Lighting options

damo8604

damo8604

New member
I almost don't want to post this as I'm sure it's been done to death, however I think it's time to update my lamp after failing to illuminate the frozen deep as well as some of my colleagues with their uber expensive scurrion-esque lamps.

I'm currently using a v42 insert in a duo which although punches above it's weight it doesn't quite pack quite enough punch to be top end. I held off buying a top end lamp as I felt I couldn't justify a ?600 outlay on a lamp I'm only using for one weekend a month but then I'm doing the cave a dis-service aren't I? The cave 'wants' me to see it therefore I have decided to push the button!

I looked at the various offerings on sale at Hidden earth, the earthworm looks great, is well packaged and has a great price tag too, just a shame it doesn't burn too long though.

The Rude Nora looks fantastic, a beautiful piece of technology and a reasonable price tag too, also prior dealings with Biff gives me comfort that I could receive great customer service in the event of problems, oh and I believe it's upgradable too?

Scurions....... is this the cr?me de la cr?me of the caving lamp? I don't know..... it looks beautiful, seen loads of them in action and everyone speaks very highly of them indeed, the only drawback is it is at the pricier end of the spectrum although that's ok if it outshines the competition (see what I did there?) Are there any other drawbacks I should be aware of?

El Spelio, I don't know too much about this lamp, don't know many people (if any) that use these, I saw Bernies had some for sale, again great price tag and looks and feels nice.

Stenlight, I know nothing of these or anyone who uses them, do these come close to the El spelio/Scurrion/Rude Nora?

Viper........... no longer available  :eek: it's a shame because Chrisby B's lamp looked pretty fine! Are there any other alternatives?

So guys........ I know there is going to be a huge difference of opinion but would be grateful for pros and cons regarding all of the above, oh and I'm the type of guy who likes a lot of light (I know some of you prefer lower settings) I want a high power, burn the roof long lasting super nova type lamp!
 
pwhole

pwhole

Well-known member
The only one I have experience of is the Stenlight, and that's performed superbly over the three years or so I've been using it. The battery is sealed, so no issues with broken wires, etc. It's waterproof, and very rugged. It's not as bright as some out there, but I can see all the roof of Oxlow West Chamber easily with it on full power, which is good enough for me. It's easily bright enough to do photography without a flash at a reasonable distance. Despite rumours about the Molex connector being dodgy, that's not my experience, and it has never come undone or failed.
 
paul

paul

Moderator
pwhole said:
The only one I have experience of is the Stenlight, and that's performed superbly over the three years or so I've been using it. The battery is sealed, so no issues with broken wires, etc. It's waterproof, and very rugged. It's not as bright as some out there, but I can see all the roof of Oxlow West Chamber easily with it on full power, which is good enough for me. It's easily bright enough to do photography without a flash at a reasonable distance. Despite rumours about the Molex connector being dodgy, that's not my experience, and it has never come undone or failed.
Click to expand...

The StenLight is also a LOT less weight than the Scurion and I presume most of the other alternatives being discussed.
 
B

Blakethwaite

New member
The Sten is a lovely lamp, mine still works well after probably a few hundred or so trips.

It doesn't however have a UK distributor at this moment in time as far as I'm aware. Simon at Excellent Stuff hasn't sold them for a while now.
 
graham

graham

New member
pwhole said:
The only one I have experience of is the Stenlight, and that's performed superbly over the three years or so I've been using it. The battery is sealed, so no issues with broken wires, etc. It's waterproof, and very rugged. It's not as bright as some out there, but I can see all the roof of Oxlow West Chamber easily with it on full power, which is good enough for me. It's easily bright enough to do photography without a flash at a reasonable distance. Despite rumours about the Molex connector being dodgy, that's not my experience, and it has never come undone or failed.
Click to expand...

Must be longer than three years that we (the dear lady wife and I) have had ours. We have no complaints at all. No battery problems, no connector problems. it is obvious that the connector is potentially the weakest point, so I run the cables inside the helmet to protect it. That seems to do the job.
 
Swallowneck

Swallowneck

Member
Had an El Speleo for over 2 years. used at least once a week for digging and has been faultless. Great for photo's and video. 
Mines an early model, the new ones look even better. I am getting tempted!
One of the guy's has an Earthworm which also looks a nice lamp but perhaps could do with bigger battery capacity. Nice and compact as is though.
Decisions, decisions. 
 
T

tamarmole

Active member
For pure bang for buck you would have to go a long way to beat one of Roy Fellows' lamps - also important is that the after sales service is exemplary.

http://www.ledcaplamps.com/

I have been using one of Roy's Ecostar's for the last four years or so  - cracking lamp.
 
E

estelle

Member
damo8604 said:
The Rude Nora looks fantastic, a beautiful piece of technology and a reasonable price tag too, also prior dealings with Biff gives me comfort that I could receive great customer service in the event of problems, oh and I believe it's upgradable too?
Click to expand...
love my Rude Nora for caving (and for digging my duo conversion) and it is reassuring that should anything ever go wrong or an upgrade be required, Biff and Keith are only the other side of the hill to me and customer service to date has always been impeccable.  ;)
(and the purchase of the Rude Nora was all Reservoir Hole's fault - how could i be a leader and not see the cave!)
 
tim.rose2

tim.rose2

Active member
Buy a couple of these (or one of the many similar products available on ebay):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350800657075?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Much cheaper & just as bright as the posh lights - its the same LED technology in them.  Obviously keep your existing light for normal caving, using these in addition when more light is required.  Mine are attached to my lid with bungy cord so they can be easily removed if need be (however I've only done this once - ie I don't find they get in the way).  Or just carry them in your pocket - I took 3 more in a bag last time we went to GB to aid in taking photo's.

They last about a year to 18 months before the mud starts upsets them with an average of a couple trips a month.    No issues going through ducks / sump 1 in swildons / washing in a bucket water etc.  I just leave them open (as with the Duo battery box) in the airing cupboard overnight after use.  Having bought about 10 for various purposes (not all caving related) over the last 5 years I've only killed 2 - both due to mud killing the switch.

One thing I have always done is applied a smattering of silicone grease before the first use.
 
damo8604

damo8604

New member
estelle said:
(and the purchase of the Rude Nora was all Reservoir Hole's fault - how could i be a leader and not see the cave!)
Click to expand...

Exactly the same reason I'm ditching my v42, frozen deep is way too nice to be without a super nova on your head!
 
badger

badger

Active member
I have a scurion, whilst I cant argue with the brightness of the light, there is for me several gripes,
1, very expensive compared to other lights on the market, although not as bright
2, it is very heavy
3, connection in the battery case is very poor
4, its not waterproof (battery case)

I think if I was buying a light today it would be a rude nora,
 
Mark Wright

Mark Wright

Active member
I too have a Scurion. It was a prototype of the 1500L (1450L) model which I was lucky enough to get at trade price. It was part of a sponsorship deal for one of our Mulu trips. I find it hard to believe that people pay over ?600.00 for a headlamp. Unless you are doing a lot of caving in big caves you probably won't ever need the very high Lumen lamps.

I'm with badger, get yourself a Rude Nora. They look good as well.

Cheers,

Mark
 
tim.rose2

tim.rose2

Active member
I do like how they quote 2200 lm max when Cree spec for a T6 is ~700lm at 2A and ~900lm at 3A, the max according to Cree. It never gets anywhere near 2200 lm
Click to expand...

You are very correct - the numbers are a complete load of c**p however 2 x 700 lm is comparable to the various 'super' caving lights out there.  After all a lot of them use the same LED's.

I do wonder just how much profit some people are making on these caving lights - yes I know the cases are expensive, but the LED's wiring etc clearly isn't!
 
Leclused

Leclused

Active member
ianball11 said:
I'm tempted with the Stoots Evo Max lamp, just not so sure it is up to the bashing caving can give a lamp, the batteries in particular.

http://www.stootsconcept.fr/
Click to expand...

A member of my club switched from Sten to Stoots earlier this year. He did already a lot of digging trips in Belgium and he used the stoots also 4 weeks during the Anialarra expedition this summer. I've spoken him about the lamp and nothing but positive. He was also afraid for the vurnabilty of the batteries but due to the fact that the pack is almost folded around your helmet and it is hardly sticking out it is very difficult to smash the pack. The lamp too is hardly sticking out the helmet.

The only small minor thing is that in very large rooms/pits you can't keep up with scurions/nora's.

Following photo shows how small this lamp really is

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lvm_1yBqtXM/U8WM0G4p2nI/AAAAAAAAOkY/m18wPk4VvrI/s1600-h/IMG_0142_001%25255B4%25255D.jpg

When my Sten dies the stoots will be an option  ;)

Dagobert
 
H

hyweldavies

Member
I can certainly recommend the Nora - works extremely well and appears very robust so should last a long time. Delighted with it. Though not cheap it's lot cheaper than the Scurion and has some advantages - specifically I like the way it uses generic batteries which can easily be sourced from anywhere when the time comes. Ditto the charger. The sealed battery in unit with charger arrangement of.the scurion seems like a costly and risky lock-in best avoided. Also I prefer to spend my money with a Uk vendor - as my wages are ultimately paid for by UK customers - so hopefully the money will keep going round.
 
Rhys

Rhys

Moderator
I agree with Hywel on that front. It was the flexible battery option that really swung the Nora for me.

Rhys
 
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