Trit
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2016
- Messages
- 12
Hello everyone,
I am in need of a new head torch for multi-day hikes, where some hiking may be done at dusk. There will be some ambient light but I would like to have a reasonable head torch with a long burn time at around the 200 lumen level for general use.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online (location doesn't matter). I am located in the U.K.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to £50
3) Format:
I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Any rechargeable source is fine, either integrated or separate cells, burn time is the biggest factor here for me.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
I will be using this for making camp and also for hiking around dusk.
9) Flood vs Throw:
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light
Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
10) Runtime:
3 hours+. It doesn't need to be on max for the whole time, but a decent output around the 200 lumen mark would be helpful.
11) Durability/Usage:
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't mind
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
Emergency kit (long standby periods)
17) Special Needs/extras:
Red filter (for preserving night vision) ideal but not essential, more of a 'nice to have'
************************************************************
Having looked at the options, I can't seem to see many cheaper options (sub £50) which have good burn times at the sorts of general use lumens I would like. The best I can seem to find is something like the Black Diamond Storm 500-R which I can find for £47 and gives a burn time of 19h at 250 lumens, which seems pretty impressive.
Are there any similarly-priced head torches which give the same sort of output as the Black Diamond which you would recommend? Are there any reasons the above option is not recommended more widely on the forum? I love the look of something like the Skilhunt H300R, but the output is only 115 lumens for 12 hours. I worry this will not be bright enough for long enough if I can't charge the batteries up for several days. I get that I could bring more batteries, but if there is an alternative that doesn't need extra batteries I'd rather not have to bring extras with me.
I tend to like warmer LEDs, and have an EagleTac D25C with a Nichia 219c as my EDC which I reallly like.
I guess it feels like I'm missing something when focusing in on the Black Diamond, I just don't know what I don't know yet when it comes to head lamps, so I'm not sure what it is I'm missing! I thought I'd ask the experts here to see if you can help me fill in the blanks. Thanks in advance for your help.
EDIT: Mods, if this would be better placed in the 'recommended me a flashlight for…' thread, please could you move it for me? Thank you!
I am in need of a new head torch for multi-day hikes, where some hiking may be done at dusk. There will be some ambient light but I would like to have a reasonable head torch with a long burn time at around the 200 lumen level for general use.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online (location doesn't matter). I am located in the U.K.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to £50
3) Format:
I want a self-contained headlamp.
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What power source do you want to use?
Any rechargeable source is fine, either integrated or separate cells, burn time is the biggest factor here for me.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
I will be using this for making camp and also for hiking around dusk.
9) Flood vs Throw:
Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light
Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
10) Runtime:
3 hours+. It doesn't need to be on max for the whole time, but a decent output around the 200 lumen mark would be helpful.
11) Durability/Usage:
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I don't know.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
I don't mind
15) Water resistance
IPX4 (Splash resistant)
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
Emergency kit (long standby periods)
17) Special Needs/extras:
Red filter (for preserving night vision) ideal but not essential, more of a 'nice to have'
************************************************************
Having looked at the options, I can't seem to see many cheaper options (sub £50) which have good burn times at the sorts of general use lumens I would like. The best I can seem to find is something like the Black Diamond Storm 500-R which I can find for £47 and gives a burn time of 19h at 250 lumens, which seems pretty impressive.
Are there any similarly-priced head torches which give the same sort of output as the Black Diamond which you would recommend? Are there any reasons the above option is not recommended more widely on the forum? I love the look of something like the Skilhunt H300R, but the output is only 115 lumens for 12 hours. I worry this will not be bright enough for long enough if I can't charge the batteries up for several days. I get that I could bring more batteries, but if there is an alternative that doesn't need extra batteries I'd rather not have to bring extras with me.
I tend to like warmer LEDs, and have an EagleTac D25C with a Nichia 219c as my EDC which I reallly like.
I guess it feels like I'm missing something when focusing in on the Black Diamond, I just don't know what I don't know yet when it comes to head lamps, so I'm not sure what it is I'm missing! I thought I'd ask the experts here to see if you can help me fill in the blanks. Thanks in advance for your help.
EDIT: Mods, if this would be better placed in the 'recommended me a flashlight for…' thread, please could you move it for me? Thank you!
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