Head mounted light for reading?

Richwood · 01-25-2018, 03:38 PM

Most book lights seem to provide a uneven illumination for illuminating a book or ebook reader. Anyone using a diffuse head or ball cap mounted light for night reading with a non illuminated screen reader? I am looking at the Streamlight 61702 Bandit which has a 35 Lumens low and a 180 lumens high. Light output is listed as diffuse as it uses a unfocused SMT technology LED array for the light output. I presume the low level would be plenty for reading. USB rechargeable and supposed to be good for about 9 hours on low beam. Very lightweight as listed as weighing 1.3 ounces. Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

frahse · 01-25-2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Most book lights seem to provide a uneven illumination for illuminating a book or ebook reader. Anyone using a diffuse head or ball cap mounted light for night reading with a non illuminated screen reader? I am looking at the Streamlight 61702 Bandit which has a 35 Lumens low and a 180 lumens high. Light output is listed as diffuse as it uses a unfocused SMT technology LED array for the light output. I presume the low level would be plenty for reading. USB rechargeable and supposed to be good for about 9 hours on low beam. Very lightweight as listed as weighing 1.3 ounces. Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

I am outside at night a lot and a headlamp is a necessity. I have a few of them from the simplest that I bought for $1 to more powerful and expensive ones. I don't usually use them for reading inside but I will put on one when I am hunting for something especially in closets, or the downstairs storage room or garage and I have noticed no problem reading directions or package labels.

Your lumen ratings seem about right for your purpose.

Richwood · 01-26-2018, 11:29 AM

Ordered so I will report on how well it works after it arrives.

cromag · 01-26-2018, 05:00 PM

I've only used headlamps for reading during extended power failures. They were better than nothing but I found it difficult to get used to the directional nature of the light -- like a form of tunnel vision.

Still, YMMV. I look forward to your assessment.

blue_skies · 01-26-2018, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Most book lights seem to provide a uneven illumination for illuminating a book or ebook reader. Anyone using a diffuse head or ball cap mounted light for night reading with a non illuminated screen reader? I am looking at the Streamlight 61702 Bandit which has a 35 Lumens low and a 180 lumens high. Light output is listed as diffuse as it uses a unfocused SMT technology LED array for the light output. I presume the low level would be plenty for reading. USB rechargeable and supposed to be good for about 9 hours on low beam. Very lightweight as listed as weighing 1.3 ounces. Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

This is not a head lamp, but I have thought of purchasing this to use with my unlighted reader - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UE22N7M...=IWCN3RARRMVYW

I like that it has the night-time filters, and personally, I think I would find it more comfortable than having a light strapped to my head.

Richwood · 01-26-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_skies

This is not a head lamp, but I have thought of purchasing this to use with my unlighted reader - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UE22N7M...=IWCN3RARRMVYW

I like that it has the night-time filters, and personally, I think I would find it more comfortable than having a light strapped to my head.

Looks interesting. I have hopes for the head and billed hat mounting Streamlight due to it claiming to have a very wide flood type beam. I have a couple of flashlights with that feature too and they are great for their wide and even illumination.

HarryT · 01-27-2018, 05:19 PM

If you’re after a good head-mounted light, I’d suggest visiting an outdoor store. They’re extensively used by hikers.

astrangerhere · 01-27-2018, 05:24 PM

I have a set of headlamps from years of camping, so I thought I'd test this out on my KA2 and my Mini to see if I had anything valuable to offer.

The lamp worked decently well with the mini, as it is so small I was able to shift it around and keep it from having glare.

With my KA2 (which, yes, I know has a light - this was just a test), the glare was a hassle. I needed a good bright light, and getting that brightness caused a glare with the headlamp because I was looking right at it. My wife and I read together 2 nights a week and we have the big reading lamp placed between our chairs so that the light is not directly shining on both of us for the same reason.

HarryT · 01-27-2018, 05:27 PM

The better headlamps allow you to adjust the angle of the light, so you could avoid seeing the reflection of the LEDs on the screen.

j.p.s · 01-27-2018, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The better headlamps allow you to adjust the angle of the light, so you could avoid seeing the reflection of the LEDs on the screen.

I think for a flat screen the most important parameter to reduce glare is to keep the angle between the light source and your eyes with respect to the screen from being too small. That is difficult with the lamp mounted on your head.

HarryT · 01-28-2018, 04:09 AM

Thank goodness for frontlit screens!

tubemonkey · 01-28-2018, 05:00 AM

Thank goodness for daylight

DuckieTigger · 01-28-2018, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I think for a flat screen the most important parameter to reduce glare is to keep the angle between the light source and your eyes with respect to the screen from being too small. That is difficult with the lamp mounted on your head.

That is when the screen is perpendicular to your line of sight. Tilt the screen (not shift the light) to move the glare off screen. I tried with a flashlight, which would cause really horrible glare holding my old Kindle Touch or Oasis 2 as I normally read (not tilted). Tilting a little forward got rid of the glare completely while keeping the screen lit fairly even. Sitting at my kitchen counter and laying the book flat down was about the perfect angle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thank goodness for frontlit screens!

Amen.

HarryT · 01-28-2018, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thank goodness for daylight

That's in short supply in winter for those of us in high northern latitudes

.

drofgnal · 01-28-2018, 05:14 AM

Home depot, Lowes will have many different head lamps. In Lowes, I saw a baseball cap with LEDs in the bill.

01-25-2018, 03:38 PM	#1
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Head mounted light for reading? Most book lights seem to provide a uneven illumination for illuminating a book or ebook reader. Anyone using a diffuse head or ball cap mounted light for night reading with a non illuminated screen reader? I am looking at the Streamlight 61702 Bandit which has a 35 Lumens low and a 180 lumens high. Light output is listed as diffuse as it uses a unfocused SMT technology LED array for the light output. I presume the low level would be plenty for reading. USB rechargeable and supposed to be good for about 9 hours on low beam. Very lightweight as listed as weighing 1.3 ounces. Thoughts? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Touch Reading Light	MorganM	Kobo Reader	7	07-26-2012 04:48 AM
302 Reading light...	fragile	PocketBook	7	02-17-2011 09:07 PM
Accessories Reading Light for K3	dilipc	Amazon Kindle	29	09-18-2010 12:59 PM
Reading Light	Mindy	Lounge	6	07-13-2008 09:39 AM
Video Head to Head of Kindle and Reader	Kingston	Which one should I buy?	30	01-24-2008 08:03 PM

01-26-2018, 11:29 AM	#3
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Ordered so I will report on how well it works after it arrives.

01-26-2018, 05:00 PM	#4
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 24,295 Karma: 459220161 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I've only used headlamps for reading during extended power failures. They were better than nothing but I found it difficult to get used to the directional nature of the light -- like a form of tunnel vision. Still, YMMV. I look forward to your assessment.

01-27-2018, 05:19 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you’re after a good head-mounted light, I’d suggest visiting an outdoor store. They’re extensively used by hikers.

01-27-2018, 05:24 PM	#8
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,640 Karma: 65925980 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	I have a set of headlamps from years of camping, so I thought I'd test this out on my KA2 and my Mini to see if I had anything valuable to offer. The lamp worked decently well with the mini, as it is so small I was able to shift it around and keep it from having glare. With my KA2 (which, yes, I know has a light - this was just a test), the glare was a hassle. I needed a good bright light, and getting that brightness caused a glare with the headlamp because I was looking right at it. My wife and I read together 2 nights a week and we have the big reading lamp placed between our chairs so that the light is not directly shining on both of us for the same reason.

01-27-2018, 05:27 PM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The better headlamps allow you to adjust the angle of the light, so you could avoid seeing the reflection of the LEDs on the screen.

01-28-2018, 04:09 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thank goodness for frontlit screens!

01-28-2018, 05:00 AM	#12
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,477 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Thank goodness for daylight

01-28-2018, 05:14 AM	#15
drofgnal Wizard Posts: 1,228 Karma: 7838248 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Ipad Pro/Kindle Oasis 3/iPhone 13 Pro Max	Home depot, Lowes will have many different head lamps. In Lowes, I saw a baseball cap with LEDs in the bill.

Advert

Advert