Good Back up Light?

[Ed W]

For me a backup light needs to be small enough not to notice I am carrying it, give enough light to get me out of the cave and (most importantly) work when I need it.  To this end I've been using a couple of original Petzl Tikka XPs as my backup lights for a number of years.  The old Tikka XP seems better as an emergency light than the Tikka XP2 that replaced it as it has an O ring on the battery box that provides at least a modicum of water resistance.  These lights have put up with lots of abuse week in week out.  Depending on the trip they are worn on the helmet, stuffed in the arm pocket of my oversuit or worn around my neck or in extremis with the elastic wrapped round my wrist.  They have been soaked, submerged, plastered in mud, banged and bashed about and left to ferment in the kit bag after forgetting to wash them more than once.  They may not be bright (but then that stops me from running down the batteries admiring the distance with them) but I have yet to have one let me down when I've needed it.  Though supplanted by the (to my mind inferior) Tikka XP 2, the same light is still available as the TacTikka XP (http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/headlamps/specialized/tactikka-xp), price seems to be c.?40.

I have also used a Pixa 3, which does inspire confidence but I find a little too bulky to wear on my person although fine to carry in a bag (if I am carrying one).

 

[Damo]

Two posts mentioning it, so, the questions; how often does a lid fall off ones head? Does it happen, has it happened?

I've seen it 3 times. The new Caving Technical Guide reiterates the wisdom of considering keeping your backup light separate from your helmet, too, and advises unclipping the chinstrap if abseiling in particularly tight sections of cave so that you don't get garotted by your helmet if it catches on protrusions part-way down.

I once got suspended by my helmet in a rift! At one point I was convinced I had. Dislocated jaw. Needless to say, it wasn't my finest moment!!!

 

[Joe90]

Pixa3. It is a little bulky but gives a good light and uses AA batteries like my duo. I have the rubber strap for it so it dorsnt go rank and lose elasticity in the wet and mud. Carry it either in my bag, or on my belt in the Pixa pouch. Depends on the trip.

 

[cavermark]

I use a Petzl e-lite (on the thin tape rather than elastic) around my neck. Very small and light and w'proof. Not mega output, but I only use it when I need to change my scurion batteries if all goes well.

 

[Selkirk]

Tikka xp.
Small, light, takes three AAAs and gives out a naughty amount of light. Plus you can pick them up for about ?30ish if you shop about.

 

[ah147]

I use a Fenix HL30. Massive amount of light. Runs on two AA batteries. I keep it in the pocket on my oversuit arm. Suppose if you were that way inclined you could put it round your neck/on your helmet, but I think those two would annoy me.

Tough as old boots, mines been winter alpine climbing for years, up El Cap numerous times, now through several caves on my arm and to top it off, through the washer AND drier several times.

Costs about ?30 off top of my head but could be wrong.

 

[Mike Hopley]

Petzl e+Lite slung around my neck. Light, compact, and extremely reliable.

It's not bright, but it's plenty of light for safe caving.

Unfortunately the new e+Lites seem to come with "zip cord" attachments rather than an elastic headband, which might not be great around your neck.

 

[gadales]

CARBIDE !?

 

[martinm]

CARBIDE !?

LOL! So much more compact than a Petzl or similar led light...  and banned from most caves with good reason, it's evil stuff and harmful to cave inhabitants!  :spank:

 

[potholer]

Banned from most caves?

 

[bograt]

Yeah, I love my little "stinky", where can I use it??


(There should be a "tongue in cheek" emoticon)

 

[Roger W]

Yeah, I love my little "stinky", where can I use it??

(There should be a "tongue in cheek" emoticon)

When you get up in the night to go to the loo....

Saves putting on the bedroom light and waking the missus.   

 

[bograt]

The way my missus sleeps, the "pop" as it lights would wake her up!!

Back on topic, take a tip from Ronnie Barker and go for four candles & waxed matches .