Art:
To each their own, for sure. I still use flashlights more often than headlamps, but its still very handy to have a spot when you need one. fwiw the Doug Ritter is very small and pocket-able, an elastic head string smaller than most head lamps but bigger than the Petzl string, which I have doubts about. And while the CR2032 battery will never be as ubiquitous as AAs, its available anywhere you see the AAs (and may even be available in an emergency when someone buys up all the AAs). 2032s are not as cheap at a drugstore, but buy a couple dozen in bulk from online and they are cheaper than AAs, and they don't lose their charge. (Having a stock in hand of your neccessary light fuel is the very definition of equipped). And price for headlamps is deceiving, you can pay alot for good quality lights that run at reduced temps, but the Doug Ritter is $14.95, and I have seen the PrincetonTec EOS lots of folks have mentioned for sale for $27.95.

Every product is a compromise, find the one that fits you.