Customer Reviews for Coast - COAST FL97R 1250 Lumen Voice-Controlled LED Headlamp w/ Spot & Flood, ARC Lighting, USB-C, Grey.
Customer Rating
3
Good, but...,
on September 7, 2026
Posted by: Pablo
from SF, CA
Gender:Male
I got this a couple weeks ago and mostly I like it, but when in voice mode it turns off or changes settings without a command. It especially likes "warm" mode which so far I all but have found no use for.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from coastportland.comBy COAST Expert, Customer Success, September 9, 2026
Thanks for sharing this, and we're sorry to hear the voice mode has been triggering unexpected changes. That's not the experience we want you to have. Please contact our support team so we can help look into this.
These are nicer than I could even imagine. I got the fl98R and the thing is amazing. Voice control works great, it's got uv, and the things even got a heck of a beam on it. I don't think you'll ever find a nicer one it's worth every cent
I'm posting this review under the FL97R listing because the unit I received was an early test model that was later released as the FL98R.
One of the standout features is the voice control. Being able to turn the light on, off, or change modes without touching the headlamp is incredibly useful when your hands are dirty, gloved, or occupied. The commands were recognized reliably during my testing and became one of those features I didn't realize I'd appreciate so much until I started using it regularly.
The combination of bright white LEDs and UV lighting makes this headlamp extremely versatile. The main beam is bright enough for work around the garage, camping, night walks, and general outdoor use. The UV mode is a great addition and came in handy for checking currency, finding stains, and other tasks where ultraviolet light is useful.
The headlamp is comfortable to wear, holds its position well, and the rechargeable battery provided plenty of runtime for my needs. Build quality feels solid and durable, which is what I've come to expect from Coast products.
If the retail FL97R offers the same performance as the FL98R test unit I received, it's an easy recommendation. The voice activation alone sets it apart from most headlamps on the market.
As a professional mechanic who needs reliable, hands-free lighting under the hood and inside dark dash cavities, here is a detailed review of the Coast FL98R Headlamp: The Coast FL98R is a top-tier headlamp for shop work, delivering excellent brightness, versatile dual-power options, and hands-free convenience. Dual Power & Battery Life: The inclusion of the ZITHION-X rechargeable battery with built-in micro-USB charging means no downtime; you can plug it in between jobs or run standard AAA alkaline batteries as a back-up. While it's slightly bulkier on the forehead than basic consumer headlamps, the trade-off in light output and rugged build quality makes it well worth the weight for daily professional use.
I received this headlamp for free as a field tester, and it has easily exceeded expectations on the job. The 1,250-lumen turbo output delivers serious illumination when you need to light up a large area, and the glide focus zoom transitions smoothly from a wide flood to a focused spot beam. In tight, dark environments like attics and crawl spaces, the voice activation feature is an absolute game-changer—being able to switch modes or toggle brightness without taking your hands off joists, wiring, or tools makes work significantly easier and safer. Having multiple lighting options on tap (including the warm high-CRI light and UV) gives it real-world utility beyond standard headlamps. The strap stays secure, the build feels durable, and the rechargeable setup with USB-C is super convenient. A solid 5-star tool for trade work, inspections, or outdoor use.
I've been using this little headlamp on and off, primarily as a backup to my main work light, the amazing Coast XPH34R. It features great red lights, as well as a very bright primary LED equipped with Coast's classic flood-to-spot beam control. My favorite feature, however, is the warm-toned dual lights. They are fantastic for maintaining good morale in dark, enclosed spaces, and the warm color is perfect for camping or reading without causing eye strain. I highly recommend it. It comes with a 1000mAh USB-C rechargeable battery that can be charged on its own or while inside the headlamp. My only slight issue is the battery life for my specific line of work—it can't sustain 1,000 lumens for 7 hours straight like my XPH34R can, but for a backup, that is perfectly okay. If you need more power, you can always buy extra rechargeable batteries or simply swap in 3 standard AAA batteries. Overall, it's an excellent backup on the job and my absolute favorite light for around the house and camping.
The voice control has proven very useful while using this head lamp. It took almost no time to have it figured out and I've had multiple buddies want their own.