", I've been rocking this headlamp model for about a decade now and I'm not changing anytime soon., I don't know how many headlamps and spotlights I've tried, but it's dozens. That makes them very versatile. SLONIK 1000 Lumen Rechargeable CREE LED Headlamp 3. Nebo Transcend Brightest Turbo Mode USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp $69.99 (Save $5.00) $64.99. Last, but not least, the light has both a white light and a fun multi-color option, that allows you to choose which color of the rainbow you'd like, or you can set it to continuously cycle thru colors to create a groovy rainbow mix. Its light output of 300 lumens is enough to see for a distance of up to 164 feet. These are the best products we found available today. But if youve ever hunted a new property or a piece of public that youve only seen on your phone or computer screen, then you know the actual ground might not be as clean as those aerial maps led you to believe. The design evenly balances the weight of the battery and the light on a bouncing runner's head, and red tail light is included in the back to let approaching cars know you are on the run. Conceptually, headlamps are pretty simple. No ads. The Spot is one of the most feature-rich, reliable pieces of outdoor gear you can get for $40 these days.". Total price: The Cosmo 300 has similar features and capabilities as Black Diamonds higher-end models at less than half the price. We consider the Tikkina a much better value than the lights you'll see at the check out aisle of your local Home Depot or Lowes, such as the Energizer light, which costs about the same but isn't nearly as good. ", I've made it seven days of hunting without needing a charge, Janis said. However, if you do a lot of different hunting, investing in a good headlamp that has multiple light options is a good piece of gear just like the best hunting backpacks. Too thin and youre cold; no ventilation and youre hot. Its also compact enough to fit it into your jacket pocket. Streamlight is known the world over for pioneering big ideas in rechargeable Flashlights , and is proud to present one of smallest ideas ever! Add to Cart . Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. The Black Diamond Wiz offers a thoughtfully designed solution by thinking through how to make a lamp that lets kids have fun with a light, but takes steps to kid-proof the common issues. We then tested all lights at a similar low brightness level suitable for use around the campsite, taking regular measurements of brightness over a two-week test. The Storm is not as waterproof as the Zebrabright H600w, which is good to 2 meters underwater for 30 min vs. the Storm's 1-meter depth. Not only did the Storm 500R perform the best in this test, its also the best hunting light Ive used in the field as well. Utilizing industrial light meters, we're able to measure actual brightness, and with our very own "light coffin," we're able to measure the battery life as well. It also has red and green lights that you manage with an easy-to-handle rotating switch. Whether you're hunting as the sun sets or are up before the sun rises, we've got the 3 . Not to mention, the Brightness Memory allows you to turn the headlamp on and off without reverting to the default setting. If you can get past the price tag, which can be hard to swallow, the Zebralight H600w Mk IV won't disappoint. But if youre hunting in the backcountry or where power comes at a premium, its a good idea to know your headlamps capabilities before you use it in the field. You can buy standard AA or AAA batteries pretty much anywhere, but you must remember to buy spares. Kids love headlamps, but they can quickly get themselves into trouble by blasting the eyes of siblings (and parents) with blinding light, or worse, putting batteries in their mouth. That gives you 2.8 hours of an amazingly wide and bright beam to enjoy. As headlamps grow in popularity, the number of choices increases. It weighs 4.3 ounces and has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it can even endure submersion in shallow water. This torch weighs 8 ounces and is impact resistant for a 6.5-foot drop. But, at the end of the day, the Zebralight is simply stunning in its combination of power, battery-life, and durability. . So, if youre looking to save a few bucks and get the job done, the Cosmo 300 will far exceed your expectations. Before you look at the advertising and say something you'll regret like, "Hey Skippy, this shines a 100-meter beam for over 150 hours," know this; Battery claims are one area where some otherwise ethical outdoor manufacturers have decided it is OK to deceive you. You can also tilt the beam 60 degrees down to see whats happening at your feet. Obviously, hunters are used to both scenarios. The Sprinter works well around camp, but it isn't ideal for that purpose due to battery life issues. Some jackets are very simple, but many of the best ones specifically designed for hunting have come to contain useful features such as hoods, masks, vents, oversized Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Add to Cart . Depending on your environment, the time of year and season, you may need your new torch to tolerate anything from fog or light rain and drops of water to low temperatures or storms. It's perfect for ultralight backpackers, or anyone who is willing to sacrifice to gain small size and/or lightweight. You wont have to spend regularly on replacements, which is especially important if you hunt a lot. Ive had multiple Streamlight products in the past, from EDC flashlights to gun-mounted light/laser combos, and Im always impressed with how well they function. Not surprisingly, the brightest lights also suffered from shorter battery life in their high output mode. You may prefer a super bright lamp or lights with a specific color combination. 1-800-456-2411 0 EMPTY. . Got feedback? While most manufacturers list a max run time, these can vary drastically one way or the other, as I learned through this test. While battery type might not seem as important, if youve ever ran out of juice in the middle of nowhere and the closest store to you only has AA or AAA batteries, youre in for a rude awakening. C4 LED for super-bright light with useable range: 4,000 candela . This is a connoisseur's light, with a bomber metal casing, precise finishes, and amazing lighting. These photos give you a sense of the optics quality. The rechargeable headlamp uses the 18650 type of batteries, so if youre spending a long time or several nights in the woods, youll need a portable battery charging pack. A wide floodlight lets you scan your immediate surroundings fast and effectively. In addition to the red, green, blue, or green -and- blue lights, there is also a yellow light that can be turned on and off. What are green headlamps for? I bought this headlamp for trail running when daylight hours are short and I know Ill be out past dusk. It is heavy, weighing in at a half a pound, and offers only average flood light performance. This is another cap-attached light that is impressively bright and long-range. And the intuitive, two-button controls make it easy to run through the settings. Especially considering that the optional CORE pack runs just south of $30, and at that price you can buy the Storm 500R, have 150 extra lumens, and save almost $20. Whether it's for work, hunting, fishing, camping, or trail running, it's the perfect aid to pack before setting off. It's a suitable choice for duck hunting which you can use to set some decoys in the pitch dark and provides great illumination. The ProTac HL LED headlamp produces a 635 lumen far-reaching beam of light with 3 programming options. The Buckmaster Trident Series Flashlight might not be the brightest hunting headlamp, but it's praised by . You may be looking through your binoculars while theyre supported by your knees or shoulder tension, but at any sort of range youll skim right over a lot of semi-hidden animals as your lenses fluctuate with your breathing. The Zebralight blew us away on both long-distance, with an average 1201 meter beam that lasted for 3 hours, and also in the low-mode test, with regulated output that threw a very usable 25 meter beam for 9.5 days. Bigger buttons with tactile feedback and dial controls were generally the easiest in gloves. Sure, you might not need a headlamp for hunting if youre returning to your familys farm where you could probably find the same stand you hunt every year in your sleep. In our trail-finding tests, the beams with light artifacts made it harder to see the trail, and surprisingly, it made us tired (we think because the eye and brain were having to do more work to interpret the trail). It has small buttons, and Petzl's innovative (but not generally loved) "Reactive" mode complicates use. The Petzl e+LITE is the clear winner here, gracing the scales with just 1.0 ounces, or 27 grams total (batteries included). In that time, we've done extensive testing on more than 100 headlamps, and in this update, we put 27 finalists through the wringer in a deep test. The price tag might seem a little steep, but for a rechargeable headlamp thatll take whatever you can throw at it, youll save money that you would spend running through two to three cheaper options. Sticky pan and More than any other single item of gear, your pants will make or break a hunting trip. While the slim headband makes it easy to adjust the fitting, this also makes it easy to loosen while in use, and I had to readjust the strap when I used this lamp during hunting season. However, if youre navigating unfamiliar, wooded terrain in the dark, especially for the first time, youll probably want something with a bit more juice. Does the beam have hot spots, rings, or anomalies in the light pattern? Other than the Cosmo 300, this headlamp also had one of the most reasonable prices. Petzl also makes a slick USB rechargeable battery for the Tikkina they call the Petzl Core Battery which is a great option for travel or anyone who uses their light regularly. However, even though the Tactikka +RGB has 150 less lumens than the Storm 500R, this beam had almost the same amount of brightness and constriction at 30 yards as the Storm 500R. In both cases, the light level is regulated the entire time, so it cases a consistent level of lighting the entire time. But when you get into the various specs of todays broad array of offerings, it can be easy to get lost in all the different features, modes, and fits. Theyre enough to maneuver in the darkness, but not so much that youll spook the game. Its also IPX4 waterproof, thats enough to handle average rain. Over time, we found the poor lights made our eyes tired and required greater attention than an evenly lit beam. That said, the author admits to developing a kind of man-crush on Zebralight (the author bought two Zebralights for personal use after this review when the Zombie Apocolypse comes, the Spurrier family will be ready!). If you like getting tons of economy out of all your equipment, this headlamp will give you plenty of use whether youre in the woods, the campsite, or your garage. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Importantly, the battery compartment is child-proofed by requiring a coin or tool to open, but they conveniently include an opening tool on the headband. In terms of features and performance when it comes to headlamps for hunting, you need look no further. Available in yellow or black with white LED or coyote with white/red or white/green LEDs. If youre going to spend long periods of time in the backcountry, it might be best to prioritize longevity over lumens. BD markets the Spot as lasting a dubious 175 hours in low-mode. The ReVolt is designed to only work with Black Diamond brand AAA rechargeables, and it won't charge 3rd party NiMH batteries unless you hack them (not recommended). At only 10,000 candelas it's the least intense beam making the list. But, not always. We separately examine and rate the actual beam quality for both distance (spot beam for trail finding), and for close-proximity use (flood beam for around camp), which gives you a better sense of real-world performance in these two key functional areas than mere lumens do. Modern Tech Pushed by the demands of backcountry hikers, climbers, ultra runners, and tradesmen, headlamp manufacturers have also developed smart features that give you greater control over the. For this review, I started with headlamps from some of the most well-known brands, and then considered factors, such as lumens, light color options, battery life/type, and availability. Along with hunting pants, jackets are the other cornerstone of a gear system. Gloved-use tests involved trying to operate the light one handed using a winter glove. If this headlamp can keep up with Steve, it must be good. It can reportedly cover up to 800 yards in the ultra-bright mode using a beam of light at 1000 lumens. But if you want one thatll probably outlive you and can endure whatever you and the outdoors throw at it, the Maximus fits the bill. All offered very smooth, wide, evenly lit floodlight beams that are perfect for use around the campsite. Produced the longest max beam and had the second-shortest recharge time (two hours) out of all the tested models. . New PROTAC 2.0 HEADLAMP 3AA HAZ-LO HEADLAMP 3AA HAZ-LO ATEX-RATED HEADLAMP ARGO LED HEADLAMP ARGO HAZ-LO LED HEADLAMP BANDIT RECHARGEABLE LED HEADLAMP BANDIT PRO RECHARGEABLE LED HEADLAMP DOUBLE CLUTCH USB HEADLAMP ENDURO LED HEADLAMP ENDURO PRO HEADLAMP It is a slight bit heavier than average at 4.4 ounces, but that's only 0.3 oz more than the BD Storm and about half the weight of the similarly performing Fenix HP25R. It weighs in at a reasonable 4.0 ounces, which is just a bit more than average, owing to its 4 AAA batteries (most use only 3). It is built to last and throws a wide, bright, and quality beam 91-meters down the trail, yet also provides smooth flood lighting for close proximity use around the camp. Click here for data sheet. Theres a turbo mode in the power settings that you can use for 30 seconds at 360 lumens. That means you must carry an additional power bank or a solar charger with you. The Enduro Pro is comparable to the Cosmo 300, and if it werent for the difference in brightness and overall durability, this one would have made the best budget pick. Last, but not least, you'll need to spend another $15-$30 to get a 18650 Li-ion battery and charger, but in the long-run, the 18650 is an amazing battery (the same one Tesla used), and you'll save money by not buying regular batteries. When it comes to headlamps, darkness complicates the matter even more. As you can see, the Zebralight is clearly brighter and shows both a wider view and much more distance, but the Tikkina is not to shabby for a light that costs about 80% less. Black Diamond claims that this headlamp will run for 20 hours on reserve, but I actually found this one to run for 26 hours, which was a nice surprise. Best Headlamp for Trail Runners: BIOLITE 330. Every headlamp includes a spec for lumens, but we urge you to resist the temptation to rely on lumens to guide your decision making. Cons. It burns through CR123 batteries in a hurry on full blast, but if you keep it dimmed it'll last a reasonable amount of time.. In these circumstances, you need to have a light that allows for free movement. The Best Headlamps for Hunting on the Market Today. Its rechargeable but also works with the backup CR123A batteries that come in the package. With a handheld flashlight, youll surely get more angles. The maximum runtime on the lowest setting is 200 hours. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. For eight years, we've been diligently doing the outdoor industry's most comprehensive headlamp testing. It is IPX4 water-resistant and impact resistant. Most folks who hunt open country will have the epiphany someday: You arent really seeing without a tripod. Weve gone through dozens of different models to find the best headlamp for hunting. When you need a big, bright, and wide light, the Fenix HP25R is the right tool for the job. What it might lack in extra features, it more than makes up for in general toughness and functionality when you need it most. Click here to see a comparison of the Zebralight and the Black Diamond Storm, the Zebralight offers only 3 hours of battery life in high mode, but shines more than twice as far as the Storm over its 5 hour run-time. Maybe youre out looking for raccoons in the night or big game at dawn, and you need specific light combinations. Of the headlamps tested, I compared the intensity and tightness of their beams to a target at 30 yards, since distances less than this werent very distinguishable. Best Tactical HeadlampStreamlight ProTac Tactical Headlamp. +. In fact, most colored lights run less than one lumen. Petzl DUO Z2 430 Lumens $199.95. No sponsored content. Batteries 3 AAAs; also compatible with BD 1500 mAh rechargeable (not included) Test Results: After 10 long nights, five alpine starts and several summits, few headlamps would still be humming along like the Black Diamond Spot 400. After testing all these products in the list and weighing their strengths and weaknesses, we concluded that the Nitecore NU25 360 is the best headlamp for hunting available right now. Some headlamps have a second perpendicular strap that comes over the top, which can add security to the grip. The battery is rechargeable for everyday use, but it has durability and a battery level indicator, so youll always know what power you have left. It was here that the Zebralight stomped on the competition, with an amazing 1.4 weeks of regulated lighting in its low-mode setting. And for the headlamps (Black Diamond and Petzl) with other light color options (red, green, and blue), I compared the brightness of these on their highest and lowest settings. But, when it comes to running, the Sprinter leaves the competition in the dust. It can also provide important wind and moisture protection for your torso, as well as useful pockets for storing gear or un-numbing fingers. We take great pride in that fact. The flashlight can tilt its angle 90 degrees down if you need to see whats happening at your feet. Product details >> This model comes with no straps, but with a soft hunting cap that you can attach the light to. It comes with a charger for a wall outlet and an additional one for your automobile, in case you dont have access to mains electricity. Top 1 Princeton Tactical Headlamp Single-button operation A bright 200-lumen LED light Comes with a watertight closure Details Top 2 Nitecore NU20 Headlamp Four LED brightness modes Can produce up to 360 lumens IPX7 rating for water protection Details Top 3 Princeton Tec Quad Tactical Headlamp Three brightness modes 3 LED Color filter options But the rechargeable USB doesnt offer other light color options. Just $1 per month , If youve ever fumbled your way out of pitch black woods, you know a solid headlamp can make hunting and life much more enjoyable. However, on longer periods of time spent in the wild, youll need more battery power, but you may not have access to electricity every day. But, two strong performers, the Fenix (which lasted 2.8 hours), and the Zebralight (which lasted 3.1 hours), both offer a strong regulated beam that holds a consistent distance for most of the time period, both shining more than a football field length (shown in the beam path photos below). $6350. While I would spend the extra $5-$10 for the Cosmo 300, if youre counting every single penny, the Enduro Pro makes another great budget option, and Id feel confident with this light in my pack. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Click here to see the Best Headlamps reviewed! As far as the battery goes, this model has the best of both worlds. The Nitecore has a battery indicator light, which is a good benefit to know exactly how much time you have left. Learn everything you need to know about Batteries with our Ultimate Guide to Batteries! But the range of adjustability with this headlamps brightness (1-1000 lumens), allows you to run it at low or even half power for much longer. The extra battery pays off in duration though, with the Storm offering an excellent 5 hours in high-mode, and 42 hours in low mode (we found BD's claimed duration of 22 hrs in high and 160 hrs low to be very misleading, and an odd bit of puffery since real-world performance is quite good without stretching the truth). This continued until it completely died after 16 hours, which is impressive for a single AA (Duracell) battery. $2252 ($1.88/Count) +. We looked at level of brightness, versatility, quality, settings and weight, to bring you a range of options. Streamlights' tactical headlamp is a highly rated option that would make a great tactical headlamp due to its many useful features. They may also be more sturdy, and sometimes even more powerful. This can seem confusing if you just look at specs, but typically it means the beam optics had issues, such as rings, hot spots, lensing artifacts, or, in the case of the V800, an overly narrow beam (as is obvious in the beam photos below). Offering more firepower than the Petzl Tikkina, and sold at 25% lower price than its more powerful sibling, the BD Storm, the Black Diamond Spot might just be the Goldilocks solution that is right for you. How durable is it? If youre looking for a headlamp on a budget, the Cosmo 300 stands alone when compared to others at this price point. That said, we are quite fond of the Spot, which we consider to be a quality light at an attractive price, and a light we'd happily recommend to a friend (albeit with a few caveats about BD's dubious marketing claims). Even then, you can maneuver just fine with less than 100 lumens, and if youre in the timber, brighter lights can even reflect off trees, creating shadows and impairing how far you can actually see. The red light option also tends to be the best light color for deer hunting, because it has the lowest intensity of all the color options. So, whether youre trying to sneak through the woods during turkey season, cross a creek on the way to your deer stand, or have an hours-long hike back to basecamp during elk season, the best headlamps for hunting should make navigating terrain in the dark (and your hunting experience) that much easier. The Tikkina is very easy to use and its batteries lasted longer than most other lights we tested. $50 * from REI $50 from Amazon $50 from Black Diamond. That's as long as I'd expect from any lithium or fancy CR-whatever battery. One issue to be aware of, the Storm packs a lot of features behind a single button control, which makes accessing the light's advanced features a confusing mix of single, double, triple clicks and press-and-hold combinations. The X in the third position means those products havent been tested against intrusion of dust or other solids, but the Black Diamond Storm and Ledlenser both received the highest score. This is a good way to spec a lightbulb but is often misleading for estimating the quality of a focused beam where the mirror optics play a key role. Let us know! What begins as a simple exercise along the lines of, "Hey, let's pick up a light for our trip," ends at your local outdoor store with you facing an intimidating wall filled with dozens of products, scratching your head and pondering questions such as, "Umm, what's a lumen?". And if you have a rechargeable headlamp, then you dont have to worry about packing extra batteries or keeping them in stock. A lot of hunters struggle for years to find the best hunting pants for their body shape and hunting habitat. The Streamlight Bandit USB Headlamp produces bright, even, diffused light with less shadow than spot beams. Ultra-Violet & Infra-Red Flashlights. The Black Diamond Sprinter is perhaps the most purpose-built light in our test. All the headlamps also have adjustable beams, so you can go from wide to narrow lights with a quick twist or click of a button. Pre- and post-daylight functionality is a must. The brightest headlamp of 2023 | The top 5 brightest | 1Lumen Reviews The brightest headlamps Table of contents: Jump right to the category you are most interested in Brightest AAA headlamp Brightest AA headlamp Brightest headlamp below $30 Brightest 18650 headlamp Brightest 21700 headlamp Brightest headlamp in the world Cut the Crap But, the Storm sells for about half the price of the Zebralight. The Black Diamond Storm 500R produced a max beam for the longest time and had the second-shortest recharge time (two hours) out of all the tested models. Then, I turned all the headlamps on their max brightness levels and left them in my garageI checked the headlamps at 30-minute intervals throughout the day to monitor when a headlamp dimmed or died completely. Seans headlamp works overtime as a high-beam headlight for when hes steering a boat in nightime waters or setting big spreads of dekes before daybreak. Ranked first in our list of best hunting flashlights is the Streamlight 7753 hunting flashlight. Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlamp Flashlight 4. Though, youll need a power source or bank depending on where youre hunting. Black Diamond claims the Spot lasts a whopp'n 30 hours in high mode which we found to be wildly misleading we found it lasted only 2.9 hours. Not having to shop for crazy batteries is a real plus. If theyre too tight or too baggy, you cant walk right. It also has a red, green, and amber setting that can handle up to 15 hours of use before running out of battery. We also want our headlamps to stay absolutely glued to our heads whether were sweating, shivering, bushwhacking, or setting up camp. If you're exploring the outdoors, the Bandit Pro LED headlamp is your ultimate companion that will continue to shine brightly. For our current iteration, we bought, tested, and compared 27 head torches against each other, with both in-field and lab-like testing. Finally, you definitely need to consider your headlamps max run time. The headlamp manufacturer includes an elastic and rubber head strap to suit all your needs. Non-Rechargeable & Dual Fuel. Low: 35 lumens; runs 9.5 hours. There is a sorted story behind why Black Diamond, Petzl, and Princeton Tec have battery life estimates that we consider wildly misleading, and you can read all about it in our article, Why Headlamp Claims Are Deceptive (look for an update to this article incorporating new testing info in late June 2018). Its also easy to lock so the light doesn't turn on in your cargo pocket at noon while you're napping and burn your battery.. It transitioned seamlessly into my first hunt last fall.