Which Lamp

[SamT]

So, been out the game for a little while. Got a Custom Duo insert in an old Duo. Kinda OK. But probably much better available these days.

So has Biff packed in then. Littlemonkey site says everything is discontinued/not available etc which is a shame (would love to buy british)

Scurion? - oof - spenny - not sure I'm going to become an everyweekend and midweek evenings caver again, but off to albania on exped again.
Fenix? always preffered something actually helmet mounted, rather than on elastic.
Phaethon? Quite like the neat look of these. again, spenny. Guess you don't see many in the UK?

Any others to consider?

 

[Leclused]

new kid on the block is Meander, Not cheap but in the same category as Scurion.

Their hompage

Some diver friend cavers are testing the dive versions for them (via a kind of sponsorship). Good lamp, some start-up hick-ups with the charger. But that is solved now.

 

[Benfool]

I know quite a few people with Phaethons - many have had problems and because of Brexit, its difficult to return to Greece to get it fixed. Plus I personally really hate the piezo switch.

Argo seems pretty good - similar to the Phaethon, but improved. Made and supported in Sardinia, so similar issues with support than the Phaethon. Have a look at Starless River.

I've personally used Scurion for close to 20 years (I'm on my second) and cant really seriously fault them, but I'm a little biased as I work for Rolf on the side. Expensive yes, but will last a long time and is fully servicable and upgradable. Also has support and maintanace in the UK (as in me), which I personally think is invaluable.

 

[Maj]

My Fenix is helmet mounted.
It's an HL60 that I've had for quite a few years now. I removed the elastic straps, drilled four small holes in the back plate and bolted it to helmet with four small nuts-n-bolts.

 

[aricooperdavis]

I've really gone off lights with seperate battery packs. They're bulky, heavy, add a vulnerability point with the cable, and require modification of your helmet rendering it slightly less safe. If you're absolutely set on helmet mount then you can do that for pretty much any light, even an angle light like a fenix, with relative ease.

I have strong feelings about torches which I have posted about frequently, and written a short summary of here: https://cooper-davis.net/blog/caving-torches

TLDR: I'd buy a cheap Fenix-style tube light based on my personal preferences. Parametrek is a great resource for identifying lights that meet your needs: https://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?type=headlamp&battery=1x18650&lumens=_,125&features=~articulation,~bluetooth,~collapsible,~color filters,~display,~focusable,~integrated charger,~powerbank,~rear light,~usb-c charging,~vibration&weight=_,200&environment=IPX7,IPX8

 

[SamT]

Seems to be a huge range of Fenix offereings. whats the difference between HL and HM ranges??

 

[cavingbiker]

Seems to be a huge range of Fenix offereings. whats the difference between HL and HM ranges??

A quick google search gives:
AI Overview
The primary difference between the Fenix HM series and HL series is their intended use and construction: The HM series (High-Performance/Mountain) is designed for rugged, professional, and high-intensity outdoor use with durable metal housing, while the HL series (High-Light/Hiking) is designed for casual to moderate, everyday, or lightweight activities, often featuring plastic or lighter construction.

 

[jonnybellman]

To add to the Phaethon discussion. I have one, and find if I knock it on a cave roof (who would do such a silly thing) I can often knock it into a low power mode. The way to fix this, is to loosen the battery box off, then retighten. My irritation with this, is that you must carry an allen key with you to do it. The Argo lamp has thumb screws which seem like a better solution, although they look a bit more snaggy for the diving stuff. My fix for the allen key is to have a Yale window key stashed in my helmet. Just the right size

 

[Max bowen]

I was on the littlemonkey site last week and was wondering why everything was discontinued and out of stock

 

[The Old Ruminator]

I go caving every week. My many years old Scurion has never let me down.

 

[pwhole]

My Stenlight is still going strong after about 14 years, so it's a shame they aren't still available or I'd definitely recommend one!

 

[underground]

I’m not really sure for your current purposes the bang to buck vs relative improvement of a modern light vs a CustomDuo is really that much (ie they’re still a decent light, and light (weight). Particularly if you do a 2x18650 battery conversion (I’ve got spot welder and strips etc so easy job for you).
Chris does all his caving on a Thrunite head torch and I’m not sure my Scurion is worth the extra 600 quid really (plus a head torch you can use climbing, tenting, running etc aswell of course)

 

[Katie]

If you are keen on British made I saw these at Hidden Earth last year and they looked like a good option
https://earthwormcavelight.co.uk/
Although I haven't used or seen one in a cave!

 

[Cantclimbtom]

If you are keen on British made I saw these at Hidden Earth last year and they looked like a good option
https://earthwormcavelight.co.uk/
Although I haven't used or seen one in a cave!

If you hadn't posted that I would've done, looks very interesting!

SamT if you have the custom duo, have you converted it to run post n 3 x 18500 lithium ion batteries? (3 in parallel), if you gut the battery box they fit inside. It means you can run it on high all the time for shorter trips and maybe get some more life out of it, but Bif's excellent light is looking a bit dated compared to more modern alternatives.

Graph is a Simple v2 and 3x1850 batteries, room temperature

 

[Badlad]

Fenix. Look no further IMO. Done me proud. Home and abroad but mainly, continually weekly digging under testing conditions. At a good price with great customer service.

 

[SamT]

Fenix. Look no further IMO. Done me proud. Home and abroad but mainly, continually weekly digging under testing conditions. At a good price with great customer service.

Which one of the many variations do you have?

 

[Babyhagrid]

My HM65 has done 300ish trips and works well. The elastic strap adjuster has failed and falls out but that was fixed with taping the whole thing up.

 

[andrewmcleod]

I've really gone off lights with seperate battery packs. They're bulky, heavy, add a vulnerability point with the cable, and require modification of your helmet rendering it slightly less safe.

For longer trips I think less than two 18650s is not enough battery, so you either need spares and regular battery changes or you end up with quite a bit of weight at the front of the helmet if you don't have a rear battery pack. Definitely the cable is a weak point though (I need to rebuild a cable that's just died...).

But it's often trivial to attach a rear battery pack to your helmet with bungee (if it's not massive like a Scurion box), so if you can work out a strap attachment for the front light you don't have to drill holes. I have a front light (and spare side light) all attached to a GoPro strap (which is then obviously tied on with a bit of cord because losing both lights at once would be embarrassing!).

 

[BigDyl]

Fenix HM70R

 

[aricooperdavis]

For longer trips I think less than two 18650s is not enough battery

I think you must either prefer a brighter caving experience than me, or go on much longer trips. The last time I did an overnight trip in Daren I only used 2x 18650s, and most of my trips in Cornwall I only swap out my battery every other trip or so!