COAST® HL8 615 Lumen PURE BEAM® Focusing LED Headlamp , 4 x AA Batteries Included

Great Headlamp and Great Customer Service This headlamp is great. The lamp is brighter than my Surefire light for my pistol and takes the more common AA batteries. (This headlamp is so bright you need to turn it down so you don't get accused of shining deer.) Operation is super ergonomic where the metal ring controls brightness and the rubber ring controls focus. The lamp worked great in sub freezing temperatures without a hitch. I wish I had one years ago since you hardly know you are wearing it and you can function like it is the middle of the day. The only thing that could be improved is if the headlamp had more tactical coloring, i.e. all black, and had the capability of operating with different colored lens, i.e. red, blue, etc., for preserving night vision. Note: you need to disconnect the batteries after usage since there is a small current leakage leading to dead batteries. The HL27 model does not have the current leakage issue but is no where near as bright. Postscript: I use this headlamp all the time now doing chores like taking out the trash, cleaning the litter box, etc. I now have two Coast headlamps and one got damaged from constant usage. Customer service got back to me quickly and sent out a replacement under the lifetime warranty free of charge. All I had to do was send a photo of the headlamp with my phone and I got a new headlamp. I will definitely buy Coast products again. I used to purchase MagLite products , but will never do so again since getting Maglite to honor a warranty was like pulling teeth since you have to mail everything back snail mail and the response time was glacial.

Having always gone with budget CREE headlamps with unbelievable claims of 1600 to 3000 or more lumens, I wasn't sure I wanted to pay two or three times more for what appeared to be a very similar product.However, after my fourth budget unit made it's way to electronic heaven, I thought maybe I'd invest in something that would last. My last headlamp was a CREE T6 headlight (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MHRUXCO?psc=1) The wiring on these and similar units is not terribly robust, and most of them seem to have a very annoying single button to click through three or more modes, including a flashing strobe that I have always hated - useful maybe if you wanted to induce epilepsy or host a rave. Invariably, the control units fail, and I haven't had any luck just wiring in a switch directly to the battery packs. Claims of "waterproof" I have tested, unfortunately, and found inaccurate (which killed my first one when I was out in pouring rain). Battery life seems to be pretty consistent with my old units, and will last several hours, which has been adequate, but always leaves me needing to remember to plug in every day, or I'm without a light.In any event, after looking around a bit online, consistently this unit had excellent reviews and was in the top five on just about everyone's list. I figured I'd give it a try - what a difference! First of all, the controls are much nicer - I can switch it on and off with a single button push, then twist a knob one handed to cycle through low, medium, and high. Imagine - only the options I would actually want to use! With a quick twist, I can bypass medium, and go directly from high to low or vice versa. The clarity and focus are outstanding - far better than my earlier units - allowing me to pan out for a wide angle that illuminates approximately a 12'+ wide field of view, or narrows so that I have my dog in a tight circle of bright light at 100 yards away on the beach. I know the lumen claims of my prior lights were 3000 or more, but this one is at least twice as bright - in fact the only light I have that's brighter is a large hand held CREE LED spot lamp which is probably 5 times the size. So far I'm working on a week of frequent use (I live on a boat, and it's winter here in the pacific northwest - gets dark around 5, and I use it for just about everything) and haven't exhausted the set of Duracell alkalines that come installed in the unit. When they do die, I'm going to swap them out for rechargeables, and see if the intensity and lifespan are comparable. It's lighter, and more comfortable than my prior lamps, holds adjustments well, and has survived a brief dip into the ocean without any problem. Anyway, I don't write a lot of reviews - I honestly expected that this lamp would be a more solidly constructed version of what I've used in the past - but I am so pleased with it, that I had to post a review. If you're shopping for a headlamp, and tempted to get a "cheapo" that will do the job - do yourself a favor - invest a little more, and you'll have a fantastic lamp that will last longer and perform better than buying a handful of knockoffs.

I wish I was a person that just bought without spending MANY hours doing research on all the items I purchase but in result of the extra time spent on product reviews and research I tend to never be disappointed in my purchase and this is one product I am so extremely happy with I would have spent twice the money on it now upon using! So with that being said here is my review....I am very active outdoors person from bowhunting, kayaking, camping, hiking, woods survival, ice fishing, etc......so now that is out of the way a good light is needed for my activities n which over the many years I have been doing this I have always used the cheap $5-$10 lights. Not anymore I am sick of the cheap junk.....Upon receiving this light I couldnt believe this beast right from opening the box! I mean WOW!!!!!! That night I went on a bowhunt n actually shot a good size 9 pt buck so YIPPY I get to use my new light! HOLY S#&T!!!! This thing lights up the forest as if you were using a locomotive (train) headlight! My deer ran 75 yds with very minimal blood trail (bad shot placement). I had absolutely no issues seeing everything I needed to see on LOW setting! The durability of this light is phenomenal yes it is on the heavy side but in my opinion VERY comfortable to wear and I never noticed any discomfort on the weight or the way it rides on the head. The battery compartment is AWSOME rugged plus very secure not to mention the lid is held on with a straight slotted bolt forsay with ridges on outer lip of bolt to finger tighten if no screwdriver or coin handy. The battery box also has a very large rubber ring to help from water getting in. (Dont know if it is completely water proof or just water resistant) The focus is amazing from flood to spot. I like the fact the battery box is removable if you choose to put it in pocket, backpack, etc.... The electric wire connector is a push n turn lock connector so it will not come unplugged for anything. (Not sure if the plug is water tight with the locking of it) The 3 setting turn dial is a breeze to use which I like so much better then having to cycle thru a sequence of button pushing to go from high to med to low and sometimes that annoying strobe light which this headlamp DOES NOT have! (Thank God). Now the not so likes of the light which are rather miner n surely are no deal breaker for me upon the benefits this thing gives but the size may deter many it takes up a good amount of space in a backpack and certainly will not be putting in your pants pocket or most coat pockets. 2nd dislike or wishes is beings I or some using this for hunting is I wish Coast sold or even included some sort of red light filter for the hunter in mind especially for the $100 msrp price tag. I will be fabing something myself. My conclusion is I love this light so much I can not wait to use it again and again. I do recommend to anyone looking for a superb light to buy this one!!!! I purchased mine from Amazon for half price so shop around you can get a good deal.

Very powerful light.Good focusing capability.

This is my second one of these and I cannot fault them one bit. My first one started flicking and loosing power t lasted 3 years. I work in asbestos and it's great for what I need it for. My normal shift is 8 hours mostly 7 days a week so it's had a good run in 3 years.highly recommend

I use this for surgical procedures where theatre lights won't give good enough illumination and it has never let me down. Needs regular battery changes as in every few weeks to keep the maximum brightness but it is an excellent head torch for veterinary surgery anyway. Sure I could also walk in the dark with it!

Good but expected abit more for my money does the job though

Good torch. Provides a long beam of light.