Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite Reviews

• Great value - versatile

  
  By A3A6OM7P9MK7MP on 2005-11-03
  I'll be honest, I bought this little headlamp because it was a cheap light that I didn't have to hold. But I've loved using it ever since, and am impressed by its 3-mode versatility.
  
  RED LED
  This is the mode I use 99% of the time. As a Scoutmaster, I spend a fair amount of time in the woods. Using the red LED mode helps me keep my night vision and gives me enough light to navigate about the campsite. Not only that but since it is only one LED, the batteries last a long time. I've spent a week at camp and not changed the battery. For close range (under 20 feet) only, and best when other light sources are not competing.
  
  WHITE LEDS
  If you need more color recognition and/or a bit more light, but not much range, you can use the 2 white LED mode. This mode gives you more light but typical of LEDs, doesn't have a great throw distance. Still, if you're not comfortable with the sparse (but useful) light the red LED casts, you'll probably like the white LEDs. I haven't used this mode much because I prefer the red, but logic would say that this will use energy faster than the single red, but not as fast as a typical bulb.
  
  KRYPTON BULB
  This will burn up your batteries much faster than either of the LED modes. However, if you need more range, this is your choice. If I needed to see across the campsite (40 feet or more) and see objects with more detail (is that a racoon or a skunk??), I might momentarily use this light because of its greater distance.
  
  USAGE
  This light is easy to use. One dial knob gives you the three modes and off. It is located so you can reach it easily with your right hand. It would probably be a bit awkward for left handers. It is a fairly large knob- and I am not predicting trouble using with gloves on (though I've not had the opportunity yet). The knob turns thru the modes in least to greatest light order (red LED, white LED, Krypton). This is nice so you don't ruin your night vision having to go past a brighter light to get to a dimmer one.
  
  One thing I don't particularly like is that it uses a "battery carrier" for the three batteries. While this is not a big deal, it is one more part to lose or break. You put the 3 AAA batteries in the carrier, then slide the carrier into the case. On the bright side, unless you leave this on krypton all the time, you won't be changing batteries very often anyway.
  
  The light seems to be sealed fairly well from the elements with o-rings. I wouldn't dive with it, but I wouldn't get nervous about using it in the snow or rain either.
  
  And finally, the light can be aimed up and down to your desired angle. It has a positive click for each position and stays aimed well. I often have it point mostly down to avoid shining it in peoples face when I turn and look at them in conversation (probably the most irritating thing about people with headlamps on).
  
  BOTTOM LINE
  None of the 3 modes will light up the woods like the noon-day sun. However, I give this a 5 star rating because for the money, it is very durable, very user friendly, useful, and doesn't eat batteries. For a 3xAAA light, it's hard to ask for more than that. It's an excellent value.
  
  

• simply the best

  
  By A25R1AHUEIURRM on 2005-06-17
  What a great bit of kit ... i got this in the hunting department at Walmart but actually use it when doing offshore sailing races. The red LED light is perfect for checking things when you don't want to ruin your night vision, the white LED is there when you need it and the spot light is just enough to check the tell-tales ... would recomend it to anyone who needs both red and white light at night.
  
  

• Rayovac Sportsman LED Headlight

  
  By A3JD2RGUNP8D9V on 2005-09-08
  I love this headlight because it's so versatile. The LED's are great battery savers for doing general things, while the flashlight provides enough yellow light to see if your meet is fully cooked. Meanwhile the red light, is awesome if you need to read at night because it provides so much contrast...(ie.stargazing books). I highly recommend this headlight, it's definitely one of the most versatile lights for cheap.
  
  

• Maybe the best 10 bucks I've ever spent.

  
  By A2PUQR6AIUYD0I on 2006-03-17
  I had been thinking about buying a light I didn't have to hold for awhile, but it wasn't at the top of the list. I had had a Black and Decker product that had disappeared along the way. One day I bought something, I don't even remember what, and I got the, "Hey, you bought that? How about buying this?" message. I think everyone who went through Amazon sometime during the holidays got this message, because when they reported their holdiay numbers, this little light was very, very high (1-3) among their number of units sold. Why? BECAUSE IT ROCKS!!! The tri-light system is brilliantly utilitarian and incredibly battery efficient. The selectable lamp choice is fantastic. Whereas most flashlight burn as brightly as possibly regardless of how far you actually have to see, the choice of lamps allows me to choose which lamp for which distance. Because of this, the batteries are more likely to die of old age than overuse. Oh yeah, surprisingly comfortable. I actually have the "top" strap reversed from what the directions say and find it's more comforable. It also perfect with a cap, though a thick knit could be a little tight. I can't believe I'm writing this about a flashlight, but it is one of those inexpensive things that turns out to be way more useful than you might have thougt. Heck, the next time I buy something on Amazon, I'm buying a couple of more. Thank you.
  
  

• unexpected value

  
  By AH7QTX1QGIFQU on 2006-02-18
  I just received this little gem today. But I have already used it to repair a lock inside a drawer where it was almost impossible to get working light. I also used it to read in bed without complaints from wife. It promises to be a true value of great versatility.
  
  
• I love it!
  By A1X0RLJE60LPHW on 2005-12-27
  I bought 3 of these and gave 2 as gifts. The unanimous response has been "Wow!".
  
  The two red LED's are sufficiently bright to see what's going on nearby without losing night vision.
  
  The single white LED is QUITE bright. You can easily use it to read books at night.
  
  The krypton beam reminds me of any other krypton beam flashlight I've had.
  
  The one thing not mentioned by anyone is that you can sit this down on a flat surface and tilt the head (with positive click) to help you see what you are working on. So it doesn't have to always be on your head.
  
  I use this to navigate around the house at night. It's easier to have it on your head than trying to hold a flashlight while moving around using a wheelchair!
  
  I'm not too worried about battery life, but the stated 200 hours seems good. It would be nice to have a plug for external power for those extended times.
  
  
• Better Than Expected
  By A4SS39WSJINU6 on 2006-01-06
  Although this headlamp got great reviews I never expected such high quality. The lights are very bright, the headband fits well and it feels very well constructed. If Amazon starts restocking this I'll get a few more for gifts. Good job Rayovac.
  
  
• VERY COOL TOOL!
  By A27F1N27M1X0NM on 2005-12-29
  This is a very useful and very cool, if a little nerdy light outfit. The hands free aspect alone is great, but the triple lights are all very useful. The switch is solid and the the band fits well on the head. This is a very interesting and useful item, especially in an emergency situation where you need your hands free.
  
  
• Jaredc is close
  By A9GPCR9WJQCCJ on 2005-12-02
  Jaredc has written a good review, but is mixed up on one thing... this headlamp features 1 white LED and two red LEDs as well as the krypton bulb.
  I, too, am a scoutmaster and have been using this headlamp for over a year with monthly weekend campouts and a week long summercamp. I am still on the first set of alkaline batteries!
  As jaredc points out, the distance illumination is not the best, but keep this headlamp in your trunk and you will never be in the dark.
  
  
• Great toy
  By A3V4JOO0CG06DO on 2005-12-19
  This is inexpensive and totally worth it. I use it for grilling at night, camping and taking my dog to the park after dark. It has the three settings, red, LED and spotlight and i use them all. I highly recommend this to anyone--there's no reason to hold a flashlight inyour hand with this!
  
  
• Very useful
  By A20P7GDCFJUFCY on 2005-08-22
  a really handy 'tool'. Sits firmly atop your head (gets a bit hot though). have not found much use for the 'red' light yet but the other two are very useful. Using it for the odd jobs at home, especially when I need to power the lights down
  
  
• Cool...
  By A2EAK08LRX8JLK on 2006-03-04
  I always wanted something like this when I was a kid. I finally get one though, and had to give it to my friend's son for his birthday because he liked it so much.
  I can't talk on the technical side of it because I just got it as a toy, but it sure is cool!
  
  
• Good headlamp for the price.
  By AXG03E3MJKECP on 2006-05-08
  works great, and the battery life is good as well.
  
  
• Good light for emergency !
  By AHMMVXTTGXVDW on 2006-07-04
  Very good price, option of different types of lights; including one for dark and hands free operation; don't you think it makes for very good emergency light?
  
  Even battery pack is modular, so it is easy to remove when not in use.
  
  
• Great light!
  By A2BCV0VSX3JAKE on 2006-10-04
  I actually bought this at Lowes one day after reading a few reviews on the internet. What a great purchase. It doesn't have "light up a room" power, but does everything it was made to do. Great for reading at night when you don't want to disturb others. Great for camping as well. I love it for working on my house doing wiring, etc. Keeps my hands free and fits pretty well.
  
  Battery life is great if you don't use the Krypton bulb. I am on my second set of batteries. First set lasted 3-4 months with moderate use and the second set has been in since May and still going. Although I have used it less over the summer since it was tucked away in my tool bag for awhile. All in all a great product that works well. I highly recommend.
  
  

• Rayovac NM715-8 Rechargeable NiMH AA Batteries, 8-Count Package