Need a headlamp for work

[aikorob]

Okay folks----please enlighten me with your wisdom (pun intended)

I need a headlamp for work.
Working in industrial electrical panels----you do not want to put your hands into a 480 volt panel in the dark----just trust me on this one.
My eyes are decaying, and the area lighting is not sufficient for all tasks.
Company will pay ---up to $100. Has to be available on Amazon or Grainger.
Needs to eat AA or AAA; they will bitch if I am buying a box of CR123s every month.
Working distance is usually less than arm's length. At least dual mode brightness.
No real preference on warmth or coolness of illumination, but I need to easily distinguish wire colors without them appearing "washed out".

Right now I am leaning toward a Fenix or Streamlight----but I am open to all suggestions.

[RonnyRonin]

zebralight is simply the best in my experience. beyond non-tangible feels like perceived quality, they have a lot of options (maybe fewer now) and are pretty precise about listing info on the site. the degrees of spot and spill really helped me decide on my perfect light and the warmer tint makes reading much more comfortable for long periods. Real clincher is the ridiculous low setting, use it way more then I ever thought I would, perfect for unobtrusive light in a truly dark environment. also goes bright enough to run at night, probably faster and riskier things then that too. hardly ever use the highest setting.
the user interface has a bit of a learning curve (my wife grumbled a lot) but once you get it you wonder how you ever lived without it. being able to activate on either low or high with one button is super handy.

http://www.zebralight.com/H52w-AA-Headl ... p_120.html

this is what I have (or very close, might be a slightly warmer version) and I wouldn't trade it for anything. my dad has the fenix and while it is good value there is no comparison. the form factor on the zebra is also near ideal, with no wasted space and no moving parts. infinitely adjustable for angle and very comfortable. small enough I can actually wear it under the brim of a ball cap so I don't get brim shadow.

if it is something you are going to be using a lot, treat yourself.

ETA: just read the part where they where paying for it, totally get the zebralight. don't know of a better light at any price. for close up stuff you might prefer the "flood" version but I've never wished for less of a hotspot. amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Zebralight-H52w-H ... zebralight

[olbaid_dratsab]

Because of the detailed nature of wiring and amount of time spent in boxes, I think battery life is going to carry weight. I've used Petzl for the last 8 years and have never found a need to look anywhere else.

I also wouldn't spend all that one one headlamp. Sounds like identifying whats in the box is bordering on life-support equipment. So get two in case goes down. For arms-length lighting, you could easily get a super good Petzl plus back up Petzl. I keep those damn things everywhere.

[JackBauer]

Another vote for Petzl headlamps. I use mine for work in drop ceilings, inside air handling equipment and various areas of buildings and MERs. been using one for over 5 years.
Many outdoor stores have a large selection of Petzl to choose from.

[aikorob]

thanks guys

a few more details:
No hardhat----always ballcap

when I say its dark, I mean it is difficult to read wire numbers with ambient light-----
not axe murderer in the asylum basement dark

I posted this on another forum--several people there suggested a clip on
I hadn't really thought of those, because I was concerned about weight

[JohnE]

I've used a variety of headlamps over the years, the latest one is a Pelican 2750. Typical 3 AAA battery setup, has 4 operating modes, 2 brightness, 1 strobe and a red LED for the night vision geeks.

You can find them on that Mom and Pop website Amazon.com for under 30 bucks.

Couple of nice features that aren't always mentioned in reviews I've seen of headlamps, the elastic headband is nice and wide and easily adjustable, makes it more comfortable. The on-off switch requires a decent amount of pressure to operate which cuts down on accidental turn-ons while its in your bag or toolkit.

I really like mine. Use it frequently while working on film sets as a Medic, the low power setting is great for close-up work without blinding my patient.

Worth a look.

P.S. It works great with either alkaline or NiMiH rechargeable batteries. You could easily get one with a couple sets of batteries and an inexpensive battery charger and come in under your budget.

[aikorob]

Ended up going with this Streamlight:
http://www.grainger.com/product/STREAML ... lamp-1PJJ3

A couple of nice things: 1. The way the light is made, the lens sits up higher---I can wear my hat normally, and the brim does not cause a shadow. 2. I used it for a while on Saturday---the medium setting was enough for me.

[Black November]

The energizer trailfinder $15.98. Best headlamp for the price hands down. I have four of them and have been using them for over 5 years

[s.leinicke]

I have a Petzl Tikka xp2 and I have have no problems with it ever. If you get the Petzl core you can program the brightness of the different modes which is nice.

[JohnE]

Ended up going with this Streamlight:
http://www.grainger.com/product/STREAML ... lamp-1PJJ3

A couple of nice things: 1. The way the light is made, the lens sits up higher---I can wear my hat normally, and the brim does not cause a shadow. 2. I used it for a while on Saturday---the medium setting was enough for me.

Looks like a nice light but I hope you didn't buy it at Grainger. Their price is about 3 times what it sells for on Amazon.

[aikorob]

Ended up going with this Streamlight:
http://www.grainger.com/product/STREAML ... lamp-1PJJ3

A couple of nice things: 1. The way the light is made, the lens sits up higher---I can wear my hat normally, and the brim does not cause a shadow. 2. I used it for a while on Saturday---the medium setting was enough for me.

Looks like a nice light but I hope you didn't buy it at Grainger. Their price is about 3 times what it sells for on Amazon.

on the company dime

[corrsk]

Streamlight sidewinder compact ii

[SheepDog68]

I have more than a dozen headlamps and use them often!

Several of them are Petzl and they have made a good headlamp for years!

My favorite is the ReVolt by Black Diamond since it recharges from the same USB cord that my Android phone does. It uses 3AAA batteries, but can also recharge the batteries that come with it by just plugging it in.

SD

[solidstate]

Here ya go:
Headlamp:
http://smile.amazon.com/Fenix-Waterproo ... lashlights

Charger:
http://smile.amazon.com/Nitecore-Digich ... 3ANitecore

Batteries:
http://smile.amazon.com/NCR18650B-3400m ... |Panasonic



For anyone who has more purchase flexibility:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product ... 95537.html
(Cheap but good quality.)

Buy a Nitecore D2 (or D4) charger:
http://www.illumn.com/batteries-charger ... arger.html
(I bought a few from here but if you look around you may find a better price.)

Batteries:
http://slickdeals.net/f/8478467-sanyo-1 ... _SearchBar
(I ordered these but I have not received them yet.)

I promise these will be the best value. Buy a few and you will be well prepared!

If you don't like my suggestions, feel free to spend a week reading reviews here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com

[Murph]

Ended up going with this Streamlight:
http://www.grainger.com/product/STREAML ... lamp-1PJJ3

A couple of nice things: 1. The way the light is made, the lens sits up higher---I can wear my hat normally, and the brim does not cause a shadow. 2. I used it for a while on Saturday---the medium setting was enough for me.

Ugh, I had a Streamlight like that a few years back... It straight up ate batteries. I hope the one you got is better.

[aikorob]

Ended up going with this Streamlight:
http://www.grainger.com/product/STREAML ... lamp-1PJJ3

A couple of nice things: 1. The way the light is made, the lens sits up higher---I can wear my hat normally, and the brim does not cause a shadow. 2. I used it for a while on Saturday---the medium setting was enough for me.

Ugh, I had a Streamlight like that a few years back... It straight up ate batteries. I hope the one you got is better.

does OK---now granted, I am not using it continuously---2 or 3 days half shift, then not for several weeks