I buy the generic Jaycar headlamps ($20? Have not bought one in some time) disassemble and remove the main white light LED so that it is red light or nothing.
My cheap led red and white light has outlasted all the middling expensive lights from the outdoor shops, the aaa batteries stay good for months and the two button system is foolproof for low or red light. Either go really high quality with a Petzl or get the cheapy as the middle of the road ones are not worth the money, can fail and flatten batteries when not in use and have poor button functionality.
Can't kill my old Varta Red LED headlamp, I have used it for years. It even hangs on my bed post and I grab it when I get up at night to pee (Old age affliction you know). So it gets used every night, astro or not.
I also have a very nice Black Diamond headlight, which was a gift from my son, but requires a PHD to operate.
That's what I did. 8+ years later, it's good as new and batteries do last me months. TBH, I use it more on white light that red (for non-astro activities) but the red light is pretty good.
