Please recommend a light for caving

[scotter]

I am looking for a good caving light. I am going to most likely use a cheap headlight from either DX or a local shop along with a secondary light. What I need help choosing is the secondary light. It should be at least water resistant and it needs to use common batteries. It doesn't need to be super bright, and I would prefer that it be rather cheap(less than US$20 pref.)

I was looking at the 2AA inova bolt, would that fit my needs?

Thanks Guys!

 

[Gunner12]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

I would not use cheap lights for caving. These are lights you should be able to depend your life on, not cheap lights.

The Inova Bolt might be a good light for this. I'm not sure what's the most durable 2 AA light in that price range. The Streamlight Microstream or Stylus Pro could be a good choice too.

:welcome:

 

[scotter]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

Well I'm going with a group, so even if one of my lights fail, it won't be a catastrophe.

I was also looking at the Fenix E01, which looks perfect for my needs.

The Streamlight Stylus Pro looks really nice too!

 

[Gunner12]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

The E01 should be a good light for this. Small and has a good runtime. But it's not very bright. I don't think that will matter too much since your eyes could be night adapted in the cave.

 

[Marduke]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

1) Don't use "cheap" lights
2) Use headlamps, not handhelds
3) You need a MINIMUM of 3 independant sources of light, not 2

 

[jhc37013]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

I think you would be plenty safe with the bolts they are pretty tough. It does not have a low-low which would probably be best in a cave since you don't need alot of light and you can conserve battery in a low mode.

 

[hyperloop]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

I would not use cheap lights for caving. These are lights you should be able to depend your life on, not cheap lights.

The Inova Bolt might be a good light for this. I'm not sure what's the most durable 2 AA light in that price range. The Streamlight Microstream or Stylus Pro could be a good choice too.

:welcome:

+1 on this though i do not go caving, but if i did, i would want something like a zebralight and probably have an E01 backup and also something like my Jet I Pro IBS v2.0 (1xAA, programable 3 modes) and lots of spare cells. I would proably go for the AA version zebralight to reduce the number of different cells i would need, just AAs and AAAs (maybe 4 each) as i could see myself using the zebralight and E01 more than the Jet I.

Have found that the E01 provides ample light in really dark conditions, i dont need 225 lumens when its really dark.

 

[scotter]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

Any suggestions for budget headlamps.

 

[Black Rose]

Marduke is a caver, listen to whatever advice he offers.

As for a budget headlamp, maybe something like the 3xAA Rayovac Sportman Xtreme K2 headlamp. I think it's in the $20 - $25 range.

 

[kramer5150]

I have never caved before... but I absolutely can't imagine heading into one of those things depending on a DX light or headlamp. As much as I like my DX lights, in all honesty they are only as good as the DIY tweek-ability of the user.

3 out of my 5 DX lights were DOA...

Romisen RC-C3 = Good no problems

503B = Good No problems

Superfire 501B = Switch pill loose, flicker problem. Easily fixed.

Ultrafire C2 = Random flicker problem. I gutted the OEM electronics, so I am only using it as a MOD host. Good after Modding all the electronics.

Trustfire TR-C2 = Excessive plastic molding material in switch, resulted in random flicker and intermittent contact. Easily fixed with a dremel.

In that scenario, lights are part of your safety equipment. I think you owe it to yourself to get something solid, well made, with a long history of CPF reliability. Zebralight headlamp with a Fenix E01 or gerber UI as a backup come to mind immediately. Theres also the possibility of you getting separated from your group (hopefully that won't happen).

 

[Marduke]

Re: Need a Reccomendation

For budget headlamps, the Energizer TUFHD31PH or Remington RMHL4AA-B are both good <$40 choices.

For backup, 3xAAA is actually a good choice, since that ensures you can bum spare cells from almost anyone in you group for at least one of your lights. Anything from the Energizer HDL33A series (4 white 2 red LED's) will do fine, or the Coleman Max 2000001571 from Walmart.

PS
Empty peanut butter or mayonaise jars make good waterproof containers for spare everything.

 

[Willieboy]

Back in the day, I did some caving, both underground and underwater...mostly cave diving. My advice is not to rely on a single light and to clip one high on your body and one low on your body. Attach with a lanyard around your wrist. I used a diving light made by
Ikelite. They were located in Indianna. The light ran on six C cells and was quite rugged.

At the time, I wasn't smart enough to carry two lights, but if I were to participate in caving again, as someone else said, I sure wouldn't skimp on the quality.

Scotter, above you said that if one light failed it wouldn't be the end of the world becasue you'd be in a group. If I were you, I'd plan for the worst, i.e., you became separated from the group and were on your own. Always plan to take care of yourself in these dangerous activities.

Good luck.

 

[Marduke]

Even in groups, it is common to find yourself in situations where for one reason or another you are seperated from the group, and sometimes your bag. A backup on your helmet and around you neck on a lanyard is also a good idea.

 

[foxtrot29]

I am looking for a good caving light. I am going to most likely use a cheap headlight from either DX or a local shop along with a secondary light. What I need help choosing is the secondary light. It should be at least water resistant and it needs to use common batteries. It doesn't need to be super bright, and I would prefer that it be rather cheap(less than US$20 pref.)

I was looking at the 2AA inova bolt, would that fit my needs?

Thanks Guys!

You are going to die.

 

[AusKipper]

Caving is one of the few activities where if your light dies, you die.

Pay the extra money for decent torches, and take at least 2 (even good torches can fail)

I dont cave, but the Zebralights seem popular, I have a H501, seems pretty decent to me.

Very little throw, but good flood, probably what you want for caving.

People seem to take handhelds as well into caves, i would say a TK20 is a must have torch, regardless of whether you cave, camp, or anything, its just a good, general purpose torch that will probably see plenty of use even when your not caving.

See this thread to view some lights after they have come out of a cave..
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=219738

Its also important not to take cheap lights into a cave as they are more succeptable to chip weevils that will destroy the LED, and caving greatly increases your chances of rapid chip weevil infestation

Hope this helps.

 

[Marduke]

Handhelds can be great caving, but don't count them as one of your 3 required sources unless it can attach to your helmet.

 

[loanshark]

I have to say, Marduke might not always say what you want to hear, but IMO he's usually right.

 

[Woods Walker]

I am looking for a good caving light. I am going to most likely use a cheap headlight from either DX or a local shop along with a secondary light. What I need help choosing is the secondary light. It should be at least water resistant and it needs to use common batteries. It doesn't need to be super bright, and I would prefer that it be rather cheap(less than US$20 pref.)

I was looking at the 2AA inova bolt, would that fit my needs?

Thanks Guys!

I don't do any caving. Kinda spooks me a bit. Like to see the open sky but would never depend on cheap gear for my hikes/camping trips. I have gotta think when it comes to lights and caves this would apply even more. Less than 20 bucks? Your life is worth more than that. Seems to me that a headlamp would work much the same way it is used for a night hike or camp. Hands free light. I can't use my hiking poles at night and normal flashlight at the same time. The flashlight is for more throw than the headlamp to find my way if turned around a bit. Maybe this would apply to caving also but don't know. Still the headlamp would be number one in my book.

 

[Dude Dudeson]

I may be new around here, and I have very little experience with caves, but I simply have to add to the "don't squimp on your gear" crowd on this one.

I've camped well over 1000 nights outdoors, and having lighting options is, IMO, indispensable. But even then I could survive just fine with the moon and the stars if I had to.

But in a CAVE?

Group or not I'd be carrying way more than I would outdoors - and for me "outdoors" means way off the trail, no campsites, etc...

 

[dementedlemur]

It might be helpful to know what type of caving you will be doing and the trip duration. If you're on your stomach or hands and knees alot you definately need helmet mounted backup options. If you happen to be going to a cave that is mainly walking, it isn't as necessary to have both backup lights helmet mountable.
As Marduke said 3 light sources is the minimum when you're heading underground and spare batteries are also a must.
My caving setup when I was in school included a Petzl zoom 3aa headlamp, a Rayovac 2aa headlamp, and a 2aa mini maglite. All of these were incandescent lights. I upgraded as funds became available, but I was never without light at any point.
Alot of people will likely disagree, but you don't have to spend that much to get some decent lights. If you don't plan on doing much caving, it definately doesn't make sense to drop alot of money. Just make sure you test whatever you're going to be using and you're bringing fresh batteries.