Headlamp and flashlights plus other stuff recommendations

After getting my ute ripped off I need to replace some of the gear lost. Fortunately insurance will cover most of it.
Im after a new headlamp and flashlight to replace the ones lost. I had all Led Lenser which was OK but I'm wondering if theres better options available now. Mostly needing relatively compact and light over shear horsepower.
Id like to get a headlamp thats good for cooking meals in camp and walking in the dark. (was a H7 Led lenser)
Also keen on a smallish flashlight that comfy in a pocket or pack. (was a P7 Led Lenser). Not so keen on the larger Maxtoch for this purpose but the 18650 battery option looks worth exploring.
Anyone have experience with the Led Lenser type rechargable options? USB plug to charge looks good but no point if your outta juice in the wop wops.

Also lost a GoPro Hero Black 4+. Its a good little camera but wondering whats new that may be better? Probably get no choice here as insurance might have a preferred supplier.

'Fenix' might be worth a look in terms of lights. Ive only ever got them from https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...ghting-torches , they could be sold else where cheaper.

I too say Fenix also nitecore and maxtoch are worth looking at too

I've got a zebralight bought 2ndhand off a member here that runs the 18650 battery and can slip down to wear around the neck - it has some silly subroutines in the on/off sequence but once you get used to it it is my primary light

I think it might be marketed to cavers?

+1 for Zebra light.
I have the H600 MK2 neutral white. Lots of power settings and lasts for ever.
Bloody brilliant. Can easily be used as a torch as well.
This is the new model. Sounds even better.
H600w Mk III XHP35 Neutral White 18650 Headlamp
Leaves my old H7 for dead.

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Originally Posted by berg243

bought a h5 led lenser for $60 basic light on off with a zoom focus used only for one trip so far ok for getting back to camp and round camp.if you like the usb rechargeable ones look at a powerall jump pack great to takeaway as a backup jumpstart for truck or bike but can recharge phones and anything that works off a usb .my one even has a really good light built in as well.

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I bought a 2500mAh battery from Warehouse stationary the other day for $3. So cheap I bought 4 of them. Smaller than an iPhone and should do one charge with anything.

I use to have the lenser 14.2r until the dog ate the cord.
Usb rechargeable battery pack that could also be removed to run either two 18650 or 4 AA batteries.

Had great battery life and never needed to use the other power options.
Multiple light modes, wide beam to narrow spot, lockable for travel so you don't flatten the battery.

Biggest draw backs were it's quite big and heavier than most and the rotary dial/ button for adjusting brightness and mode etc is very easy to knock and turn if you're wearing say a hood one top in the rain.

Overall though I found it to be really good. Put it on wide beam and dim it right down and you don't destroy your night vision on close up objects.

At the time trade tools was the cheapest option. I'm currently tossing up if I go back to that unit or give the petzl nao+ a try

I have an armytek wizard pro. I really like it so far. Puts out everything from a dribble of light to a stupid amount more light than you need. Is compact, light and runs on 1 18650. It's not an adjustable zoom type but they have flood and spot in 1 light and I for my uses they nailed the profile.

You don't need the mega light 99% of the time but when navigating a shitty piece of bush or a steep face in the dark it sure comes in handy

got the same model, it is like walking in daylight (as opposed to a spotlight type beam) which i reckon is what you want when trudging through the dark. still feels pretty compact and lightweight given it holds an 18650

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Originally Posted by Nick-D

I have an armytek wizard pro. I really like it so far. Puts out everything from a dribble of light to a stupid amount more light than you need. Is compact, light and runs on 1 18650. It's not an adjustable zoom type but they have flood and spot in 1 light and I for my uses they nailed the profile.

You don't need the mega light 99% of the time but when navigating a shitty piece of bush or a steep face in the dark it sure comes in handy

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They look like a pretty decent little unit

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

They look like a pretty decent little unit

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Sure do. Almost bought one but thought I better wait as insurance co may want the option to buy things first.

I have both Fenix and Zebralight. I rate them both for different applications. The moonlight mode on the zebralight is particularly good when you want very low brightness.
My Fenix has USB recharge which makes it more compatible with other electronics and chargers on longer trips

Black Diamond for head torch. Can charge via USB. I can 4 of them, 2 for the mrs 2 for me, ideal.

Got a link @Nick-D?

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

Sure do. Almost bought one but thought I better wait as insurance co may want the option to buy things first.

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if you get an Armytek make sure it is the V3 which is 2100 lumens vs the V2 at 1200 lumens
there is also the choice of light colour, i didn't get the white light as prefer the softer (yellower) hue round camp etc
picked up mine on massdrop but they don't seem to have them at the moment

How much did you pay through mass drop?

If you're just after a camp light and walk home in the dark light then the Petzl range is worth a look. On/off/strobe/red/low/high beam options. Runs off 3 AAA batteries. . Has red light to warn when battery getting low. There's a sliding "filter" on mine which toggles between wide spread and narrow focus beam. Build tough. Waterproof. I love it.

Don't muck around.. Just a nitecore hc30 for your head, you'll cover a hundred metres on full easy and probably see deers eyes at 200... Maxtoch for your scope mounted spotlight... I freaking well love torches and shit and these are the best by miles!

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

How much did you pay through mass drop?

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$76 USD shipped last Nov

OK. Great advice thanks guys.
Just bought one of each:
Zebralight SC63W Flashlight 18650 XHP35 for a flashlight and
Armytek Wizard Pro 3V XHP50 with the magnet USB
from NKON BV (Netherlands)

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Originally Posted by LOC

$76 USD shipped last Nov

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Haha we purchased in the same drop.

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Originally Posted by Nick-D

Haha we purchased in the same drop.

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@Dorkus I got mine from massdrop but more info here
https://www.armytek.com/products/fla...i-flashlights/

Got 4 18650 3350mAh + Xtar VC2 charger for an additional 27 Euros about $44NZD. Does customs frown on Li batteries coming in the post?

seem to come in fine for me

@kiwijames - I would be interested to see what you think of your purchases when you get them. I currently have your original led lenser setup however I am always looking for a reason to buy new toys.

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Originally Posted by Pineapple

@kiwijames - I would be interested to see what you think of your purchases when you get them. I currently have your original led lenser setup however I am always looking for a reason to buy new toys.

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Aren't we all :thumbsup:

Both flashlights arrived today.
Armytek and Zebralight.
Armytek Wizard Pro v3 XHP50 Magnet USB in warm white €56.98
Packaging was good. Came with a head strap and a 3200mAh 18650 battery.
Instruction are a bit crap. For a Canadian Co. they read a bit like Chinglish.
The feel is nice and looks well made. Everything fits and works.
The light has 2 Modes with 3 intensities each, plus Turbo mode where there are 2 intensities again and a fourth strobe mode with 3 settings. So all up 11 possible outputs.
The dimmest mode is pathetic, Turbo 2 mode is massive. It has a really wide flood, (not spot).
The button also has an LED with RED/ORANGE/GREEN indiciation of both battery % and temperature. This thing heats up fast and is regulated so if its too hot it backs off.
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Zebralight SC63W XHP35 LED in cool white light. €68.90
Average but sufficient packaging. Not much else in the box.
Simple instruction manual.
Feels sturdy but not really robust feeling.
The light has 3 main levels with 2 sub-levels of output, plus 3 x strobe settings, so 9 outputs.
Dimmest level is again nearly useless with max output also very bright. I was expecting the Zebra to not match the Armytek but its hard to say. The SC63W is more focussed than the Armytek.
Battery % is given by 4x clicking the button and a 1-4 flash out from the lamp gives a 25-100% indication.
If I could do it again I think maybe the larger SC600 was more what I was after with the SC63W being more an EDC type flashlight. Still, time will tell as I've only had it for less than 12hrs.
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All up two very capable lights. Quite different. Bang for buck I like the Armytek more with USB charging, smart feedback with the button LED.
NKON was really good to deal with and around €7.00 shipping he was really cheap. I have a charger and more 18650 batteries coming.

Oh, and if I was to do it again I would stick to one brand. Both are good just one or the other, not both.
Multiple single button push sequences are a pain in the ass to remember. I can see me getting pissed off with triple click-pause-long hold-fuck what was it again-grr. May not work.

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

Oh, and if I was to do it again I would stick to one brand. Both are good just one or the other, not both.
Multiple single button push sequences are a pain in the ass to remember. I can see me getting pissed off with triple click-pause-long hold-fuck what was it again-grr. May not work.

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good summary. i can’t ever remember how to find turbo
that green flash every now and again on the button is great for finding it in your bag etc but it can get annoying so just undo the screw cap a turn or two to disengage the battery (if you didn’t pick up on that already)

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Originally Posted by LOC

good summary. i can’t ever remember how to find turbo
that green flash every now and again on the button is great for finding it in your bag etc but it can get annoying so just undo the screw cap a turn or two to disengage the battery (if you didn’t pick up on that already)

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Click x 3 for Turbo with push-and-hold between the two levels of Turbo.

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Originally Posted by LOC

good summary. i can’t ever remember how to find turbo
that green flash every now and again on the button is great for finding it in your bag etc but it can get annoying so just undo the screw cap a turn or two to disengage the battery (if you didn’t pick up on that already)

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@LOC you can turn that function on and off. Sequence is in the manual

Nitecore is not only identical but also better

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Originally Posted by Happy

Nitecore is not only identical but also better

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Thought "identical" meant "the same"?

Have had a turbo for EDC for about a year now, have forgotten all the functions beyond on/off

I like the fact that I can drop it down to wear around my neck and it doesn't get in the way

They both look good units

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Originally Posted by Happy

Nitecore is not only identical but also better

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You're going to elaborate on that sweeping statement? [emoji23]