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Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Energizer LED Head Beam > Owner Review by Erich Roetz

Energizer LED Head Beam
BY ERICH ROETZ
OWNER REVIEW
November 07, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Erich Roetz
EMAIL: eroetz93@yahoo.com
AGE: 39
LOCATION: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 8" (1.73 m)
WEIGHT: 170 lb (77.10 kg)

Backpacking Background: I started backpacking when I was Boy Scout over 27 years ago. I do mostly medium weight backpacking but I am doing more lightweight backpacking now that my son is a Scout. We camp one weekend a month all year round in temperatures from very hot (Virginia summers of 100 F/38 C) to very cold (Pennsylvania winters - below freezing) from sea level to about 2000 ft (610 meters) elevations.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Energizer
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: www.energizer.com
Listed weight: Not provided by manufacturer
Measured Weight: 2.9 oz (82 g) (with batteries)
MSRP: N/A

Front
6 LEDs, 4 White & 2 Red


LED Head Beam, incorporating high tech LEDs for hands-free performance. It is equipped with 6 LED bulbs: 2 whites for super bright light, 2 whites for medium light and 2 red for night vision. A single, spring loaded push switch located at the top of the headlight controls the five different modes: OFF, Super Bright White, Medium White, flood with all four white LEDs illuminated, and Red. It has a shatterproof lens and claims 50 hours of battery life. The headlight includes swivels, adjustable headband, comfort foam behind the housing and holds 3 AAA batteries (included). It illuminates 18 ft (5.5 meters) very well and has a beam width of about 120 degrees (+/- 60 degrees of centerline). The head also rotates up and down 180 degrees (although when I rotate it 180 degrees while wearing it, I found that I am shining it into my own eyes). The adjustable head band is 3/4 in (2 cm) in width and adjusts from a circumference of 16 in to a circumference of 22 in (41 cm to 56 cm).
Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries (Energizer Alkaline included)
Battery Burn Time (Battery Life): Advertised 50 hours.
Illumination distance: 18 ft (5.5 meters)

FIELD USE

I have used this head beam on five camping trips over the past seven months. I bought it because my son's Boy Scout Troop leaves for their monthly camping trips on Friday afternoon. By the time we get to the location and hike to the campsite, it's usually dark. After seeing another scout with a similar headlight, I realized that it is a necessity. Since we bought the headlight, we have been to Moorefield, Virginia, Goochland, Virginia, Ft. Story, Virginia, and Little Creek, Virginia. We camped mostly in a pine scrub environment, with the exception of Moorefield where we set up in a grassy field.
It is very comfortable to wear on the forehead, but is not as comfortable hanging around the neck. It's easy for children to use and when they are wearing it, it is easy to spot them. The different white light modes are excellent, but the red light mode is only good if everyone in the hiking group uses the same mode. To select a mode, press the spring loaded push switch on top of the unit. Press it again to switch to the next mode. I did find it slightly annoying to be required to cycle through the different modes in order (to go from Super Bright White to OFF, press the push switch four times). While being easy to maneuver with, I did have to be cautious not to shine it in anyone else's eyes.

Side
Head Rotates 180 Degrees

Back
Foam padding on back



I have used the light very successfully on five camping trips, three of which included night hikes.
The first trip, we set up at night and I was very satisfied with the headlight. With the temperature at about 45 F (7 C), the strap was very comfortable. The next night, we had some rain and about 22 mph (36 km/h) of wind. The headlight claims to be water resistant and I had no problems with it. The strap does get a little uncomfortable when wet due to the added weight.

The next trip was at a six night Boy Scout summer camp in Goochland, VA, with evening temperatures around 80 deg F (44 deg C). During this time, I wore the headlight around the campsite, in my tent, and during night hikes. I found that the strap gave me hat hair (go figure), but was only moderately uncomfortable with the heat. By wearing the headlight on top of a baseball cap, I found it quite comfortable. During the night hikes, I found it easier to use similar lamps in the same mode. For example, if everyone is in the red lamp mode, then there is a better chance to preserve night vision. When looking for detail, I found that it worked better if everyone was in one of the white light modes. It was very nice to be hands free during a night hike with a bunch of new scouts.

During nights with plenty of illumination when I did not require the light from the lamp, I still found it easiest to wear the headlight on my forehead or loop the strap around my belt or belt loop. It is a little bulky to fit into my pockets and it was not comfortable around my neck.

While advertised battery life is 50 hours, I experienced excellent illumination in excess of 60 hours (I am still on my original set of batteries). The three AAA batteries are easy to put in and the casing is clearly labeled for individual battery installation.

Battery Compartment
Battery Compartment


The headlight is also very convenient to use around the house (crawl spaces, attics, etc.).

SUMMARY

Since getting the light, I have found it to be an essential piece of equipment and highly recommended it. It is a simply constructed and inexpensive headlight perfectly suited for adults and children. The strap keeps the item snug and fits comfortably around the head.

THINGS I LIKE

I found it very useful when I needed to be "Hands Free"
Lifetime guarantee
Long battery and bulb life
Directional light source

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

A little too bright to read with, even on the dim mode
Easy to shine in other's eyes
Bulky in pockets

SIGNATURE

Erich Roetz
eroetz93@yahoo.com

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

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