One feature of riding with a head torch can also be a bug, depending on use and aim: Blinding car drivers.
It can be very helpful for reading maps and (unlighted) computer screens while underway, but if aimed too high, can become problematic to car drivers, especially at intersections when the rider may be stopped/partially dismounted and looking up at traffic signals.
OTOH, I was once able to catch the eye of a driver about to turn across my path who apparently had not noticed me before seeing (being blinded by) my head torch as I swiveled my head to look at him so I could avoid a collision.
A COB LED (Chip-On-Board LED) like Ian's new light commonly uses an array of LEDs behind a diffuser screen for a shorter, wider-angled beam compared to a focused LED with, say, a collumating lens or side/angled reflector. The COB light is likely to appear very "bright" but "diffuse" and so less blinding to others compared to a focused beam. I love COB LEDs for those times when I want even shadowless lighting at relatively close range. I've found them ideally suited for working on plumbing under sinks, changing the oil in the car, setting up camp and cooking, etc and not so good for hiking and cycling where I needed a more focused beam at a distance. I have some inexpensive (eBay-sourced) COB LED "be seen" auxiliary head- and taillights that attach to my bikes quickly with a rubber strap and I like them very much for the intended purpose.
Just something to keep in mind.
As for me, I *
love* my LED head torches and couldn't imagine being without for a huge variety of daily tasks, though I rarely wear one while cycling. After testing and buying a number of LED headlights over the years, I've settled on the Black Diamond Storm as my all-'round favorite. It has a white focused beam, a separate wide-angle beam (the two can be combined), each separately dimmable. The diffuse beam can be switched between white, green, blue, and red. I prefer the latter set to low for reading at night to preserve my night vision. Black Diamond also offer their USB rechargeable Revolt line. My older model uses their proprietary rechargeable AAA cells which had a terrible service/recharge cycle life, so I substituted Eneloops with the last centimeter of outer insulation removed from the case wrapping so they would recharge in the light housing like the originals. Problem solved, though I still prefer the four AAA cells used in the Storm and I charge the Eneloops for that in a separate small charger attached to my Cycle2Charge unit while cycling.
Black Diamond has some terrible problems with earlier Storm models, but I found their warranty service to be exceptionally good and they replaced my faulty units quickly and without a quibble and the replacements have worked flawlessly.
Best, Dan.
EDIT: A closer look at the Amazon description for Ian's Smiling Shark headlamp shows a separate, focused white LED facing forward and a red one to the rear, along with hand-wave actuation. Looks nice!
I'm tempted!
