headlamp headlight

Not sure about that one, but I would say to get one that also has a red light as well as white light. They are good when trying to eat and there are lots of bugs around as they don't flock to the red light .

I favour a rechargeable unit with a battery level indicator.

For some reason head lamp batteries only run out while you're using it.

I've found the clip-on cap lights are quite handy, and less of a nuisance than the headband variety - which I find a bit clunky and annoying.

However, there are cap lights and cap lights, some are useless, the better quality and pricier ones have more LED's and bigger or more batteries.

11 LED Cap light

Cheers, Ron.

If you don't need a guaranteed waterproof, rugged lamp, with long battery life, it looks the goods. If you have a look at brands such as Petzl you can see the elevated prices for the tough, advanced lamps. I only have a basic need for light duty lamps when camping, so I spent $7 each on several lamps a few years back (Australia Post)...they still do the job years later !

Headlamps come in quite a range in terms of quality and price.

If you are looking for something to wear around the campfire the one you’ve highlighted is probably going to be as good (or bad) as anything else in that price range.

If you are intending to bushwalk or the like in the dark you might want something that will provide better reliability. We use Petzel brands for this and find they have a good range across a variety of prices.

Out of interest and for the more serious requirements we use AY-UP Lights designed for serious after dark pursuits. I’ve never found anything better, but they come at a hefty price.

But back to your question, you might find something cheaper around the $9 dollar price range, but as indicated, at that price you are getting something very generic that might last forever, or a week.

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

Agree with the other replies - depends on intended usage. I have cheap and cheerful headlamps for home DIY use and two more serious ones for being out bush. Not for running through the amazonian jungle at night or marathon cycling across the Simpson - just for finding and following the track back to vehicle or camp and general use once back there.

The first of these is a Princeton - simple, on off, lower/higher functionality, simply works well. The second is a Fenix with red light and umpteen light levels but the thing I like is that it remembers your last level setting. Both cost a bit more than $12.00. BTW Petzl are now overpriced IMHO.

Cheers
Mark

anaconda have headlamps on sale for $2.50 ea 7 led lamps quality is ok i have used them for awhile and so have the 3 kids all under 12 and they have copped a flogging by both them and me, bang for the buck is pretty good and at that price you can grab a couple for spares if need be.