COAST HL7 330 Lumen Focusing LED Headlamp with TWIST FOCUS™, Black

I bought this to replace an older one where the wire had broken. Turns out the company also sent me a replacement due to the poor design of the prior wire. The new one seems better constructed and works great. This company stands by their products!

When Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area in the fall of 2012, it had an effect on over 200,000 of us who got caught up in the fury of the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. With electrical power out for much of us in Lower Manhattan for days, it became time to take a more serious look at real emergency preparedness. I was luckily well-prepared in advance for the five-day power outages we went through, but one can never be prepared enough.Bought this Coast HL7 Focusing 196 Lumen LED Headlamp here as a result of having to frequently go up and down pitch black internal stairwells holding a regular flashlight in one hand while having to carry food and supplies, and decided that it was an experience that I never wanted to repeat. Ended up acquiring my Coast HL27 Focusing 309 Lumen LED Headlamp as a result of an online contest held by Survival Bros, which became an excellent addition to my emergency essentials. Each has their strong points, but which one is better for general emergency use when one has to be hands-free? I'll list first the features that they have in common, then a subjective breakdown of how they have worked for me.◆ Key Points in Common:+ Adjustable focus light beam; offers spot to flood single-hand twist focus+ Headband; adjustable elastic straps, expandable Z-Cord for power in headband+ Hinged beam adjustment; allows positioning of light where needed+ Front power switch; easy to operate with one hand◆ Coast HL7 Focusing 196 Lumen LED Headlamp:+ 196 lumen maximum light output; has 357 ft beam distance, adjustable+ Uses 3 X AAA batteries; 5 hour 45 minute run-time at full power+ Weighs 4.8-ounces (including batteries), can be worn for hours+ Light output control lever on rear; can be adjusted with one hand◆ Coast HL27 Focusing 309 Lumen LED Headlamp:+ 309 lumen maximum light output; offers 400 ft beam distance, adjustable+ Uses 3 X AA batteries; 3 hour 45 minute run-time at full power+ Weighs 4.4-ounces (including batteries), can be worn for hours+ Light output control wheel on front; fast fingertip adjustments+ Hardhat compatible; has removable top strap, can be used with safety helmet◆ In Use:Speaking subjectively, I would be hard pressed to say the one of these is better than the other. They may look similar, but each has it uses. Both offer very convenient hands-free illumination in the direction you look, and both have adjustable light beams and power rates. Both headlights have an expandable and protected Z-Cord, which supplies electrical power to the LED from the battery pack on the rear, and is built into the headband to lessen the possibility of being snagged.It might be easier if I explain my subjectively personal uses for each. The HL7 196 Lumen LED Headlamp has proven to be a good one for wearing on a baseball cap when cycling, when additional supplemental illumination is needed. It has longer battery life, and more that enough directional illumination to work well, especially when changing the focus with one hand using the focusing bezel on the front of the light.The HL27 309 Lumen LED Headlamp has a primary purpose, and that's to be used with my 3M Hard Hat as a semi-permanent setup. This goes back to part of my emergency prep hit as a result of 2012's Hurricane Sandy, when going outside where debris was flying and tree limbs were falling was a necessity. Since this one has the removable top strap and comes with a set of helmet clips, it's a good way to use it. Have tested this combination in inclement weather, and as the HL27 Headlamp is both impact and water resistant, it's an excellent combination that works well.On a personal note, I trust these products from past experience last year with my first experiences with the brand using the Coast A25 Stainless Steel Focusing 226 Lumen LED Flashlight with Tactical Strobe during the aforementioned hurricane. This product not only held up under severely inclement conditions, but kept working when other products failed. Those experiences were enough to inspire a bit of brand loyalty for lights that work better than expectations.◆ Summary:The Coast HL7 Focusing 196 Lumen LED Headlamp and the Coast HL27 Focusing 309 Lumen LED Headlamp are both good, solid illumination products that allow one to position light where it's needed: where you look. Both offer no fumbling in the dark to get your light quickly turned on and adjusted. Either of these focusing LED headlamps offer hands-free lighting when you need it.7/31/2012

Love it. I like being able to replace the batteries and keep going. With a rechargeable one you have to wait.

Been using this model Coast headlamp for years. Have purchased about eight of them Most all met their demise due to their weak pivot point hinge. No matter how careful I am they always seem to break. I’ve spent countless hours trying to repair the broken hinges to no avail. Now I apply some tough JB Weld epoxy to the hinge when it’s new to help strengthen it and prevent another fracture.Coast does stand behind their product and often a simple photo of the broken hinge will generate a replacement.

I have bought 3 of these and lost 2 due to people liking them more than me.This is the most simple of headlamps ever. On/Off. No having to cycle through 5 different settings to shut it off.I love the focus beam. If I need a wide angle while working in a cabinet or space it is there. When I need a narrow beam for distance it is there.Easily adjustable brightness adjustment. Right there. I have noticed that sometimes, the brightest setting is not always needed. The adjustment on the fly depending on conditions is easier than having to toggle through various modes.The only negative, but I will still give it 5 stars, is AAA batteries. If this had a rechargeable pack, definitely a game changer. Hardhat use, headlamp use, etc.. I keep going back to this because it is simple, no frills, and BRIGHT.I use this in some of the worst environments.. Paper mills, rubber plants, etc.. It still works strong.

My job often requires hands-free lighting and this works great. My favorite feature is the sliding dimmer switch. Some headlamps I’ve used have dimmer switches but they give you dim or bright… nothing in between. This lets you adjust brightest exactly to your needs. I do wish the lumens were a little higher but this has served me well for years.

I am a professional mechanic. Over the many years of my career this model Coast headlamp is the only one that I will use/buy and I have tried many different types. Don't fall for the gimmicks of headlamps that have multiply lights, different colored lights or high med or low switches. They may be good for hunting, camping or outdoor activities.If you are a mechanic, contractor or anyone working with their hands in dark places this headlamp has everything you need and nothing you don't. It's has a single Led Cree chip that uses less power than the multi led bulb headlamps. This single led cree chip is very bright and more than you will need. You can rotate the outer ring on the light to adjust your beam pattern from spot to flood and anywhere in between. The light can be aimed vertically by tilting it (see second picture). It has several different locking position. This is a great feature if you are like me and need reading glass for up close work. No more having to tilt your head up and down to make the light point where you are working. The last feature that I really like is that the light is dimmable. It has a slight switch on the battery pack ( see 3rd picture). This way if you are work up close in a very dark area you can dim the light down so that the reflected light is not over powering and blinding you. This headlamp is light and compact and uses 3 small AAA batteries which are included with the light.It also comes with a neoprene storage/ carry pouch that you can attach to you belt which is useless because it is too small to fit the headlamp. If you are looking for a great that has features that you need and will use this is it. Don't try and save money by buying a cheaper one. They are cheaper for a reason...Spend the extra few dollars one time and buy this one..

Broken item. so .. old one.