Had Enough With AAA Headlamps…

After putting on a dim AAA headlamp tonight and changing batteries for the thousandth time in my life, I realized it’s time to join 2025 with rechargeables

I’m sure there’s amazing expensive ones, but I’d like to get a half dozen/dozen cheapies to have around and for in boats/vehicles (I’m good at misplacing them too )

Anyone have ones that you’ve liked and have held up alright??

There are so many options on Amazon. I think the ones I bought are Danforce. I think you can get 2 for $35.

Mine works great and keeps a charge. They are a bit heavy though.

I like the ones that have a spotlight function.

I’ve had a few very inexpensive ones that charge through USB and I’ve liked them.

My work gave me like 10 that charge off a USB cord. They work great. I’m sure they are some Amazon specials that they threw a logo on. I do have 2 night cores that were under a 100 bucks each that are top notch. 100x better then my cheapies. But the cheapies still have plenty of uses. I think you could pick any out on Amazon and they all will function pretty good.

I’m a big fan of the Nebo Mycro headlamp. Under $20. USB charging. Strap or cap clip. Strong metal clip. Pivots up or down. Solid on/off button. Memory feature. No strobe light. Just a solid little lamp for the price. Think I might be running 3 years now on the first one I bought.

Looking on line it seems there is a few versions of this headlamp that very slightly with features and brightness.

A vote for Nebo Transcend. Rechargeable, removable lithium battery. Quality strap, durable casing and the right price.

https://a.co/d/14LbiiW I have this Dan force one – it’s too bright for fishing by other boats . I wish it was dimmable . It’s incredible solo though , can spot light cans going down the river on plane . Battery is crazy long life as well . I agree on the AAA ones. Every time I use them I have to put new batteries in it seems like.

The Fenix HL10 is a decent single AAA headlamp (and van be used as an angle light as well).

I have been very satisfied with a headlamp that uses the 18650 rechargeable lithium batteries. Very bright when needed and very good run time on low beam (which is still a decent beam). Has held up to repeated abuse. I’ve owned several over the years and only had one fail prematurely. This is NOT a high dollar, ultra tough unit, yes it’s plastic, but for me has been a very good value for the money. I’m not too upset if I loose one into the depths of the duck marsh.
it’s not letting me post a link. search Amazon for DanForce-Headlamp-Rechargeable-Flashlight-HeadLamps

EDIT: The link Andy posted is the headlamp I use.

I have no clue how much they cost but they get us streamlight stuff at work. I’ve never been let down by any of their lights or headlamps.

X2 on the Nitecore.

isu22andy wrote:

I wish it was dimmable .

Center beam only is high beam spot
Twin outside beams are a less bright flood beam
third choice is all three on, combined spot and flood

I find the twin flood beams to be fine as long as you point them downward so its not shining in someone’s eyes. If I’m going to be with a partner, I sometimes switch to a totally different headlamp that offers a colored beam such as red.

I hate threads like these. Now I’m gonna buy 5 more headlamps I’ll never use. But, at least I’ll have backups to my backups.

I have a Husky rechearchable headlamp that you can remove the battery pack and replace with 3AAA batteries. It works great in the short term, but is heavy and the rechargable battery is not as good as 3 AAA

I’m in the other boat. I have rechargeable ones, and AAA ones.
Rechargeable are nice when they’re new, and when you remember to charge it. If you forget, or are on a long night outing and it dies, you’re in the dark. With a AAA light, you toss in new batteries and it’s good as new.

My eveready rechargeable works great-about 20 on Amazon.

I have this Dan force one – it’s too bright for fishing by other boats . I wish it was dimmable . It’s incredible solo though , can spot light cans going down the river on plane . Battery is crazy long life as well . I agree on the AAA ones. Every time I use them I have to put new batteries in it seems like.[/quote]

I would absolutely hate to wear that giant thing on my head.

I also have a rechargable solor flashlight on velcro in my boat. Easy to find in the dark, always charged w/o messing with plugging in a charger.Works well as a back up if you need some light for setting up or loading in the dark.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I would absolutely hate to wear that giant thing on my head.

Until you do, and realize just what you were missing with other headlamps.
If one is looking for a lamp for “close work” this one may not be the lamp for you.
On the other hand if you want to be able to shine a beam and actually see the river bank 40 yards away, this lamp will do that. Turn the beam down to “flood” mode and you can work in and around the boat.
I would suspect this lamp might be quite useful in some situations, in your line of work. Just my experience from actual usage.

I thought it was crazy too but the best part is you can use it multiple outings and not charge the battery . It ain’t bad at all honestly . You can hone in the spotlight and un hone it too .

Due to a past thread like this, I bought a nitecore H60. Absolutely loved it. By far the best headlamp i own. Adjusts easily, good battery life, comfortable. Not exactly a cheapy, but not outrageous either.

I hope B-Man buys one of these, because it would make me happy to make him spend a few $$. He has cost me enough over the yrs from discussing big lake trolling, I owe him one!

Nitecore h60 love it

Matt Moen wrote:

I hate threads like these. Now I’m gonna buy 5 more headlamps I’ll never use. But, at least I’ll have backups to my backups.

So true Matt, you guys have MADE me purchase countless items over the years!

Please stop it with the awesome $70+ ones (don’t tempt me)

I’m trying to shop for a fleet of Ford Focuses not a diesel F-350 King Ranch

There’s just so many to choose from in the $5-$15 range, please keep posting links to any that you’re happy with!

I bought a nice fenix one for Colorado elk hunting this past fall, nice headlamp rechargeable, multiple different settings, had a spot light feature on it that was great at night at camp to check on the animals. worked for out there as during the day I would leave it plugged in to a solar panel to recharge it, I still have some smaller petzl battery ones and my go to at work is just a cheap energizer one from Menards that takes batteries.

I know you’ve asked about a more economical product, and I’ve had many of them but don’t have one I can recommend that has held up. I bit the bullet and bought the two list4ed below. Both run anywhere from $60-$100 depending on deals/sales. They are both pretty amazing and I’m very happy with them. I’ve had cheap off brand headlamps, Black Diamond’s, Petzl’s….these are the two best I’ve used.

Nitecore HC 65 UHE and Olight Perun 3

I just don’t get why there has to be 10 settings and 6 you really don’t need in most cases. high, Low, Med and red would cover you but I have NEVER needed strobe going fast or slow. On or off on my last setting would work for me.

I bought some off Tumu for $2ea 18650 batteries, USB cord adn they came in less then 2 weeks.

James Almquist wrote:

I just don’t get why there has to be 10 settings and 6 you really don’t need in most cases. high, Low, Med and red would cover you but I have NEVER needed strobe going fast or slow. On or off on my last setting would work for me.

That’s the programming feature on the Nebo’s. Turn it off and when you turn it back on it goes to the last setting.

Mike W wrote:

That’s the programming feature on the Nebo’s. Turn it off and when you turn it back on it goes to the last setting.

I need to look into one of those to keep in my truck !!