So what do you guys use for lights? I read alot about the photo lights, keychain lights, single cell lights does anybody use headlamps anymore? I was looking at the princeton tec pilot(15G) it can be used as a headlamp or hand light but also looked at the fuel. 78G
http://www.princetontec.com/?q=node/70

I have learned my lesson over the years after taking mag lites out in the woods that you don't need much light to see what you are doing. ;-)

Check out the Petzl e-lite. It's small, bright and lightweight. I've had one for almost a year now and love it.

Like Don, I bought an eLite. I feel like it works very well as part of a UL kit. I even bought one for my girlfriend after trying it out.

Ok, another vote for the e-Lite. I keep a Photon Freedom light as a backup/zipper pull on my jacket. People also love the Fenix lights for their brightness, but they are definitely heavier. If you do a lot of night hiking then get a headlamp, but for me it's mostly camp chores after dark or reading and the e-Light is plenty bright.

-Mark

I have a Zebra Light and a Fenix L0D and a Lummi Raw AL, plus a Freedom Microlight II Red as backup.

I have use the Zebra Light several times, works well but it's a flood light. The Fenix and the Lummi are more beam than flood.

Edited by johannb on 06/03/2009 12:59:17 MDT.

Another vote for the Petzel e-light and the Photon as an almost weightless backup.

One *negative* vote for the Petzl eLite.. I'm suprised this light always gets mentioned (I have one).
- it's not very bright at all, esp compared to new Cree LED based lights
- it's runtime is very short (runs on a couple of button batteries, what do you expect)
- it's unregulated, so it's discharge curve looks like K2. ie it's brightness starts noticeably dropping very very quickly.
- clumsy switch

Good lightweight handhelds are AAA based lights like the already mentioned Fenix L0D, I have the Liteflux LF2 which is a similar light but with programmable settings (and a fiddlier interface to go with it). Other good simple single-level AAA lights are the Arc AAA and the Fenix E01. With a single lithium AAA, all of these are of similar weight to the Petzl eLite, but *way* overpower it in brightness + runtime, and, unlike the eLite, all are regulated (so constant brightness).

Sadly there aren't many ultralight headlamps with decent LEDs. Zebralights (~2.2oz) are probably the brightest and lightest, it has a 80 degree flood, you might want more throw than this though. The updated Princeton Tec EOS II would be a good one, but it's hardly ultralight.

FWIW, I had an e-lite and now use the petzl tikka plus. A few dollars more and 2.75 ounces, but it's much brighter and the AAA batteries give it longer life. Not to mention AAA's can be found virtually anywhere. It's unregulated as well, so it does drop off, but not nearly as quickly. I've seen them on sale under e-lite prices recently.

After reading Adrian's reply above I dug out my Fenix LOP SE light. I think this came out about the time Fenix was introducing the LOD line. I think the SE version was regulated and had 3 light levels unlike the regular LOP which I believe was unregulated and had one level. So, anyway, I dug it out of my gear box, went and bought a Li AAA battery and modified a Photon clip to fit the light. Total wt. with battery and clip = 27 g, e+lite with batteries and also with modified Photon clip, = 21 g.

So, yeah, it's heavier, but only 6 grams. ( I know, a gram here, a gram there, it's a slippery slope.:-)) Well, I am going to give the Fenix a try and see how I like it. I found the eLite to be adequate, but as mentioned if you use it on high for more than 15 minutes you will suck those pour little button batteries down. It will not do as a headlight for very long. I'll see if the Fenix can do better.

-Mark

My favorite Light Is The Fenix LD10, Yes it is heaver (48.9g) than the AAA or button battery lights but with a e2 lithium AA the thing seems to run forever! I use only AA batteries in my camping/hiking gear so the AAA lights won't work for me.

Independent testing (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=224932) shows that the LD10 will run for 1 hr. 37 min on turbo (120 lumens) using a e2.
The Fenix web page claims "General Mode: 9 lumens (34hrs) -> 47 lumens (6hrs) -> 94 lumens (2.2hrs) -> SOS, Turbo Mode: 120 lumens (1.5hrs) -> Strobe"

I find I use it mostly on low, sometimes i click it up to med unless I am trying to show off how bright it can be. ; ) Another cool thing is the "White diffuser tip". It weighs less than 10g and when used on the LD10 provides excellent area light. I hang it from the top loop of my tent and don't have to think about light till I turn it off.

For those of you who think 49g is just too heavy take a look at the Nitecorp EZ AA. This is a AA, 2 mode (hi-low) light that weighs just over 20g. the Nitecorp web site claims, "Low Mode: 10 lumens for up to 20 hours High Mode: 130 lumens for up to 1.5 hours Size: 83.0 x 16.6 mm (3.27 x 0.65 in)". This light had a recall because of low efficiency in low mode but the repaired version will be out at the end of the month (May). The review is at: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=228281

To look at these lights go to 4sevens.com, or google the names. Also www.candlepowerforums.com is a great source for anything related to flashlights.

The single AAA powered Fenix L0D clipped on my hat is near perfect at mid-level for night time trail hiking. For for use around camp the low level is more than adequate. I seldom have to switch to the high level boost.

Ok,I've been using my Fenix LOP SE light for almost 2 months and have become a big fan. Using a lithium AAA I have yet to replace it. I use it mostly in low mode, but even when I kick it up to high now it still seems to have plenty of juice. I'm still using my modified Photon clip (cut off the little tabs that hold the photon light and left a smooth little platform) with a doubled up rubber band to hold the light to the platform. It isn't pretty but it works and lets me clip the light to my hat band or hammock ridgeline. My e+Lite has been relegated to the nightstand drawer.

-Mark

Depending on use I have two. For regular outings where I need a camp light and some night time navigation I use a Fenix LOD CE. If I know for certain I am going to be hiking for several hours in the dark I take my new PT Eos-R which is amazingly bright and has a very long battery life on a high level of light...

For a light I have converted to using those lights that clip on to the brim of your cap. I'm always weaing a baseball cap while backapcking anyway, it's lighter than a headlamp, and even if you're not wearing the cap they stay in your hand well. They're bright, and cheap. One will last a couple weekend trips and then give it to your kids/siblings to play with after that.

cheers

I'm also a happy Fenix L0D user. A tiny little light, but plenty bright, with different modes. Reverse the pocket/pen clip, and clip it on the brim of your baseball cap. Great for around camp, and minor night-time wandering (I don't like night hiking much!).

I looked into the fenix lights, coz of the mentions around here.

But after some further looking around i bought a cree flashlight (fenix clone) through dealextreme. Also bought batteries, nano charger. Real real cheap, free shipping and all.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16844

It's the brightest flashlight i've owned. Quite light, compared to a aaa flashlight it's 'heavy'. Did i mention it's very bright...and as a bonus, no twister but a switch at the back which in the darkness glows, easy finding at night.

The French makers of PETZL STILL have a problem of lithium batteries burning up their circuits. (??)

Personally the regulated Princeton Tec headlamps get my vote. And I don't know why Black Diamond doesn't make regulated headlamps (Unless they have just begun to recntly).

Virtually all "mini" headlamps will be unregulated as the heat sink. etc. for regulation would make it too big to be mini.

BTW, what IS the lightest regulated headlamp? PT Quad?

Eric

My best flashlight is my LED Surefire. Pricy, but lights up the world. I usually hike with my BD headlamp though.

Pak-Lite Bright White.

Two settings - Light weight - Bombproof.

Low setting will last approx. 1,200 hours on Li battery.

Most of my weekend trips here in NZ usually start with 2-4hrs tramping on Friday night and so far after going through 24 different headlamps, the new 50 lumen model of the Princeton Tec EOS is IMHO pretty near perfect. Sure its a few grams more than most 3AAA headlamps, but it is robust, waterproof, good range of light levels.

I once had an e-lite but its construction and performance left a lot to be desired. There is only so much that can be squeezed into a 1oz package.

I feel the same way about my "old" EOS. Couldn't ask for more, but I am still drooling at the prospect of upgrading to 50 lumens at the first excuse. :)

> Virtually all "mini" headlamps will be unregulated as the heat sink. etc. for regulation
> would make it too big to be mini.

Not true.
If you want to use a cheap linear regulator then heat sinking is an issue. That is quite inefficient.

But if you use a switched-mode regulator then heat sinking is emphatically not an issue, and the efficiency is much higher. All my *little* lights are fully regulated. None have heat sinks.

The problem is that many of the headlight companies are more concerned about visual appeal than efficiency, and are definitely mainly concerned about cheap-cheap-cheap production costs. Sadly, switched-mode circuits are dearer.

My little Photon Rex is fully regulated. Very cute. And rechargeable too.

Cheers

Decided to take a closer look at the Fenix lights but what is there true website. https://www.fenix-store.com/ or http://www.fenixlight.com/%5Cnewping.asp There are so many lights is almost confusing . I like the idea of a single AAA or AA with the white diffuser tip for the tent.

I dismantled a Black Diamond Orbit, so only the battery chamber, diode and diode cover were left. Then drilled two small holes in the battery compartment cover for a very light cord loop. Since it takes AAAs, I can use AAA lithiums, which are readily found at Walmarts. The light quality is very good, much better than the best hang light I had before (a heavier European light called "Clip Light.")
It is great as a flash light, or tent hang light, weighs only a couple ounces, is small, and puts out much more light than the minis.
Sam Farrington, Chocorua NH

I have been looking at the Fenix site all night and torn between the LD10 and LD01 AAA vs AA . I do like the Idea of the diffuser but don't know if it will work with the LD01 model.


This special edition looks neat I don't know the price tho.

>BTW, what IS the lightest regulated headlamp? PT Quad?

Perhaps one of the Zebralights. My H501 is 59g (2.1oz) including one lithium AA. But it's only good for task lighting, the beam is floody with no throw.

Lightest is getting a regulated AAA torch (less than 1oz) and clipping it to your cap.

>here in NZ usually start with 2-4hrs tramping on Friday night and so far after going through 24 different headlamps, the new 50 lumen model of the Princeton Tec EOS is IMHO pretty near perfect.

4 hours on Friday night, good effort ! I usually don't get much further than the car. Yeah if I had to have one light, the new EOS would probably be it.

But this winter for night walking I've gone for a combination of two lights - a Fenix LD10 (AA) and a Zebralight H501 (AA). I prefer a handheld with lots of throw for hiking (offset from head for shadows), while keeping the Zebralight on low lets me see my while I'm needing to use my hands, and I can look down and see my feet and the ground while I'm walking. Plus it's a great camp head lamp, nice smooth floody beam gives you a very natural light.

Combined weight is 127g, including 2 lithium AA's, so it's a bit of a luxury. But a single light means compromising in one way or the other, plus.. don't drop it!

Adrian, what happened to your liteflux LF2?

>I have been looking at the Fenix site all night and torn between the LD10 and LD01 AAA vs AA . I do like the Idea of the diffuser but don't know if it will work with the LD01 model.

If you plan to be using it more than just occasionally, I would suggest LD10: clicky switch is easier to use, AA battery lasts longer. Also if you ever carry a GPS it will most likely be AA powered, which means you can share batteries.

Of course, the folks over on candlerpowerforums would just say, get both (or maybe two of both).

>This special edition looks neat I don't know the price tho.

You don't want it, the stainless steel is a lot heavier than the aluminum

>Adrian, what happened to your liteflux LF2?

It's still here on my desk :) A single AAA light just isn't quite enough when it's dark 14+ hours a day... or so I told myself :) When the days get longer again I'll switch back to it to save some weight.

Actually, the LF2 *would* do fine, just that it is somewhat of a compromise: it's twisty rather than clicky, which isn't as quick to adjust as the LD10. And clipped to a cap brim, it isn't as convenient as a true headlamp like the Zebralight (eg hard to turn on/off/adjust, lanyard gets in the way), and you have to muck about with diffusers to get the same excellent flood as the Zebralight. Plus, once you start having to carry extra batteries because of the extra hours of light you need, the extra weight of two aluminium AA bodies is less significant. Finally I like the redundancy, for times when a light failing/getting lost would be very unpleasant. eg I had to abandon a slighty 'experimental' campsite when a storm rolled in in the middle of the night.

...all that to justify +100g to myself ;)

I would add a vote for the PrincetonTec EOSR. The updated EOS addressed the two flaws (to narrow a beam for around camp, and the low was too bright) of the original EOS. The EOSR providing a great beam with decent regulated runtimes. I also have liked the Fenix L1D and used it for the last two years. The EOSR has been my goto light since I got one for my birthday. Few more ideas on my recommended flashlights page.

I have to go with the Photon II. It is the same weight as that spare AAA battery you folks are carrying. On a long trip I might carry a spare Photon II. I like these things so much, I gave away about a dozen of them last year as Christmas presents.

Normally I do not like to hike at night. The exception is in the desert and hopefully planned when there is a full moon.

I don't need a light often, because I am sleeping when it is dark. The exception of course is in the winter. I probably do more winter hiking than most folks, because I live in the desert, and great hikes are less than an hour from my house. In the winter I take a Photon II and a Petzl e+ lite. I use the Petzl to read at night, and sometimes cook dinner. I take something to read in the winter, because it gets dark at 5pm. In the summer, no book.

hey, just a single thread hijack post to say THANKS for creating and maintaining your web page. it's loaded with sensible info and it's a great resource.

Ditto.

"A single AAA light just isn't quite enough when it's dark 14+ hours a day..."

Depends on how you look at it. The EOS lasts approx 3x longer than the LD01, but it also has 3x the batteries (these are vague estimates). So in terms of efficiency it's really a question of whether you want to store the batteries inside the light or outside, and how often you like to swap out batteries in the dark.

For a multi-hour hike in the dark, I agree the EOS is the way to go. But I have found that, for most of my 3-season trips I am in camp before nightfall, and so I felt I wasn't getting enough use out of the EOS. I'd use it for a few minutes here and there. Problem is I'd end up starting a hike with half of the battery left, and so I'd need to bring 3 extra as backup. Or, if I've got a longer trip, I'd swap out the half empty with fresh ones, and then come back with two half-empty sets and have to remember to keep them organized while in storage.

What I'm getting at is that the EOS forces you into 'quantum storage,' where you are working with 3 sets of batteries at a time.

The beauty of the LD01 is it's versatility. Since it only uses 1 battery at a time, I just start a trip with whatever juice is left in the current AAA cell. When I'm done with the trip, I only have 1 battery that is not at full capacity, and that is the battery in the flashlight. This has really simplified my storage and planning of battery use.

It also means that for a shorter trip, or when the nights are short, I can bring just the LD01 and two batteries. For the EOS, assuming you always bring a backup set of batteries, especially if you start with partially used batteries, this means bringing the EOS and 6 batteries. With Li batteries, that's a difference in weight of 3 oz!

The downside of course is that you have to replace the battery 3 times as often.

Also keep in mind, though, that the LD01 can put out a full 30 lumens MORE than even the new EOSR. That's a substantial difference, and when I tested my old EOS and my LD01, the LD01 was substantially brighter.

I will admit, though, that carrying a AA GPS is a good reason to get the LD10. That's why I'm so disappointed there are no high-sensitivity AAA GPSs out there!

Edited by jcarter1 on 06/02/2009 10:36:47 MDT.

people keep saying EOSR I only see the EOS and EOS II is the EOSR the same as the EOS II ?

Like John, I dislike having to deal with 3 batteries in a lamp.

One option I'm thinking of getting is the new Zebralight H-501-W which takes a single AA battery. I love things that use a single AA. Plenty of battery life, and a single AA only weighs 16g (0.6oz).

Here are the runtime specs...

Light Output: Constant ratio output level spread. Current regulated.

* 80 Lumens (2.3 hr) on High
* 15 Lumens (19 hr) on Medium
* 2.7 Lumens (3.5 days) on Low

Light output and runtimes are measured using a Sanyo 2700 mAh NiMH battery.

Weighs 21g without battery, about 40g with battery. Pricier than most though at $59.

The other nice thing about this light is that it uses a CREE bulb with a warm tint... so you're not getting the 'cold' light you get with many LEDs. There's a non-warm version too though if you prefer it.

Edited by ashleyb on 06/02/2009 19:05:46 MDT.

I keep meaning to get around to posting my review - it's a great light, but the 80 degree flood with no hot spot (no throw) means it's not good for night hiking.

I cracked the lens on my PT Quad. I dunno how B/C those are tough lenses. Super Glue seems to have fixed it W/O changing the beam characteristics.

Anyhow I ordered a PT EOS Tactical (has a sliding red lens cover) for preserving my night vision when necessary - as in waking up at O'dark thirty in the morning to see what's making that noise outside my tent.

Doubtful I'll take the EOS on tough trips due to its weight, even with lithium bateries. Tough trips means my little coin cell headlamp goes along.

Eric

Hi Adrian,

How far does the light spill forward on medium? I imagine that even though you wouldn't be able to spot blazes on trees ahead of you, it would light up the area in front of you pretty well?

I don't really do night-hiking so I just want something for around camp and emergency use. Because there are usually two of us, something that has a reasonably wide spill and puts out plenty of light when necessary is what I'm looking for. Don't need to see more than about 3m of 'throw'.

The Zebralight works good when you put it around your waist.

Hi Ashley - yes I think it would give you 3m, I think more on high output. And it does give you a nice wide spill which is easy on the eyes.

Cool, thanks Adrian.

I have the regular Zebralight H501 http://www.zebralight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=186&zenid=1ik4ekdq6iq2ahukfclkpjlj91 It is the best backpacking light I have ever had (I’ve used Fenix, PT, BD, Surefire).
Some of my random thoughts:
I bought from their site and it took 4 weeks to come in.
I did a runtime test w/ a 2500mA AA rechargeable on Medium. My meter batteries went out at 15 hours. So maybe their claim of 19 hours is accurate. However, my graph for that 15 hours showed rock solid flat light intensity as the battery went down. That’s a nice voltage stepper circuit.
The beam is stunning for camp. There are no hotspots. Medium: lights up a whole picnic table; enough for 8 people to play cards. One time I turned my headlamp on and one of my buddies looked up and said “I didn’t know there was a street light out here!”. While he was looking for this streetlight, I pointed out that the ‘light’ was coming from my head.
The light easily turns on with the press of a button. I was worried it would come on in my pack. But it never did. Maybe it was the way I packed it. The light comes with a glow-in-the-dark holder. It glows for about 8.5 hours. It would make it easy to find your light in the dark tent. However, I don’t use it because the light turned too loosely in it. I use the black holder; it does a very good job holding the light where you point it. Also it has a belt clip. I haven’t tried it yet.
On low, I can still read a book. I never did use it on high backpacking. Medium was perfect for around camp. I cannot feel it on my head. I have not backpacked in the dark with this (yet) but if I did, I would use it on high. It is very easy to change the single AA cell. I cannot feel it on my head. I would give this light a 5 star.
But being a flashaholic, I will admit, I also take my fenix L1D. I love spotting things far away in the dark. The H501 won’t do that. I didn’t know Mr. New Zealand does the same style as me! It’s a small world.

I also sometimes use my AAA Fenix lights. But that Zebra H501 has such good runtimes that I find myself using it the most now.

-Barry

I have the Fenix LD01 and have missed a clicky button, but it is fantastically bright when I need it to be and very light weight...just difficult to operate one handed w/ gloves.

One of the major disappointments with a lot of these smaller lights + headlamps is that the battery is outside and therefore suffers under colder conditions. Of course lithium cells work better, but they still degrade at lower temps. I have been trying to find a remote system that is still lightweight but has the possibility of inner jacket battery storage (1xaaa or 1xaa ideally) and have begun a modification of this light:

Coast LED Lenser LL7451 Micro Headlamp"

Edited by biointegra on 06/03/2009 13:17:11 MDT.

> battery is outside and therefore suffers under colder conditions

In cold weather I just wear the headlight inside my hood/cap. That keeps the battery warm.

Cheers

>The light easily turns on with the press of a button. I was worried it would come on in my pack. But it never did. Maybe it was the way I packed it.

It can turn on accidentally fairly easily, but when packing you can lock it out with a half-turn unscrew of the battery cover. The thread is very shallow angle so it doesn't make it loose - another good design feature!

>In cold weather I just wear the headlight inside my hood/cap. That keeps the battery warm.


Good call, Roger. I've done the same, as well, but have noticed that under windy + cold conditions, the ones with the battery in front often still get too cold. Additionally, much of the time I need a lamp, I'm wearing a helmet and am therefore unable to use this technique.

My favorite UL headlamp is this (although it can be a bit unreliable on cloudy nights):



Photo by Luc Viatour (www.lucnix.be)

I just stumbled across this older thread. I was surprised no one mentioned the excellent Black Diamond Ion headlamp.

The first thing I read on this site years ago was Ryan Jordan's great essay on breaking the five-pound barrier.

The 1.1 oz BD Ion was on Ryan's gear list in that article and it turned out to be the very first piece of UL kit I ever bought, replacing my AA maglite I'd been using for ages, ha ha. I love that little Ion light, I'm on my second one now. Old one still works perfectly but the newer model is even nicer.

G

Edited by swearingen on 07/28/2009 05:22:45 MDT.

As a dedicated flashlight freak (and a less proficient hiker), I have to add my two grains to this discussion. Now that the LiteFlux LF2XT is available, there is no reason to stay away from AAA lights even in the darker months. It works with regular as well as lithium batteries but also 10440 Li-Ion ones and is fully programmable. There is even a Titanium version with Sapphire Window and button w/tritium inlay.

Features and Specs:
• LED : CREE XP-E Q4 Neutral White LED
• Made of aircraft grade aluminum; Weight: 21.1 gramm (Nat), 21.3g (black) with pocket clip installed (-0.5g if keychain ring clip installed)
Length x Width: 81.2mm x 14.9mm (bezel widest portion)
• Type III hard anodized finish, Black or Natural color
• Battery: Alkaline(1.5V), NIMH(1.2V), NICD(1.2), Lithium(1.7V) & rechargeable Li-Ion 10440(4.2V)
• Input Volatge: 0.9V ~ 4.5V
• Orange Peel (OP) aluminium reflector
• AR coated glass lens
• Switch type: Tail press button for on/off and programming
• Uses PWM at high frequency. No flickering at low power.
• 4 types of output: Constant On, Strobe, Beacon, SOS.
• LF2XT has 2 User Interfaces. Compact User Interface (CUI), and Full-function User Interface (FUI).
• Can be programmed to any combination, any brightness of the 4 output types in any order
• Can set the number of modes between 1 ~ 5.
• Stainless steel tail cap and pocket clip
• Stable tail stand
• Water resistant

video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBNLIhAlr9I

I got mine from here:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=197811

Edited by Overton on 10/11/2009 17:45:34 MDT.

I'm with Joe on this one, I love my Surefire E2D LED Defender. It's not super light but it is super bright and relatively compact for a hand held. On the downside though, it requires Lithium CR123 batteries which can be expensive, however the run time on the lower of the 2 settings is almost 80hrs(run time on high is only 1.9hrs, but that is with 120 lumen output so not bad really). It was expensive to purchase but it's also built to last forver.

The LF2XT looks like a great light, the button interface should be much easier than the twisty of the earlier LF2 X. Ah upgrades...