Good headlamps for around ?80.

[Hammy]

I?ve had a Fenix HL60R for two years and it?s done just on 300 trips.

Burn time is excellent, brightness and spread is excellent. No issues at all with the USB port, and very convenient to charge. Spare battery easy to carry, though I rarely need it as on setting 3 (out of five) it?ll do seven hour trips with no issue. It is compact and light on the helmet and has no trailing cables which seem to cause problems with other lamps after extended use.

I also have a new Petzl Duo Z2 but would choose the Fenix any day.

Looks like you can get them for ?60 plus p+p including Fenix quality battery.

 

[Simon Beck]

For the money Fenix are the dogs....!

I've had the same two HP12's on my helmet for over a year with no issues whatsoever! Wouldn't waste good money on anything else for caving. Also had two HL55's for several years that are used as spares with no issues either, also used them for diving on occasions, shallow stuff etc... Personally I wouldn't choose the HL60R with the usb port for what I do though, or for caving, always seemed a weak spot.

I also find the rear battery mounted HP12 is better suited, balanced weight wise, for use on a helmet.

I?ve had a Fenix HL60R for two years and it?s done just on 300 trips.

Burn time is excellent, brightness and spread is excellent. No issues at all with the USB port, and very convenient to charge. Spare battery easy to carry, though I rarely need it as on setting 3 (out of five) it?ll do seven hour trips with no issue. It is compact and light on the helmet and has no trailing cables which seem to cause problems with other lamps after extended use.

I also have a new Petzl Duo Z2 but would choose the Fenix any day.

Looks like you can get them for ?60 plus p+p including Fenix quality battery.

After some thought I realised it's actually closer to two years since acquiring the two HP15's, which means they've taken a battering!

I don't know how they are built so I'm being presumptuous regarding the usb port. But based on what I do and the state of them after many of my excursions, the usb cover would no doubt be badly damaged (by now), and clogged with mud and grit regularly. For the sake of going through the anguish of removing battery and placing in a charger I'd still stress the sans USB option is best for caving. 

 

[CatM]

But its most annoying habit is dying suddenly when the batteries (3 x AAA) go - one minute it seems fine, the next it's completely dead.

I've had quite a few Fenix torches over the years - HP10, E20, now use a HP25 with HL23 as back-up. I've generally found the opposite is true, certainly of the HP10/25 - when the batteries run low the light gradually dims over time - I've never yet had one completely die on me.

 

[JasonC]

But its most annoying habit is dying suddenly when the batteries (3 x AAA) go - one minute it seems fine, the next it's completely dead.

I've had quite a few Fenix torches over the years - HP10, E20, now use a HP25 with HL23 as back-up. I've generally found the opposite is true, certainly of the HP10/25 - when the batteries run low the light gradually dims over time - I've never yet had one completely die on me.

Well, that's good to hear, maybe it's just the HL15 then. 
Kind of off-topic anyway, as you wouldn't use it as a main light, especially as the bigger,brighter models are such good value.

 

[oldcaver]

Just to throw another one into the mix, has anybody had any experience of  the Fenix HP30 or the Nitecore HC 70. Looks like the only problem would be the cable snagging and coming apart.

 

[royfellows]

I will endorse Fenix.
Ultra reliable, no silly gimmicks, and their IP rating means what it says.

 

[Simon Beck]

Another precaution, which I'd say is mandatory, is protecting the wire on those with a rear mounted battery case, with some rubber/surgical tubing. See pic below

 

[yuvals]

I also think the Fenix is very good flood light but if you also want spot a option you might want to have a look at http://ylplight.com/en/katalog/1/nalobnye-fonari/panda-3r/

 

[The_quiche_whisperer]

When I first started I bought a Pixa But soon replaced it with Fenix hl55. I was caving yesterday with a lady who uses a Scurion and she was really impressed how much my lamp lit up the pitch I was on. 

 

[JasonC]

Another precaution, which I'd say is mandatory, is protecting the wire on those with a rear mounted battery case, with some rubber/surgical tubing. See pic below

Like the tubing, but more especially the background to the helmet

 

[Simon Beck]

Another precaution, which I'd say is mandatory, is protecting the wire on those with a rear mounted battery case, with some rubber/surgical tubing. See pic below

Like the tubing, but more especially the background to the helmet

I had to consider the copyright act with that one, so please excuse the cowboy pixelating.

 

[mikem]

Another vote for zebralights.