Backpacking headlamp

Backpacking headlamp



I am in the process of designing a ultralight backpacking head lamp which will weigh 1.5 oz including batteries. It will have basic features in order to save weight and will not be as rugged as others. I am asking you what are some of your preferences of headlamp features are and if you think this could be a valid product. This will help me in the design of my product. So thanks to all that reply. If you would like to find more details about the product contact me at j.timmons4498@gmail.com

You might want to look at the Petzel e+lite before you put too much time into this project. The e+lite will work for about 8 hours on 2, CR-2032 batteries, weighs about an ounce w/batteries and is nearly indestructible. There are brighter and longer lasting and more expensive headlights but for weight, life and durability the e+lite is a tough act to follow especially for around $30.00.

Make it 1xAAA cell, white and red modes, regulated, mode memory so it begins on last mode used, beam diffuser or some way to opt between narrow and wide, even beam pattern, waterproof, operable with gloves/cold hands.

Simple!

Cheers,

Thank you Pika you have a very valid point and I will be looking into the Petzel e+lite. Thanks for the input and I will take this into consideration.

Thanks Rick for the ideas those very great ides and I will try to incorporate them into my design.

First, it has to be LED. I don't even consider anything else. Then it has to have a high lumen mode (100+), and a low lumen mode (around 10). I like a red light as well. Must be waterproof. Must use AAA's or AA's. Coin cells are just too expensive.

As has been stated, LED is a must, so is battery (AAA/AA), and Hi/Low modes. But one thing that might make it heavier is the ability to adjust the beam angle to point down. This is invaluable at night.

Needs to be able to use lithium batteries, which are lighter, longer lasting and much better in cold weather. I also prefer AA or AAA batteries. AA would be better since it would be compatible with my camera! Plus all the features others have mentioned (LED, high/medium/low, red, blinking for emergency use). The Petzl e-Lite does all these except that it uses very expensive coin cell batteries. Its brightness is a bit marginal for night hiking, too.

If you can do all that for 1.5 oz., I'd be interested.

Much as I'd like all those features in a 2oz package, I'm willing to settle for the Princeton Tec Quad in the meantime. It has some benefits, as it is 3.4oz, but a downside in that it takes AAA batteries.

Anyone have any experience with this headlamp?

I have a quad, and have had it reliably in service for many years. It's nice, has decent options for different intensities, still fairly light by conventional standards (extremely light compared to older headlamps), it has a nice long battery life and an indicator LED to tell you when it's time for new batteries. I could't recommend one highly enough.


Personally, I understand the value of downsizing and shedding weight where appropriate, but core safety gear that is already very light and minimal are the last things I would advocate taking the axe to, especially if the gain is maybe an ounce or two. That's a massive increase to risk versus very little reward.

The Quad remains a decent headlamp but pretty dated in what it brings to the table--you can get a lot more power and flexibility at less weight now, such are the advancements in LED efficiency and headlamp design.

In particular, I consider the Quad super in camp but not so hot on the trail, as it doesn't have any sort of beam. Moot point, as my kid stoleliberated mine.

Cheers,

I love all things headlamps...you must be like me! So you probably know all this by now but I have written several headlamp blogs the first of the series is below but you can view them all on my site.

Backpacking Engineer - Headlamps

You're right that it's a little dated, especially compared to newer models that do produce a significant beam.
Recently, I tried out the Princeton Remix, and I'm very impressed by it. Runs on one less battery than the quad and has four intensity settings including a focused high-beam with a reflector dish. I think the big bonus is that the LEDS come in either red or white.
I tried the white beam model, but I think the red beam is probably more practical for night hiking.

Edit: Like the Quad, it still runs on three AAA batteries, I was posting on incorrect intel.

1. One AAA battery (lithium)
2. REAL EASY TO CHANGE BATTERY. I like the ability to replace the battery in the dark. No tools needed.
3. Three or four brightness settings.
4. Can use as headlamp or regular flashlight. If it’s just a flashlight that can clip on your hat bill, that’s great.
5. Waterproof.
6. I’m probably a loaner on this but I like a strobe mode. That’s my most used mode. That’s the mode I use every day on my bike during daylight hours. I use the regular mode during backpacking.
7. Maintain constant brightness as battery is dying (regulated).

-Barry
-The mountains were made for Tevas

I personally like the black diamond spot and petzel tikka 2 as far as modes and interface go. The spot definitely beats the tikka for me with the side battery life led and the lock out mode. If you could put all the same features and reduce the light to 1 aaa battery, use a less heavy duty band and minimalize the cassing then we're talking about a really light and functional ul headlamp.

I have a ptec byte that has most of the mentioned features, weighs 2.17 ounces with batteries, and runs on 2 AAA bats. it has a head band, points up or dow - adjustable - red LED, white lower power or higher power LED. Its got a sealed switch.

In 1961 I worked at American Microsystems in Sunnyvale, later a superfund clean up site, where I was on the integrated circuit design staff. I was looking at a chip under a microscope while it operated and it occasionally gave off a small flash of light, which I commented on, and later we made the first LED
Jim

I have had Petzl Tikka, Black Diamond Spot and beefier version, and princeton tek. The petzl was my favorite, but a little heavy. The Black Diamond Spot is a little too flimsy. The Princeton tek is very flimsy.

If you could incorporate the following, I'd buy for $40:
1.Sturdy, water resistant housing.
2.Bright 70-100 lumens.
3.One handed on-off.
4.1-3 oz