Streamlight 61705 Bandit 180-Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp with White and Red LEDs and USB Cord, Hat Clip & Elastic Headstrap, Red

I purchased this headlamp because I went fishing at night and deer almost gave me a heart attack. I thought it was a cougar. But now I feel so much safer that I have this headlamp and I don’t have to fumble for my stinkin’ little flashlight. I love it’s rechargeable too.

I bought the Bandit despite already owning a focused headlight that is considerably brighter, but also considerably heavier. The focused spot, while useful for distant spotting at night, was not ideal for just walking around in the dark, either outdoors or inside. My impression is that the Bandit is perfect for that. I read some reviews that say that the headband was too thin and loose, but found the adjustable band to be perfect for holding up the Bandit, which weighs in at just over an ounce. I haven't tried the cap mount yet.I plan to use the light on low, not having any need so far for the bright setting. I tested the light for low light level operating time and got 6.5 hours from the first charge and 7 hours from the second. Possibly the operating time will increase more with recurring cycles. I also measured the output light (lux) level over the second operating trial a short distance from the light. Starting at 100%, the light declined steadily to about 12% at shutdown after 7 hours. This is not as bad as it sounds, however, because the eye's perception of brightness is logarithmic, more like a cube root of the light level, so the perceived brightness at 7 hours was more like half of the perceived brightness at the start. If the light is used up close or in dark adapted conditions at night, it provides adequate light to both read or work on things close up and to navigate safely through obstacles.The information on the paper provided with the Bandit appears to have errors. It indicates a charge time of 1.5 hours with a 1000 ma draw. I measured a maximum charging current about 200 ma while using a charger that could supply 2000 ma. Also, the charging time in both trials was about 2.5 hours. The information supplied by Streamlight on the Amazon webpage appears to be a better match with reality, indicating a 450 mah battery that requires 2.5 hours for charging. With a 200 ma charging current dwindling down to about 10 ma at the end of charge, a time of 2.5 hours is very reasonable for that mah rating..Although I really like the light, I wish that it had a slightly larger battery to extend the usable operating time to 12 hours or so. Hopefully, it will get closer to the claimed 9.5 hour operating time as the battery gets broken in.

7/7/20 Update - I didn't realize Streamlight has a newer "pro" version of this headlamp with much better battery life for about twelve bucks more. I am returning this one and getting the pro version: https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61715-Bandit-Pro-Headstrap/dp/B07T869J1Z?ref_=ast_sto_dp7/4/20 Update: I am lowering my original 5 star review to 4 stars due to battery life. I am only getting 6 hours on the lower brightness level, 3.5 hours less than the stated 9.5 hour run time.This headlamp I would imagine would be perfect for most uses. It has a wide beam so you don't have to keep turning your head to point the lamp at whatever you are doing, which you have to do with most headlamps. This is due to its unique design with an almost florescent light like capability. It has 2 brightness levels and the lower level should be plenty for most uses and the brighter level is handy to have if you really need it. Love the fact that you get 9 hours of run time on the low light level. Used this for night fishing and it was absolutely perfect and I also love the fact that it comes with a hat clip so you can clip it onto the brim of your baseball cap and don't have to use the head band, I actually prefer it on the hat most of the time but it's nice that you have the headband if you want to use it that way. Easily rechargeable via micro USB. All in all a great all around headlamp.

Update:6/10/18 out of the blue one of mine started strobe flashing “a feature it doesn’t have” so instead of just clicking it on after clicking it off. I simply clicked and held the button for about 20 seconds then I released the button and clicked it on and it’s working normal again.Original review: I conducted a time test and fully charged the light last 1 1/2 hours on high and 3 on low but low isn’t bright enough for older mechanics, when I was in my 30’s low would’ve been sufficient but not now. I suggest getting three so if you have a big job you want run out of light.Get the less expensive one because the main things I read about the bad reviews is the more expensive camo ones must have a strobe light that get Permanetly stuck in the strobe mode. As a mechanic I don’t need a strobe light. The cheapest one doesn’t come with a strobe setting, only low and high.Pros: -Brightness on high is great and wide but last 1 1/2 hours on bright.- You don’t need to click through both settings because after you click it on to the setting that you prefer by the time you take you hand away that the next time you click the button it goes straight to the off position no matter if you have it set on low or high.In other words if you have it set to low and you need to turn it off a minute later, you don’t need click up to the high beam position and then click it again to turn it off. You will see.l what I’m talking about.- Works great on a hat, it’s so light until you don’t even know it’s there.-Super lightweightCons:-low beam isn’t bright enough enough for older guys about the age of 40.- the charge last only 1 1/2 hours on high and 3 on low but low isn’t bright enough for me.

Very convenient to use. Bright and stable light. Excellent technical support in case of problems!

J'ai eu peur que la lumière démo reste dessus .... La lumière ne tenait pas ... Après une charge de 15 minute tout étai parfait ! Prêt au travail ;) très bonne lumière ! Ses ma deuxième ! Très bon sous la pluie ! A déjà passer 3 jour oublier sous la pluie ... Mais a pas passer le test de la laveuse a linge ! 😂 Setai trop ! Malgrer sa j'ai racheter la même !

Bought this light to assist in performing a pre-trip inspection on my School Bus, it attaches nicely to the rim of a ball cap and is lightweight and is plenty bright! It leaves both hands free for checking the oil, transmission fluids, wheel lugs etc. I own numerous Streamlight flashlights and they never disappoint! Highly recommended!

This has two settings, one is useless the other is adequate. Battery life is probably 4-5 hours on high output.

Love this light. I'm using it on night shifts working general duty law enforcement and its indispensable. I love that you just plug it in to charge and it's more than bright enough. Plus it keeps my hands free for searches or handling documents. I've tried a light mounted to my vest and found I was always chasing the beam for note taking. Plus it was useless doing a search of a vehicle. You know how you're always trying out new gear to see what works best? Well I've found it. I will never go without this light again. And no, I'm not getting paid for this.