A few years ago I bought a Wildcat Hunting (think that was their name) headlamp and it's incredible. Went to buy one about a year ago for gift and to have an extra and they were MIA. Any clue what happened to them?

Also, what are the best headlamps out there now? Thanks.

Look to trail runners for headlamp reviews. I have a Black Diamond spot for short stuff and a sprinter for longer stuff.

Second the black diamond spot. I carry 2 in my pack. I bought a black diamond storm and hate it.

I am a big fan of Nitecore. In particular the NU20 headlamp, though I also use the HC30 when I want a lamp that can also be removed from the head strap.

Got 4 of these and they work great:

https://www.amazon.com/Coast-FL72-Focusing-Lumen-Pack/dp/B01M5LGEM3/ref=asc_df_B01M5LGEM3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198084548301&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17350467652335966485&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026481&hvtargid=pla-451612404397&psc=1

I run petzl

Whatever you get make sure there is a locking feature. It is very common to pull a headlamp out of a pack and it has been running all day.

Other than that I have not found much difference in the main brands.

I also really like this as a backup/emergency headlamp.
PETZL

Black diamond and petzl are two good options.

Ignore "hunting" headlamps unless you want to pay more for mossy oak.

Figure out your actual mission, spec it out, and go from there.

I really like Fenix products as well.

Really depends on what you want it for. Do you want a heavy spot light on your head? There are several I have seen with over 1000 lumens. Battery is dead quick.

Or a practical light weight light with long battery life. Like Petzl and Black Diamond. I own both and have one in my truck, hunting bag, garage, and else where. I always lose them. Luckily they aren't very expensive.

I used the Engergizer ones when I worked in boilers and power plants doing grit blasting and welding. They are indestructible and CHEAP. Not as bright but very reliable.

I use a Q-Beam. The regular light is OK, but what I like about it is that it has a green and red LED light that I can switch to when I walk to the blind or am out in the woods - doesn't produce much light, but just enough that I can see and the green or red is much harder for pigs or whatever to spot.

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Really depends on what you want it for. Do you want a heavy spot light on your head? There are several I have seen with over 1000 lumens. Battery is dead quick.

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Sorry, I should have been more specific. I definitely want the brightest light (highest lumens I guess is the terminology) and battery life isn't that important since it's only for a few minutes at a time, or 30 mins max if someone takes a bad shot and we have to search. Thanks.

I like Surefire for most things. 1000 lumens, but battery is decent.
https://www.surefire.com/illumination/headlamps/maximus.html

Circa 1999,I would chase bears at night with a LED Petzl headlight. Now my son uses the same that same headlamp for cub scouts.

NOXX - although not sure if they have the locking feature.

Wish it did.

Another black diamond vote.

Another vote for the black diamond spot.

Don't buy the storm, I got one as the spot was so good and hoped the storm would be even better, but the storm is trash.

+1 for Nitecore. Love their products.

I have the HC90. Very bright, great throw distance. It also has a sliding dimmer switch that allows you to switch from white to Red, Green or Blue LED illumination.

To prevent it from turning on in my pack, I unscrew the battery lid about 1-1.5 turns. When I'm ready to use it, I tighten the battery lid and it's ready to go.

agcrock2005 said:

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A few years ago I bought a Wildcat Hunting (think that was their name) headlamp and it's incredible. Went to buy one about a year ago for gift and to have an extra and they were MIA. Any clue what happened to them?

Also, what are the best headlamps out there now? Thanks.

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Any chance you bought a Wicked Hunting light? A buddy of mine has one and it's incredibly bright out to a couple hundred yards. They offer a headlamp adapter, as well a a gun mount, and handle. Pricey, but worth it if you want really bright and long distance.

https://www.wickedhuntinglights.com/

Black Diamond Spot 325, Fenix HM65R, Nitecore NU30, Tactical 5.11 S+R H3 Headlamp, Petzl STRIX VL. All these are top notch a do a great job, each and their little difference. As far a sure lumens the Fenix HM65R cantbrow oit some serious light . The Fenix HM65R has a extremely high light output and a lightweight and small frame. It can put out 1400 lumens, the HM65R will end your dependence on the sun for daylight all while projecting light over a long range. The spotlight on the HM65R is has a maximum range of about 160 meters while the floodlight manages 60. The chassis of the headlamp can rotate 160 degrees.

Bird93 said:

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I really like Fenix products as well.

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I have really impressed with my Fenix HL55.

https://www.fenix-store.com/fenix-hl55-led-headlamp/

Thanks for all the information. Really with those Wildcat guys had made it. Texas guys based out of Blossum (no idea where that is). Their headlamp was 1800 lumens. Guess they couldn't compete with the competition but it seems based off of all of these that they were the brightest ones out there.

I use the Fenix HL26R a lot. It holds a charge like a champ and throws more than enough light.

As a side note, their CL20R camp light is one of my favorite products. It's a mini dome light that has a thousand uses. It always goes in my pack.

I made the switch to all rechargeable products several years ago because I got tired of trying to make sure every item I had in my pack used the same sized batteries.

Maybe the best thing about Fenix is they're avid supporters of hunting and fishing.

Hunting buddy uses a rechargeable streamlight. LIttle bitty thing that puts out a lot of light, but not focused - more spread out. I have to tell him to turn it off when we are around camp because it's bright AF.

schmellba99 said:

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Hunting buddy uses a rechargeable streamlight. LIttle bitty thing that puts out a lot of light, but not focused - more spread out. I have to tell him to turn it off when we are around camp because it's bright AF.

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I've got a buddy that wears one like that, but he also insists on looking at you when he's talking to you. There's been more than one instance where a group of us are throwing out decoys by the light on this guys head lamp and he turns to tell you something and for about 5 seconds you have a Men in Black experience where you have no idea where you are or what you were doing.

Exactly