At only 10,000 candelas it's the least intense beam making the list. The Tikkina is very easy to use and its batteries lasted longer than most other lights we tested. Its also worth mentioning that dishing out for good batteries can make a difference. During the test, I ran the 5.11 with both the spot and flood lights on, and it ran for two hours before drastically dimming, and it strobed after three hours. The maximum beam length of this torch is 380 feet. White light for vision, red light for game, and blue and/or green light for reading are the main colors of the lamps. It also has red and green lights that you manage with an easy-to-handle rotating switch. But still, at 30 yards, the Maximus outshined (no pun intended) the other headlamps by a mile. 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. Best Budget Headlamp: FOXELLI MX200. Lights: White, red, green, blue, strobe LED, Performs better than most at this price point, Lumens: 200 with AA, 330 with 1450 lithium rechargeable battery, Tested total run time (both lights on): 2 hours, Comes out of the headband a little too easy, Lights: white spot and flood, red or green LED(non USB option). Streamlight's Trident headlamp provides the hands-free versatility of a multi-purpose light. The Buckmaster Trident Series Flashlight might not be the brightest hunting headlamp, but it's praised by . With a handheld flashlight, youll surely get more angles. From green and red to impressive, long-range white lights, we combed through dozens of options to find you the best headlamps available. Extremely lightweight . In these circumstances, you need to have a light that allows for free movement. If youre looking for a headlamp on a budget, the Cosmo 300 stands alone when compared to others at this price point. 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. High Lumen Tactical LED Headlamp | ProTac HL | Streamlight When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Black Diamond Storm 400 Lenses: RGB, white Max Lumens: 400 Run Time: 5 hours at 400 lumens Batteries: Four AAAs Weight: 4.2 oz Pros: Highly water-resistant, powerful, battery indicator is helpful, touch-sensitive brightness adjustments Cons: Four batteries isn't ideal They come in handy while doing automotive maintenance, gardening, hiking, setting up your tent while camping . +. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. We have been impressed to see the pace of innovation in this lights as we have watched them evolve over the last decade, which is now making low-cost lights great choices for general purpose use. While most manufacturers list a max run time, these can vary drastically one way or the other, as I learned through this test. This quality headlamp recharges fast with a basic micro USB charger. One feature we don't love is the auto-shutoff after 2 hours to prevent accidental battery drain. And the intuitive, two-button controls make it easy to run through the settings. Every hunter has their personal taste in their flashlight. Our testers have bought and tested more headlamps than we can count over the years. I first bought a Ledlenser in 2018 on a photo shoot and I haven't shut up about them since., "Im trying to outfit myself for as little money as possible. Lumens don't get you that crucial information. I'm a big fan of the full-spectrum dimmer, which allows you to adjust the brightness to just the right setting for your task at hand. However, depending on which color headlamp you buy, you get either a red or green night vision option. Read our Ultimate Guide to Flashlight Tint to learn all about how important Flashlight Color Tints are. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. It also has a flashing red mode, perfect for signaling, and as an emergency light. At less than $20 (non USB model), good luck finding a better option. On the high setting of 190 lumens, the battery life is about 5 hours. What it might lack in extra features, it more than makes up for in general toughness and functionality when you need it most. 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. Best Headlamp for Trail Runners: BIOLITE 330. . The Black Diamond models all were pretty easy to use with gloves, except the relatively small Ion and Iota models, and we were happy to find that even the BD PowerTap side-tap feature worked with gloves. This model is heavy but comfortable to wear on a hat. While you dont necessarily have to drain your headlamp until its completely dead, you can run it until it reaches the manufacturers suggestion to see how it performs. For instance, if you just need a headlamp to make sure youre not snapping any sticks on the way to your deer stand, then you could technically get by with as low as one lumen or less. Streamlight 88062 ProTac 2L-X 500-Lumen Professional Tactical Flashlight and CR123A Lithium Batteries, Black. The value standout here, for good reason, is the Petzl Tikkina, which gives more than enough light for most purposes, offers great quality, battery life, and fall-of-a-log ease of use for an attractive street price of around $16. Because in the long-run that money will buy you the Storm's superior trail finding, much longer battery life, and robust waterproof design it is a better value for those who feel they need something brighter than the Tikkina. That said, basic light functionality is easy. On the one hand, youll save money on batteries in your domestic life. The maximum runtime on the lowest setting is 200 hours. Luckily, our crew is not short on both accidental and purposeful after-dark or pre-dawn pursuits, so we know a thing or two about picking out the right headlamp. We think BD has simply built in too much functionality into their one big fat button. After this, I replaced the batteries (for the non-rechargeable options) and recharged the headlamps fully. Hunting Big Game Hunting; Bird Hunting . This LED headlamp works with two AA alkaline batteries, so you wont have to worry about recharging on longer stays in the woods after dark. This lamp comes with a stable red light to help you maintain your night-adjusted vision and a flashing red light for security signaling. Ultra-Violet & Infra-Red Flashlights. Most headlamps run on these batteries, so this shouldnt be as big of an issue if you keep extra batteries in your pack. One of the most surprising lights to perform poorly in battery life is the Black Diamond Spot, which just could not hold up for long either in high mode or low mode tests. Headlamps are great when you need extra light but also need full use of your hands. We assume that those who do often wear gloves when using a light will find this information helpful, so it is worth mentioning. At 30 yards, the Rapid 1AA had the lowest beam production out of all the tested lights, though it wasnt far behind the Petzl Tactikka +RGB, but it still produced a decent light. The Petzl Tactikka +RGB had the longest total run time out of all the headlamps tested, and its multiple lighting options make it a great headlamp for hunting. 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. We also found that narrow beams were OK at a distance because the focused light worked well, but when night hiking with too narrow a beam, it felt like you were looking down a tunnel and required too much head turning to see the trail. Reaching for it will become muscle memory, even if you dont have another light source to help you. Its also compact enough to fit it into your jacket pocket. It's a suitable choice for duck hunting which you can use to set some decoys in the pitch dark and provides great illumination. Though, youll need a power source or bank depending on where youre hunting. The 300 lumens feels brighter than it is, and the red option works great when youre trying to keep a low profile in the woods during deer season. Two universal truths to outdoor excursions of all kinds are that they tend to take a little longer than we originally planned, and most of them should be intentionally experienced at night or well before the crack of dawn at least once. The Storm has a sealed battery compartment that is both dustproof and waterproof to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It has small buttons, and Petzl's innovative (but not generally loved) "Reactive" mode complicates use. Six lumens of light are usually enough, but the 20 lumens mode is bright enough to illuminate 85 feet. While this Petzl makes a great hunting headlamp option, Id like to see this as a rechargeable option (thats already included). The best headlamps for hunting dont have to let the entire woods know that youve just entered them. We've extensively tested 63 of the best headlamps over the past 6 years. Streamlight 85177 CR123A Lithium Batteries, 12-Pack. Its also IPX4 waterproof, thats enough to handle average rain. If a 62-meter beam isn't burly enough for your needs, consider stepping up to the Black Diamond Storm (better), at a street price around $35, or the yeoman Black Diamond Spot at around $27 street, both of which we love and offer more performance. Both the Zebralight and the Fenix offered amazing beam distances, and with much better than expected battery like considering the powerful lighting. It is robustly waterproof, so you can run rain or shine without worry. It provides so little light down the trail, that it can't really be considered for any use except around the campsite. We consider the Spot to be a terrible choice for use underwater and it is really more comparable to lights claiming to be splash proof (IPX4). Read our Ultimate Guide to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 Standard symbols! 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. Overall, its excellent value if youre looking for cool features and lots of power. Its IP67 weather protected, so you can use it for visibility in rain or fog with ease, plus its impact-resistant up to 3 feet to give it a longer life of durability. The single button controls make it easy to navigate the headlamps settings, which have three for the main white beam (proximity, movement, and distance) and red, green, and blue night vision options. But, when it comes to lighting up the wee end of the trail ahead, no other lamp can match the Fenix. In fact, BD makes several advertising claims about the Spot we found dubious. The perk is that you can carry as many packs with you as you need for your hunting trip. If you want a bit more lighting firepower, consider the Petzl Zipka which is still relatively light at just 2.3 ounces (64g), and offers much better lighting and battery life. The Hunt for the Best Headlamps | Tested by GearLab The rechargeable battery pack is in the back, which gives it some balance. The battery is fully integrated and rechargeable no need to keep replacing batteries! We took beam distance photos of nearly every light tested and included them in our beam comparison tool so that you can see the actual output of each headlamp, side-by-side. It absolutely dominates the other lights in brightness. Before this test, I used the Petzl Tactikka +RGB as my go-to headlamp during hunting season. In terms of features and performance when it comes to headlamps for hunting, you need look no further. No rechargeable battery option is offered by BD, but we found the light works very well with rechargeable NiMH batteries like the well regarded Panasonic Eneloop AAA batteries. Of these, the Fenix and Zebralight were both standouts, both offering nearly perfect optical clarity and amazingly bright, evenly lit beam that was comfortably wide. Product details >> No light except the similarly priced Zebralight H600w offered a comparable combination of sustained and powerful beam performance. Click to see all of our other Headlamp reviews! Adam Moore is an associate gear editor at Outdoor Life. Why? Headlamps also have adaptable angles that allow a wider range of vision. Penlights & Keychain Lights. A handful of lights offered nearly as good flood lighting as these top performers, earning 7 or 8 of 10 scores including the BD Icon, BD Storm, and the Zebralight. 1-800-456-2411 0 EMPTY. 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. In short, were looking for: As with most outdoor gear, one of the most important aspects of a headlamp is that it functions when we need it to. Fenix HL30 Buying Guide Headlamp vs. Flashlight Color Options Beam Distance and Type Waterproofing Power Source The Best Headlamps for Hunting on the Market Today Streamlight 61070 BuckMasters Trident GearOZ Coon Hunting Headlamp Nitecore NU25 360 Fenix HL30 Conclusion Buying Guide Every hunter has their personal taste in their flashlight. 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. 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. Though Petzl claims the max brightness lasts two hours, this one dimmed after only an hour. While some may like the maneuverability of a traditional flashlight, its always better to have your hands free, especially when youre working, need to carry a weapon or packing a lot of gear. 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. Having the torch attached to a cap makes wearing it more comfortable. Best Headlamps for Fishing of 2023 | Field & Stream Most products will have anIngress Protection IP rating to let you know how effective the waterproofing is. It provides adequate light for work around the campsite and in the tent, but even in its brightest mode it doesn't provide a useful light for trail finding. If youre well-stocked with extra batteries, you wont have to worry about running out of power in the middle of the woods. An amber mode for fishing is also an option for light output. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. The easiest lights to use were the Petzl Tikkina and the Zebralight. It was here that the Zebralight stomped on the competition, with an amazing 1.4 weeks of regulated lighting in its low-mode setting. C4 LED for super-bright light with useable range: 4,000 candela . We found that lighting artifacts make the light less effective, tricking your eye into seeing things that are really bright or dark spots. It shines a beautiful beam 182 meters distance. 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. 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. 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). Black Diamond Icon 700 Headlamp $109.95. However, flood mode lighting is excellent, with an evenly lit and wide beam, and with above-average 72 hours low-mode battery life. Buyers should be aware that rechargeable batteries often perform better when new than old, but even with predictable declining performance, the ReVolt can be expected to remain impressive except for trail finding use. 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. Happily, the basic light operation is easy using the single button. Waterproof and submersible to 2 meters, the Mark IV will survive in the most punishing environments. Total price: 10 Best Hunting Flashlight in 2023 With High Lumens & Long Battery Life . When a rechargeable headlamp died, I then recharged it fully to see how long the recharge actually required compared to the manufacturers description. You can also dim the lamp further, since it is brighter than necessary at the full brightness, and it remembers your setting. Sometimes, the best products come in small packages, and this one is no different. In addition, it also happens to sell for a great price. Nothing else came close, and unlike other lights which became dimmer and dimmer over time, the Zebralight maintained an even level of lighting the entire test time. 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. It's perfect for ultralight backpackers, or anyone who is willing to sacrifice to gain small size and/or lightweight. Star-gazers and hunters will appreciate the option of 3 color LED modes (red, green, blue, as well as white). Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. It is that specific. For those who travel to remote regions where battery replacement is impractical, or just want the convenience of the USB recharging, the ReVolt is a simple, convenient, and quality choice. Add to Cart . The Tikkina offers better lighting optics, better quality construction, better battery life, and significantly better all-around performance well worth paying an extra $3-5 over the cheapest alternatives. While it fared well in the test, the Rapid 1AAs versatility makes it an excellent option for those who want a do-it-all light. The Best Headlamp, According to 35,000+ Customer Reviews - Thomasnet 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 only did the Storm 500R perform the best in this test, its also the best hunting light Ive used in the field as well. No matter what youre hunting, it almost always requires you to enter or exit the woods in the dark. Bigger buttons with tactile feedback and dial controls were generally the easiest in gloves. Cons. Here's a well reviewed headlamp from Streamlight that a lot of hunters swear by. The flood beam is bright at 1000 lumens and can reach up to 275 yards on the highest setting, some users say even further with night vision in clear weather. First among these, the Wiz uses a uniquely designed diffuser that creates a perfectly functional amount of lighting, but at a gentle level of brightness that won't blind your eyes. Add to Cart . The lamp works three AAA lithium or alkaline batteries thatll give you 64 hours of battery life on the lowest setting. We are frankly appalled by the battery life claims made by three manufacturers, Black Diamond, Petzl, and Princeton Tec, who have chosen to ignore the lighting industry standard for battery life (the ANSI FL1 specification) and instead use an outdated testing standard from 20 years ago, developed for incandescent and halogen bulb lights, that we believe wildly exaggerates battery life estimates for modern LED lights. 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. 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 if youre covering lots of open terrain or need to find a viable place to cross on a long narrow creek, having a beam with 500 lumens can make things a lot easier and eliminate any unwanted surprises. Like all lights, that beam degrades as the battery drains, but not much. Its light output of 300 lumens is enough to see for a distance of up to 164 feet. But if total battery life is your main priority, or youre hunting in the backcountry without a power source, the Tactikka +RGB is the way to go. A wide floodlight lets you scan your immediate surroundings fast and effectively. A rechargeable battery pack is an eco-friendly option. Theyre enough to maneuver in the darkness, but not so much that youll spook the game. ", I've made it seven days of hunting without needing a charge, Janis said. A lot of hunters struggle for years to find the best hunting pants for their body shape and hunting habitat. If you need a light that can handle a rainstorm, and worse, our favorite is the aptly named Black Diamond Storm. Streamlight Strion Flashlight - world's brightest compact rechargeable LHKNL Headlamp Flashlight, 1200 Lumen Ultra-Light Bright LED Rechargeable Headlight with White Red Light, 2-Pack Waterproof Motion Sensor Head Lamp,8 Modes for Outdoor Camping Running Cycling Fishing 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,661 You'll notice that there is a general correlation of beam distance with better Trail Finding scores. 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. The Best Headlamps for Hunting | MeatEater Gear Be aware that at the highest power setting, it gets noticeably warm (but not too hot) to the touch. Streamlight 61421 Enduro Pro Headlamp with Alkaline Batteries, Headstrap White/Red LEDs Box Yellow. When youre buying a headlamp, you should look for max brightness, light color options, battery type, and max run time. Why, oh why, would a company we love like Black Diamond, engage in marketing claims that we frankly find to be so outrageous as to be deceptive and misleading to consumers (in our opinion). And, it gets worse. 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. Youll get a good 16 hours worth of runtime from a single charge on a low setting. The first number shows protection against solids and the second against liquids. How durable is it? 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). It has a powerful, wide beam with four adjustable brightness levels, able to reach up to 88 yards. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Produced the longest max beam and had the second-shortest recharge time (two hours) out of all the tested models. The Rapid 1AA functions similarly. Amazon.com: Brightest Headlamp Read our Ultimate Guide to Flashlights to learn what to look for when finding the best flashlight for your needs. In prior years the Tikkina just didn't have the lighting power we wanted, but Petzl has doubled its power in the last few years while keeping the price unchanged. Not having to shop for crazy batteries is a real plus. At 1.9 ounces, with the headband included, the Nitecore lamp is very light.