Jacob
New Luddism. Wake up and resist.
Dozens of options, Screwfix, Toolstation etc - any recommendations? for a head torch, for working in dark corners, unlit cellar etc. Also for cycling as extra light, rain proof?
Head torch recommendations?
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Andrewf
Established Member
Fenix are supposed to be really good, but should be at the price.
For work we use the Unilite ones slightly cheaper but also very good.
There is an outfit called Torchdirect, they have more torches than you could shake a stike at.
For work we use the Unilite ones slightly cheaper but also very good.
There is an outfit called Torchdirect, they have more torches than you could shake a stike at.
If you use these for a length of time on a job at arms length your eyes adapt and you don't need them specially bright. Something lightweight like the old Petzl Tikka was good for this.
If you use them for (eg) night hiking where you want to light up some distance ahead then powerful is good and that probably means one with the light at the front and the battery in a box at the back to balance the weight.
They are handy in the right place, essential for outdoor sports, but for task lights I've become a fan of the Unilite CRI range of rechargeable LED lamps and haven't used a head torch in a long while.
Have you seen the Big Larry lights by Nebo ? Cheap and handy with a magnet in the bottom.
If you use them for (eg) night hiking where you want to light up some distance ahead then powerful is good and that probably means one with the light at the front and the battery in a box at the back to balance the weight.
They are handy in the right place, essential for outdoor sports, but for task lights I've become a fan of the Unilite CRI range of rechargeable LED lamps and haven't used a head torch in a long while.
Have you seen the Big Larry lights by Nebo ? Cheap and handy with a magnet in the bottom.
Look for ones that take the large 18650 rechargable battery, my Fennix takes a Nitecore 3400 mAh one and it last reasonably well. It is this one which is now discontinued
https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/hp12-fenix-headlamp
You will find that having one with the battery at the back and not within the actual front light is more comfortable, spreads the weight better.
If I was replacing it then I would look at something along similar lines, maybe not having a removable battery because it would not be for caving or hiking where carrying spare batteries is essential.
https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/hp12-fenix-headlamp
You will find that having one with the battery at the back and not within the actual front light is more comfortable, spreads the weight better.
If I was replacing it then I would look at something along similar lines, maybe not having a removable battery because it would not be for caving or hiking where carrying spare batteries is essential.
If you want to see expensive, check these guys out
https://www.oveready.com/flashlight/future-boss-35-crenellated-distressed-7075/
$500 plus lights and they can't make enough to keep up with demand !
Fenix lights are decently made and not bad value. Far better than "LED Lenser" for example.
I can recal that the extreme cavers, the ones who combined diving and caving with tanks used these
https://www.poolediving.uk/shop/div...duct/shop/torches/finnsub/fl-3600-short-41757
Might seem expensive but just our standard caving lamps were not cheap
http://littlemonkeycaving.co.uk/Nora-4-Lamps/
But then without light you were in very big trouble.
https://www.poolediving.uk/shop/div...duct/shop/torches/finnsub/fl-3600-short-41757
Might seem expensive but just our standard caving lamps were not cheap
http://littlemonkeycaving.co.uk/Nora-4-Lamps/
But then without light you were in very big trouble.
Can you expand on that? What is it about LED Lenser that you dislike? I have a LED Lenser head torch that performs well, but I don't like it even though I cannot put my finger on why not. Maybe it is the custom charging cable that I can never find when I need it.
I much prefer my Suprabeam M6XR. Not that I would ever buy that for myself, but having got it for nothing (my wife received it as a gift and I purloined it) I do like it and use it a lot. Although the charging on that is not convenient either: you have to remove the battery from the case and plug the charging lead directly into the battery.
I have three old Surefire lights (E2, C2 and C3) all with high quality aftermarket LED modules.
They are excellent. The C3 once sat in a pint pot pointing at the ceiling and lit up an entire rural restaurant during an hour long power cut so that service was able to carry on
I own one Fenix that I bought years ago for my daughter to take on a two month project Raleigh trip to Nicaragua. I wanted reliable, AA batteries that she might buy locally and cheap enough to lose. That little light has a great spot beam, super solid build and not a bad colour tint. It now lives in my toolbag.
LED lenser are not bad lights, they just aren't as well built, don't have the same beam tint and quality and you can get better for the money.
They are excellent. The C3 once sat in a pint pot pointing at the ceiling and lit up an entire rural restaurant during an hour long power cut so that service was able to carry on
I own one Fenix that I bought years ago for my daughter to take on a two month project Raleigh trip to Nicaragua. I wanted reliable, AA batteries that she might buy locally and cheap enough to lose. That little light has a great spot beam, super solid build and not a bad colour tint. It now lives in my toolbag.
LED lenser are not bad lights, they just aren't as well built, don't have the same beam tint and quality and you can get better for the money.
clogs
just can't decide
I bought one of these to try....
def getting another one....
rechargeable exc light even the spot light is good....paid just over £8.....
def getting another one....
rechargeable exc light even the spot light is good....paid just over £8.....
mudman
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As a caver, I have used the Fenix HL55 for a fair few years now and it has given me faultless service. It is now discontinued and been superceded but I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another Fenix if needed. You must remember, that if going for a headtorch that uses an 18650 battery, that you will need to purchase a good rechargeable one of these and that can add £20 to the cost (don't buy cheap, they can actually be dangerous) and a charger to charge it (again, don't buy cheap). Unless you need it for more specialised pursuits such as caving, I would look at the cheaper options out there. If just wanting to get into the odd dark corner and not wanting range or floodlighting, then cheap, less powerful ones are adequate. For cycling, I expect you would want a pretty powerful one. Mine puts out 420 lumens on high with 900 lumens on a short burst mode. Newer models will provide higher outputs.
Have a search through this forum: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?forums/equipment.8/ There should be a fair few threads from people asking for recommendations as well as discussion about batteries.
Have a search through this forum: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?forums/equipment.8/ There should be a fair few threads from people asking for recommendations as well as discussion about batteries.
Jacob
New Luddism. Wake up and resist.
Thanks for suggestions. Spoilt for choice! Took pot luck and went for LEDlenser iH5R on special offer from Screwfix. Seems just the job. Rechargeable by USB connection or by swapping battery.
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A bit late now but I went for the Boruit-RJ3000. Nice bright lights and really comfortable for walking the dogs early doors (they do have to wear their shades when I put it on to full power though! )
)
100w Xenon
A mate of mine has one and keeps telling me how good it is. I already have two ordinary led head torches so can't justify another
Ive got an led lenser and im happy with it. Ive also got 3 handheld led lenser torches. I dropped one off a scaffold and it broke (something internal / on the battery carriage ) i asked lenser to sell me a replacement carriage. They refused and insisted i send it in for repair.
A week later it arrived back, fixed, free of charge.
Ive got a couple of the cheap luceco ones on offer in screwfix, 8 quid, rechargeable. So far so good for the money.
I nearly bought a nebo headtorch in jewsons but looking at the packet, it has a 30 SECONDS battery life at full power
mind you, it was tiny
Ive also got a red energiser one, works well too.
A week later it arrived back, fixed, free of charge.
Ive got a couple of the cheap luceco ones on offer in screwfix, 8 quid, rechargeable. So far so good for the money.
I nearly bought a nebo headtorch in jewsons but looking at the packet, it has a 30 SECONDS battery life at full power
mind you, it was tinyIve also got a red energiser one, works well too.
Tris
What am I doing here?
I need this for cycling on our local lanes
JWWorkshop
Member
I can actually help with this one as I use them for a living and have tried a fair few different types. Unless for a very specific application (ie cave diving etc) I would recommend Petzl. I have found them utterly reliable in some absolutely appalling conditions. Personally I use the Tactikka but they have a large range so there will be something that suits!
useful if you're a gynaecologist in Swansea Docks...
Homeless Squirrel
Established Member
Actually illegal to ride with light on your head a light on a Public highway! apart from dam dangerous if only light! you turn head/look elsewhere etc and whoop no light shown at front also if you approach anything on road the brain doesn't register your light as just up in the air as light beam can be anywhere from feet to miles as a beam with no substance and it's seen when lights up something like front wheel ground in front or something you can judge distance from.
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