benshannon
Active member
im after a head torch for my girlfriend to go on her helmet. She caves infrequently at present so not really keen on spending £100+ yet. any recommendations for a light that would reliably work in a cave for that money?
Head Torch sub £50
- Thread starter benshannon
- Start date
alanw
Well-known member
Fenix HM60R - £82.75
www.inglesport.com
Several other Fenix models for a few pounds more.
There's also the HM50R for £62.51
www.inglesport.com
Fenix HM60R Rechargeable Headtorch - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
www.inglesport.com
Several other Fenix models for a few pounds more.
There's also the HM50R for £62.51
Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable LED Headlamp - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
www.inglesport.com
JAshley73
Active member
Fenix HM23r. They have a V2 now for a couple bucks more but I can't vouch for it. They're both IP68 waterproof.
The HM23r was my go-to light to equip my kids, then backup lights. I think I have (4) of them now. They're around $35 USD. Uses a single AA battery, gives a good life on the medium setting, and the high/240 lumen setting is 'bright enough' for occasional use. I wear one like a necklace as a backup light.
www.fenixlighting.com
www.inglesport.com
The V2 has better specs and more features, but I fear it's not as 'simple' as the original version.
www.fenixlighting.com
www.inglesport.com
The Fenix HM61r V2 is a fine light by any standard. Sells for $90 USD. Uses a single 18650 battery, and has proven pretty robust for me. I have (4) of these as well now. (I've also been experimenting with some 3D-printed mounts for these as well.)
www.fenixlighting.com
www.inglesport.com
(I'm taking some first-timers caving tonight, and each of us will be equipped with a 61r, and a 23r for backups.)
The HM23r was my go-to light to equip my kids, then backup lights. I think I have (4) of them now. They're around $35 USD. Uses a single AA battery, gives a good life on the medium setting, and the high/240 lumen setting is 'bright enough' for occasional use. I wear one like a necklace as a backup light.
Fenix HM23 Headlamp
The HM23 is a multi-purpose AA battery powered headlamp that can shine a maximum 240 lumens a distance of 174 feet—weighs only 1.5 oz. Buy now!
www.fenixlighting.com
Fenix HM23 Headtorch - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
www.inglesport.com
The V2 has better specs and more features, but I fear it's not as 'simple' as the original version.
Fenix HM23 V2.0 AA-Powered Headlamp
The Fenix HM23 V2.0 is an ultralight, AA-powered headlamp. It offers 300 lumens of light with a range of up to 289ft (88m), all powered by just one AA battery.
www.fenixlighting.com
Fenix HM23 V2.0 AA Ultralight Headlamp - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
www.inglesport.com
The Fenix HM61r V2 is a fine light by any standard. Sells for $90 USD. Uses a single 18650 battery, and has proven pretty robust for me. I have (4) of these as well now. (I've also been experimenting with some 3D-printed mounts for these as well.)
Fenix HM61R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp
The Fenix HM61R V2.0 Headlamp is upgraded for better performance and a max 1600 lumens. This headlamp can also be a right-angle flashlight for more hands-free use.
www.fenixlighting.com
Fenix HM61R V2.0 Rechargeable Headtorch - Inglesport
The Fenix HM61R V2.0 Headtorch features Luminus SST40 White & secondary Red LED's with a 1600 Max lumen output and uses 1 x Fenix ARB-L18-3400 18650 battery
www.inglesport.com
(I'm taking some first-timers caving tonight, and each of us will be equipped with a 61r, and a 23r for backups.)
alanw
Well-known member
I've also got a Convoy H1 headtorch. I was using it only last weekend at Fairport Convention's Cropredy music festival (with an unannounced appearance by Robert Plant). Very good for finding your way back in a crowd of 3000 people over a narrow canal bridge to your tent. I'm very pleased with it, solid build, reliable so far, but it doesn't have the reputation amongst cavers that Fenix has. Cheap, though, about £20 to £30 +VAT (depending on model) from Aliexpress or Banggood. I see that there's now newer models, at least H2 and H4 for about the same price.
For Aliexpress, buy from an "official store" with lots of sales and a good reputation.
There's a good FAQ on reddit. Try and buy from "Choice" sellers or "Free Shipping" (there are buttons to select this). Choice orders over £8 get free delivery. Note that there are often several choices available, e.g. colour temperature. Note also that some unprincipled sellers (but not official stores) will lure you in with what seems to be a cheap deal, but the offer you want isn't the default choice.
Convoy Official Store
For Aliexpress, buy from an "official store" with lots of sales and a good reputation.
There's a good FAQ on reddit. Try and buy from "Choice" sellers or "Free Shipping" (there are buttons to select this). Choice orders over £8 get free delivery. Note that there are often several choices available, e.g. colour temperature. Note also that some unprincipled sellers (but not official stores) will lure you in with what seems to be a cheap deal, but the offer you want isn't the default choice.
Convoy Official Store
dougle89
Active member
I use the hm23 as my backup backup, works alright but only takes a AA not a li-ion rechargeable as standard.Fenix HM23r. They have a V2 now for a couple bucks more but I can't vouch for it. They're both IP68 waterproof.
The HM23r was my go-to light to equip my kids, then backup lights. I think I have (4) of them now. They're around $35 USD. Uses a single AA battery, gives a good life on the medium setting, and the high/240 lumen setting is 'bright enough' for occasional use. I wear one like a necklace as a backup light.
Fenix HM23 Headlamp
The HM23 is a multi-purpose AA battery powered headlamp that can shine a maximum 240 lumens a distance of 174 feet—weighs only 1.5 oz. Buy now!Fenix HM23 Headtorch - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
The V2 has better specs and more features, but I fear it's not as 'simple' as the original version.
Fenix HM23 V2.0 AA-Powered Headlamp
The Fenix HM23 V2.0 is an ultralight, AA-powered headlamp. It offers 300 lumens of light with a range of up to 289ft (88m), all powered by just one AA battery.Fenix HM23 V2.0 AA Ultralight Headlamp - Inglesport
Technical Equipment Retailers to the Sport and Professional markets for Caving, Climbing, Rope Access, Work at Height and Rescue since 1977
The Fenix HM61r V2 is a fine light by any standard. Sells for $90 USD. Uses a single 18650 battery, and has proven pretty robust for me. I have (4) of these as well now. (I've also been experimenting with some 3D-printed mounts for these as well.)
Fenix HM61R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp
The Fenix HM61R V2.0 Headlamp is upgraded for better performance and a max 1600 lumens. This headlamp can also be a right-angle flashlight for more hands-free use.Fenix HM61R V2.0 Rechargeable Headtorch - Inglesport
The Fenix HM61R V2.0 Headtorch features Luminus SST40 White & secondary Red LED's with a 1600 Max lumen output and uses 1 x Fenix ARB-L18-3400 18650 battery
(I'm taking some first-timers caving tonight, and each of us will be equipped with a 61r, and a 23r for backups.)
flashheart
Member
Have a look at the Actionstash Caving Headlamp and Battery. Got my partner one and it's been great so far. Bright and seems pretty robust for £35!
I have a couple of the Sofirn lights. Currently caving with the HS22 and I love it. It's been through sumps and still holding up well.
Rechargeable via USBC and takes an 18650
Purchased mine through the website. https://www.sofirnlight.com/product...3e.collection_1.4&spm_prev=..index.header_1.1
Rechargeable via USBC and takes an 18650
Purchased mine through the website. https://www.sofirnlight.com/product...3e.collection_1.4&spm_prev=..index.header_1.1
JAshley73
Active member
We use these rechargeable NiMH AA's in them. I don't think they give the same life as standard alkaline batteries, but they work well enough in the HM23's, and a spare AA takes up nothing in the pack.
aricooperdavis
Moderator
It depends very much on your requirements. Draw up some "must haves", "nice to haves", and "don't wants". Mine are:
Must haves:
I'd suggest taking a look at:
Must haves:
- Can produce at least 125 lumens for a decent length of time
- At least IPX7 and decently robust
- Sensible head mount
- Good user interface (e.g. lockout, sensible brightness ramps)
- Beam shape
- Light quality
- Temperature
- Colour rendering
- Replaceable batteries (18650)
- Top button
- Unnecessary features
- Secondary colours
- Onboard charging
- Flashing lights
- Powerbank mode
- External batteries
I'd suggest taking a look at:
- Skilhunt H04 (4000k) (probably best contender on balance)
- Emisar DW4 (SST-20 4000k) (excellent but UI can be complex)
- Lumintop HL3A (SST-20 4000k) (be cautious of the parasitic drain rate, which is quite high, if you're likely to leave it in a draw with the battery in between trips)
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alanw
Well-known member
Another thing to take into account is whether the battery is replaceable (useful on long trips) and whether there is a built in charger over USB (C these days). If there is just a rubber plug over the charging port it may risk compromising water resistance. Otherwise you will need to take a charger with you.
I use the Fenix HM23 as a backup light. It's tiny, robust and gives a good light. Did a whole trip on it once as my main light failed at the entrance (loose connection). No massive passages but decent sized ones and the output from the lamp was fine. A single battery did me fine for a few hours in the cave. I use the same rechargeable AAs as JAshley73.
Tricky Dicky
Well-known member
I've got the Fenix FM 60 which IMHO has an overly complicated interface, rather than just ramp from one brightness to another you have to switch modes, holding down the button for 1.2 seconds (whoever came up with the idea of 1.2 seconds?) to get from one mode to another. It seems to have a mind of its own so I tend to get the brightness I want at the start of a trip and just leave it alone for the whole trip. (also its fine on a helmet, but not at all comfotable as just a headtorch, for daily headtorch use, I use a cheap Decathlon one.)
JAshley73
Active member
Yeah, that's probably to be expected unfortunately. Running 240 lumens from a AA battery is probably too much demand for more than a few minutes. I'd be curious to know if the 'throttling' is due to the battery overheating, or the light's circuitry, or both... (I'm sure some of the electronics gurus on here know.)
For a couple dollars more, one could get the 23v2 and use the USB-rechargeable battery, which is supposed to offer extended runtimes, together bight right around that £50 mark.
What's interesting is that I do most of my caving with my 61 at the 'level 2' setting, which is only 50 lumens. The battery life is outstanding, and I find it plenty bright enough for navigating all but big rooms, where you want to enjoy the view. Plus, at these lower settings, there's less chance that you'll be blinding others. (And hopefully the rest of the party does likewise!)
If one is content with the 50-lumens, both the 23 and the 23v2 should realistically give that 50 lumen(ish) output for over an hour. I say that because my kids use the 23, and we don't really notice it fading much on the medium/level-2 output.
So while I wouldn't want to use a 23 or 23v2 as my primary for long, it's a great 'starter' lamp for someone, that also serves as a great backup light.
Daniel Rose
Member
100% go for the Sofirn HS20. You can currently get it for £15 off the sofirn website and it’s almost as good as any Fenix. Takes 18650 batteries (flat top or button top), is very bright, great battery life, have used mine as a primary light for swildons sump 9 via 2&3 twice, done a weekend digging in aggy wirh it and east water southbank roundtrip (all trips that get lots of grit and water submersion on head torches) and it’s held up completely unscathed. It’s brilliant!
aricooperdavis
Moderator
The only reason this isn't on my list is because it has USB charging onboard which I consider unwanted (more weight, more to go wrong, will be worse for my batteries than my proper charger etc.). You may not consider this to be an issue.
It's also quite a cold white light (6500K).
Daniel Rose
Member
theres two models one has a warmer light i believe (dont quote me on that though)
aricooperdavis
Moderator
Assuming "medium" on both spot and flood then it should start at 350 lumens.
Source: https://zeroair.org/2022/04/05/sofirn-hs20-headlamp-review/
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