see also:

• https://ledlenser.com.au/collections/outdoor
• USB-C rechargeable lanterns / camp lights

• LED headlamps have changed the safety profile of outdoors activities and they are generally light, powerful and with good battery life of around 15hrs on a charge
• aim for:
• a beam distance of at least 80m (beam distance depends on the optical lens system which concentrates the light into a beam and the maximum output)
• a maximum output of at least 200-300 lumens/m
  • 10-25 lumens for reading
  • 25-150 lumens is generally all that is needed for around the house, for hiking, backpacking, and camping
  • aim for 200+ if you need a navigational aid in complete darkness
  • aim for 250+ if you’ll be traveling at higher speeds, such as a night trail run or mountain bike ride
• beam needs to be able to have a wide angle flood light for when working in close spaces
• adjustable beam spot and ability to tilt the beam is essential
• color of the main light can be important
  • many people prefer cool white
  • zero blue ray damage (RG0) reduces effects on your sleep cycle and fatigue
  • very warm/orange lighting is beneficial for reducing insect attraction as insects cannot see orange/red
• if you are wanting to conserve your night vision or avoid attracting insects, a red mode is needed however this should not be too bright (eg. 5-10lumens), or, if brighter, it should be dimmable
• most have a emergency strobe function
• niche headlamps may have:
  • UV mode for detecting scorpions, urine, leaks etc eg. Armytek Wizard C2 WUV Dual 1100 lumen rechargeable UV and White LED headlamp
  • Green for observing wildlife
  • Blue for tracking and to differentiate between green foliage and the blood of their wounded prey (most do not have a blue light mode)
  • tri-color high lumen hunting beams eg. white/red/green
    • eg. Brinyte HL28 Artemis Tri-colour zoomable dimmable 2x 21700 5000mAh batteries rear mounted 200g excl. batt. 500g w batt $AU334
    • eg. AceBeam H30 4000lumen white (5000K or 6500K versions), 50lumen non-dimmable red (too bright for reading!), 70lumen green/CRI/UV options depending upon version; $AU174-189
  • runners may require a brighter flood light mode
• water resistance to at least IPX 4 or preferably IPX 6 - it is going to rain on your head!
  • IPX-4 Can handle splashing water (10-litre/min) from any angle – that’s most rainy conditions.
  • IPX-6 Protected against splashed and pressurised water from any angle from a 12.5mm nozzle at 100-litre/min.
  • IPX-7 Full immersion in one metre of water for up to 30min.
  • IPX-8 Full and continuous immersion, up to and within the manufacturer’s specifications.
• light weight - under 200g, and preferably under 100g - if only front mounted unit, even a little extra weight can make it awkward on the head, especially if you run
• lithium ion battery USB chargeable plus option to use regular AAA alkaline batteries, or at least replaceable lithium batteries
• some have the battery mounted at the rear of head but this generally means more weight and bulk

• perhaps the best for hikers BUT take spare batteries!
• importantly for hikers it has replaceable, rechargeable lithium batteries so you can take a set of these - each offering 4hrs at 600lumen full output (900mAh 3.3Wh versions)
• direct USB-C charging or can charge battery itself by USB-C
• 100-600 lumen mixed mode; 100-400 lumen spot mode; 5-200 lumen flood mode; red mode; SOS mode; signal mode;
• IP67; 60deg tilting; safety lock - need to press and hold both buttons to turn on;
• 59.5g incl 600mAh 2.4Wh battery
• https://www.flextail.com/products/tiny-helio-600z-replaceable-and-rechargeable-ultralight-headlamp?variant=49296449831159 $AU64 for the 900Ah version, spare batteries are $AU54 for pack 0f 3

• perhaps the best combination of features for most people
• relatively light at 100g, IP67, submersible for 30min at 1m;
• two white LEDs - one 500lumen 7hr beam and one flood;
• red, green and blue LED modes (the latter two are for hunters);
• tiltable, DIMMABLE, even the red light is dimmable which is fantastic!!!; remembers last setting when turn back on;
• USB rechargable takes 3hrs to recharge; 19hrs on 250lumen 60m medium beam, 350hrs on 6lumen 12m low beam;
• $AU109 on special in 2022

• tiltable, triple output 60-700 lumen white beam, high CRI white 6-50 lumen flood, 13 lumen red flood (although this red mode is still a bit too bright for reading)
• IP66; USB-C 2,000mAh rechargeable but battery not removable
• 96g; position tends to slip; $AU89

• discontinued
• lightweight design - only 93g and 29mm diameter head
• watersealed to IPX6 level
• lithium polymer rechargeable 3.26Whr battery which lasts 5-20 hours depending on output
• optionally can use 3x AAA batteries
• USB chargeable via USB power packs
• white light:
  • 20-220 l/m - Optisense technology (dimming function) for automatic adjustment to the lighting conditions.
  • range 40-130m
• red light mainly for reading without affecting your night vision
• Transportation Lock
• RRP $AU185
• https://ledlenser.com.au/collections/outdoor/products/seo-7r

• ?discontinued; was presumably a much more affordable replacement for the SEO 7R - I just wish it wasn't all black!
• lightweight design - only 93g and 29mm diameter head
• 20-200 Lm
• wide beam and spot beam (40m to 120m) - Advanced Focus System (AFS), Rapid Focus single handed
• 5-20hr 3.26Wh 3.7V lithium polymer battery life depending upon output with low battery warning and charge indicator (optional 3xAAA batteries); USB chargeable via USB power packs
• dimmable, tiltable
• red reading light
• Transportation Lock
• IPX6 water resistance
• Smart Light Technology
• cons: all black - you won't find it in the dark when it is off!
• $AU109
• https://www.ledlenser.com/au/products/headlamps/outdoor/mh6/

• 600 lumen; magnetic charging
• option of R/G/B LED light modes
• $AU178

• 36mm and weighs 158g, and again it seems to only come in black
• 10-600Lm
• 20m to 150m spot - Advanced Focus System (AFS), Rapid Focus single handed
• 10 to 120hr battery life via rear mounted 12.58Wh 3.7V rechargeable battery USB chargeable via USB power packs
• only IPX4 water resistance
• dimmable, tiltable
• red tail light! color filters for various different uses
• Transportation Lock
• low battery warning and charge indicator
• $AU175
• https://www.ledlenser.com/au/products/headlamps/outdoor/mh10/
• reviews:
  • https://indiahikes.com/ledlenser-mh6-headlamp-review/

• 1000lumen; Bluetooth smartphone configurations - Set your light preference, set up a timer
• options for either R/G/B LED modes
• $299

• 115g, 300lumens, 110m,
• lithium battery 2.5-17hrs
• has a sensor which analyses the ambient light and adjusts the beam pattern and brightness accordingly (reactive lighting mode)
• 3 different battery modes – Max Power, Standard and Max Autonomy
• Bluetooth so can optionally control beam from smartphone app
• travel lock feature
• red light
• requires adapter to use alkaline batteries
• $AU149

• state of the art features and very expensive and heavier, great for runners
• 185g, 700 lumens, 135m
• rear-placed rechargeable Li ion battery - takes 6hrs to recharge
• top strap for improved security when doing technical climbing
• Bluetooth so can optionally control beam from smartphone app
• $AU309