Headlamps you can see from space

“okay, we all know that a TT campfire doesn't count until you can see it from outer space, and I need a head lamp of the same power....

Why? My Black Diamond Moonlight is plenty bright for most packing trips, I want the new one for kayaking (I want to be able to see the bank of the river or lake clearly when I'm looking for a campsite from the water).

So, without all the mumbo jumbo about lumens or wattage, just give me the simple answer, which LED head lamp in your opinion, is the brightest? Key here is I want both a narrow beam and general illumination, and if it's not at least as bright as a 3 WATT LED it'll be too dim...(okay so I went there after all....)

I can start by saying that the Princeton-Tec APEX Refrigerator had at the last Sipsey hike got my attention.......”

“Man, the folks at Surefire need to start making headlamps. That would be cool. Flashlights so bright they burn your retinas out like stairing into an eclipse. LOL!”

“Did you see my headlamp? I have the Petzel XP and I really like it alot. It is the brightest one that I have found that is both lightweight and has a long battery life. It uses 3 AAA batteries and has a indicator light on the side that will let ya know battery life, with a green, yellow or flashing red light. It also has a 50%boost mode that will stay on as long as you hold the boost button down or up to 20 seconds.
last edited: 11/30/07 5:42:54 PM”

“because after 22 seconds on boost the casing melts, and your hair catches on fire right?”

“Not yet, but then I don't have that much up there to catch a decent fire with, :)
last edited: 11/30/07 6:00:27 PM”

“check THIS out....an instructables for a (Get this) 500+ Lumen 8 Watt head lamp!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultimate-Night-Vision-Headlamp---500%2b-lumens-with-/
last edited: 11/30/07 6:03:01 PM”

“Also look at the link to the Tactina XP which comes in olive drab and sand colors and has the filters and a filter holder with them. I had the tikka plus with 4 leds and didn't like the battery holding tabs that cracked and the batts would fall out. REI took it back and I got the tikka XP which has a better design for holding the batteries. It has a much brighter 1 watt led. I also have the pouch which keeps it handy on my hipbelt.
last edited: 11/30/07 6:06:13 PM”

“ST is mounting the sun to his forehead. LOL! What is the expected battery life on that baby?”

“http://www.foxfury.com/products/pro_series/tactical/tactical_3.html

500+ Lumens!”

“17 oz. and 350 bucks! It's freakin HUGE! I guess if you were paddling it wouldn't matter so much though. And you got deep pockets too.”

“sitting around the TT Fire...headlamp on, we've all done it...oops, my bad, didn't mean to blind ya there bud....

At 500+ lumens, it'd fry your eyeballs!”

“Karo, thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it!”

“PRINCETON-TEC APEX PRO....PERIOD.
I have researched all the ones that are being sold on the market to date for backpacking. I own 7 different lights as well and this is the best if you want a real lamp. Well worth the weight when you need a light that that will flood your path.”

“Great for SAR......    Baaaaaaaaad for your nightvision.”

“Bad for you and GOOD for me.
I only use my Princeton about 60 times this year . Never failed me one time and always did what it was designed to do. Flood the Path.
AND WHAT WAS THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD !
Duhu Head lamps you can"T see from space. duhuu
last edited: 12/01/07 4:04:00 AM”

“I said earlier I had 7 head lamps....I forgot about the old style incandescent lamps. 12 total Lamps,,,,, any body need one?”

“ST, IMHO, the reflector in the Energizer $10 head lamp at Walmart delivers the best "beam". The unit is not as light as some and not as comfortable to wear, however, it is more like a spot light. You might want to look at it. Can't beat the price.”

“Thanks Chili, for the price, I can buy it and give it away if I don't like it.....”

“It has a white and red light feature. I have found the red light to be pretty useful in the tent when I dont want retina burn while trying to find something.”