Walking Forum

Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Mel on 16:24:26, 29/10/19

Title: Head Torches
Post by: Mel on 16:24:26, 29/10/19
Yep, it's that time of year again when there's a possibility I might be ending a walk in the dark.... erm, sorry, I mean ... want to go exploring caves and things and need both hands free.


My current headtorch casing has somehow managed to crack so I'm looking for a new one.


Any suggestions on what features I should be looking for?  Lumens, adjustable, rechargeable or not, swanky new features I'm not aware have been invented, etc.


Ta muchly  :)
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Pitboot on 17:10:43, 29/10/19
I have a Petzl tikkina, very light, three beam settings, uses 3 AAA batteries but you can get a rechargeable pack for it that is USB powered off your car or computer. It's simple and robust, and probably all you need. Mine cost £17 from Cotswolds with a bit of discount.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Slowcoach on 18:18:03, 29/10/19
 I have recently bought a Petzl Tikka... 3 beam settings, red light for reading which can also flash. 350 lmns.
  £23 from Blacks after using Ramblers discount and a little haggling.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Lee R on 19:37:14, 29/10/19
Petzl Tikka. White light in several settings (& a red light which I wanted for photographing the night skies/Milky Way)


Amazon £20ish
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Mel on 21:34:59, 29/10/19
Cheers guys.  It looks like a Petzl of some sort is the way to go.  I shall have a look at the spec of both the Tikka and Tikkina and take it from there  O0
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: vghikers on 08:52:16, 30/10/19
Quote
Yep, it's that time of year again when there's a possibility I might be ending a walk in the dark

That possibility has increased for us in recent times and we thought our old Petzl Tikkas were not really bright enough for walking in all types of terrain.
We bought a pair of Petzl Actik 300-lumen ones that were considerably brighter on the highest setting but of course still have a low setting for use in the tent.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Patrick1 on 12:24:21, 30/10/19
I'm hankering after a Nitecore NU25 - USB rechargeable, everything from 30mins at 360 lumens to 7 days at 1 lumen, essentially negligible weight and doesn't break the bank.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Mel on 12:54:37, 30/10/19
VGH - yes, my current one was predominantly used in my tent on a low setting - thanks for reminding me I need to take that into consideration too.


Patrick - not heard of Nitecore before - I will take a look, cheers.



Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: sussamb on 15:02:16, 30/10/19
Mel, you might also check out these https://www.alpkit.com/collections/lighting


Just been issued with one for SAR work and its excellent
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Slowcoach on 15:06:26, 30/10/19
I replaced my Alpkit Viper with the Petzl because the Viper became unreliable..I had to keep resetting the batteries and it would work and then inexplicably it would stop.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: taxino8 on 18:13:35, 30/10/19

I’m a Petzl person myself and just replaced my old one earlier this year with the Actik.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01KYTTHKA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01KYTTHKA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: archaeoroutes on 19:05:31, 30/10/19
Petzl, Ledlenser and Kalenji are my go-to brands.
Petzl I mostly use for caving (custom Duo personally and Pico for groups), though I do carry an eLite during summer when I have no intention of going out after dark and a selection of Tikkas that used to be group caving ones that I use for low intensity night work. Myo is a good model, but I've never spent on one as I've got some many other things I can use.
Ledlenser for planned after dark walking, like in August when I arrived in the evening so did Tryfan knowing I'd be descending in the dark.
Kalenji for running.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Dread on 19:50:44, 30/10/19
I've got the Nightcore NU30. Very  light. Rechargeable batteries. Will work off my  battery  pack if needed although I never have needed. Hasn't let me down yet although I haven't had it long and haven't got it wet.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Mel on 20:45:42, 30/10/19
Lots of options to choose from now  :D


I will update with what I ended up getting sometime after payday  O0
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:55:23, 30/10/19
Petal headtorches are bombproof, simple, and the batteries last ages. The bottom of the range Tikkina is not too pricey, will do the job just fine, and will not let you down.

I have the Tikka+ which has a brighter max setting and a red light, but I hardly ever use these. If I were buying now I would go for the Tikkina.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: colddayout on 16:55:50, 11/11/19
After using Tikkas, I can recommend the Petzl Reactiv+, though its now been replaced by the Actik models.
I use it with the Petzl CORE battery, carrying a spare, so if needed I can get 4-5 hours of maximum light.

When its pitch black the amount of light it can provide, off into the distance ( narrow ) or wider and shorter for the more tricky sections, is truly heart warming.


Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Jac on 09:18:38, 12/11/19
Another vote for Petzl - mine is now approaching twenty years old and working perfectly.
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: sunnydale on 20:12:36, 12/11/19
Petzl perfection for me too!....although I can't remember which one I've got. :D
It's jolly good though! 8)
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: geekmoose on 22:57:48, 20/11/19
I have a combination of petzl and Energiser (and also seem to have a habit of acquiring the ever ready ones - last count was 5 - but can only remember buying one!) - both are good - the petzl is clearly the better made one, but you can't leave batteries in there between uses as they seem to drain (it was explained that it's a digital switch, not an analogue).
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Innominate Man on 17:41:36, 21/11/19
I only have two - one of which is a very old Petzl which looks like a tin of beans mounted on my head. Very good but old & heavy.
The newer one which itself is at least 16 years old, is a Black Diamond model.
Not much use to you as ideas but both are very robust and reliable and I've no need/desire to replace the BD (the Petzl is now retired).
It shows that some items are still well made and carry on performing years after their expected lifespan - a bit like me !
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Mel on 00:05:40, 22/11/19
Thanks again everyone for the suggestions. 


Petzl seems to be favoured by most and are on sale in GO at the mo  O0
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: Magic girl on 08:38:05, 26/11/19
I bought mine from alpkit and I'm very happy with it x
Title: Re: Head Torches
Post by: sussamb on 10:38:21, 26/11/19
I have an alpkit one too, we bought around 60 for our Search and Rescue team, heard no complaints so far  :)