Con:
The head band stretches out and doesn’t recover.
That’s the only complaint I have, as I own their other headlamps almost identical to these here, and some others have a much much better quality head band that doesn’t have any ripples or waves of over stretch.
These get them right away.
PROS:
But still, as a lamp, THEY’RE working GREAT and you can just tighten that loose head band more and more…. you might not even experience this issue though, who knows.
In the stores these cost more I believe, so I’m satisfied especially at this price, and the function of the light itself is what really matters to me:
It’s bright, has a centered spot light, where you can hold the button down to adjust the level of brightness and then it memorizes this for when you turn it on again, using one of the two buttons.
The reason I didn’t like my previous #1 mainly used energizer head lamp, is that it only has two lights- no centered spot light.
Also it doesn’t memorize the level of brightness I adjust it to.
So that’s why I tried this one out, and it’s going as good as it possibly could, for a “BUDGET daily heavy headlamp user”….
(…for walking my mostly blind dog, frequent car repairs at night, traveling on the road, general home use etc… and where I won’t CRY IF I BREAK IT OR LOSE IT..)
BATTERIES:
They definitely work best using the best batteries, FRESH ones.
Why?
Because this is a AAA powered headlamp. And using 3, not 4 or 5 or….
Which these do come with the very best brand you can find out there for AAA alkaline batteries: Energizer.
(Your battery choice and condition of them, mean everything, especially with any AAA x3 headlamp).
I personally use rechargeable batteries for these, so I don’t get the maximum brightness and battery life that a 1.5 volt alkaline AAA will provide, and yet this is still working out great. Especially with using the energizer rechargeable AAA’s.
(I’ve done in depth testing to compare, and Energizer is THE best for rechargeables in headlamps overall. Beats Duracell no doubt.)
If you use these often, like daily, and for any AAA light, rechargeable AAA’s are definitely the way to go in my opinion.
I carry a minimum of at least 6 charged up AAA rechargeable batteries that I test periodically to know if they’re in great shape still.
Using Energizer rechargeables only now…
These are clearly NOT budget batteries, but when it comes to rechargeable batteries for headlamp’s using AAA or AA batteries, I don’t do budgeting anymore.
I invested into the premium price for batteries about 3 years ago, because this is where you will in fact save money.
(IF you don’t LOSE your headlamps often= also losing 3 expensive batteries=just buy a 10 pack of EBL rechargeables instead, for $10 here.)
If you’re constantly losing your headlamps, you’ve made a great choice in headlamps if you buy these, however I’d probably choose Harbor Freight or Walmart garbage alkaline batteries, but in all honesty, I personally would first see a psychiatrist and get on ADHD medication.
I charge 3- 6 batteries overnight with the 8 bay PowerOwl charger. (An EXCELLENT budget item I’ve owned for 3 years now, using it EVERY single night: $12).
Hope this info helps anyone!
Summary:
Best budget headlamp for light AND extremely heavy non stop users, and most definitely for headlamp losers.
Battery choice REALLY matters.
Battery choice differs greatly depending on YOU specifically.
Energizer batteries are the best choice for most power and longevity, for both non rechargeable and rechargeable AAA’s.
Power Owl 8 bay charger, is a great and reliable for many years budget charger to use, if you’re a heavy AAA headlamp user requiring rechargeable batteries.
