Coast FL97R Headlamp Assessment | GearJunkie Examined

As I shivered within the predawn darkness, the necessity for a caffeine hit was overwhelming. I used to be groggy and drained from back-to-back days of whitetail searching, and prime time was quick approaching. My head wasn’t within the recreation, and it wanted to be.

Twenty toes within the air, I shifted in my tree saddle and began digging by means of my pack, trying to find the vitality drink I foolishly positioned on the backside on the night time prior. I pulled all kinds of junk from the pack, utilizing one arm to maintain every little thing from falling out of the tree whereas the opposite frantically searched the muddle within the backside of my bag. The magic juice was nowhere to be discovered.

In my simply annoyed state, I caved and determined to make use of the Coast FL97R headlamp, regardless of the haunting suspicion {that a} shooter buck was solely 100 yards away within the darkness. “Coast, Crimson,” I whispered, arms laden with further layers and equipment. A refined, purple mild glistened off the highest of the can, buried beneath two path cameras. Thank God, candy aid.

“Coast, off,” I whispered, enveloping myself again into darkness. I stuffed every little thing again within the pack, after which sat again and awakened with the woods, having fun with my drink on excessive alert.

In brief: Voice activation is a comparatively new know-how in headlamps. The Coast FL97R ($60) is probably the most budget-friendly headlamp within the model’s lineup you can speak to. After over a month of use, I’ve discovered it to be helpful in far more conditions than I anticipated. Throw within the potential to spit out 1,250 lumens, 4 totally different lights, and an intuitive person interface, and you’ve got a stellar torch for beneath 70 bucks. It’s spectacular, and the worth is just mirrored within the battery life.

See how the Coast FL97R stacks up towards different headlamps in our Finest Headlamps of 2025 Purchaser’s Guide.

Voice Activation in a Price range-Pleasant Torch

If you happen to’re not accustomed to voice activation from Coast, consider it like Siri. You give the headlamp directions by saying, “Coast, *insert command*.” The model launched the RL35R flagship headlamp in 2024. Now the lineup is increasing to incorporate the FL97R reviewed right here.

There are 9 totally different instructions the sunshine is aware of. Earlier than utilizing it, press the small button on the backside of the headlamp to activate it. The voice activation will keep on, however mechanically turns off after the sunshine is powered off and has been inactive for quarter-hour.

I believed it was a cool idea after I first checked out it, however I wasn’t positive how a lot I’d use it. The truth is, when my mother was on the town visiting, I confirmed it to her, and she or he mocked me. “That’s ridiculous. What’s flawed together with your two palms?” OK, Boomer.

After utilizing it, I can say that it’s means handier than I anticipated. And actually, when you concentrate on it, that needs to be apparent. I’m choosing a headlamp moderately than a flashlight so I can maintain my palms free. It is smart to have a very hands-free operation.

Once I’m searching, I function in full darkness as a lot as I can. Nevertheless, some duties want mild, and I’ve often run into hiccups whereas putting climbing sticks on a tree midway up at nighttime. Whereas maintaining my lineman’s belt tight, holding a stick regular, and attempting to run a rope round a trunk, I don’t have free palms. It’s so good to say, “Coast, purple” to get the little bit of sunshine I want.

It’s helpful when doing boat repairs with tool-laden palms, whereas cooking in searching camps, and actually, in all places.

Does It Work Properly?

The voice activation is just about glitch-free. I’ve had a bunch of individuals check it, together with kids, and a few southern rednecks with thick accents. It really works for all of us.

Since I’m a hunter, I’ve additionally examined how quietly I can converse to it. It can decide up whispers — though not completely. I often need to whisper the command a number of occasions, nevertheless it does finally get it.

The 9 instructions are extreme as a result of I can’t bear in mind all of them between makes use of. I exploit “Coast, Crimson,” “Coast, On,” and “Coast, Off” probably the most, which supplies me purple mild and the usual LED mild set at medium. I often use “Coast, Heat” for a much less blinding, extra camp-friendly mild.

The Coast FL97R: 4 Completely different Lights in One

There are 4 totally different lighting modes on this headlamp. For 60 bucks, you get a purple and inexperienced mild to protect night time imaginative and prescient, a “heat” mild on the outer edges of the lamp, and a four-setting LED mild able to cranking out 1250 lumens on turbo, which is a really excessive output for a lamp at this worth level.

You could have choices, and I commonly use all of the lights besides the inexperienced. The nice and cozy mild is one in every of my favorites. It’s good for working round camp, and it supplies a working glow that envelopes you, moderately than a vivid beam that blinds everybody you have a look at.

Whereas the 1,250 lumens on turbo is spectacular, it’s a bit a lot for many makes use of outdoors of sending a obvious beam into the woods to verify for the Sasquatch you’re sure is coming to eat you. Exterior of its extreme brightness, it’ll additionally drain the battery at a a lot sooner charge than the decrease ranges.

I often use the LED mild set to medium, which emits a enough 420 lumens and retains the battery alive for five hours of runtime. If that’s not sufficient runtime for you, you’ll be able to protect battery by switching to low (110 lumens), which boosts the runtime to fifteen hours.

Simple-to-Use Interface

The button format and interface of the Coast FL97R are among the many most intuitive I’ve ever used. I’m the king of forgetting button sequences. Press and maintain for one mild, three clicks for an additional, maintain to dim, and so forth., doesn’t work for me. I find yourself turning the woods right into a disco simply attempting to get a purple mild on, which isn’t precisely superb for searching.

This headlamp packs fairly a number of options, however happily, every little thing has its personal button, eliminating all confusion. The center button controls the principle LED; the left button controls the coloured lights; and the correct button controls the nice and cozy mild. You press the related button a number of occasions to toggle by means of brightness. It’s easy and unattainable to overlook.

Altering from a floodlight to a spot beam is equally as easy. You simply flip the “GLIDE FOCUS” lever on the sunshine itself to regulate the constriction of sunshine.

The FL97R can attain 4 m with the dial set large open and the sunshine set to low, and as much as 225 m with the dial zoomed in and the sunshine set to turbo. It has the proper attain for many, if not all, conditions the place you want a lightweight, and adjusting it is vitally easy.

The place the Coast FL97R Headlamp Might Enhance

For the primary 2 weeks that I used this headlamp, I despised it. The battery was dying on me at an unreal charge. On three separate hunts, I used to be rolling at nighttime.

Warning: Consumer Error Is a Factor

That drawback got here all the way down to me, effectively, being an fool.

I’ll admit I work too shortly within the woods. Small particulars go by the wayside, and I’m usually hurrying to maneuver on to the subsequent activity or goal. An instance of a small element I usually overlook is using a headlamp’s lockout perform, which the FL97R has.

Now, for my total life, not utilizing a lockout perform has solely bitten me within the butt a handful of occasions. With this headlamp, it appeared to occur dang close to each time.

That easy-to-use, multi-button interface proved to be the wrongdoer. The buttons on the highest of the headlamp aren’t recessed. They stick out, and that design all however ensures the FL97R will get turned on in a backpack or pocket. I began stuffing it out and in of a pack with out utilizing the lockout, and lo and behold, it was virtually unattainable to maintain it turned off.

So, I did one thing really groundbreaking: I began utilizing the lockout perform Coast supplies. Voilà. Downside solved. Finally, my concern didn’t stem from the product. It was my fault. I’m offering a warning, although: use your mind and use the lockout perform, or you should have a useless headlamp.

The Battery Life Is Nonetheless Much less Than Spectacular, Although

Regardless that I solved my drawback, it’s price noting that the burn time is, the truth is, worse than that of different, dearer headlamps. Nevertheless, it’s not so poor you can’t depend on it within the area. However you will have to recharge it greater than you’d suppose. I’ve began recharging after each three makes use of, relying on how heavy that use is.

I’ve additionally began packing spare AAA batteries, which the headlamp additionally takes, a element I respect on a chargeable headlamp with a shorter-than-average battery life. For the reason that lockout debacle, I haven’t needed to break into them within the area, although. Nevertheless, should you’re headed on an prolonged journey with out the flexibility to recharge, the AAAs make this headlamp a serviceable alternative.

Ultimate Ideas on the Coast FL97R

I’ve dropped what many would take into account an irresponsible sum of money on a headlamp earlier than. At that stage in my life, I used to be spending extreme time open air, and headlamp was indispensable. I wanted ridiculous run occasions and big quantities of energy.

There’s a drawback with these headlamps, although: they are usually very cumbersome, with the sunshine on the entrance, a large battery pack on the again, and wires in all places. Sure, they’re superior, however they’re extremely uncomfortable to put on for lengthy durations.

The actual fantastic thing about the Coast FL97R is that it’s extremely feature-rich and kicks out a ton of sunshine in a compact, easy-to-use package deal. And the asking worth is greater than truthful, all issues thought-about.

The scarf is comfy, and the lamp isn’t so heavy that it feels prefer it’s sagging in your noggin. Sure, the battery life may very well be higher, however should you wished an enchancment in that division, you’d need to go to a type of clunky, obnoxious designs. It’s a tradeoff, and one I’m prepared to make for a modern design.

Is that this the headlamp I would choose if I have been constantly happening multiweek expeditions? No. However for most individuals who want a headlamp for brief tenting journeys, searching, or basic use, this is a superb alternative. You’ll in all probability be shocked at how a lot you employ the voice management. I, for one, don’t desire a headlamp with out it.