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This is a list of proven caving appropriate headlamps which are either readily available production models or are currently purpose built and sold by enthusiasts. Headlamps with less than 200 lumen maximum output will not be considered. Generic headlamps without proper model identification will not be considered. Headlamps which are not currently available on the english language online mail-order market will not be considered. I will attempt to update this list as the market moves forward.
Send suggestions for additions, corrections, etc. to mooreshire@gmail.com

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ManufacturerModelCost USD Exposed MaterialsLight source (model)Battery locationBattery typeHeadband / mountH2O claimsCCTOutput
max lumen
BeamLongest RuntimeShortest RuntimeModesUpgrading and optionsReleased / Updated
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ArmyTekWizard$45aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1x18650 or
2xCR123 or
2x16340
double strapIP684000K or
5500k models
1200
1120 (warm)
spot432hrs1.5hrs52014
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FenixHL30$45plastic / elasticLED
(CREE XP-G)
+ red 5mm diode
all in front2xAAdouble strapIPX6cool white200spot140hrs1.75hrs6
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ArmyTekTiara A1 /
Pro/Warm

Tiara C1 /
Pro/Warm
$50aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1xAA /
1x14500
OR 1xR123 /
1xCR123A
model specific
single strapIP685500K /
4000K
A1:
380 NiMH/liIon
345 (warm)
C1: 400
370 (warm)
spot>2000hrs0.5hrs6-pocket clip
-Pro models (+$15) add battery indicator and magnetic tailcap
2014
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NitecoreHC50$60aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
+ red 5mm diodes
all in front1x18650 or
2xCR123
double strapIPX8cool white565spot400hrs1hr52013
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FenixHP12$65plastic / nylon / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head1x18650double strapIP68cool white900spot
145hrs0.75hrs72015
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ZebralightH52w / H52Fw$65aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1xAAsingle strapIPX74400K280spot or diffused
model specific
>2000hrs0.9hrs102013
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FenixHP25$70aluminum / plastic / elastic / nylonLEDs
(CREE XP-E)
back of head4xAAdouble strapIPX6cool white360spot and/or flood206hrs< 2hrs122013
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Princeton TecApex /
Apex Pro /
Extreme /
Rechargable
$70plastic / elastic / nylonLED
+5mm LEDs
back of head or belt
model specific
4xAA or 8xAA or 2xCR2 or proprietary li-iondouble strapIPX7cool white275spot150hrs< 1hr4
2013
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Black DiamondIcon$70plastic / nylon / elasticLED
+5mm LEDs
back of head4xAAdouble strapIP67cool white
+red,blue,gren
500spot175hrs5hrsfully dimming (4)
2017
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ZebralightH502 / H502w / H502c / H502d$70aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2 or Philips Luxeon T)
all in front1xAAsingle strapIPX7model specific
HiCRI options
260 (H502)
260 (H205w)
170 (H502d)
140 (H502c)
spot or flood
model specific
>2000hrs0.9hrs102013
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FenixHP15$70aluminum / plastic / elastic / nylon / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head or belt4xAAdouble strapIPX6cool white500spot220hrs1.5hrs5-removable diffuser2013
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SparkSX5$75aluminum / nylon / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head or belt3xAA or 3xAAA or 1x26650 or optional 4x18650double strapIPX85000K or 6500K models440spot>2000hrs0.9hrs6-optional long cord
-can modify by removing reflector to convert to flood
2013
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FenixHP20$85plastic / nylon / glassLEDbelt4xAAdouble strapIPX8cool white230spot24hrs3.5hrs7-removable diffuser2012
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NitecoreHC90$85aluminum / plastic / elastic / silicone / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
+ red, green, and blue diodes
all in front1x18650 or
2xCR123
double strapIPX8
(2m)
cool white900spot200hrs45minsfully dimming2014
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Petzl MYO RXP2$90plastic / nylon / elasticLEDback of head3xAAdouble or single strapIPX4cool white370spot with flip-down diffuser100hrs52hrsProgramable (4 modes from 10 choices)2015
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ZebralightH600w / H600Fw / H602w$90aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1x18650single strapIPX74400K1020spot or flood
or diffused
model specific
>2000hrs2hrs112013
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FenixHP30$90aluminum / plastic / elastic / nylon / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head or belt2x18650 or
4x CR123
double strapIPX6cool white900spot300hrs< 4hrs5-removable diffuser2013
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ArmyTekWizard Pro$95aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XHP50)
all in front1x18650double strapIP68
(10m)
5500K or
4000K models
2300
2150 (warm)
spot>4800hrs1hr62014
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SparkST6$100aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1x18650double strapIPX85000K or 6500K models600spot192hrs1.8hrs52013
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SparkSD6$100aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front1x18650double strapIPX85000K or 6500K models600flood>2000hrs1.8hrs5-removable reflector2013
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SparkSD73$100aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L)
all in front3xAAAdouble strapIPX85000K or 6500K models300flood
840hrs1.1hrs52012
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SparkSD52$100aluminum / silicone / elastic / glassLED
(CREE XM-L2)
all in front2x 14500 or 2xAAdouble strapIPX85000K or 6500K models
330flood1200hrs1.5hrs5-removable reflector2013
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Petzl / CustomDUODUO /
DUO 14LED / Explorer / DUO Belt
$195 or less
($100 new + $95 module)
(used DUOs often $20-$45 on eBay)
plastic / nylon / elasticIncandescent(s)
+ 5mm LEDs
(or LED upgrades)
back of head or belt
model specific
4xAA or 4xC or proprietary NiMH packdouble strap or helmet integratedIP68
(5m)
warm incan and cool LEDslow output
(up to 570 with upgrades)
spot2-full line of upgrade modules from CustomDUO
-old used DUOs are often sold for <$20
-upgrade modules updated regularly
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Nite LiteExtreme LED$250aluminum / plastic / nylonLEDback of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includedblade mount"watertight"700spot40hrs2hrs4- extension cord for belt mounting the battery pack2007
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SurefireMaximus$280steel / plastic / glass / elasticLEDall in frontProprietary built-in li-ionsingle strapcool white or
warm white models
1000spot550hrs1.5hrfully dimming (1)2017
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Marble Mountain LightsManley20$310aluminum /
steel /
nylon /
rubber
LEDsback of headproprietary li-ion pack included
(same battery as Stenlight)
helmet mountIP675500K /
3000K /
Hi-CRI (4500K)
910spot and/or flood372hrs2hrs5 / 6 / custom2015
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PetzlULTRA / ULTRA ACCU 4 / ULTRA Wide$340plastic / elastic / nylonLEDsback of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack included
two options
(2Ah, or 4Ah)
double strap
or helmet integrated
IPX8
(30cm)
cool white350spot or diffused
model specific
17hrs2hrs3
2006
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StenlightS7 Rebel$370aluminum / steel / nylon / rubberLEDs
(Luxion Rebel ES)
back of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack
two options
(2.5Ah /
+$30 5Ah)
blade mount
optional strap
IPX8
(25 feet)
cool white500spot and flood672hrs4hrs4- crude 1x9v2011
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El SpeleoTerra$400LEDsback of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includedGoPro mount"waterproof -10 meters"5000K1600spot and/or flood120hrs4hrs5 per LED
(36 choices)
2018
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PetzlUltra Vario / Ultra Vario Belt$430
$460 (belt)
plastic / elastic / nylonLEDsback of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includeddouble strap or helmet mount or helmet integratedIP67cool white604spot and/or flood40hrs
(belt 60hrs)
2.5hrs
(belt 6hrs)
42013
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Pulsar TechPulsar$480aluminum / steel / rubber / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE XM-L2)
+ backup diode
back of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includedhelmet mountIP68
(30m)
5000K
(or any XM-L2)
1900spot and/or flood288hrs
(backup diode)
1hr
(2 cell)
programmable
(36 choices)
- choice of 2x or 4x cell battery2013
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Phaethon Phaethon $570aluminum / steel / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head2x18650GoPro mount headbandIPX8
(250m)
5000K2000spot and flood80hrs0.5hrs6-alt color temps
-alt optics
2014
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Scurion700$575aluminum / steel / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE XPG)
back of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack included
blade mount
optional strap
optional blade mount
IP676000K720spot and/or flood210hrs7.2hrsprogrammable
(24 choices)
-crude 1x9v
-blade mount
-smaller battery
2013
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El SpeleoLunatic$550aluminum /
nylon /
plastic
LEDs
(CREE XP-L)
back of headproprietary li-ion pack includedhelmet mountIP69k5700K<2500spot and/or floodprogrammable
(35 choices)
2017
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Phaethon Phaethon Dual$590aluminum / steel / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head2x18650GoPro mount headbandIPX8
(250m)
5000K2000spot and/or flood80hrs0.5hrsprogrammable
(7 choices)
-alt color temps
-alt optics
2014
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Scurion900$810aluminum / steel / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE MC-E)
back of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includedblade mount
optional strap
optional blade mount
IP86cool white910spot and/or flood217hrs4.8hrsprogrammable (24 choices)-crude 1x9v
-blade mount
-smaller battery
2013
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Scurion1500 / 1200$1,100aluminum / steel / nylon / plasticLEDs
(CREE XM-L2)
back of head or beltproprietary li-ion pack includedblade mount
optional strap
optional blade mount
IP68cool white / 3000K (1200)1600spot and/or flood106hrs2.8hrsprogrammable (24 choices)-crude 1x9v
-blade mount
-smaller battery
2013
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