Some people collect guns and some knives but I definitely collect lights. One of the first things I bought for my Mazda B2000 pick-up in 1984 was a 4 D-cell Maglite; which is half light, half club. I put Vaseline on the threads and O-rings to moisture proof it. I bolted some spring steel clips for holding thick handled shovels along the seat in that truck so I could exit with that light in my left hand. Like I was some sort of military operator at age 18. Which I wasn’t. But hey, I watched Rambo a few times.
Impetus
Headlamps offer you two free hands. The value of this cannot be understated.
We all have some nagging challenge in life. Ahab had Moby Dick. Khan had James T. Kirk. I had this long, difficult hike plan in the Golden Trout Wilderness that was California’s equivalent of Kilimanjaro.
In 1989 I’d taken a few friends up there and we failed on the entire 38 mile trek so at the end of the summer, I said “screw it” and went by myself with a bear in my belly. Long story short I made it and ascended to my truck in the evening using my hiking headlamp. Back then this was a small incandescent bulb with 2 AA batteries. It dimmed out and then it started snowing. I thought “Oh great, now what?” Then the full moon came up and I followed the horse hoof patterns out.
Tech Has Improved
Nite Ize invited me to see their product at the SHOT Show last month but I couldn’t make it. So I just bought one on eBay. Now, this is a modern headlamp at a low price. Not the 400 expired LED version you see on the checkout at the auto part store.
What you are looking are an LED array consisting of a main spotlight, side floods and a couple of red ones to preserve your night vision.
I am not going to go through all the lumen specs, modes, etc. because they will make your brain drip out of your ears. At the top setting it is damn bright. And it is rarely what you will need. But details here.
The two buttons on top are intuitive and do not have 29 sub-features.
Powering It
This is neat - it has a lithium ion battery with a built in micro USB port for recharging. Red/green LED status to show the charging progress.
But mo’ neater is that the battery is removable so you can put in three AAA alkaline cells (nine A’s?)
So, win win in a pinch. And we are all about having the Plan B here.
Take Away
This is a winner product. It runs around $41 on eBay right now. My previous go-to headlamp is the ZebraLight H600 for $100. The RH2 is lighter and you get the AAA cell option.
Should you buy one? No. You should buy two. Remember, I’m a lighting snob. And just to reiterate that being hands-free during difficult efforts1 makes you resilient and effective.
Like changing a car tire during a sharknado. Or, just taking your granddaughter on a walk around the neighborhood so you can hold her hand if she gets scared.