All this talk about lights and headlamps makes me feel I've been operating in the stone age. 'Cause my favorites continue to be small penlights hung on a short strap - and held with my teeth when needed. Simple twist or push-button turns them on. Even the squeeze-on type works well. They're also very inexpensive, easy to carry, and easily replaced. If they're too bright (as when new), I just cover them up a bit 'cause it takes very little light to see in the darkness. A weak battery does the same thing. Hey, works for me.

The best headlamp is none at all! However,it's dangerous on the rocks at night. I've got a Firefly with a 2.5x flip magnafier and LED that goes on the brim of my hat. I tape red cellophane over it and it is pretty nice so far. The web address is www.fireflyeyewear.com.

It's all a matter of preference. I like the headlamp for walking and don't like holding a light between my teeth. Keep the backup light around the neck.

-spence

I've got WAY to many bruises to NOT use a light to negotiate rocks at night

thanks! Actually didn't know what Wally World was. Now I know!

also wallyworld in Quincy on RT 53

That one is one of my least favorite places on the planet. Too busy!

Agreed.

forgive my ignorance, but why a red light? i use a petzl and find it totally adequate and defiinitely waterproof given how many times i have taken some waves...

Red light won't make your pupils pinpoint like a bright white light will. You won't lose your night vision.

Also, red light works great in your car, flash on and off while driving=get to your fishing hole faster.... :rotf2:

wally world
 

heh heh where ya been....lol

Just killed off a ray o vac after 4 seasons. It didnt owe me a thing for the 12 bux I spent for it.

I have a ray-o-vac....I am using one now because my other lights are dead. it is ok but it is not an LED and has no red light or other modes...it is featureless, on and off is all you get. The push button is good and it seems pretty water resistant. (I have some peeling of the mirror layer on mine)

I still don't see a light I really like. I had a princeton tec arora but it could not take the salt water and has a dinking switch I could never find.

Here are the elements of my "prefect light"

0) Must be LED light (the battery life is amazing)

1) 100% waterproof and not effected by salt water. (you should be able to submerege this light and it still works.)

2) white light modes:
- low wide beam
- high wide beam
- high narrow beam
- rapid flashing bright beam
3) red light modes (no sliding filters)
- low level (wider beam)
-med level (wider beam)

4) separate EASY TO FIND BUTTON switches for red and white light.

5) no strap on battery packs must be self contained

6) neck and head wearable

7) 100% factory lifetime replacement warrenty against failure

8) 3 AAA battery design and must use standard batteries.

cost under $100, that is right, I would spend 100 on a light but it has to have those spec's.

i have the enegizer from WAL-MART,, better switch than than the rayovac, although the rayovac from WAL-MART served me well. god i love WAL-MART!
http://www.walmart.com/

Bought the Ray-O-Vac Saturday and used it this morning. Love the red LED feature and the fact that it is the first option. Used it for walk to the beach, changing plugs and unhooking a couple of fish before it got light enough to see what I was doing. Had a EMS headlamp that was good, but the battery case latch broke and it had to be held in place with duct tape - and it did not have a red lens.

Look through the petzl site.
The tactikka fits half your req's.
The bigger ones that cost more money have more than you need.

Green actually works a little better than red on charts and maps for some reason. Always have green in the nav station.

Redneck 24. Are ya talking about Wally World? :jester:

yes, i am a true redneck, love wally. im not an LL Bean sandal wearing tree hugger. :jester:

Are you talking to me? :rtfm: :rotf2:

-spence

Come on Redneck, let's see a tribal "Always Low Prices" done across the back :humpty:

Back on topic...

I had a chance to use the Streamlight last night. Pretty nice overall. It's much heavier than the Tikka lamps I'm used to, and the single green LED is bright enough for most uses...almost too bright for changing plugs etc...

May not be perfect, but it certianly fits the bill.

-spence

first off, that was a general statement, so relax. if you are offended by that statement, well sorry, i can do a tribal tree for you. :huh:

Spence

The petzl is a great light. It has all the features you mentioned and costs about 40 bucks. Strap it to your head and you don't even know its there. Mine has been through all the elements and has held up great. If you get one and don't like it I will happily take it off your hands for a slight discount!

I'm just goofin' Redneck, no harm intended...come on, that would be pretty funny :kewl:

...but if you're going to bust on my L.L. Bean ;)

-spence

would be funny