Headtorches

[trophydave]

I am thinking of getting one of those headtorch thingies.Is there anything in particular that I should look for/avoid?

[guest7]

In the case of the new tiny Ptzel, avoid looking directly at it when you turn it on on the shop, then staggering around going "bloody hell I can't see a thing" whilst all the staff titter.

Don't ask me how I know, I just know ok.

LED headtorches are great, they last for ages and are pretty bright.

GC

[pigafetta]

My son's got a wind-up LED one, I think it was from Millets, didn't cost a lot. It's excellent.

[guest18]

Petzl are consistently good imho.
Go for a known brand and make sure you can easily get batteries, other than that.... erm, dunno

[Richard]

How much do you want to spend ?

Petzl are indeed  a known quantity but a bit pricier than many of the perfectly acceptable cheaper makes about.  Pretty much all of them take standard battery sizes now AAA or AA.  I would avoid some of those that take watch batteries for prolonged camping use.  Some of the better ones have a waist carried battery but that is a bit OTT for normal use.  You can do far worse than Tesco own brand to be honest, and then not spend much.  I had some of the very first ones out and they were fine if a bit fragile.  Friends who still cave assure me that some models are getting so good they use them underground.

The LEDs themselves can be much more powerful now.

[Bill Rutter]

£14.92 (from Amazon UK would you believe) is the Energizer Advanced Headlight :

    Technical Details
Four Lighting Options
2 focused white LEDs for spot projection
2 wider positioned white LEDs for flood beam
4 LED option for maximum light output
2 red LEDs for night vision
Multiple position push-button switch
Swivel adjustment
Runs up to 50 hours on 3 X Energizer AAA batteries (included)
8000 hrs: LED never needs replacing

I use a Petzl Zipka which costs, I think, about £30 now. It's okay but you might prefer a more substantial headband which the Energizer has.

[guest27]

LEDs are a better bet than a 'normal' bulb.  If you get a normal one get a xenon bulb - more light.

Mine is a 300 yr old petzl and still works well. (not LED would like one)

Friend who has a LED one with rechargable batteries and one of those small solar battery chargers swears by it - not at it.  Sets up the solar panel on the top of his rucksack during the day and hey - light for the evening.  He went to the Himalayas last time with just one set of spare non-rechargable batteries and did not need them (good spares)

Could probably do similar with camping kit?

R

[trophydave]

Thanks everyone.I had a look at some Petzl ones but thirty odd quid seemed a bit much for something that would only get used now and again.I am decided on an LED one as I have an LED 'wand' light that I find very useful.I will go and poke around on ebay or perhaps ask Santa for one so that I have it in time for the Dragon

[Bruce]

Ive got one of the expensive ones but I also bought a Blackspur one for about £6-95 this has 36 leds on main beam !!!

[mini-thumper]

Dave
After the good turn you did for me give us your address and I will send you a spare head torch I had for Xmas last year. Eight LED's s, not Petzl but pretty useful.

Boyd
boyd_brooksAThotmailDOTcom 

[Steve Lake]

looking in our suppliers catalogue at work I see the same headtorch as I have, at £2.95
12 LED's 4 modes of operation (4, 8, or 12 LED's on, + all flashing) i've been using mine for a year now and it's still on the same (3 x aaa) batteries....If you want one I'll get it for you with our next order

pip pip

[guest40]

Sounds like SteveL has the same one as I have had for 2 years+.. yep pretty good AND if it is the same (round battery box , semisphere fluted ends with rubber push switch) you can remove the rubber cap and lens over the reverible reflector , making the leds stand proud and it functions as a room lamp.

[trophydave]

Hi Boyd,the headtorch arrived today,many thanks.What with that and having given my boots a good dollop of nikwax I reckon I am just about ready for the Dragon.

[mini-thumper]

No worries Dave. If you want someone to travel over to the Dragon with drop me a line nearer the date. Will  definately be traveling to the area on Friday afternoon/evening, and probably camping!!!!!

Boyd

[trophydave]

There will be a bunch or us heading over on the Friday.You and anyone else are welcome to join us.However,being a bunch of lightweights we will not be camping out that night.We have booked into the bunkhouse at the Glan Aber again.