Having used many headlamps on the PCT over the years, I have fallen in love with the Petzl Bindi, very similar to the Nitcore you have. I also carry the Rovyvon UL flashlight as a backup as I do a lot of night hiking on the PCT. Both rechargeable. Last year, during a full moon, my bf Steve and I hiked Agua Dulce with our headlamps off. Your eyes 👀 adjust.
Weight is important for all backpackers, but consistent operations is paramount. Headlamps/flashlights are one of the few items that I carry two, having a very light backup is a good plan for the inevitable failure.
I am concerned for all PCT hikers this year due to the extraordinary snowfall in the Sierras recently. Best wishes Roadrunner for a safe and amazing hike!
I have been using Coast Headlamps for years. They have all of the features that you described. The FL65 is only 19.00 dollars and has a lifetime guarantee. My parrot chewed one up and they offered to repair it for me, though I did not send it to them. The blue light that you decribed is a UV light. Fun fact : mouse urine "fluoresce " glows under UV light.
The price may make a difference for someone just starting out. Buying all the gear at once saving almost $40 on just the headlamp is nothing to sneeze at.
Bee aware that UV light attracts some insects.Recently,I was keeping a small hive of honey bees indoors in a wire cage until the weather warmed up so I could put them in a bee hive box.The bees were attracted to a UV flashlight like a magnet when I moved it across the front of the cage.
Heads up On The Mossy Oak . I'm an Avid Bow Hunter and Picked up that Same Headlamp on the Fly. It never worked in Cold Temps. And when it did it wouldn't turn off without taking a Battery out.. Maybe it was just Mine, But,, Walmart
I too am concerned for the PCT hikers, all that snow they are getting out there, you will still have to deal with it even in a few months. Keep tabs on it and good luck. Look forward to the daily updates
Not much snow in southern California right now. No Snow in Mount Laguna. No snow in Idyllwild. The snow in the San Bernardino and Angeles forests is on the south and west, away from the PCT side.
My understanding of headlight brightness. Candlepower is brightness per square area such as square foot. Lumen is total light output independent of how large the area light shines on. My new NU25 light on medium setting has spot light specification 5 times the candlepower of medium flood light and hence 5 times brighter. Like to see nitecore add low spot beam to NU25. Reason is I walk at night on low flood when power bank is dead and I am out of water. Low spot would be 5 times brighter to see uneven ground details better due to narrow beam yet use same battery power as low flood.
I have always been a fan of Petzl headlignts. Uses them on my thru-hikes, and for gerneral camping, hunting, kayaking, fishing, and at home. And like the red setting when wanting low light.
If I remember my science correctly, more lumens means the source produces more photons. Looking at the two in the video, the Walmart LED looks more "exposed" and surrounded by a large shaped reflector. I'm guessing the Walmart light puts more of its photons where they are useful.
I prefer the Petzel Swift RL. It’s 3.5 oz’s( Quality weighs) It self adjusts according to how much light your in, there by saving power. Also at 900 lumens, if your stove fails, you could heat your food with it.😏
Niteize reliant rechargeable mini squeeze light with Joann fabrics flat shock cord, stripped down, hung around neck @ nite, white lite, replaced my old photon, backup
Red light is the way to go. We use red lights only at star parties... around other telescope users to keep your vision adjusted to dark skies and surrounding woodland areas.
Nitecore is a good company. I had an issue with my light where it would light on charge but not on battery. I contacted the company, returned it, and had a new one back in a week.
I have the nitecore, but as a casual hiker I like to bring my zebralight headlamp. It runs off 1 aa or aaa and has sub lumen modes that no one will complain about. Really using that and being used to such low light the red lights other were using were brighter and more annoying to me. lol Youd have to see one to know what I mean. They have modes so dim your eyes have to be adjusted to even be able to see at all. Plus you really cant break it. Its a little heavier than the 25 gram plus strap NU25.
Having used many headlamps on the PCT over the years, I have fallen in love with the Petzl Bindi, very similar to the Nitcore you have. I also carry the Rovyvon UL flashlight as a backup as I do a lot of night hiking on the PCT. Both rechargeable. Last year, during a full moon, my bf Steve and I hiked Agua Dulce with our headlamps off. Your eyes 👀 adjust.
Can’t wait
Very good review.
Glad you enjoyed it
Weight is important for all backpackers, but consistent operations is paramount. Headlamps/flashlights are one of the few items that I carry two, having a very light backup is a good plan for the inevitable failure.
Actually a good point
I am concerned for all PCT hikers this year due to the extraordinary snowfall in the Sierras recently. Best wishes Roadrunner for a safe and amazing hike!
The recent snowfall in California/Nevada even made the news here on the other side of the Atlantic.
Fingers crossed!
Very interesting. Thanks for showing the Walmart option.
Can’t wait for your pct journey to begin!!! 🥳🥳🥳
You are so welcome!
Another awesome video
Glad you enjoyed it
❤ my NU25-UL! I'm starting the PCT next week!
Wohooooo
Outstanding presentation my friend, you nailed it here!
Thank you kindly!
I have been using Coast Headlamps for years. They have all of the features that you described. The FL65 is only 19.00 dollars and has a lifetime guarantee. My parrot chewed one up and they offered to repair it for me, though I did not send it to them. The blue light that you decribed is a UV light. Fun fact : mouse urine "fluoresce " glows under UV light.
Very neat
As do scorpions.
The price may make a difference for someone just starting out. Buying all the gear at once saving almost $40 on just the headlamp is nothing to sneeze at.
It’s a significant price difference
I just ordered a Nitcore NU 25 for $27
Bee aware that UV light attracts some insects.Recently,I was keeping a small hive of honey bees indoors in a wire cage until the weather warmed up so I could put them in a bee hive box.The bees were attracted to a UV flashlight like a magnet when I moved it across the front of the cage.
Heads up On The Mossy Oak . I'm an Avid Bow Hunter and Picked up that Same Headlamp on the Fly. It never worked in Cold Temps. And when it did it wouldn't turn off without taking a Battery out.. Maybe it was just Mine, But,, Walmart
Thanks for the heads up
I too am concerned for the PCT hikers, all that snow they are getting out there, you will still have to deal with it even in a few months. Keep tabs on it and good luck. Look forward to the daily updates
Not much snow in southern California right now. No Snow in Mount Laguna. No snow in Idyllwild. The snow in the San Bernardino and Angeles forests is on the south and west, away from the PCT side.
Thank you for the encouraging update
My understanding of headlight brightness. Candlepower is brightness per square area such as square foot. Lumen is total light output independent of how large the area light shines on.
My new NU25 light on medium setting has spot light specification 5 times the candlepower of medium flood light and hence 5 times brighter. Like to see nitecore add low spot beam to NU25. Reason is I walk at night on low flood when power bank is dead and I am out of water. Low spot would be 5 times brighter to see uneven ground details better due to narrow beam yet use same battery power as low flood.
I have always been a fan of Petzl headlignts. Uses them on my thru-hikes, and for gerneral camping, hunting, kayaking, fishing, and at home. And like the red setting when wanting low light.
Very cool
I’ll be watching you all the way through your journey, my friend take care of yourself and have a blast
Thank you so much
Sunday, March 03rd: Every headlamp can be good, until the light goes out! lol! You got this! Press on! Happy Trails! Ross08
Thank you
You are correct, the more lumens the brighter the light should be.
💪🏻👍🏼
If I remember my science correctly, more lumens means the source produces more photons. Looking at the two in the video, the Walmart LED looks more "exposed" and surrounded by a large shaped reflector. I'm guessing the Walmart light puts more of its photons where they are useful.
I prefer the Petzel Swift RL. It’s 3.5 oz’s( Quality weighs) It self adjusts according to how much light your in, there by saving power. Also at 900 lumens, if your stove fails, you could heat your food with it.😏
lol ….
😂
I have a habit of losing gear so I Several cheap headlamps Seem to do the job well enough
Good point
Niteize reliant rechargeable mini squeeze light with Joann fabrics flat shock cord, stripped down, hung around neck @ nite, white lite, replaced my old photon, backup
Oki Doki
I have to replace mine so this was helpful - Thanks
Glad it helped
Is Walmart the store with the Blue Light Special? 😂
lol 😂
lollol nope Kmart is the blue light special !
Hee! I remember that headlamp 😊😄👍
You’re the best 🤗🤗🤗
Red light is the way to go. We use red lights only at star parties... around other telescope users to keep your vision adjusted to dark skies and surrounding woodland areas.
I love the red light
I think the lighter weight is important along with red light choice. I didn’t catch any comment as to weather /rain…. being water proof? ❤😊
Good question
Fenix makes the best headlamps out by a long shot,probably to heavy for most thru hiker your loss!
Oki Doki
Nitecore is a good company. I had an issue with my light where it would light on charge but not on battery. I contacted the company, returned it, and had a new one back in a week.
So good to know
I have the nitecore, but as a casual hiker I like to bring my zebralight headlamp.
It runs off 1 aa or aaa and has sub lumen modes that no one will complain about.
Really using that and being used to such low light the red lights other were using were brighter and more annoying to me. lol
Youd have to see one to know what I mean. They have modes so dim your eyes have to be adjusted to even be able to see at all.
Plus you really cant break it.
Its a little heavier than the 25 gram plus strap NU25.
Nice
The blue is for looking for blood 🩸
👍🏼
It is a big difference in price between the two. The weight saving will possibly swing it for many through hikers.
Absolutely