AA Headtorch Recommendation

[TOMSDADJET]

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for a general camping/walking use headtorch that uses an even number of AA batteries (Makes using rechargeables SO much easier). Needs to be available to me in the UK and not hideously expensive.

All I'm seeing so far is the Petzl Micro, which is an incan, would prefer LED.

TIA

Iain

 

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

be quick .......a true bargain if ever!
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=177078

 

[photonhoer]

For goodness sake take a good look at the Zebralight. My review after severe use is http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178839, and we just got back from another volunteer mission in Guatemala
and our two lights worked just great.

 

[LED_Thrift]

Plus One on the Zebralight. I love it. It is so efficient on batteries, you may have to wait a long time before the second battery needs charging. I can't believe how small, lightweight and comfortable it is. So easy to carry when you're not wearing it - much different than all my other headlights.

 

[Daekar]

Another vote for the Zebralight H50... I use mine all the time, and while I haven't ventured into the jungle with it, I do go on long walks through fields and woods, read, and work on vehicles with it. The flood is perfect and the battery life is extremely good on medium, ridiculous on low. The circuit and emitter are quite efficient on high too, if you look at the numbers, but I don't use high very often... it's nice to have sometimes and I've used it working on vehicles, but if I need that much higher a lux rating I usually just grab a hand-torch. Still, it lights of the woods and trails like you wouldn't believe. Definitely a good choice.

P.S. They just released the H30 (for sale at the fenix-store), the H50's CR123a-powered cousin. You can have matching lights!

EDIT: I forgot to mention my Dad and I took our H50's with us when we went motorcycle-camping in the Florida Keys and they were a God-send. Small, light-weight, simple, reliable, alkaline-compatible... we were both very pleased.

 

[adamlau]

Another vote for the Zebralight H50.

Ditto on that. See Zebralight H50-Q5 with Fenix P2D Q5 beamshots! for impromptu beamshots.

 

[cave dave]

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for a general camping/walking use headtorch that uses an even number of AA batteries (Makes using rechargeables SO much easier). ..
Iain

If you can't charge 1 or 3 batteries you need a better charger. Seriously. Only the really crappy chargers charge in pairs.

now having said that the only "even" number decent headlamp I can think of is the 4AA PT Apex. It is quite heavy but its a good light that can be modded easily.

If you are not going to mod then the 2008 Petzly Myo XP has an updated emitter. Don't buy last years model. 3AA batteries.

EOS is the tops in the small light category (3AAA)

The 1AA Zebra is the only headlight with a regulated cree emitter. But it is pure flood, no throw. Great for reading and setting up camp but bad for hiking.

All of em have their pros and cons.

 

[Phaserburn]

I'm selling a like new Zebra H50/Q5 over in MP Sell if you're interested.

 

[TOMSDADJET]

Cave Dave, you're right, I do need to look at a better charger, it's just never been an issue up to now.

Phaserburn, what price for your H50, shipped to the UK?

Iain

 

[ViReN]

++ Zebralight H50 Q5 ... simple and small size...

 

[iTorch]

I use a Petzl Duo, various climbing, caving, camping and mountain climbing trips its still going good, if it ever dies I will get the LED version, having the swith between high and low is very useful, only prob is its not very good to read with, hence the BD ion, which is perfect for bedtime reading...

 

[hopkins]

good luck TOMSDADJET !
That Petzl Micro is a nice form factor and low priced also. If you can get
a LED bulb made to replace the incandescent one you've got a great headlamp.

I've seen these LED's for sale at Walmart here in California for around $10.
Just swap it into the headlamp and you have a 2AA powered LED headlamp.

-hopkins

 

[BIGIRON]

Based on the Zebra H30 I've just received, I'd look no further than the H50 unless you want a dual color (i.e. white/red or?).

The H30, with it's slightly narrower beam may be my best ever headlight. I'm that impressed.

 

[hopkins]

I'll say the ZebraLight is very nice and may be the last head-torch you may ever
need to buy.
Note:Be assured that if you wear
this headtorch no one will want to look at you because of the painfully bright wide beam light. For sitting around camp talking with friends the Zebra is always
shining in their eyes no matter how you tilt it unlike other more
directional types.

 

[qtaco]

For sitting around camp talking with friends the Zebra is always
shining in their eyes no matter how you tilt it unlike other more
directional types.

I don't find that at all. With the glare shield on and tipped down as far as possible I could easily cook dinner, talk to the rest of the group, and have the LED visible to neither myself or anyone else.

 

[hopkins]

Help me understand this Qtaco. The 120degree cone of light coming from
the Zebralight does not appear to be narrowed by the black shield
thing- which looks to have an angle of 120dgrees also. Does this shield rotate over the LED to block the light? Or are you rotating the whole Zebra down to
let just a bit get past your eyebrows. Either way seems workable I would
think.

 

[qtaco]

Or are you rotating the whole Zebra down to
let just a bit get past your eyebrows. Either way seems workable I would
think.

That's right. The angle between my forehead (vertical) and one edge of the spill was less then 90 degrees, so that the LED wasn't visible to people sitting opposite and at the same height as me. A good fraction of the light was directed at my forehead and face, however my brow shielded my eyes and so I couldn't see the LED either and so didn't get any glare.

 

[ViReN]

Very Nice Picture :thumbsup:

 

[hopkins]

Iain - If you're thinking of making your own headlamp I saw some 12volt
led cluster lamps at the auto parts store that replace the turn signal incan bulbs.
10 led's soldered into a cluster for less than $5 US. I thought it'd be easy
to cut one of these up and wire a few led's run off 6volts (4AA batteries)
a low cost idea...

TIA (this is america)

hopkins

 

[horizonseeker]

the black bracket on the zebra light is not meant as a beam shaper, I think, rather it stops the first few inches of the beam from reflecting off of your glasses if you wear them.