Coast FL97R Review: The Best Voice-Activated Headlamp for Hunting Under $70

Introduction: The Hands-Free Hunting Revolution

I was fifteen feet up a gnarled hickory tree in the Ohio woods, shivering as the first slivers of gray light touched the horizon. My fingers were numb, tucked deep into my heavy-duty gloves, and I was trying to adjust my bow hanger while keeping my eyes peeled for movement. The last thing I wanted to do was take my hand off my riser to fumble for a tiny button on my forehead just to see where I’d dropped my rangefinder. In the predawn darkness, gear management is a high-stakes game of frustration, and traditionally, your headlamp is just another piece of equipment you have to fight with.

Then I spoke to my hat. "Coast, Red," I whispered. Instantly, a soft, ghostly red glow illuminated the gear at my feet without spooking every buck within a half-mile radius. No clicking, no scrolling through modes, just light.

The Coast FL97R isn't just another headlamp; it’s a shift in how we interact with gear in the field. After weeks of putting this through the wringer—from midnight scouting runs to pre-dawn treestand climbs—I’ve realized that voice control isn't a gimmick for hunters. It’s a tactical advantage. The FL97R is the most budget-friendly voice-activated headlamp in Coast's lineup, featuring nine distinct voice commands that effectively give you a "third hand" when you’re deep in the timber.

Hands-Free Mastery: Testing the 'SpeakEasy' Technology

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Most "smart" gear tends to fail the moment you get a little sweat or mud on it. But Coast’s "SpeakEasy" technology is surprisingly robust. To wake it up, you hit a dedicated button on the bottom of the housing. This puts the lamp in a 15-minute standby window where it listens specifically for your voice. If you don't use a command for 15 minutes, it shuts the mic off to save battery—a smart move for those long sits where you only need light for the initial climb and the final pack-out.

The magic happens in the "whisper range." I didn't have to shout like I was arguing with a smart speaker in my kitchen. Even in a low, gravelly hunter’s whisper, the FL97R picked up the commands with about a 90% success rate.

The 9 Voice Commands You Need to Know:

• "Coast, Red" (Preserves night vision)
• "Coast, Green" (Great for tracking or reading maps without a harsh glare)
• "Coast, Warm" (Soft white for camp chores)
• "Coast, Low" (Efficient 110-lumen output)
• "Coast, Medium" (The 420-lumen workhorse mode)
• "Coast, High" (Standard bright white)
• "Coast, Turbo" (Max power for 1,250 lumens)
• "Coast, Off" (Instant darkness)
• "Coast, Battery" (The lamp verbally tells you "High," "Medium," or "Low" battery status)

Whether I was adjusting climbing sticks or field dressing a late-season doe, having my hands free to work the knife or the lineman’s belt while the light adjusted to my verbal cues was a revelation. It eliminates that awkward "stop everything to click the button" dance we’ve all done for years.

Beam Performance: 1,250 Lumens & Glide Focus

When you aren't whispering to it, the FL97R is an absolute powerhouse. In Turbo mode, it pumps out 1,250 lumens. To put that in perspective, I was able to spot a reflective trail marker nearly two-and-a-half football fields away. The Coast FL97R provides a maximum output of 1,250 lumens on Turbo mode and a beam distance of up to 225 meters using its Glide Focus technology.

The "Glide Focus" is a physical lever on the side of the lamp. Unlike twist-focus lights that require two hands or a very awkward grip, you can flick this lever with one finger to transition from a massive, wide flood to a surgical spot beam. The stats are wild: you get a 5,525% increase in reach between the 4-meter flood setting and the 225-meter Turbo spot.

For the hunter, the 4-light array is the real winner. You aren't stuck with just "blinding white" or "dim red." The Warm White mode is much easier on the eyes when you're looking at a map or checking your GPS, while the Green mode is perfect for navigating through thick brush without alerting game quite as easily as white light would.

Power & Portability: The Rechargeable Plus System

One of my biggest gripes with modern headlamps is the "proprietary battery trap." If your light dies in the middle of a multi-day pack-in hunt and you don't have a power bank, you're in the dark. Coast solves this with their Rechargeable Plus technology.

The FL97R uses the ZX350 lithium battery, which features a built-in USB-C port. You don't even need a separate cradle—just plug the cord directly into the battery. But here’s the kicker: if you run out of juice in the backcountry, you can pop that lithium pack out and drop in three standard AAA alkaline batteries. It’s the ultimate insurance policy for solo expeditions.

Runtime Reality Check:

• Medium (420 Lumens): 5 hours (This is where I spent most of my time).
• Low (110 Lumens): 15 hours (Perfect for camp chores and general hiking).
• Turbo (1,250 Lumens): This is a "burst" mode intended for short-term spotting, not long-term navigation.

Check Price on Coast FL97R →

The Learning Curve: Why You Must Use the Lockout

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The FL97R has one design quirk that nearly left me in the dark. The buttons on the top of the unit are not recessed. If you toss this headlamp into a crowded backpack without thinking, there is a very high probability that a piece of gear will press against those buttons, turning the light on while it’s buried in your pack.

I call this "Dead Battery Syndrome." I learned the hard way after reaching into my pack at 4:30 AM only to find a very warm, very dead headlamp.

Pro-Tip: Master the Lockout Function. To prevent accidental activation, press and hold both top buttons for several seconds until the light flashes red. This locks the interface. Repeat the process to unlock it. Do not skip this step when packing your gear.

Beyond the lockout, the comfort is top-tier. Coast uses what they call the Ultra-Strap™—a breathable, silicone-lined band that doesn't slip, even when you're sweating through a steep ascent. It also comes with helmet clips if you’re using it for work or extreme climbing.

Comparison: Coast FL97R vs. RL35R

If you’ve been looking at Coast’s voice-activated line, you’ve likely seen the RL35R. So, why choose the FL97R?

Feature	Coast FL97R	Coast RL35R
Price	~$65 - $70	~$80 - $90
Max Lumens	1,250	1,100
Beam Style	Glide Focus (Lever)	Fixed Wide / Fixed Spot
Voice Control	Yes (9 Commands)	Yes (SpeakEasy)
Weight	Slightly more compact	Rear battery pack design

The FL97R is the better choice for the "mobile" hunter. Its all-in-one front-loading design feels more compact on your head than the rear-battery-pack style of the RL series. Plus, the FL97R gives you more raw lumen power and the manual Glide Focus lever for about $20 less. For a budget-conscious hunter who still wants high-end tech, the FL97R wins every time.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

After putting the Coast FL97R through the ringer, the verdict is a resounding yes—with a few caveats.

The Pros: The voice control is genuinely useful in high-stakes hunting scenarios. The ability to switch to red or green light without taking your hands off your bow or rifle is a game-changer. The build quality is rugged (IP54 weather resistant), and the beam distance for a light under $70 is nothing short of incredible.

The Cons: The button sensitivity is a real issue if you forget the lockout. Also, the voice control does require that 15-minute "wake up" tap, so you can't just talk to it after it's been idle for an hour.

If you’re a hunter, hiker, or camp cook who is tired of fumbling with buttons in the dark, the FL97R is the best value-for-money upgrade you can make to your kit this season. It's powerful, versatile, and, most importantly, it listens.

FAQ

Q: Does the voice control work in the rain or wind? A: Yes. I tested it in moderate wind, and as long as you aren't in a gale, the microphone does a great job of isolating your voice. Heavy rain can occasionally dampen the "SpeakEasy" button’s responsiveness if the unit gets soaked, but generally, it’s built for the elements.

Q: Can I use voice commands to dim the light? A: Sort of. You can’t say "Dim by 20%," but you can switch between the preset modes ("Coast, Low," "Coast, Medium," "Coast, High") to find the brightness level you need.

Q: How long does it take to charge? A: Using the ZX350 battery with a standard USB-C wall charger, you're looking at about 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge from empty.

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