Looking For A Headlamp

[Snow Miser]

I just ordered two of the Black Diamond Icon headlamps w/o chargers from Amazon.com for $51.82 each. That's right in the price range I was thinking of. It definitely looks like a nice lamp. One thing that I like is the strap that goes over the head. That makes it like wearing a baseball cap.

Brad, I will take your advice and carry three sets of batteries in my pack, just in case.

Thanks again for all your recommendations!!!

[paulgla]

I have great luck with Surefire lights. The batteries last 12 hours, or so and are so small extras don't really take up space. The LED lights they have throw massive amounts of light. I have a headlamp but always carry my Surefire flashlight as well. They can handle a beating but what fun would it be to have your light break and now have a backup.

[Snow Miser]

Paulgla, you're absolutely right about carrying a spare light. I will have to look into one of the Surefire flashlights. Thanks!

[Brad]

My camera pack has a headlamp, a small maglight, and a large LED flashlight. These get shifted to my hiking pack on most occasions.

[Snow Miser]

My camera pack has a headlamp, a small maglight, and a large LED flashlight. These get shifted to my hiking pack on most occasions.

That's a great idea Brad. Then you're sure to have enough lighting for whatever you may need it for.

[mahony]

So this might sound like heresy, but I've had good luck with the Wal-Mart brand headlamp ($16) and lithium batteries. I have been night hiking quite a bit this summer and the light is bright and the heat from my head keeps the batteries warm. The temps have only been into the 40's (and only on a couple of trips), so it's not exactly winter camping (yet).

[mtruman]

So this might sound like heresy, but I've had good luck with the Wal-Mart brand headlamp ($16) and lithium batteries. I have been night hiking quite a bit this summer and the light is bright and the heat from my head keeps the batteries warm. The temps have only been into the 40's (and only on a couple of trips), so it's not exactly winter camping (yet).

As long as it's the heat from your head keeping the batteries warm and not the heat from the (overheating) Lithiums keeping your head warm .

Seriously - if you're going to use any headlight with lithiums it is worth checking to see if it is recommended by the manufacturer. Some of the pictures that I've seen of lithiums that have caught fire or exploded in devices without voltage regulation are pretty scary!

[Brad]

When I use a headlamp I normally wear a baseball cap turned around backwards. Then the lap and batteries are not right against the skin.

[Snow Miser]

I wanted to thank all of you who gave me advice on a couple of headlamps. We used the Black Diamond Icons to do a 9.5 mile night hike down here to a place called The Pinnacle this past Saturday and they worked out GREAT! Plenty of light even on the middle setting. The spot light on high does reach the 100 meter range they claim it will. That works great for spotting things way down the trail or up in the trees. Thanks again!!!

Oh, BTW, now I'm hooked on night hiking too. How am I ever going to do all these hikes between daylight and night and work at the same time LOL?

[mtruman]

...Plenty of light even on the middle setting. The spot light on high does reach the 100 meter range they claim it will. That works great for spotting things way down the trail or up in the trees.

Spotting things up in trees!?!? What kind of things!? Seems like the light may be working too well!