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paulz
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 11:44am
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We were discussing these on an unrelated thread, figured it probably needs its own.
I've gone from cheapos to better, and now back to cheapos. The ones I have now work well outdoors, have bright adjustable beams, but also have their drawbacks.
Not rechargeable, 3 AAA batts, along with the metal scopes make them heavy and prone to move around or even fall off when getting bumped in tight spaces.
The on switch is a small, fumble for button.
They have the dreaded Bright, Dim, Strobe function.
So I got to poking around online for something rechargeable, lightweight, small and without a strobe. And for $10 (a pair!) I just got these. USB recharge, no strobe, although they do have short/long range LEDs, one whole side is the on button. The light portion even pops out of the strap for a handheld light. Says they have a 'motion sensor' function, haven't seen that work. Not terribly bright, best for indoor work which is mostly when I use them. Best part is for 5 bucks I can buy/lose/break/have/keep one in every shed/car etc..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274923796577
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ICC
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 11:55am
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I like these. Using an 18650 lithium-ion cell they have a built in USB (micro) charger. I prefer the 4000K color temperature. % brightness levels, no stupid blinkies. It has memory so no need to run through all the levels each time you turn on/off. With a cell for less than $22 and there is often a 10% or greater discount available. Ships from China in about 3 weeks. Paypal only for payment.
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 12:23pm
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I have collected a decent number of headlamps over the years from the ones I’ve bought, been gifted and one that I found while camping. Headlamps don’t need to be expensive, but everyone should have a working set! I use mine all winter for a variety of uses.
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KelVarnsen
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 01:19pm
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Quoting: ICC I like these.
I agree with you ICC. I have 2 Sofirn headlamps. I have the USB rechargeable lithium battery option. I also just discovered the magnetic tail cap. Just pop it out of the holder and you can magnet it to where you like.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 02:03pm
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Ive got a button cell clip on the ballcap visor rig that has been ok, but it doesnt get as much use as I originally thought it would. It was cheap though, probably under $10? idr....wherever I made the impulse buy.
It has a curve to ride the cap brim and small enough to slip into a shirt pocket.
I wish it was usb rechargeable, Im liking usb for small stuff.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 02:24pm
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Quoting: KelVarnsen I have the USB rechargeable lithium battery option.
The Sofirn branded cells all test out very good. The price they charge when the cell is bought with the light is very hard to beat. Well worth it IMO. Sofirn quality is as good as so.e more expensive lights too.
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paulz
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 02:41pm - Edited by: paulz
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Mine also have the magnet at one end, and the 'hidden' USB port under the power button cap, which took me a bit to find since there were no instructions. Very much the same light except for the LED and probably the quality.
I've been wearing one around for the last hour without the uncomfortable feeling the heavier units give after awhile. Also my reading glasses will go onto the top of my head easily without the third top strap of the others in the way.
So far so good, heading out to the cabin where they'll get some real use and see how long these 18650s last.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 06:27pm
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Quoting: paulz see how long these 18650s last
What's the rated aH capacity?
The most annoying thing I find with led flashlights that are low priced is the color quality of the emitters light. The manufacturers use the cheapest emitters they can buy Almost invariably that means they produce a glaring white-blue light of 6500K or more that is also does not reproduce colrs well. Red objects are rendered poorly in particular. And along with that they light beam often had a pronounced yellow center; like the yellow of a sunnyside up fried egg. Those deficiencies are common in bargain lights and I do not like them at all.
Sofirn gives you a choice of CCT (color temperature) on some of their headlamps. Their lights with the Samsung LH351D emitters also have a decent CRI (color rendition index).
One of mine has been modded with a TIR optic that provides a wider beam with no hotspot. Another has a warm 2700K emitter with very high CRI (98). I like it for small detail work on things like circuit boards and other fine detailed work. It is also very nice for readin at night... reading something on paper instead of a screen.
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DryCreek
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 09:36pm - Edited by: DryCreek
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FWIW I'm partial to the 'Thrunite TH20'. It's infinitely variable, i.e. hold the switch down and it ramps up or down. The top end is 230 lumens, the bottom is enough to read in bed and lasts 21 hrs. Single AA, so light enough I forget I'm wearing it sometimes.
I have a stable of headlamps - hyper efficient ones for backpacking, super bright 18650 ones, etc. But that's the one I use 95% or the time. I probably use it a couple hours a day.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2022 10:20pm
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Im che....frugal!
Got a fair number of the inexpensive 3xAAA led mini flashlights floating around, they have become our go-to lights. (I just boxed up a bunch of the old school flashlights and dropped em off at the 'recycle center')
If I break or lose one it doesnt much matter, if I do the same with a pricey one I'll spend way too much time trying to fix or find it  Just the way Im wired.....
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2022 07:58am - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I use the 20V dewalt spotlight and also have the smaller dewalt spotlight. I do not have a head lamp, but if working after dark, definitely do it. The amazon delivery guy working after dark dropped of a pkg in the dark, he was wearing headlamps. Lots fo good uses, being seen, and seeing.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2022 10:42am
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Would maybe make it easier for my wife to find me if I fell over out somewhere in the dark.....
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 1 Feb 2022 07:36am
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Quoting: ICC What's the rated aH capacity?
1200 mah
I worked a bit outside last night on the tailgate of my truck, worked great. I needed to use one earlier but it was up at the cabin and I was down in the shop, and the other one I bought is back in the city house. So I've ordered two more.
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justins7
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2022 01:55pm
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I thought I was the only one who curses at the "Bright, Dim, Strobe" function. Why, why, why do so many lights have that? It's useless and tedious.
I actually use the headlamps sometimes inside because my lighting is just so damned poor. Thanks for the link!
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2022 04:43pm
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I prefer the ones that don't have a rechargeable battery. We buy batteries from Costco and have them everywhere. When the light goes dim I swap batteries and keep going.
USB A, USB B, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB mini-A, USB mini-B, USB micro-A, USB micro-B, that crap drives me nuts! When I need to recharge it seems I'm always on the hunt for the right cord.
A AAA battery is a AAA battery.
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KinAlberta
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2022 07:32pm - Edited by: KinAlberta
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We have some of these USB lights. They work ok.
(A) Cuff Toque with LED light (Reflective, Safety) | Concept Plus
https://www.conceptplus.ca/en/product/cuff-toque-with-led-light-reflective-safety-800 799.html
Acrylic Cuff Toque with LED Light - Hats&Caps.ca
https://hatsandcaps.ca/9x539m-acrylic-cuff-toque-with-led-light/
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2022 10:42pm
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On the bat-op lights all the bats dont go bad at once, one is always the worst, often by quite a bit.
I check em all, toss the bad one and find a comparable voltage one from my used bat stash. Even 1.25 volt bats in a 3 bat light will be good light for quite a while. I hate the thought of all those still good enough bats thrown away because folks just replace em all.
Some devices are voltage sensitive and dont work well at 1.25 each, so I save those because led flashlights dont much care
We buy alky' AA and AAA at the Dollar Store for (used to be) a dollar/4pk, then a 3pk, I suppose now its gonna be a 2pk.....
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paulz
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2022 08:07am
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I have 4 of the $5 units mentioned in the first post now, actually 3, one battery died immediately. The other 3 work great, couple things I really like. To turn on, you just squeeze it from the sides (basically the battery), no tiny button to find. They are so light they don't slide around or cause fatigue. One push on for focused, second push for wide angle, third push off.
Obviously not the best for 5 bucks but plenty of light for my needs, and better yet I can have them hanging everywhere I go. Going to get 2 more.
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