NWHikers.net - View topic

Downhill · Sat Dec 05, 2020 7:35 pm

I have a few peeps on my gift list this year who need a good backcountry headlamp. Because I am old, old school, I am partial to Petzel but I expect that there are some very cool new models out there in recent years.

What is your favorite headlamp?? And it a "value" question - the best lamp for the money. Not a "price doesn't matter" question.

TIA!!!

HitTheTrail · Member Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5009 | TRs Location: 509

Without a doubt hands down you can't go wrong with the Nitecore U20 or maybe the newer U25. I have been using my U20 every morning on the highest power since the days got shorter and I only have to charge it about once a week. And it passes my threshold for ultra lite. You can even lower the weight by a few grams by changing out the head band for some small shock cord (which I have done on one of mime). Total weight 1.6 oz. I own several.

Downhill · Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:26 pm

Looks sweet - thank you, Lloyd!

uww · Member Joined: 16 Dec 2015 Posts: 183 | TRs

Jaberwock · Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:51 am

Would also suggest the NU20 from nitecore.

RatherBOutdoors · Member Joined: 17 Jun 2017 Posts: 32 | TRs

I really like the One80 because of the extra peripheral lighting it provides: https://one80light.com/collections/frontpage/products/h2-headlamp

seahuskies · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2020 Posts: 14 | TRs

Zebralight H600d Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 5000K High CRI Headlamp

I do a lot of night hiking and the quality of the construction and light output is fantastic. Probably overkill for most but it's been worth every penny.

Downhill · Mon Dec 07, 2020 1:22 pm

Thanks for the great suggestions. I ordered a NU20 based on your recommendations and the price point was in my range for this gift. Thanks!

Cyclopath · Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:14 pm

For hiking, or faster stuff like trail running, skiing, MTBing?

Downhill · Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:30 pm

InFlight · Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:07 pm

Another recommendation for the Nitecore NU 25. Really Bright when needed and USB Rechargeable. Weighs 1.8 ounces on my scale.

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“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...” ― Henry David Thoreau

Slim · Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:49 am

Thanks for the recommendation on the Nite Core.

I just picked up a U25. Seems like a nice build and insanely lightweight. Plus don't have to worry about batteries anymore.

~Slim

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"Our flapjacks sell like hotcakes"

Bootpathguy · Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:08 pm

Downhill · Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:15 pm

BPG - thanks for the Loon suggestion - I will file that away for the next time, but I had already purchased the NU20 - well, yes and no, sorta.....

Based on the first few replies, I ordered the NU20 figuring the red-light feature wasn't necessary and so would justify the price difference for the NU25. But this was to be a gift for my daughter and she mentioned in passing that the red light was important to her for running at night, so how can a father argue with that?

I had already received the NU20 so I also ordered the NU25 and figured I'd send the NU20 back after the holidays as I have 1/2 dozen headlamps and don't need another.

After Christmas, my daughters and I spend the weekend in the mountains and one was sporting her new NU25. I was so impressed with this light (compact size, ease-of-use, charging, luminosity...) that I decided to NOT send the NU20 back for a refund - and now it holds the #1 spot in my quiver of lights.

Thanks, everyone for the great suggestions! Once again, NWhikers comes thru!!

Songs2 · Member Joined: 21 Mar 2016 Posts: 121 | TRs

All these headlamps are new to me and I will be exploring them.

The NU20 has a run time of 100 hrs, per website.
Has anyone used the Nitecore headlamps for 5- to 7-day backpacking trips?

(I carry a charger [battery] but use it for other devices.)

Thanks for any input!