LED Lenser Headlamp (H7)

Headlamps are essential for cyclists and just about indispensible for hikers, campers, and night walkers. You get the benefit of a flashlight with the convenience of hands-free operation. Which is why you're apt to find more woodworkers using them - particularly in shops with less than ideal lighting conditions. A headlamp is also great when doing small, precise work, like hand cutting dovetails or applying string inlay. Having a bright, focused light makes it much easier to see cut lines.

Several factors make for a top quality headlamp - it should throw a lot of light for a reasonable distance, have a long run-time between battery replacement, be durable and moisture resistant, and be both light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

LED Lenser are rapidly gaining a reputation in North America for their high quality flashlights. Two features set their products apart from other brands. An Advanced Focus System  combines the light-focusing power of a reflector with the light-quality of a lens to produce an even, circular, homogenous light pattern with very little light degradation over the effective beam distance. A Rapid Focus System enables you to alternate between spot (narrow beam) and flood (wide beam) modes single handedly - this is much quicker and more convenient than the traditional two-hand, twist-style focusing system. For more information on these two features read our review of the LED Lenser P7 and P5R flashlights.

The H7 consists of the headlamp, a power (battery) pack, and an elasticized head band. The complete unit, including batteries, weights only 117 grams (4.1 ounces) - less than the weight of an iPhone. When you've attached something to your head and plan to leave it there for any period of time, weight is a crucial factor. Once you've put the H7 on, you'll hardly notice its there. The soft elasticized band is just over 3/4" wide, and can be easily adjusted for a snug fit. 

Three AAA batteries power the H7. The use of triple A-size batteries makes a lot of sense, as you can purchase them just about anywhere. Alkaline versions can be had for around $1 each, or you can go with lithium batteries for around $5.

Battery pack and 'Rapid Focus' control arm

Three AAA batteries give up to 63 hours of illumination

The front side of the battery case is made of a rigid ABS plastic, while the cover is flexible rubber (or a similar type material). On the top front side is the arm that controls the 'Rapid Focus' feature. Move the arm to one side and you get full brightness (155 lumens); as you move the arm to the opposite direction, brightness decreases gradually, down to 2.5 lumens. At maximum brightness you can get about 4-1/2 hours of illumination. Not too shabby. On the minimum setting you can get up to a whopping 63 hours of light.

The flexible cover holds on tightly, and you'd have to immerse the battery case in water before you get any moisture seepage into the battery compartment.

Power button is on top, and Auto Focus knob is at the bottom

The lamp tilts down 90°

The business end of the H7 is up front, and incorporates LED Lenser's unique 'Advanced Focus System'. On the top of the lamp is the power button, and below is the Auto Focus knob. Push the knob to one side and the lamp moves outward into spot focus mode. In this mode it projects a narrow, focused beam of light. As you rotate the knob the lamp retracts, changing to flood focus. In this mode you get a wide spread beam.

Another nice feature on the H7 is that you can tilt the lamp downward 90°, allowing you to direct a narrow or wide focus of light exactly where you want it to go.

Lamp set to spot (narrow) focus

Lamp set to flood (wide) focus

When not in use you can store the H7 in it's soft carry case, which you can slip onto a belt. There are a lot of headlamps on the market, but none offer the range of features you'll find on the LED Lenser H7. This headlamp is of exceptional build quality, provides excellent light output, beam distance and run time, is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and is well priced, at $60.

Reviewed October 2011