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Author Topic: which head torch?  (Read 20658 times)

LandyLiam

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which head torch?
« on: September 01, 2010 »
time to get myself a decent headtorch, any recommendations? budget up to £30

had a look around the internet and i like the Energizer Extreme Cree Headlight at £25

Waterproof up to IPX7 - 30 minutes at 1 metre.
Shatterproof lens.
80 Lumens with Hi-Tech cree LED and 2 red LEDs.
Variable light modes; full power, adjustable brightness and night vision.
Pivoting head points light where you need it.
Weight 0.25kg. (hmmm, i think argos have it wrong again!)
Requires 1 x AA battery (included).

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0183941/Trail/searchtext>HEAD+TORCH.htm



is there something better out there or can i can same one for less money?
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DryBag

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2010 »
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suspectmonkey

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2010 »
Personally I wouldn't spend £30 on a head torch.  I had looked at Petzl head torches and pretty much settled on one of the Tikka models before coming to my senses over the price!  In the end I bought two Alpkit Gamma head torches; one for me and one for Kat. 

Now I will admit that one of them arrived faulty, but Alpkit gave me a freepost address to return it to and had it replaced in next to no time.  So far its been great.  Its really comfortable to wear and I like that the battery compartment is at the rear as it balances the weight across your head.  There are three LED's - white, green and red.  There is also a large 1W LED which has two brightness settings and strobe.  Finally, there is a red LED strip on the rear battery compartment so your buddies can follow you off the hill in the dark. 

The only downer is that it cant be used with Lithium batteries, so I cant use my rechargeables.  But the head torch comes with a pair of Alkaline Duracell's and I've had the same set in mine since I bought it at the start of the year (batteries are included).  For £12.50 I wouldnt look at anything else. 
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NeilB

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2010 »
If your looking for a good head torch on a budget dude go on to the alpkit website, head torches for 12.50 (Inc p&p I think) and as a lot of the guys will tell you alpkit make good gear
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LennyJ1

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2010 »
Or keep your eyes open at a car boot sale, always a great deal to be had there.
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666_pack

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2010 »
argos do some pretty dead on types for around £10. That what I always use...they come with batteries too
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LandyLiam

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2010 »
the alpkit gamma one looks like excellent value and good light output at 51 lumens but the energizer above gives out 80 lumens, i have plenty of cheapo (£5) headtorchs which are adequate for most tasks but i plan to do some night hikes very soon so brightness is important
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RedLeader

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2010 »
I had an Alpkit Gamma and was never impressed with the beam it gave, although it reviews well so it might just be my one. I also have a Petzl one and wasn't happy with its brightness either.

In the end I got one from the service station. Just made sure it had plenty of LEDs in it and it's fine. Plenty of peeps on NI-Wild have Energiser ones and seem happy with them.
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suspectmonkey

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2010 »
Quote from: J on September 01, 2010
I had an Alpkit Gamma and was never impressed with the beam it gave, although it reviews well so it might just be my one. I also have a Petzl one and wasn't happy with its brightness either./quote]

You might have just been unlucky as the beam on mine seems to be spot on.  Actually, most of the time I use the small LED's rather than the big LED to save the batteries.  I used it that night we headed up to Chimney Rock and it seemed dead on for a bit of night hiking, although maybe its just all those carrots I ate paying off :D
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RedLeader

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2010 »
Next time we're out I'll have to get a play with it and do comparisonating.

Quote from: suspectmonkey on September 01, 2010
Quote from: J on September 01, 2010
I had an Alpkit Gamma and was never impressed with the beam it gave, although it reviews well so it might just be my one. I also have a Petzl one and wasn't happy with its brightness either./quote]

You might have just been unlucky as the beam on mine seems to be spot on.  Actually, most of the time I use the small LED's rather than the big LED to save the batteries.  I used it that night we headed up to Chimney Rock and it seemed dead on for a bit of night hiking, although maybe its just all those carrots I ate paying off :D
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chris

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2010 »
Your energizer head torch may give 80lm but I'd question how long a single battery will last with that kind of output. I'f your actually going to be walking at night in the dark then don't scrimp on a torch or you and your ankles will regret it! I'd be inclined to look at the petzl range again most likely the tikka plus2 and a petzl battery pack (wee bit more expensive in the short term but after 4 charges you've broken even on battery costs).
The tika plus2 gives 50lm but has a battery life of around 140hrs.
Also a tip for night hikes, don't walk with the torch on your head or else you won't be able to see properly, wrap it round your wrist or neck.
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RedLeader

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2010 »
The cheaper torches I use all have several brightness settings and take 3 batteries so they're good for a decent period - haven't tested them to death though.

Quote from: chris on September 01, 2010
Your energizer head torch may give 80lm but I'd question how long a single battery will last with that kind of output. I'f your actually going to be walking at night in the dark then don't scrimp on a torch or you and your ankles will regret it! I'd be inclined to look at the petzl range again most likely the tikka plus2 and a petzl battery pack (wee bit more expensive in the short term but after 4 charges you've broken even on battery costs).
The tika plus2 gives 50lm but has a battery life of around 140hrs.
Also a tip for night hikes, don't walk with the torch on your head or else you won't be able to see properly, wrap it round your wrist or neck.
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LandyLiam

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2010 »
I bit the bullet and went and bought the energiser cree, package says only 60 lumens and that's with a lithium battery, not quite dark enough yet for full test, will report back soon
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LandyLiam

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2010 »
Wow, this torch is very bright, my wife could just about see me from downpatrick (I'm on slieve bearnagh) and its a misty night. The 2 red leds are good enough to read with. One problem I find is that when you turn the white light on it goes straight to full power and you hold the button to dim it, I would prefer the other way round. Not fussed on having the battery at the back either, seems to get in the way when lying down and you can't lie on your back.
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DryBag

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Re: which head torch?
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2010 »
when you're walking, don't keep the light on!  God gave us excellent night vision, it just takes about 20 minutes of darkness to reach full power. 

You'll need the light to read the map though, so when you're doing that cover one eye so you don't waste another 20 minutes getting your night vision back.
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