I can see how that could be a problem – although, I might blame it on the specific headlamp. I have one that has a band that stays the same size, so putting it on is really easy. Additionally, the lamp itself has a swivel point, which I tend to preset in the direction that I want it to face, and the light quantity is modifiable. I have owned a couple of different headlamps, and I really like the Petzl Tikka+ the best. It looks like that one is being discontinued? But they presently have it at REI on sale.
I’m not saying that it would necessarily work for everyone – and if the flashlight+teeth is working for you, and you have a use for all the nearly spent batteries, seems like a win.
We have another headlamp, which looks a lot less dorky, but the thing is a pain in the ass because it doesn’t hold the headband sizing, so putting it on every night to walk the dog is a total hassle. The irony of this whole conversation is that when Eric needs to do dibe stuff at night that requires light, he just turns his bedside light on.
But my spec sheet for a head lamp would be slightly different. I really don’t like having to click multiple times to get to the right light, in particular because it is tentative and you have to check. What I would like for a headlamp for BG work:
double rather than triple strap (easier)
remembers the strap length, also very stretchy to be usable by more than one person on same length
can be permanently set to low power, around 10 lumens or so; my preference would be ONLY low power.
narrow beam (or can be permanently set to narrow beam); my preference would be ONLY narrow beam.
hard on/off button (soft buttons are harder to use when you are in a hurry)
light
long lasting battery
easy battery to get (AA or AAA if possible)
not too small, not too big
would be nice to have a red lens
cheap so that we can lose a bunch of them and not worry about it. We constantly lose our BG flashlights, then find them a few weeks later. We need at least three at hand to be able to find one.
I don’t need any light…are you people blind? The light from the PDM is plenty for me to draw Liam’s blood in the middle of the night. But we do keep our TV on during the night so I also have that as a backdrop.
I’ve found that the G5 receiver works very well as a night flashlight. It’s only problem is that it only stays in for about 15 seconds at a time. Also, it may be way too bright for @Michel.
@Michel, you never cease to amaze me. I couldn’t have said it better myself – and there are definitely components to this headlamp that I find a little annoying – many of which you have noted. But I am also loathe to really invest in a headlamp because it seems like one of those things I might lose track of. ( although, with age, I have found a take quite good care of our belongings.)
@Sam I am very impressed with your 2,000,000 mile combo – I thought you were kidding when I read it the first time, and then I realized you were probably serious. I’m sure your modified red light has seen some amazing stuff!
i love my night light. its right by our bedroom door. originally we put it there so that i don’t walk into the bedroom door when i get up to P in the middle of the night. then i started taking more advantages of it : i’m awake, i might as well test. ( i don’t use a CGM, so testing over night is very convenient for me; especially b/c i wake up so frequently )
But we do keep our TV on during the night so I also have that as a backdrop.
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