I have one that is 15 years old and takes 2 AAA batteries. Small and simple.
Wanted to buy a new one but the light and straps are huge.
So big that you need an extra strap to go over your head?
Handy for camping.

I love the thoughts of an upscale one but for value the two for $15 option is the best.

I will misplace headbands regardless of how spotless my shop is and the elastic bands crap out across time. Does that happen on the high quality ones? I would like one you put on and adjust like Teva sandal straps. No elastic.

Nick - If you hold the off button down for an extra second the light will shut off vs. cycling through.

I did buy a $40 light at Advance Auto a couple weeks ago that is exactly what afterburn 549 does not want as it's big with the battery pack on the back of your head. Man, it puts out some good light. You have to charge it daily if you wear it on your head all day like I do. More light (from a flood perspective) than the $15 Amazon ones but the cheaper ones are very adequate.

As a duck hunter i've been through many a headlamp. This one is much, much nicer to use than most. Easy press buttons even with gloves.

https://www.rei.com/product/202774/black-diamond-spot-400-headlamp

Yep that's how the ones I posted work. I have two others that I have to cycle through. Energizer with AAA's, HART rechargable that's HUGE both need to push the power button repeatedly. I bought the ones on Amazon, because like you I keep a spotless shop and never seem to lose things. :D

I think some of the cheap ones are probably good, but avoid the temptation to get one of the amazon specials that have a ton of useless and annoying features.

The first one I ordered was all over amazon flashing red light mode and buttonless on/off modes (hand wave) were annoying to cycle through, not to mention the over the head strap.

simple, light, and hopefully of decent quality are ideal IMHO.

I have always wondered why the designers of flashlights think anyone wants a flashing red light, or a red light at all.

I suspect 99% of the users what an on - off bright light. I don't want 1/2 power or flashing lights ever.

its the amazon curse I think a lot of the cheap products add a ton of useless stuff and features as a selling point I guess. You want to buy a screen protector and it comes with a useless tool, a carrying case, a wipe cloth, etc. Just a decent screen protector please.

red is key for setting up decoys without blinding your hunting partners and killing your night vision.

Flashing light is an SOS that will last for 24 hrs so if you plan to get lost in the woods, it is a useful option.

The low lumen red light is for preserving your night vision while camping, sailing, hunting, or astronomy setup. I do appreciate the dim red light to get things done in the dark while preserving night vision. As a work light in the shop red is useless.

My 10 yr old Black Diamond has 4 modes. High, med, low, low red. I do use all of these depending on the situation. The high beam is narrow and good for long reach but too bright and narrow creating harsh shadows. Not ideal for working on cars.

Medium is probably 150 lumen and a wide soft light that is great to illuminate everything in front of me for wrenching.

Low white is used rarely but sometimes all I need for a quick grab.

For astronomy or sailing Red is pretty critical to preserve night vision. I use it for setup, lens swaps, battery swaps, or just checking my observing notes.

I have this one from Bass Pro and like it

Last a long time - can be bright - and yes you can use the red on the boat to preserve your night vision

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1768926975.png