The carbon graphite head lamp

Introduction:

Trail head lights is a small one man show out in near Comox on Vancouver Island determined to build a light system better than some of the big boys for a whole lot less. And why not? If you have ever gone shopping for a new light you can find out how quickly the price adds up. If you want to go "blig bling" you can can expect to easily spend upwards of $800 (CND) when you include an extra battery pack.

If this is too rich for your blood, well then you will have to make due with a number of questionable brands which really do not deserve the money they charge . Vista Lights and the newer BLT lights are a couple that come to mind. Well , Duane set out to change all that. He fabricates his own lights out of carbon fiber, puts in some electronics he designed himself (can we say mad skills) made a light system for the rest of us.

Insidently, Duane is also a tough as nails single speeder. So what more can you ask for? Well, how about a review on the damn thing? I have been using the Diamond Brain light now for over a year with out any problems and here is how I find it stacks up against others brands I have use in the past.

Tech Specs:

The Diamondhead Brain is the big brother of the Diamondhead SL, the other headlamp offered by Trailhead. The Brain a digital light with a microprocessor controling the action. It has three output levels equivalent to roughly 8, 15 and 25 watts.  Endurance ranges from 1.5 hours at full power to nearly 4 hours on the economy setting. 

• Soft start, which maximizes bulb life;
• Power memory, which remembers last power setting when turned off;
• Battery Monitor, indicates with a switch-mounted LED when 20 and five minutes of riding are remaining in the battery,
• Flashing mode for daytime safety or distress signal.

All light functions are controlled by a remote push button that comes with a clip that can be attached to your jersey, water pack strap or anywhere handy you'd like to have it.

Output Runtime and Easy of use:

Options are good and with the Diamond head I found the three levels. 8, 15, and 25 watts to be all I need. These light levels are Which were all accessible at a push of the button. The 8 watts I used on climbs when I wanted to save power. The 15 watts was my main choice for most situations and the 25 watts was used when things get hairy.

At the 24 hours of Moab I found the light to perform quite well. The remote switch was fairly easy to access (I kept it on my camel bak shoulder strap) and it was basically the only light I used. I did have a handle bar light but I found the head lamp to be more than ample. The light beam focus I found to be quite a good compromise between spot and flood. Truth be told I wasn't finding myself wanting anyting different (which is a good thing).

The run time was also quite good. I was able to eek a consistent 2 to 3 hours out of my packs depending on how I was using them. This is quite good for a halogen light system. Sure its not as impressive as the 4+ hours you get out of the new Metal Halide systems but at well over half the price its a damn good comprimse.

Size and weight:

One word. Carbon Fiber. Well that is actually two words, so you will have to forgive me. Don't let its size fool you, side by side it may appear larger or the same size as most other headlamps but it has to be half the weight. This is a very good feature as the more weight you carry on your helmet the more it will boucne around on you in the rought stuff. Plus the carbon fiber fit and finish is great, it makes you look all futuristic.

Mounting:

Its a head lamp, it mounts on your helmet. How hard is that? Well harder than you think, The light uses a simple mount system that consists of one velcro strap which goes throught the helmet vents. On some helmets it works fine, on others not so well. I had trouble on both my helmets, so I resorted to Duck Tape. Which I found worked fine. If you are anal about such things well then pay twice as much for a light and stop reading this review right now.

For the DIYers:

Duane appreciates your type. If fact is is one of you, just taken to an obscene level! Duane offers the lights in various stages of completeness. I personally recieved the light without any batteries, because I wanted to build my own to keep the cost down. I order Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) from BGmicro or what worked out to be about $10 dollars a pack (Nite Rider charges +$100 USD per pack)

The capacities were high (3500-4000 mah) Sanyo 4/3A cells and I have had no trouble with them. You just have to know how to solder cells together. The key is speed. You can't take too long or you will heat up the cell and damage it. You need a hot sodering iron (100 watts min) and you have to be quick. If you can't do the solder joint within 5 seconds of contact time you better get a better iron.

Accessories:

If you go this route hightly recommend getting one of MAHA chargers Duane offers. He did not build them himself but he has found a good brand that dischares and charges a variety of batteries.

Price rundown

Full units:

Diamondhead Brain: $189 USD
Diamondhead SL: $137 USD

Light, no battery

Diamondhead Brain: $99 USD
Diamondhead SL: $53 USD

Just the shell:

Shell only no electronics: $33 USD

Conclusion

While no light is perfect the options and quality you get with a trailhead system definately make it a light you should consider. Good luck finding a digital head lamp under $200 USD that includes the battery. Forgo the battery and you have a deal that simply can't be beat. While the only annoying feature was the mounting system it didn't make me too bitter.

While it is older technology (halogen) and the in thing is all the new Metal Halide, if you don't want to sell your first born to buy a light then you can't do much better.