at night when the wife is trying to sleep. Most of the time I don't need anything brighter, but when I do, it's plenty bright enough. |
| we have a couple Energizer Hard Case headlamps. Frickin' fantastic. So far they've been durable, the first set of batteries lasted over a YEAR w/ fairly regular use. Two stage white LED, green and red LEDs w/ a retractable diffuser. I got a sceeemin' deal on Woot, and couldn't be happier. |