LASER & BEACON 7-LED HEADIGHT

Laser & Beacon 7-LED Headlight, retail ~$10.49
Manufactured by (Unknown/not stated)
Last updated 04-11-06




This headlamp is a head-mounted light that uses seven white LEDs, two red LEDs, and a red diode laser to produce its light, has four modes (low, high, all LEDs on, and laser pointer on) accessible from a single pushbutton, and feeds from three AAA cells.

It has an elastic (stretchy) 3-point headband system, so it feels comfortable to use even though the batteries and illuminator are both in the front.


SIZE



To use the headlamp, place the headlamp - where else - on your head, and adjust the buckles so the unit fits properly.

The illuminator head is adjustable by swinging it down or up as needed; it is on a detent-equipped hinge with a fairly stiff action, so the headlamp should stay where you put it unless you hit it against something. The forehead plate has a foam rubber pad which rests against the forehead for comfort. The straps themselves are affixed to plastic loops with their centers open; this allows the straps to be removed for cleaning when necessary.

Press and release the rubberised button on the right side of the unit once for low mode. Press and release it again for high. Press and release it again to turn all LEDs on. Press & release it again to turn the LEDs off and turn the laser pointer on. Finally, press and release it a fifth time to turn the unit off.
Just like it reads on the back of many shampoopoo (or shampeepee) bottles, "lather, rinse, repeat". In other words, pressing and releasing the button a sixth time turns the headlamp on in low mode.

When the laser pointer is on, the laser spot will appear wherever you turn your head.


Photograph of the headlamp on a flashlight tester's head.
So why aren't my eyes showing in this photograph?
Because I had brain surgery in late-2002, and my left eye is now what's known as a "googly eye", and makes photographs look just terrible. So with every headlamp I've evaluated since early-2003, I have to crop the photograph above my eyes because it just looks wierd otherwise.

The photograph below shows this; but that photograph was necessary in order to show the laser in action.



To change the batteries, turn the headlamp so the front (where the light comes out) is directed (aimed) forward.

On the left side of the unit behind the bezel (that circular part where the light is emitted), grasp the silver cap, and turn it approximately 1/10th of a turn counterclockwise (as if unscrewing it). It should now lift away. Set it aside.

Tip the battery carriage into your hand, and if necessary, remove the three used AAA cells from it and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.

Insert three new AAA cells into the carriage, one in each compartment. Orient each cell so the flat-end (-) negative faces a spring for it in its compartment.

Insert the now-full battery carriage back into the headlamp, orienting it so the end with the two tabs on it goes in first. Rotate the carriage until it goes into the body.

Place the cap back on, press down until it fits flush (rotate it if necessary), and turn it approximately 1/10th of a turn clockwise (as if screwing it in) until it does not turn any more.

Unable to measure current usage due to how the product was constructed.
Advertised battery lifetimes are:
3 LEDs: 80 hours
7 LEDs: 40 hours
9 LEDs: 30 hours
Laser : 200 hours




I am Locutus, of Borg.
Resistance, is futile.
Life, as you know it, is over.
From this time forward, you will service... us.

The headlamp appears reasonably durable. Due to its plastic construction, I will not administer the smack test on it.

I administered that terrible suction test on this headlamp, and it failed rather miserably. Air had no problems whatsoever getting in. That translates to: "No, this headlamp is not waterproof or submersibe". It ought to hold up fine in a light sprinkle, but any more than that and it might become drowned and quit functioning.

The light output by this headlamp is a white in color with a slight but noticeable bluish tint. This tint isn't horrible and obnoxious in my opinion, but it is there and is noticeable.

Wavelength of the red laser appears to be ~650nm, and it has an output power of 4.902mW.
I used a laser power meter specfically designed for this purpose, so it is accurate.

Neither the unit nor the packaging display any laser warnings; this is a CDRH Class IIIA instrument though, emitting a power of 4.902mW at 650nm.

(Update 11-11-05): Even when the headband is set to its largest size, this headlamp feels tighter and more constricting than I think it should.



Beam photo (white LEDs only) at ~12".
Measures 28,700mcd (low), and 64,400mcd (high).



Beam photo (all LEDs) at ~12".
Measures 56,700mcd.
Intensity is slightly lower here because the red LEDs reduce the overall system voltage.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the white LEDs in this product.

Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the red LEDs in this product.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from TWO-CUBED.



Beam photo (laser pointer mode) at ~15'.
That red star thing is from an American DJ Laser Widow, and that rectangular graphic thing at the lower-left is a marquee from a Williams 'Stargate' upright coin-op video game from the early-1980s.

All measurements (of the LEDs anyway) were taken on a Meterman LM631 light meter.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was purchased on Ebay on 11-01-05 and was received on the afternoon of 11-09-05.

Product was made in China. A product's country of origin really does matter to some people, which is why I published it on this web page.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:



CONS:



    MANUFACTURER: Unknown
    PRODUCT TYPE: Headlamp
    LAMP TYPE: LED plus red diode laser
    No. OF LAMPS: 10 (7 white LEDs, 2 red LEDs, 1 red laser)
    BEAM TYPE: Narrow flood with dim corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Rubberised pushbutton mode change on side of battery compartment
    BEZEL: Plastic; white LEDs and reflector protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 3xAAA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Very light splatter-resistance only
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: None
    WARRANTY: Unknown/not stated

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Laser & Beacon 7-LED Headlight *






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