I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations for a headlamp? I am really getting tired of the flashlight in the mouth routine when I need both hands. I have played with a couple of different types and brands at the local outdoor store, but would like some real world advice.
Priorities are:
1) Battery Life (How long will it last)
2) Size (Can I make it an EDC item)
3) Brightness (Multiple settings?)
4) Price (Don't mind spending money on quality!)
Thanks
John

I am a member of an S&R team, and I really like the Petzl Tikka when on a night search. This headlamp was introduced back in 2001 (I bought mine around 2005) and it works great. You can buy it at REI or other retailers.

You can see a review here which answers your immediate questions:

http://www.backpacker.com/article/1968

Justin

I own a Petzl Tactikka (4 x 5 mm LEDs) as well as the Petzl Tikka XP (1-watt LED). They are both very good headlamps. The Tactikka comes with a red filter which can be useful when you need to use the light near people that are sleeping, for example. The Tikka XP has a nice flood/spot toggle that is versatile.

The MYO XP by Petzl comes with a 3-watt LED but you will need to carry a small battery pack behind your head. Still a great light.

(justin2006, however, I have to disagree with you that these Petzl headlamps are not adequate for night searches. You should use something more substancial, such as a 3-watt LED Maglite. I did a search a few weeks ago looking for a missing little girl and i'm really, really happy I had my 3-watt LED Maglite.)

Whenever I'm thinking about buying a new light, I go to Flashlight Reviews.

Here's a Direct Link to their section on headlamps.

On a related note, I hadn't visited Flashlight Reviews in some time, and I'm sorry to see that the site will no longer be updated. Bummer...

How about the Petzl e+lite?

- Batterylife of max. 45hrs.
- Very small, very EDC-able
- Multiple settings, max 16 lumen(I think)
- $20/$30

Mine is great!

Big John,

Some other considerations:

I want an LED bulb, or better yet, several for redundancy, either aa or aaa batteries, because that matches my other gear and waterproof, because I sometimes have to set up the tent in both rain and darkness.

TRO

Why not just get a Niteize Maglite Headband for now and wait until the manufactures of head torches start putting Cree XR-Es or Lumideds Luxeon Rebel LEDs into their designs.

The Princton Tec Apex is quite good a headlamp but again I would wait for the next incarnation of the design with the newer LEDs, which will no doubt be very soon.

I've used the Princeton Tec EOS headlamp for about a year & 1/2 and it is amazing. I highly highly recommend it. I camp quite a bit with my son's Scout troop (I'm an assistant Scoutmaster) and have only replaced the batteries twice since the original purchase - and that also included a weekend with my daughter's Girl Scout troop inside a cave (on a LOT) and 3 solid weeks of summer camp.

With fresh set of batteries and high setting it is a floodlight with a lot of side-spill. I've used it to light up skits from 50-60 feet away when we couldn't have a campfire (too dry). When walking at night I tend to use the medium or low settings. It is simple, has an easy-to-find rubbery switch, doesn't rely on just screw friction for setting its position, and uses an easy-to-use thumbscrew to open battery compartment.

Can't say enough great things about it. FlashlightReviews has all the specs you'll need.

For an EDC light, Petzl's e+Lite is my choice.

Light, small and versatile. All for under $30!

Standby for a detailed use report in ETS in the near future 

I am kindasorta cheap, so for everyday use, which means reading in bed at night, or working under a cabinet or something, I have some Energizer headlamps that I got at Wallyworld for about $15, including two AAA batteries. Two white and one red led's, they work fine for semi-close up work (as in as far as you can reach, or a tad farther), and reading in bed with the red one while my wife is trying to sleep. I would not want to take a walk in the woods at oh dark thirty with one tho...