"If the 14 grams aren't a problem"

Good Lord, that is about a half ounce!

--B.G.--

"The GoingGear website has a video review of the H31 and H31w, at the end of which he goes outside and compares the beams with the H501, so you may want to check it out. The H501 has very little throw--basically a very floody beam."

Great video. The difference is huge.

Excellent. It appears that the right decision was made.

--B.G.--

Zebralight is a good solid choice, but man, this beast is tempting:

http://www.spark001.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=10

A little too heavy for us, but 500 lumens! With that, you could put a spot on the moon, almost.

--B.G.--

Just a comment on Bob's statement that the zipka strap "is obviously uncomfortable". While I no longer use this headlamp for the same reason it doesn't fit Bob's criteria, its low output, I found the head strap to be surprisingly comfortable. Just as comfortable as a typical strap in fact.

But, the "thing" in the back is located exactly in the wrong place when I am wearing a baseball cap.

--B.G.--

Ah true, Bob. I don't really wear hats, but I can see that being an issue.

Supposedly the Zebralight was shipped, so I may see it in several days. I've already got a good head strap idea, and that material is on hand and ready to go (0.22 ounces). No buckle or slide. I think there is some kind of a mounting device where the flashlight mounts to the head strap. I have two or three different substitute materials for that.

While backpacking, I wear a baseball cap during the day, then a 1-ounce watch cap during the evening, and nothing while inside my shelter. It is best if the new light can be supported on my head without the need for any cap.

--B.G.--

Maybe I missed it, but did you order the H51 or H501?

A 0.22oz strap sounds neat.

You and some others were trying to steer me toward the H51, but I did not seek any hot spot in the center of my light. H501 was ordered.

If you are a wearer of eyeglasses, and if you want a good head strap for active use, what do you buy? Croakies. I had an old one laying around, so I'll have to rig up the light base so that it presents like the ear pieces of eyeglass frames.

--B.G.--

the princeton tec remix pro weight 2.3 ounces with batteries (1cr123)

Pretty light for its function I think. 1 bight white led, and your choice of 3 colored 5mm leds (white, red, green, or blue)

Yes, the colored LEDs ruled it out. Also, it is too heavy.

--B.G.--

I'd be interested in what you think of this light once you've had some time to play with it and set it up the way you want it. Particularly would like to know how the flood beam works out for practical camp use.

I just read this thread...lots of good stuff here.

I'll interject my unsolicited opinion. I got the H51 and its the best flashlight I've ever owned. I'm using Eneloop batteries, and the regulation when paired with the H51's circuitry is pretty amazing.

I'm still amazed at how bright this light is.

Bob,

Perhaps not glamorous, but the spring clip can be snapped off and reversed on the ITP A3 EOS to allow you to clip it to the brim of your baseball cap. Not as versatile as an elastic headband, but it sure is light since you are already carrying the cap. Also if you need something just a bit brighter the newer R5 version maxes out at 96 lumens.

The weight of the EOS+lithiumAAA is about 0.7 oz (11.6+7.6=19.2g) by comparison, a ITP H01 would be 2 oz (58g).


Doug

Edit: corrected weight

Edited by dougmwpsu on 03/22/2011 20:24:38 MDT.

Doug, how does that work without the baseball cap?

--B.G.--

I am going back to clipping a small light to my baseball cap.

Advantages
- Single cell means its light to carry a spare battery (should always have one imo)
- aaa cell light with a spare battery is still about half the weight of the lightest headlamps, and probably brighter/dimmer too

I have used this method before and feel it works pretty well, and very simple.


Fenix LD01 - 14 grams (85 lumens on high, 11 hrs. on low)
2x lithium aaa - 7.6 + 7.6 grams
Total - 29.2 grams = 1.03 ounces

for comparision to a lightweight headlamp

princeton tec byte
1.9oz + spare batteries (.5oz)= 2.4 ounces

Scott, prove to me that the Princeton Tec Byte does 100 lumens. That was the stated requirement.

--B.G.--