Has anyone had a chance to compare the Doug Ritter Special Edition eQ Hands-Free Multi-Light next to the eQ2 Dual Function Headlamp?

https://www.aeromedix.com/product-exec/p..._eQ_Multi_Light

http://www.essentialgear.com/store/p/30-eQ2-Dual-Function-Headlamp.html

Also if you come across this Doug, will there be a DR MKII Headlamp comming out?

Thanks

50 hours steady-on burn time for the Doug Ritter, versus 25 hours for the Dual Function variety - that calls it for me. I don't need to compare brightness or how tight the spotlight is either, the DR light is plenty bright, excellent for hanging bear bags. I don't need a flashing headlamp, so no value added by the dual function.

I have about a dozen Doug Ritters stashed in pockets and glove compartments, anywhere I may need a light. And alot of places I need a light, I need a headlamp. Affordable, reliable, long-burn time, good stuff.

(Just a happy customer, have not received anything from anybody for my opinion).

Hope you are right I just ordered three of them.

I haven't seen Doug Ritter's headlamp design. Based on my old traditions, I normally use Petzl headlamps (same ones that are often used by cavers and climbers).

The main thing about headlamps (don't know if this affects the Ritter design) is that they sometimes have the nasty habit of turning ON inside your backpack. It's easy for a bump on the pack to disturb the gear and switch on the lamp. And then when you take the light out and you really need it - the batteries are dead.

To prevent this, I either carry the batteries separate from the headlamp (usually attached on the outside with some Scotch tape), or I insert a small piece of cardboard over the battery terminals to prevent an electrical connection.

Headlamps are valuable for many reasons - but they are especially helpful during medical emergencies in the dark. They allow you to keep both hands free while you are working on the victim.

Pete

I hope your happy with the DR headlamp, Mark_F, I think you will be. I also have a Petzl headlamp in my camping gear somewhere, and my son uses one as well, they are great. My choice of the DR headlamp was made on reliability and cost, roughly 2 DRs for what I paid for the Petzl some time ago. I found I sometimes need a headlamp, and I didn't want to worry about transferring it from day pack to back pack to my emergency gear, I really wanted several headlamps all at the same time - so I chose the DR headlamp. I would hate to be 7 miles up a trail and realize that I had moved my only headlamp from my camping gear to use in my emergency supplies. I need a headlamp for medical emergencies, also while unloading shelter supplies its a big help to have a headlamp rather than juggle a flashlight and a hand truck. The DR is affordable enough to buy a handful, and buy up a stock of CR2032 batteries (bulk is better), and put them where I need them. I realize that someone somewhere will do a scientific study that finds a better headlamp, may be even better bang for the buck, and that's fine, but the DR has proven to be useful to me in all the contexts I use them in.

Thanks Pete and Lono. I am sure they will be fine. Pete you can check out the DR headlamp by simply going to the ETS home page and clicking what looks like advertisements on the left - look for the one with the "eq". Or just click this link

http://www.equipped.org/dr_gear2.htm#lights

Thanks again

I have been using the Brinkmann 3-LED (2 white, 1 red) headlamps with great satisfaction. They are not as lightweight as some others, but they come in a pack of two for $9.95. They also come with the three AAA's needed to run them. I believe they have Nichia LEDs in them. I have one on my bed side to use as a reading light. I typically use the red LED to read by since it is easier in the eyes; less glare. The house I live in is old and has limited (1) outlets in the bedrooms and I am too lazy to get out of bed to turn off the light. My wife liked the idea of the headlamp so much I had to go buy another 2-pack so I could have them in my backpack where they started life. I got them at the Big Orange Home Improvement store.

My $.02 and Standard Disclaimer