I was reading about people fiddling with low luminosity headlamps. I collect flashlights as a hobby, so here's my advice.

 

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List of links for you if you want to decide for yourself:

 

List of beam shots for nearly every even remotely popular flashlight on the market: https://www.taschenl...penliste.53366/

Flashlight subreddit (very active): https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/

Flashlight harness: https://www.aliexpre....21e54c4d3VM8LG

 

 

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My suggestion: Armytek Wizard Pro v3 usb chargable (10/6/18 update: I suggest reviewing the TH30 now as well, but it is new so quality over time isn't assured)

 

Link: https://www.armytek....gnet-usb-18650/

 

Cool or warm is your preference. Cool is marginally more lumens and I find it better for searching. Be careful as there is v2, v3 (without pro), non rechargable. In reality you want high CRI rating, but for headlamps, it doesn't get better than this at time of writing. You can find this for $60 on sale in some places.

 

Why:

 

• 2300 lumens
• Headband included
• Magnetic tail cap so you can stick it to something metal and have it shine
• Usb chargable
• Water resistant

Downsides:

 

• High drain and incredibly bright, will last 2-3 hours if you don't have it on turbo
• Gets hot, but not like burn-your-hair hot

 

If you need to go out longer, you want more batteries and a proper charger. However, there are a lot of fake high drain batteries, and there are a lot of chargers that both won't take normal AA or AAA rechargable or won't support high drain *or* won't support button/non button config.

 

My suggestions:

 

• Samsung 30q's for batteries. If you search around you can find them for $5 apiece. Super standard, very reliable. Button top is more reliable if you have other flashlights, but if you don't, flat top will work fine with the pro v3. Button top might run you $1 more apiece.
• Nitecore D2/D4 are reliable chargers, support hi drain, AA and AAA rechargable and isn't too pricy.

 

There are alternative options out there, but for the average person this is what you needa know. If you want a hand held option, Emisar D4 is 4k+ lumens. I don't suggest this though, because even with higher lumens, a headlamp is much less taxing in terms of letting your eyes adjust to things- shadow angles don't change so your eyes will see contrast from queens running around much easier.

 

Just wanted to put this information out there

 

UPDATE 10/6/18

 

Want to update this thread with a few recent developments. I'll keep it short.

 

The current brightest single 18650 light is the Emisar D4.

 

Link here: https://intl-outdoor...ight-p-921.html

 

Beam shot (~3.8k lumens)

 

 

There are a few other stores that also sell them.

 

Flashlight harness that nurbs uses is here: https://www.aliexpre....21e54c4d3VM8LG

 

If you can't find it, on aliexpress it's listed as "Head Strap Mount Headband Black Head Strap Mount Headband Holder Fixed Strap For 18650 battery flashlight diameter 20-25mm torch"

 

 

There's also a new 'best' headlamp. I haven't tested it, but it has a lot of very good reviews and is generally accepted as better due to improved LED technology

 

http://www.thrunite....eable-headlamp/

 

ThruNite TH30 Super Bright Rechargeable Headlamp

 

I don't have any available beamshots for this but it's up there.

 

 

The next upcoming is going to be coming out this month or next, here:

 

Fireflies PL47

 

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/62288

Edited by soulsynapse, October 6 2018 - 1:03 PM.

I collect flashlights as a hobby, so here's my advice.

 

 

Well that's another thing we have in common.

 

Latest headlamp is an Acebeam with the latest xhp70.2 led, but I don't like it. The color temp is this weird green-bluish tint. I prefer warmer tints. Also doesn't last very long, even on medium settings.

 

 

Recently bought this headband from Aliexpress. Plan is to attach up to three EDC high lumen flashlights to it using Nichia 219c or 219b leds. I'll look ridiculous, but at least spotting ants and creepy clowns will be easy.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

Oh, also tried the Armytek. Returned it because the 2300 lumens only lasts a few minutes, then it drops down super low. 

 

The best lights are the ones that last for hours at medium bright settings using something like an 18650 battery. That's why I want to use two or three 18650 flashlights at medium settings, you can go anting all night without having to change batteries, and things will be bright.

Edited by nurbs, July 7 2018 - 1:22 PM.

Edited by Straywolf94, July 7 2018 - 1:26 PM.

Want to update this thread with a few recent developments. I'll keep it short.

 

The current brightest single 18650 light is the Emisar D4.

 

Link here: https://intl-outdoor...ight-p-921.html

 

Beam shot: 

 

 

There are a few other stores that also sell them.

 

Flashlight harness that nurbs uses is here: https://www.aliexpre....21e54c4d3VM8LG

 

If you can't find it, on aliexpress it's listed as "Head Strap Mount Headband Black Head Strap Mount Headband Holder Fixed Strap For 18650 battery flashlight diameter 20-25mm torch"

 

 

There's also a new 'best' headlamp. I haven't tested it, but it has a lot of very good reviews and is generally accepted as better due to improved LED technology

 

http://www.thrunite....eable-headlamp/

 

ThruNite TH30 Super Bright Rechargeable Headlamp

 

I don't have any available beamshots for this but it's up there.

 

 

The next upcoming is going to be coming out this month or next, here:

 

Fireflies PL47

 

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/62288

I like using the lights from Olight. I have all the Baton S1's in titanium as well as the mini's, and I really like the small 10 year anniversary light It has a really nice form factor. 

olight makes a great light! They're a bit up there in price, but their H2R nova is pretty competitive, I'd say it's a decent alternative to the ones listed here. Can't speak to how it holds up but from what I've heard olight stands behind their products. 

Edited by soulsynapse, October 10 2018 - 9:54 PM.

Do people use UV flashlights for anting? It seems like it might attract alates while you're searching. I haven't had the opportunity to go out at night looking for ants, but I do have the uv flashlights that I bought for scorpion hunting, not that I've had much if an opportunity to do that either, I was just wondering if it has been tried.

I also have a headband with a white light in the centre and uv lights mounted either side, right now I'm just imagining moths and alates bouncing off my eyeballs and face!

Edited by DaveJay, October 23 2018 - 6:14 AM.

Do people use UV flashlights for anting? It seems like it might attract alates while you're searching. I haven't had the opportunity to go out at night looking for ants, but I do have the uv flashlights that I bought for scorpion hunting, not that I've had much if an opportunity to do that either, I was just wondering if it has been tried.

I also have a headband with a white light in the centre and uv lights mounted either side, right now I'm just imagining moths and alates bouncing off my eyeballs and face!

Depending on how strong of a UV light you are talking...make sure you wear proper eye protection. It is very easy to hurt your eyes without realizing it when using a strong UV light (even some of the LED ones).

Do people use UV flashlights for anting? It seems like it might attract alates while you're searching. I haven't had the opportunity to go out at night looking for ants, but I do have the uv flashlights that I bought for scorpion hunting, not that I've had much if an opportunity to do that either, I was just wondering if it has been tried.

I also have a headband with a white light in the centre and uv lights mounted either side, right now I'm just imagining moths and alates bouncing off my eyeballs and face!

Depending on how strong of a UV light you are talking...make sure you wear proper eye protection. It is very easy to hurt your eyes without realizing it when using a strong UV light (even some of the LED ones).

You certainly can, I use a small 9 led flashlight to check on my scorpions and even just the odd reflection from their enclosures can make your eyes sore. The largest size I have is 51 led which is fine as long as it is not shining in someones eyes.

Edited by DaveJay, October 23 2018 - 8:35 PM.