Tracking headlamps

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by Jrob140, Oct 19, 2021.

  1. Jrob140

    Jrob140 Weekend Warrior

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    Sunday afternoon I made a good shot on a nice doe and only had to track her maybe 60 yards. However, in doing so, I realized my cheap harbor freight headlamp wasn’t very bright, and on a long track could be a real pain. I’ve come across some really good reviews on some super bright headlamps but wanted to get more options to consider before I pull the trigger.

    What are you using? What are the lumens? How well does it perform/stay charged? Any and all opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!




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  2. wl704

    wl704 Legendary Woodsman

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    Two I've used and have been happy with :
    *Black diamond storm
    *Energizer vision HD (there are a few variants for different retailers)... Bought at Lowes as a backup... Totally and surprisingly satisfied

    Both are 300+ lumens (some versions of both are 400 lumens) , have adjustable brightness and various other features... I'm not using rechargeable but batteries last most of a season for me...
     
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  3. Tink-a-Link

    Tink-a-Link Weekend Warrior

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    I use a petzl head lamp and it's got several brightness settings and the highest seeing works great for tracking, mine also can change to red as well. I highly recommend looking into it. I don't know about the actual lumen rating of the one I've got, but I can say it's pretty blinding on its highest setting when looking at it (thank you to my 4 year old for teaching me that).

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  4. bucksnbears

    bucksnbears Grizzled Veteran

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    I don't use a headlamp.
    Always just a good flashlight.
     
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  5. Parker70

    Parker70 Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Coleman lantern or regular flashlight. Mark last blood with reflective tape
     
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  6. westdesign03

    westdesign03 Weekend Warrior

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    I’m a bit of closet flashlight junkie. Right now my favorite is the OLight Perun 2:

    OLIGHT Perun 2 2500 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp with LumenTac Battery Organizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082PNN7CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z6BWABZPENC12JER2H1M

    It is pricey compared to a lot out there but man it’s flipping awesome. Slightly heavy on the head honestly too. But you can go from lighting up a small space right in front of your face to lighting up the entire woods if you want to. Also has a proximity sensor that will dim the light slightly if you get something close to it while in a high lumen mode. It does have “programs” you can make it do different things but you don’t have to use those if you don’t want to.

    Another favorite of mine is a Walmart special ozark trails rechargeable headlamp:
    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-LED-300-Lumens-Headlamp/238499223

    I have 2 of these now and they really surprise me with how good they are. Battery lasts a pretty good long time, has red light and spot or flood. Can’t beat the price either.


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  7. beavertronic

    beavertronic Weekend Warrior

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    I have a Coast light that I use for walking in and out in the dark. For blood I, honestly, have a rechargeable headlamp with 3 brightness settings that I bought of of Amazon. Even has a red flashing back light. I think I paid less than $20 for it and I am on my third year.
     
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  8. trial153

    trial153 Grizzled Veteran

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    I looked at bunch of lights before settling on a Fenix, I think I have the hm 60r or something like that. It’s like a 1200 lumen and you can get like 3 hours on a set of batteries on high. On low it lasts for like 30 hours.
    For look tracking I wouldn’t go any less then 1000 lumen, I would has make sure if you rechargeable that you can switch out battery packs on the trail. Because running them full bore will draw a lot of power.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
  9. Shocker99

    Shocker99 Grizzled Veteran

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    Ive got a couple of these that stay in the truck at all times for tracking. For my normal headlamp i have both a browning and a streamlight that i like. E685652F-A2F1-4126-986C-FA40C7FF7FF1.png
     
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  10. Justin

    Justin Administrator

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    I'm in agreeance with most of what the other guys posted. I'll use a headlamp to track in a pinch, but I keep a few different flashlights in my truck for the majority of my after-dark tracking needs.

    I picked up a Cyclops TF1500 last year and I like it a lot.
     
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  11. tynimiller

    tynimiller Legendary Woodsman

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    I honestly on a whim purchased a few tools in Walmarts Hart line of 20v tools (same producer as Ryobi) and on a whim last year kept this thing Hart Work Light in my truck for tracking and night trophy photos and OH MY WORD THIS thing changed this color blind man's tracking abilities. Freaking floods the ground with light.

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. bucksnbears

    bucksnbears Grizzled Veteran

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    I shoot Rage heads and watch em drop in sight.
    No lights needed.
     
  13. tmead

    tmead Newb

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    I go back to the truck and get a handheld spotlight


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  14. Sean Card

    Sean Card Newb

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  15. Jrob140

    Jrob140 Weekend Warrior

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    Lol. Thank you for the recommendation.


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  16. joejoe

    joejoe Newb

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    Yeah, my old headlamp quit working this past Saturday and went to Menards picked up another "A KODIAK" $15.00 It said do not use until fully charged, I did . A green light on the battery pack confirms charge. I turned it on in the evening with the kitchen light out and my wife screams my god man you're blinding me, this thing lit up the kitchen and living room very, very bright and $15.00 if I can't find my game at night with this then comes the cane and dog.
     
  17. Sota

    Sota Legendary Woodsman

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    Black diamond, well worth the $.
     
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  18. Sota

    Sota Legendary Woodsman

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    I will say I bought my black diamond because I had a gift card, I would be real reluctant to spend over $100 for a head lamp but it is well worth what I paid.
     
  19. wl704

    wl704 Legendary Woodsman

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    I end up buying a another black diamond about ever 3 years... ~30-35 bucks
     
  20. Sota

    Sota Legendary Woodsman

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    Not sure what model I have then.
     

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