Coast FL97R Headlamp Evaluate

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The Coast FL97R can deal with all the things from route-finding on the path to offering ambient mild in a tent. We examined the FL97R on all sorts of Colorado adventures, and it held up properly throughout the board.

The three-button structure appears to be like busy at first look, however the studying curve could be very quick, and the GLIDE FOCUS lever is likely one of the higher beam changes we’ve used at this value level. One clean slide takes you from flood to a decent spot that throws farther than the lumen score suggests. The ARC180° space lights proved to be a fantastic function for camp, although they labored greatest with the lamp set down or suspended as a lantern moderately than worn on our head as a result of extensive wash.

At 3.8 ounces, the FL97R is on the heavier finish, although it wears lighter than anticipated. The principle knock at this value is the IP54 score. It handles rain and dirt superb, however some rivals supply extra dependable IP67 waterproofing. That hole is noteworthy in the event you spend important time in really moist circumstances. To see how the FL97R compares to different choices available on the market, try our information to one of the best headlamps.

How We Examined

The FL97R logged time throughout a variety of Colorado adventures, together with a 7-mile night loop within the foothills, two automotive tenting journeys totaling 4 nights, and an early-season alpine begin above 11,000 ft, amongst others. Testing spanned pre-dawn path navigation, camp setup, around-camp duties, and prolonged tent use.

Illumination & Gentle High quality

The FL97R is the brightest headlamp we’ve examined on this value vary – and felt even brighter than equally rated designs within the discipline. On Turbo Mode, the BULLS-EYE spot beam reaches 738 ft (225 meters), which is extra throw than most individuals will ever realistically want on path however helpful for scanning terrain (e.g., recognizing a cairn at a distance). 

The GLIDE FOCUS lever is one other spotlight of the design: Slide it ahead, and the beam transitions from extensive flood to a decent, penetrating spot mild in a single movement. We had been uncertain about it being superior to a twist bezel till we used it within the discipline. Discovering a beam that works for you is fast and straightforward.

One other benefit the FL97R has over most headlamps: All of its mild sources can run concurrently. This implies you’ll be able to make the most of the world lights plus the principle beam and pink or inexperienced on the identical time. This flexibility is uncommon and helpful if you need each ambient mild and directional throw without delay. 

Low mode sits at 110 lumens, which is pretty shiny for tent studying. The ARC180° space lights fill that hole at 20 lumens on their low setting, although we discovered they work greatest as a lantern substitute with the headlamp set down or suspended from above moderately than worn in your head.

Burn Time

Battery life on the FL97R is sensible within the modes you’ll really use. Excessive mode will get you 830 lumens for two hours, medium provides 420 lumens for five hours, and low is 110 lumens for 15 hours. We opted for low mode most frequently, which was a lot shiny for normal path use and meant we didn’t have to continually fear about battery drainage. Turbo mode’s 40-second runtime at 1,250 lumens is a burst function for fast scans, not sustained use. 

One factor to notice: Voice activation attracts energy even when the lamp is in standby mode. We didn’t expertise a measurable influence on battery life throughout testing, however the jury continues to be out on how impactful it’s on longer journeys. Voice activation might be disabled through a button on the underside of the unit, which is the precise name for multi-day use if you wish to maximize juice. The Twin Energy system stays the FL97R’s greatest insurance coverage coverage on longer journeys: When the built-in ZITHION-X rechargeable runs low, pop in three AAA alkalines to maintain the sunshine on.

Weight

The FL97R sits on the heavier finish of our lineup at 4.2 ounces, and that’s considerably by design. It is a camp-oriented headlamp constructed for brightness and flexibility, not a stripped-down unit for path operating. For comparability, the Ledlenser HF6R Signature, which occupies an identical feature-heavy, high-output area of interest, is available in at 4.8 ounces.

The excellent news: The FL97R’s weight is distributed properly sufficient that our gear analysts didn’t discover it throughout use. In different phrases, the lamp wears lighter than its spec suggests. The majority does trigger some flop and shaking when operating, however it’s a non-issue on night hikes and automotive tenting journeys. 

Consolation

The FL97R wears properly up to some extent. The Extremely-Strap is a breathable, silicone-lined mesh band that stayed put although full evenings with out digging in. The short-disconnect buckle is a pleasant contact, making it simple to stash the headlamp with no need to readjust the match every time. The strap has maintained its form over time with no noticeable stretching.

The lean mechanism locks into 4 fastened positions moderately than adjusting freely, so you can not dial in a precise angle the best way you’ll be able to on another fashions. The GLIDE FOCUS lever compensates a bit by letting you regulate the beam form as an alternative of the beam angle, however it’s not an ideal substitute. We additionally discovered the ARC180° space lights work greatest when the lamp is about down on a floor or hung in a tent (like a camp lantern). When worn in your head, the extensive wash of the sunshine shines instantly into your eyes and will get uncomfortable shortly. 

Ease of Use

The FL97R was extra intuitive than anticipated given its options. Three buttons sit on prime of the unit, every with a devoted perform: One cycles white beam brightness ranges, one controls the world lights, and the third controls the pink and inexperienced modes. The GLIDE FOCUS lever is a bodily slider that adjusts the flood and spot of the principle beam. As soon as you realize the structure, biking modes is quick, and the capabilities hardly ever intervene with one another. The flexibility to run a number of mild sources concurrently (space mild on whereas utilizing the principle beam, for instance) is a pleasant benefit and requires no particular button mixture.

Attending to the inexperienced beam requires biking via pink first, which could possibly be annoying if you need inexperienced quick, however it was a non-issue for our analysts. The lockout perform prevented unintended activation in pack pockets. Voice activation, accessed through a button on the underside of the unit, has its personal transient studying curve. Begin by saying “Coast” to wake the headlamp, then state the mode identify. To our shock, it really labored fairly properly, even in louder environments. 

Options

The FL97R is likely one of the most feature-rich headlamps we’ve examined, and most of these options maintain up within the discipline. The GLIDE FOCUS lever and ARC180° space lights (lined within the sections above) are extraordinarily sensible. The voice activation is a useful and distinctive addition that we used greater than we anticipated to. We went in skeptical, anticipating a gimmick, and got here out satisfied of its usefulness – it’s genuinely useful for camp setup or some other two-handed job. 

In observe, we discovered ourselves bumping brightness up and down continually with no need to achieve for the headlamp. We examined the voice management in a busy camp kitchen, on a windy path above treeline, and inside a tent, and it labored properly in all three environments. Voice management robotically deactivates after quarter-hour of inactivity to protect the battery, or it may be disabled completely through a button on the underside of the unit. 

Ought to You Purchase the Coast FL97R?

Purchase the FL97R in order for you one headlamp to deal with the entire journey. Route-finding on path, hands-free camp duties, and ambient tent mild are all lined. The GLIDE FOCUS lever is essentially the most intuitive beam adjustment we’ve used at this value, the voice activation is extra helpful than gimmicky, and the world lights make a strong tent lantern. For campers and weekend hikers, the Coast FL97R checks a variety of containers.

Skip it in the event you’re an ultralight backpacker counting grams. At 3.8 ounces, it sits on the heavier finish of our lineup. When you hike frequently in high-precipitation environments, the IP54 water resistance score could fall slightly quick (if that’s the case, there are alternatives with extra dependable IP67 waterproofing at an identical value). And if path operating is your main use case, you’ll be higher served by a lower-profile design with much less bounce.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Contemplate?

When you just like the Coast FL97R however need different choices as properly, try these fashions or the remainder of our lineup on the checklist of our favourite headlamps:

Ledlenser HF6R Signature Evaluate: The Ledlenser HF6R Signature is heavier than the FL97R at 4.8 ounces, rather less shiny with 1,000 lumens at full tilt, and prices extra. On the flip facet, it provides extra dependable IP68 waterproofing, contains a sturdy aluminum physique, and provides a blue beam alongside pink and inexperienced. Those that worth climate resistance and a rugged building – nice for makes use of like searching and fishing – could discover the added funding price it.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Evaluate: An excellent all-rounder, the Petzl ACTIK CORE provides 625 lumens at max brightness, weighs 3.1 ounces, and might be run off of its rechargeable battery or three AAAs. It’s easier and extra compact than the FL97R with an extended monitor file of backcountry efficiency, though it lacks an space mild and beam-focus system. 

Black Diamond Distance LT 1100 Evaluate: If you would like critical output for technical terrain and don’t want the FL97R’s camp options, the Distance LT 1100 is a robust choice. It’s rather less shiny however pulls forward in weatherproofing (IP67 vs. IP54) and burn time, lasting as much as 120 hours on low. Nevertheless, you forgo an space mild, focus lever, voice activation, and hybrid-battery versatility (it will probably’t run off of alkaline batteries in a pinch).