25 replies to this topic

[El Marko]

I'm on what I think is my 3rd red light which straps to my head. They always start out okay but after a few months they dim or flicker out. Fresh batteries make no difference. Is there something reliable out there?

[Jim Waters]

What are you currently using?  

[12BH7]

I've had one hand held red light for over 25 years. Before that I mush have gone through a dozen before I found the one I'm using now. 

 

Most of these devices were never made to last very long.  Buy them two at a time. One to use and one as a back up is my best advice.

[Inkie]

They're mostly all disposable junk these days.  Reviews/ratings on amazon or whatever are mere marketing enticement...they mean next to nothing.  I purchased on for about $20 which should have lasted me at least a full year, but it stopped charging about the same time as the red LED would come on with a switch press and then go out inside of half a second. This was after exactly four uses. I broke down and purchased the Celestron version for quite a bit more, and can only hope I get that year out of it. 

[GADify]

I just got a ZebraLight H504r based on recommendations in CN threads and Reddit and it seems a cut above the rest. 

 

https://www.zebralig...lamp_p_257.html

 

It's red-only, which is what I wanted. 

 

Edit: I also got this little guy to keep in my pocket all the time because why not? It's aluminum and uses a standard AAA battery (I use Energizer lithium). 

 

I detest rechargeable flashlights because I don't want to stand around in the cold while it charges - I want to swap a battery and get back to work. 

Edited by GADify, 02 June 2025 - 08:56 PM.

[JayinUT]

My options are and I have had mine for over 12 years. Only thing I have had to replace is the batteries. 

 

1. Photon Freedom Micro LED keychain light. LINK. I have one on a lanyard around my neck when I observe. I reach inside my coat or jacket, push down the button and hold it down for about 3-5 seconds so it is on it's minimal setting. I also have one clipped to my sketching tablet as it offers perfect light for that, sometimes almost too much. I have had mine like I said for over 12-14 years now and I have only had to replace the batteries. 

 

2. Rigel Starlite Mini Duel Red LED Flashlight, variable brightness LINK. I had two of these and just gave one to a friend and co-observer. I dimmed mine even more with some red 

 

3. Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Head Lamp. It has both red and white light and will remember which light mode you were in last and the dimmed setting so you don't have to reset it every time LINK. I am leery of headlamps though as I find often they are too bright even at their dimmest setting and I will either close my observing eye or wear an eyepatch over it. I have a current Cosmo 350 headlamp but all my Black Diamond Headlamps are 7-10 years old, going strong and look like these LINK. I have several of the Revolt and Storm models and again, they remember the color and setting which is nice but sometimes they are still too bright for my observing eye. 

 

I use the Photon Freedom Micro the most as I find it's dimmest setting with some red clear film over the led/covert, to be the best (Link to Red Film). 

 

Hope that helps somewhat. 

Edited by JayinUT, 02 June 2025 - 08:57 PM.

[izar187]

I'm on what I think is my 3rd red light which straps to my head. They always start out okay but after a few months they dim or flicker out. Fresh batteries make no difference. Is there something reliable out there?

https://www.rigelsys...flashlight.html

[sevenofnine]

I've used this one for about 15 years now. Very reliable with lots of controls 

 

https://www.amazon.c...aps,280&sr=8-26.

[James Peirce]

I’d also wager this is just a product quality issue. A lot of the more prevalent electronics of this sort are one flavor or another of rubbish. Just designed to compete at a lower price point, while still maintaining a profit margin, with little concern for long-term brand recognition, no real product support or warranty, and little regard for how well the electronics hold up to some abuse like a drop, or over a few years.

 

I’ve also got a ZebraLight—might be another H504r by the looks of it. They’re quite a bit more expensive, but every aspect of it bleeds quality. And it has survived my abuse rather respectably.

[RiderRoy]

The Apertura Ember works well for me. It's red light only, USB rechargeable and in my experience the charge is good for a few sessions. It has varying light levels and even in my bortle 8/9 yard I only use the lowest setting. At a dark site I tape red plastic over it because even the lowest setting is kinda bright for a dark site. 

[rjacks]

I use the Celestron red light flashlights. They are durable and give a nice dim light appropriate for astronomy.

[Jon Isaacs]

What I do:

 

I use electronic charts, i.e. a tablet running SkySafari.  There is a dark red film filter taped over the screen and I use the lowest readable illumination level.  I measure the screen brightness with an SQM and try to keep it at least 1/2 magnitude darker than the sky overhead. 

 

Everything else is organized so I do not need any light.  Each eyepiece has a place in the eyepiece rack, filter cases are marked with a black pen, the filters are reflective so I can easily see the marking (O, H, and U) without illumination.  

 

If I need some light, I have a Ken Fiscus hand held light.  Ken builds them on the side.  They are very simple, an on-off switch, a potentiometer to adjust the light level and the red led. They are much like a Telrad in terms of the range they cover, from bright to enough under most night skies to so dim, the light is invisible.

 

 

Jon

[Urban Uraniborg]

Sometimes the easiest fix can be the cheapest. 
 

1. Brake light tape from your local auto parts store 

 

2. A brake/rear light for a bicycle 

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Urban Uraniborg, 04 June 2025 - 04:28 PM.

[kfiscus]

What I do:

 

I use electronic charts, i.e. a tablet running SkySafari.  There is a dark red film filter taped over the screen and I use the lowest readable illumination level.  I measure the screen brightness with an SQM and try to keep it at least 1/2 magnitude darker than the sky overhead. 

 

Everything else is organized so I do not need any light.  Each eyepiece has a place in the eyepiece rack, filter cases are marked with a black pen, the filters are reflective so I can easily see the marking (O, H, and U) without illumination.  

 

If I need some light, I have a Ken Fiscus hand held light.  Ken builds them on the side.  They are very simple, an on-off switch, a potentiometer to adjust the light level and the red led. They are much like a Telrad in terms of the range they cover, from bright to enough under most night skies to so dim, the light is invisible.

 

 

Jon

And mine last...

[DOBguyinGA]

Good evening,

 

I tried a number if head mounted red lights, and hated all of them. That was especially true in the winter since the lights interfered with wearing a knit hat.

 

So I went with small red flashlights. They are currently two for $9.99 on Amazon.

 

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.98 x 0.59 x 3.54 inches; 1.6 ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ SK68RD2
Batteries ‏ : ‎ 1 AA batteries required.
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ May 31, 2024
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ HinsGEAR

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D5QMRKGH,

 

They are little nothing flashlights I have one in my pocket and scatter them around. (I have four of them.) If the battery dies in one of them I have more without killing my night vision. This is especially important in the winter.

 

I took a scrap of wood and drilled a one inch hole in it. I stick one of my flashlights in the hole and place the scrap under the table for my desktop DOB. This illuminates the area around my scope and effectively prevents tripping.

[WillR]

After using a number of lights made for astronomy like the Celestron dimmable red light, I now just use a small flashlight from the racks by the checkout at Harbor Freight. I cover it with red plastic and masking tape. Done.

[havasman]

Good evening,

 

I tried a number if head mounted red lights, and hated all of them.

 

 

They all suck. And those around someone wearing one thinks the wearer sucks when he comes over and shines it in their eyes. They're all too bright too.

 

For ~dark get a Rigel Starlite mini. For dark get a Ken Fiscus light.

[seawolfe]

They're too bright.  I painted mine over with a dark red nail polish and tada!  Nice and dim red lights!!

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

I use a Nitecore HC65 headlamp with (also) 3 red light functions: low (3 lumens), medium (11 lumens) and blinking. I don't use it for a long time, but I have other Nitecore lamps that last a long time. Strong, sturdy build, quality metal and good metal-finishing. Also, dropping it from 2 meters height or 2 meters under water (I know we don't prefer to observe under water) is not a problem at all.

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 19 June 2025 - 01:56 PM.

[Kefka1138]

Not a fan of headlamps myself but really enjoy Rigel's original Starlite - so, I'd second or third that suggestion. 

 

Side note - that Ken Fiscus map light looks like an amazing product! 

[mondo1948]

I bought this head lamp after dealing with problem head lamps for some time.  So many headlamps force you to scroll through a white light setting while getting to red.  What's great about this lamp is that it doesn't force you to scroll through a white light setting, ruining your dark adaptation.  The unit holds several white led lights and to go from white to red, you simply slide down the red plastic lens that slips over the white lights with your finger.  At the beginning of the night, I have the white lights providing plenty of light, unless I have been already dark adapter, then I go red.  As I begin to observe, I have the red lens covering  the white led lights, producing red light.  If I want to go from low, to medium and bright settings, I just need to push the button on top several times to get where I want to be.  However, there is no scrolling through a white setting.  At the end of the evening, I slip the red light lens down and allow the white light to shine during teardown of my equipment.  Obviously, the simplicity of this head lamp is great.

 

https://www.amazon.c...iews-filter-bar

 

Mondo

[Kefka1138]

What I do:

 

I use electronic charts, i.e. a tablet running SkySafari.  There is a dark red film filter taped over the screen and I use the lowest readable illumination level.  I measure the screen brightness with an SQM and try to keep it at least 1/2 magnitude darker than the sky overhead. 

 

Everything else is organized so I do not need any light.  Each eyepiece has a place in the eyepiece rack, filter cases are marked with a black pen, the filters are reflective so I can easily see the marking (O, H, and U) without illumination.  

 

If I need some light, I have a Ken Fiscus hand held light.  Ken builds them on the side.  They are very simple, an on-off switch, a potentiometer to adjust the light level and the red led. They are much like a Telrad in terms of the range they cover, from bright to enough under most night skies to so dim, the light is invisible.

 

 

Jon

My Fiscus light is on order - thanks for mentioning the product, Jon! 

[microview]

Unfortunately, they just don't make 'em like they used to. I haven't had to shop for a new headlamp since I got my energizer more than 15 years ago. However, when you do settle on a new lamp please do as others have suggested by red filtering with a mask or red tape. This will prevent the sudden blinding of cycling through unfiltered white lights. Good luck.

[TacoBuddy]

outdoor gear maker Black Diamond makes a really good headlamp, the appropriately named model Cosmo 350. It will stay in red led mode without cycling through the bright white led during power down or power up. The red light brightness can be adjusted from a very blinding red light down to a barely bright enough to be useful red light. The led module tilts, which can be handy. I have several of these lights and have used them down below freezing without an issue.  https://blackdiamond...mo-350-headlamp

 

Another light I like to use is a Streamlight Clipmate USB light. It costs a bit more than the Blackdiamond but has a diferent form factor which is handy. Like the Cosmo headlamp, the streamlight remembers the red light setting which keeps the bright white led from cylcing through on power up/down. The red led brightness only has 2 settings, barely bright enough to walk around in the dark without tripping, and just bright enough to be able to write in the dark. The clip and flexible gooseneck allow maximum flexability of light placement. This lamp has also been very reliable and used in below freezing temperatures without an issue. https://www.streamli...il/clipmate-usb

 

I like to use both lamps while observing, the Cosmo headlamp for general lighting, and the Streamlight clipped to a pocket for writting notes. Both lamps on the dimmest settings work perfect under extremly dark skies when one's vision is fully night adpated.

[astrohamp]

Consider a Zebralight H504r Deep Red AA Flood Headlamp that ranges from 122 lumen down to 0.002 lumen, so they say.  I tend to wear it around my neck pointing down.  The head band and angle adjustment also allow pointing down at one's feet or desktop when worn that way.

 

I have at least 6 other 'headlamps that get used at times, none with the output range and red color the H504r has.

 

Just don't look up.