Brunton L5 Headlamp - 2007 BCS

I bought this when I landed an internship banding migratory Northern Saw-whet Owls in Pennsylvania this fall. I've used the L5 about four nights/week for the last three weeks.

It's lived up to its hype as the "brightest headlamp in the free world" or whatever. All the other researchers and volunteers love it. Except most of them reconsider when they hear the price tag.

Besides the lamp itself, I LOVE the rechargeable 6 V/4.5 AH NiMH battery. And I can go multiple nights without recharging, if I'm lazy.

Great headlamp. (Now I own 3 very different headlamps.)

This headlight in total weighs over a pound. Don't go by the 4oz which is listed. The battery is terribly heavy. And the runtime appears as though it would suck big time. 15-50 hours? I wish I did not listen to the other reviewers, they are obviously using this for reasons other than hiking & camping. Brunton once again has disappointed me with terribly designed and overpriced gear.

If you're knowledgeable about lights then you can relate to this great headlamp. First, it is incredibly light on the head with the external battery pack mountable where you see fit. Second, battery life is great even at full power, and a nice step down if you happen to be using full power for hours. Third my favorite, it is blindingly bright, uses a K2 Luxeon 5 watt LED (no headlamps to date uses a 5 watt LED except this one), slightly outdated LED technology, but because of thermal regulations and size this is the perfect choice. The light boasts over 100 lumens = very bright, and can be used as a thrower (term for a light that has tight-far projecting beam). Usually LED's are not capable of throwing like incandescents (halogen, xenon, etc...), not the case with a 5 watt LED. Typically, LED's are good for providing diffuse light with a very short range, but the Brunton L5 does both. It comes with a diffuser that easily slides over the light and you have great flood spread for working at night. Take off the diffuser and blow away your friends or anyone who has a flashlight, they will likely feel ripped off because your headlamp is much brighter. A fantastic headlamp 5 stars.
-Eric