Who makes the best headlamp? I want something that is rugged, LED and has a long battery life.

I've always heard that the Petzl lights were the very best.

Check out the Streamline Headlamps. I used one in New Zealand, and they are very bright and provide good battery life. -TONY

I've used a few differant brands, but keep coming back to Petzl, which I have 3 variants of. A couple of larger ones bought a few years ago and a handy pocket sized LED called the "Zipka Plus":


They make every kind of headlamp you could possibly dream of, and they are of the highest quality IMO. Which is why Petzl is probably the most commonly used headlamps amongst mountain climbers etc.

In my experience the LED Petzl headlamps are pretty nice to have on the way to the truck from the blind but they are not bright enough for tracking. I'm still working on a headlamp that is bright enough for such work.

When I need a bright headlight I use a Petzel that takes AA batteries and has a regular bulb. My model also has LED's. The batteries fit in a battery box on the strap on the back of your head.
However for everyday [night actually ] use I like the model called the Tac-Tika. It has 4 LED's, 3 brightness settings, a strobe setting and a red lens that folds out of the way when you want the regular blueish white light. The red does not degrade your night vision.
It takes 3 AAA batteries and they last a long time.
I never go anywhere with out the Petzel headlights.

Petzel,princeton,black diamond,whatever is on sale. They all work well. Sierra ttrading post runs sales all the time.

I own a few Petzels and some others and recently bought a couple of "Ray-o-vac" brand name ones that were only $12.99 at Lowes or Home Depot that have regular incandescent bulb and LED blue white light or Red LED. These things are very handy, lightweight, bright, water tight and real easy on the battery, ( takes 3 AAA bateries ). I frequently use a headlamp while working and have used them all and I really like these cheap ones as well as I like any. I've bought several to just keep in different backpacks and vehicles.
Try these out, its not like you'll be out the $30 to 75$ for the top of the line stuff use them and see what you like and don't like about them before you buy the best ones.

We love our tridents from streamlight. I really like the green LED bulb. We ride horses alot and it is great for that.

I own a couple of them and this is the one I like the best. petzl headlamp

I like the fact that it has both the LED's and a beam. I also like that it's a sweatband style, not the around and over the head design. It gives you more flexibility with wearing a hat etc.

I also think the Petzls are the best headlamps out there. One that I have found to be nice is the Myo model that has a wire connecting to the battery pack. Taking C cell batteries, it is a little heavier but the batteries are not hanging on your head. In addition, the batteries last a lot longer and can be placed in an inside pocket in the cold to keep them from flattening as quickly.

Check this sight for comprehensive reviews:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_index_headlamps.htm

I've owned many. Princton tec, petzel, etc. My favorite is a Streamlight (argo hp). I also love the zipka, but it is only good for a few feet out. When it's black out and something stirs 30yds out, all you can see is eyes. Otherwise a very handy, effective light.

One thing to watch for is regulation. If the light is regulated, it will use the batteries in an efficient manner, running strong until the end, then dropping off quickly. Some have a back-up store so that you can locate more batteries. Unregulated (like the zipka) slowly dim until they are marginally bright.

One note: the new zipka's w/ 4 bulbs and the multiple modes WILL crap out on you when moisture is entered into the equation. The old switch style w/ 3 bulbs is bomb proof.

My Argo hp is pretty nice, but at low settings it emits a high pitch screech (very quiet, but noticible). The luxeon bulb seems to be the future in leds.

I have used cheap $8.00, streamlights and a few other brands and Coast headlamps beat them all. They are made in germany, get the single bulb ( I think 1.5 watt) for less than $50.00, takes 3 aaa's last's a long time. The other coast lights are great also, get one of the tiny keyring lights you will love it.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:

However for everyday [night actually ] use I like the model called the Tac-Tika. It has 4 LED's, 3 brightness settings, a strobe setting and a red lens that folds out of the way when you want the regular blueish white light. The red does not degrade your night vision.
It takes 3 AAA batteries and they last a long time.
I never go anywhere with out the Petzel headlights.

I have this model, bought to take to Alaska this fall, and so far I like it. Very lightweight, and it fits nicely around a ballcap. I use it to take the dog out to the kennel at night. We'll see how it survives Alaska and hunting season this fall. I'll used the red filter to get to my deer stand.

I use a Petzl similar to the model in Eriks post only mine is the older version with just 3 LEDS. I like like because its compact and takes up virtually no room in my pocket. I have used it numerous times to walk off a hill side after dark when its been a god send.

As others have already noted, its great for close up work such as gutting an animal or reading a map, but its lacks the power to be useful beyond a few feet.

There are a number of company's now producing 1Watt LED headlamps and I think they will be the way to go with the right trade off between brightness and battery life....

Regards,

Pete

Take a look at the new Myo lite 3.
It has a regular bulb for a bright light and led's.
I use an older similar model when I desire a brighter light.

IMO the best one for hunting is the Petzl with the flip down red filter. With the Red Filter down you won't see as far but it doesn't spook deer - I've shined mine at them just to see and it didn't. Flip the cover up and you have 3 brightness levels plus a flashing mode that is good when your buddy is trying to drive to you and your downed deer. The push button models are also better than the ones with a slide to turn them on. This is the one of several that I've tried that I think is the best:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link....&Ntt=petzl&noImage=0

it's called the "TacTikka Plus LED"................DJ

I ve got the Petzl Myo 5 and I am quite satisfied with it ...

Manufactured with a high intensity Xenon bulb on top of 5 white LED bulbs, all in a compact and water resistant package

The Myo 5 leds has three lighting levels; an optimum level which is ideal for night hiking, a maximum level for climbing or moving quickly on technical terrain and an economy level for reading and setting up camp. One navigates from one setting to the next by turning the rotating bezel switch. In order to conserve battery life it is best to use the Xenon bulb only when necessary, using the LED bulbs (5 of them) as your primary light source

The Xenon beam is adjustable and adds the luxury of long distance vision

Take a look at it, I bought mine at Cabelas more than one year ago ....