Switched from a regular flashlight to a magnetic headlamp for panel work

I used to hold a flashlight in my mouth or try to prop it up while working inside a wing bay, which was a pain. After dropping my light for the third time on a Cessna 172 job, I bought a $35 Coast HL8R headlamp. Now I have both hands free and the magnetic base lets me stick it to the airframe right where I need light. Has anyone tried a different brand that holds a charge longer?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_roberts1mo ago

Actually, that whole magnetic headlamp idea seems like a hassle waiting to happen. You're just asking to leave it stuck somewhere and forget it, or have it fall off at the worst time. A good old handheld light is simple and reliable, you always know where it is. Plus, now you have to remember to keep another thing charged up, which is just one more chore. Strapping something to your head for hours gets really uncomfortable too. Sometimes the basic tool is still the best one for the job.

david1761mo ago

Hard disagree @anna_roberts. The whole POINT is your hands are free. Try holding a light and working on anything tricky, it's a nightmare. A good head strap is fine, and the magnet lets you stick it to a car hood or a pipe. Forgetting it is a you problem, not a gear problem.

chen.phoenix20d ago

Honestly, the headlamp sounds like a solution for a problem that doesn't need to exist. A decent handheld light with a pocket clip or a hook is way less fuss, and you can set it down anywhere without worrying about metal surfaces or battery levels. That magnetic base is just one more part that can fail or collect metal shavings. Sometimes adding more gear just adds more points of failure, and going back to the simple tool feels like a relief.