Let me clarify. When running, obviously I am looking forward the majority of the time. However, I do not run open water reservoirs usually. Rather rivers and creek channels that are twisting and have many areas where I am looking for specific landmarks, tree limbs, stick ups, channel cuts, etc... having a hard hat light affords you the ability to place the light EXACTLY where you need it to be while you have one hand on the tiller and the other on the grab bar. Cuz I don't know about the rest of yous but I ain't running open, clean water. Rather waters that ar twisting, turning, rocky, stumpy, etc..where you had better be hanging on to something cuz the underwater obstructions are just waiting to ive you a cold bath if one is hit at speed at the wrong angle. Problem with bow mounted lights is that depending on your load, they may point to high or too low given any load situation when running. I ain't into crawling over everything to get to the lights to angle them more up or down. If you run with the same load everytime then I could see the set it and forget it mindset. Me, my load ( number of passenger and/or gear) changes just about every hunt.
Different strokes for everyone, but I'll take pinpoint lighting exactly where and when I need it every time. What my eyes are looking for is where the light goes. And if you guys have never seen the amount of light a 100w aircraft landing bulb puts out it will enlighten you