tim.rose2
Active member
I'm aware this has been done before but looks like not for a while so perhaps there's some great options out there I'm unaware of (it's also lockdown & I'm bored so thought I'd start a topic)...
Currently I cave with a custom duo & a couple of side mounted Fenix E35's held on with shock cord so they can be removed. This works perfectly in sensible sized passage. The combination gives loads of light, consists of 3 independent light sources so plenty of redundancy, lasts way longer than any trip I've stamina for and has stood up to a good battering over the last few years. I don't really consider this set up a traditional main / backup light arrangement as all three get used at times. In many respects I've no reason to change this as nothing's broken or in need of replacement and in all reality I suspect I'll carry on as I am. I should also add I've not had a single problem with this to date.
However, the downside of this is the weight and size. Particularly when caving on Portland I often get my head stuck in the tighter rifts and I've no doubt loosing a few grams would make life more comfortable too. I'm regularly pulling the side lights off and will sooner or later loose one down a hole. One obvious solution is to cave somewhere more sensible however Portland has an unexplainable attraction to me so we'll discount that as a start. If I was going to change lights then I rather like the look of the Fenix HL60R or HM65R as a main light however I'm stumped regarding a backup option to accompany it.
So...
Even though I don't cave solo, I don't like the idea of having no backup. I'm also a very difficult customer who hates having things hanging around his neck (so discounting that option) and has found a single side mounted torch leaves the helmet lopsided (small head and needing headband / cradle fully tightened don't help that). So assuming I was to purchase a new main light what do you wise folk suggest I do for a back up? The rules...
1. It must be powerful enough & have sufficient run time to do a caving trip on if the main light fails (i.e. something like turning up having forgotten to charge the battery). My caving trips tend to be 3 to 6 hours in length and I guess somewhere around 50 lumens over that period of time is the minimum I'd want.
2. It must have a low light 'emergency' setting which would give many hours of 'oh shit I wish I hadn't blocked my way out with that boulder I moved' time.
3. It must be helmet mounted rather than dangling round neck, in a tackle sack or pocket. I'm open to all suggestions as to how to mount it to the helmet though
4. It must not off balance my helmet (one each side is always an option).
5. The combination of backup / main light must be significantly lighter & smaller than the current set up otherwise I've achieved nothing.
6. Must be waterproof and robust. A backup which is broken when you want it is less than useless.
7. I'm not looking for cheap but I don't think a backup should cost more than the main light so let's put a max budget of ?50.
8. Bonus points for something that works on AA or AAA rather than lithium's. I'm a fan of being able to stop at the corner shop for spares, not that I ever have.
9. I've zero interest in any suggestions which recommend super expensive caving lights such as scurions!
Or am I being old fashioned / OTT and that lights are now so reliable there is no need for a backup? I guess the 'idiot didn't charge the battery' situation or battery failure can be mitigated against with spare batteries rather than needing a second light. The Fenix HM65R has two independent LEDs (as far as I can tell) so incorporates some level of redundancy in itself.
Or is there nothing out that than can better what I have?
What do other people do?
Thanks in advance.
Currently I cave with a custom duo & a couple of side mounted Fenix E35's held on with shock cord so they can be removed. This works perfectly in sensible sized passage. The combination gives loads of light, consists of 3 independent light sources so plenty of redundancy, lasts way longer than any trip I've stamina for and has stood up to a good battering over the last few years. I don't really consider this set up a traditional main / backup light arrangement as all three get used at times. In many respects I've no reason to change this as nothing's broken or in need of replacement and in all reality I suspect I'll carry on as I am. I should also add I've not had a single problem with this to date.
However, the downside of this is the weight and size. Particularly when caving on Portland I often get my head stuck in the tighter rifts and I've no doubt loosing a few grams would make life more comfortable too. I'm regularly pulling the side lights off and will sooner or later loose one down a hole. One obvious solution is to cave somewhere more sensible however Portland has an unexplainable attraction to me so we'll discount that as a start. If I was going to change lights then I rather like the look of the Fenix HL60R or HM65R as a main light however I'm stumped regarding a backup option to accompany it.
So...
Even though I don't cave solo, I don't like the idea of having no backup. I'm also a very difficult customer who hates having things hanging around his neck (so discounting that option) and has found a single side mounted torch leaves the helmet lopsided (small head and needing headband / cradle fully tightened don't help that). So assuming I was to purchase a new main light what do you wise folk suggest I do for a back up? The rules...
1. It must be powerful enough & have sufficient run time to do a caving trip on if the main light fails (i.e. something like turning up having forgotten to charge the battery). My caving trips tend to be 3 to 6 hours in length and I guess somewhere around 50 lumens over that period of time is the minimum I'd want.
2. It must have a low light 'emergency' setting which would give many hours of 'oh shit I wish I hadn't blocked my way out with that boulder I moved' time.
3. It must be helmet mounted rather than dangling round neck, in a tackle sack or pocket. I'm open to all suggestions as to how to mount it to the helmet though
4. It must not off balance my helmet (one each side is always an option).
5. The combination of backup / main light must be significantly lighter & smaller than the current set up otherwise I've achieved nothing.
6. Must be waterproof and robust. A backup which is broken when you want it is less than useless.
7. I'm not looking for cheap but I don't think a backup should cost more than the main light so let's put a max budget of ?50.
8. Bonus points for something that works on AA or AAA rather than lithium's. I'm a fan of being able to stop at the corner shop for spares, not that I ever have.
9. I've zero interest in any suggestions which recommend super expensive caving lights such as scurions!
Or am I being old fashioned / OTT and that lights are now so reliable there is no need for a backup? I guess the 'idiot didn't charge the battery' situation or battery failure can be mitigated against with spare batteries rather than needing a second light. The Fenix HM65R has two independent LEDs (as far as I can tell) so incorporates some level of redundancy in itself.
Or is there nothing out that than can better what I have?
What do other people do?
Thanks in advance.