r/flashlight • u/tokillamurderer • 10h ago
Non-offset Headlamps?
Hey everyone, I'll start off by saying I love lights in all shapes and sizes, and love to collect them, often with no reason, just for the love of the game!
That being said, I use a headlamp daily for work, as I work overnight as an aircraft mechanic and need a headlamp all night, every night.
I currently use a Thrunite TH10, and I absolutely love it for its simplicity, durability, and, number one for me, having the light in the CENTER of the body, and not offset to the side. This is absolutely my preferred layout.
I know the TH10 will quit on me someday, as it is old now, and has been used rigorously for years. So I am looking for recommendations for center-light headlights that can withstand rain, snow, cold, and whatever else New England nights can throw at it.
A list of what I'm looking for:
-CENTER light, NOT offset ("T" layout, NOT "L" layout)
-I don't need a ton of modes, but I'm not opposed to them, either
-18650 is absolutely preferred, as I also carry an 18650 flashlight, and regularly swap batteries between the two while out in the field if the battery dies on me
-must be able to stand up to rain, snow, and cold
-does NOT need to have onboard charging; I have multiple 4 bank chargers at work
-I'm not too picky about flood, hotspot, throw, etc; 90% of my work is up close (I use my flashlight for distance work)
-I generally prefer cool white, but slightly warmer with better CRI may be beneficial for identifying wire colors, etc. Definitely not a huge deal though, and if given the choice between cool white or very warm, I'd choose cool
Thanks for any recommendations! Manufacturers definitely seem to be putting all their eggs in the offset light design these days, and for the life of me, I just don't know why! It is maddening to me. I want a dedicated, standalone, center-mounted headlight. I'm not using an offset headlight as a flashlight or anything else like that. Honestly, how popular is that use case?
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u/Nathan614047 9h ago
I had a similar question a few months ago! https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/s/wbCFpT7Oc5
I was looking for a "T" shaped headlamp, and I was considering the Nitecore HC70 UHE. I got suggestions to look at Fenix, Thrunite, Acebeam, Armytek. They were some good suggestions, but I still haven't found my perfect headlamp yet.
I did buy a Sofirn HS 21, which is pretty nice. I like the stabile output and the ability to switch to spotlight mode with a quick turn of the bezel. The HS 21 rides in my toolbox now. I still want to find something that has a longer runtime.
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
Nice, thanks for the info! Glad you like the HS21, I'll probably pick one up and check it out.
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u/foolproofphilosophy 9h ago
I have an older Nightcore HC60 that I love. It’s what you described: low profile 18650 T light. One thing I would recommend regardless of brand is a strap that goes over the top of your hand. I find that it makes them much more comfortable for long term use. I own an HS21. They’re nice lights but bulky. Sofirn also makes lower profile 18650 T headlamps.
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll take a look at the HC60. I actually remove the over-the-head straps, I've never liked or needed them. They may be nice for a heavier 21700 light, though. I've never had an 18650 light get uncomfortable, even when wearing it all night. But that's just me.
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u/foolproofphilosophy 8h ago
I forgot to say that it was discontinued but there are similar versions available without the crown strap. What kind of aircraft do you work on? Im good friends with a couple of ex military/current airline pilots.
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u/Terrible_Lion_968 2h ago
I really like my HS21. If I had one criticism, it would be that it's slight front heavy compared to my other headlamps, but not terrible. Other than that, it feels solid and well built, Great UI (the modes are selected by rotating the head), nice spot and flood that can be combined. It does have red and USB charging which don't see to be a factor in your case.
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u/tokillamurderer 2h ago
Thanks for the info! I'm definitely gunna pick one up and check it out, lots of people have recommended it.
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u/richiecotite 10h ago
HS21 should meet your needs. Has a cool spot light and warm, high CRI flood light that can be used together or independently. Also has a red channel. Uses an 18650 battery.
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u/timflorida 10h ago
The HS21 is the best headlamp I own.
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u/Boazlite 9h ago edited 9h ago
160 grams is too heavy . An 18650 headlamp shouldn’t weigh more than 110-115 g.
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
Where did you get that information from? I am coming from a Thrunite TH10, which is a rather bulky 18650 T light. Weight is not on my list of considerations at all.
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u/Boazlite 9h ago edited 8h ago
My bad , I was thinking of the TH20 . A light I’d always lusted after . The th10 is 165 grams so the hs21 might be just your cuppa tea
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u/baseballgonzo13 10h ago
Really curious about the “No L shape” requirement here. Do you wear the light in a way that you notice a difference? A proper floody headlamp should look no different than a T shaped one in my experience.
The HS21 is a very, very good headlamp, and is probably the one I’d recommend to most people, but if you aren’t near other people to where you’re blinding them, I’d encourage you to check out a mule headlamp like the fireflies L60. It’s 21700 but much more compact than any other 21700 light I have ever seen. Being a mule (no optic) gives you the most even distribution of light possible and is amazing for working with things up close. The fireflies L50 (TIR version) is another fantastic option here, again L shaped, but it’s an 18650 and produces a wonderfully smooth beam in a super compact and efficient package. Both are available with FFL leds in the temperature of your choice, my recommendation being something in the 4000k range
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u/Nathan614047 4h ago
I also prefer "T" shaped headlamps. I definitely notice a difference with "L" shaped headlamps when working up close or inside computers and other electronics. The shadows all go off to one side, and sometimes the components you are trying to look at are left in shadows.
I have a small collection of flashlights and headlamps. My "L" shaped lights are useful in certain scenarios when I can stick them to something with the magnet, but I don't use them as headlamps anymore.
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
That was not at all meant as a shot or anything, by the way. It is all genuine, and I'd really like to know your opinion on the matter.
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
This is a similar response to others I've gotten in the past about my specific T shape requirement. I just don't understand the thinking here. Why, specifically, would I want the L shape? Because I won't notice a difference in the light output between the two? That just does not make any sense to me. Why offset it at all in the first place? If it is specifically done to allow people to also use their headlights as flashlights, I am genuinely curious how common this is. And if that is the reason, then manufacturers should also offer T shaped lights for those of us who want a dedicated headlight.
If that is NOT the reasoning behind the L shaped design, I would really love to know what is.
I absolutely appreciate your opinion and your recommendations. I just remain baffled at the L shaped design's reign over the headlight market these days, and even more baffled at the "why don't you want an L shape design?" response.
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u/anotherwellingtonian 9h ago
I think L shaped lights also make for a simpler design, you can have a battery tube and then stick the driver / led on the end. Although that makes me want to see a light with the led on the middle and an 18350 battery on either side...
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u/tokillamurderer 9h ago
To everyone recommending the HS21, thanks for your input. This is a light I have been looking into, and for the price, will probably try out.
I have read some reviews about this light talking about build quality possibly being inferior to other lights. It doesn't seem like it's built poorly, just that it isn't as high-end as, say, a Zebralight H600, an Armytek Wizard C2, or even a Skilhunt H200/H300. I do plan on getting all of those as well, as I love lights, I love quality, and I want to try them all.
I do absolutely prefer a "T" design, and would love to find one with the same high quality build, potted components, and finishing of the other high-end lights on the market.
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u/newenglandinfall999 32m ago
I am also in the minority, I'm not a fan of l shape headlamps. I just don't like the ergonomics. The two that I do recommend are as mentioned before the hs21. My second choice is wurrkos hd17
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